Phono Cartridge Purchase from Asia?

I bought a Ruby Z from Kron. Fast shippin and responsive. However, the serial# was changed on the outer white paper that wraps the case. I reached out to Benz. Apparently, my carts serial # doesn't exist to them. They called it a grey market cartridge. No warranty will be honored as far as they're concerned. The cartridge seems fine but what did I buy; who knows? I wouldn't do it again.

You say 'Asia'.  Where in Asia??

Quite a bit of Asia is OK, has honest people and a decent rule of law.

But China is the wild west.  Don't go there.

Beware saying Hong Kong is OK.  It used to be.  Sadly tt's part of China now and is being infiltrated by dodgy mainlanders.

@mulveling Thanks! I pulled the trigger on the Benz Zebra L. You recommended it to me a couple months back in a different thread. I’m replacing a Hana SL. Looking forward to hearing it! 

I bought a Benz Micro Glider SL two years ago from KRON.

Just weeks later I got Covid, and literally forgot all about the cartridge I’d put aside for later.

I’d even posted here asking for input on choosing another cartridge when I realized I already had one.

Doh!

Cartridge is great, but while connecting it to A Musical Surroundings Nova III I had one channel gain off by a lot and contacted Benz USA about warranty. 

I know, I know…

while talking this through I asked if they ever had issues with units sold overseas - as my cartridge’s serial number didn’t show up in their system- and the rep I spoke with said to his knowledge there have never been any counterfeit BM cartridges made.

 I got it cheap, $680 + about $30 FEDEX global, which was at least $500 less than i could find it anywhere US. 

Best $500 I never spent.

If you buy "grey market" goods from overseas they will not be covered by a US warranty and the sellers generally don't accept credit cards, so yes, there's a risk.  Know that going into the purchase and decide for yourself if it's a good deal or not.  I bought a cartridge from Kron and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.