What is “Gray Market”?

The gray market (also spelled grey market) is where products are sold outside normal distribution channels by unauthorized resellers that have no official relationship with the manufacturer.  This market often employs irregular but not illegal methods to sell products at prices lower than those offered through official channels.

Who is an authorized Steelcase reseller?

Steelcase products are sold through a network of authorized resellers selected by Steelcase to deliver customer experiences consistent with the brand promise.  An authorized reseller not only distributes the products, but also provides the consumer all of the technical support, warranty repairs, after-warranty service, and well everything a consumer associates with what a manufacturer should do.  Authorized Steelcase resellers earn the right to sell the brand.  A listing of current authorized resellers is found on www.steelcase.com by clicking on the “Shop” tab.

How do I know if my Steelcase product is “Gray Market”?

If the deal seemed too good to be true, it probably was.  Gray market products may be less expensive than those bought through official distribution channels but are sometimes inferior.  The products may be second-hand products or contain second-hand components that are represented as new or authentic.  With the use of the Internet to sell goods, some gray market items are not designed for a particular market, so they may not function properly and cannot be supported by an authorized reseller.  Warranties, updates, or other support are usually not available for gray market products.

Note about Amazon.com

While Amazon.com is an authorized online reseller of Steelcase products, many independent resellers who sell through Amazon.com are not. When purchasing, it is important to note where the product is being “shipped from and sold by,” which is stated clearly in the header for each product on Amazon.com.

Who are some known sellers of “Gray Market” Steelcase products?

The following are identified as selling gray market Steelcase products:

Online Stores

DesignerSeating.com
EclusiveMod.com
InstyleModern.com
MadisonSeating.com
OfficeSight.com
ShopSeating.com

Additional Known “Gray Market” Sellers

Amazon or eBay sellers
Online stores listed above
Conpac Supplies
Everything Overstock
Wesaveyou$
Zyderstore
TheBuyDepot