Do not buy any Sonus Faber used

Not sure if this applies to SF, but I once read that of one US distributor that would not service products that were not imported into the US by themselves. He argued that he has invested in the US distribution and set up a dealer network, provides warranty service etc., and if someone wants to buy from a non domestic source, they can also use that source for service and parts.

Only products that were not intended for the US market were precluded from support. The distributor did not abandon the used US imported market.

Why wouldn’t Sumiko just surcharge the parts and service levied on grey market SF products?

US imported products would receive preferred service/part prices and owners of grey market SF product would just have to pay a surcharge to subsidize the US distribution channel.

From Sumiko's website.

PROVIDE SERVICE FOR PRODUCT NOT PURCHASED FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. PLEASE CONTACT SUMIKO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING A DEALER.