News from Canon USA and Canon Canada on 1DII pricing

Dick,

So, any idea why prices are so different? In the absence of legal restraints, and factoring in transportation costs, prices tend to equalize.

On Roger Galbraith's forum, Chuck Westfall (Canon representative) states that Canon's suggested price is $4499 but that while the supply is short, he would not be surprised if dealers charged a premium of $1500, bringing the price to about $6000. If pre-ordering, it would be wise to clarify this with the retail dealer.

Sandy Mossberg wrote:On Roger Galbraith's forum, Chuck Westfall (Canon representative) states that Canon's suggested price is $4499 but that while the supply is short, he would not be surprised if dealers charged a premium of $1500, bringing the price to about $6000. If pre-ordering, it would be wise to clarify this with the retail dealer.

Thanks for the warning Sandy.

That would surely delay my ordering of this camera until prices drop. $4,500 was more than I expected and $6,000 is way more.

FWIW none of the places I pre-ordered with require me to actually purchase the camera at any price.

Cliff Beittel wrote:Dick,

So, any idea why prices are so different? In the absence of legal restraints, and factoring in transportation costs, prices tend to equalize.

This has been one of life's great mysteries. Under current trade regulations, there shouldn't be much difference and often there isn't. But old habits and business practices die hard. (In some sense the same could be said for, say, US customers who bypass their hometown stores in favor of driving to or ordering from out of town when what they wanted may well have been around the corner and at the same price. If the hometown merchant had a prior history of high prices and poor stock, he or she may have driven away customers for good even if that merchant got with the program.)

In large measure, though, high prices in Canada are much like the weather: everyone complains but nobody does anything. For decades Canadian consumers voted with the feet and bought in the US (not uncommon for someone to buy a pair of shoes in Buffalo and scuff them up a bit before returning to Canada). They never directly confronted their sellers and demanded.

There are many more facets to the issue and the answers have eluded persons far more versed than yours truly. It has almost become an accepted way of life.

What has improved over the years, as a whole, is that there are more stores selling more products and the choice of products has improved considerably. In some instances, prices can be the same or even less when adjusted for currency. Unfortunately, this isn't across the board and some things are unjustifiably overpriced.

Let me note again that the picture has improved considerably in that there are more stores selling more products. There is less of a need to "sneak in" stuff across the border as there may have been when I lived there, not just because of the prices but because the products then may not have been as widely available.) In addition, NAFTA has opened the US market to Canadian businesses (though the strength of the loonie now may put a little damper on that). The post-NAFTA numbers benefitting Canada are incredible.

To make the long story short, Canadian consumers need to vote with their mouths as well.

Dick Ginkowski wrote:
In large measure, though, high prices in Canada are much like the weather: everyone complains but nobody does anything. For decades Canadian consumers voted with the feet and bought in the US (not uncommon for someone to buy a pair of shoes in Buffalo and scuff them up a bit before returning to Canada). They never directly confronted their sellers and demanded.

Dick, this is an excellent point. Before I buy any significant piece of camera gear, I check prices with several Canadian retailers first. If their price is much higher than the US prices(which it usually is), then I tell them I'll be buying from the US and show them exactly how much less I'll be paying for it. I'm apologetic, and they usually agree that there's no way they can compete. Canadian retailers need to directly know when they're losing business, to inspire them to lobby for fair pricing.

Quite often I read British photo publications. Quite often their price is similar in pounds to the US price in dollars. Canadians have it good compared to that

Any idea for the UK price?

Dick Ginkowski wrote:You'll be happy to know I am not assuming. I am a former wire and network reporter who worked in Ottawa and my mother lived in Ontario and Nova Scotia. My list of friends and contacts there includes two finance ministers, three prime ministers, a minister of external affairs and the late father of the current prime minister who was the Liberal leader in Parliament.

Dick: Paul Martin Sr. was never the Liberal leader. He ran for the position twice, and was defeated both times (the second time by Trudeau). He was a cabinet minister, though.

-Paul

Warehouse Express in the UK are quoting a RRP (recommended retail price) of £3999 for the EOS-1D MkII with availability in March. $4500 (US) looks like a bargain in comparison!

Quite often I read British photo publications. Quite often their price is similar in pounds to the US price in dollars. Canadians have it good compared to that

I've always had a certain amount of admiration for those folks enthusiastically dedicated to photography in the UK, with the amount of money it costs to buy equipment and supplies over there!

It's ironic, but, this thread is great

I am considering buying a EF300 f2.8 + an EF2x from B&H later this month. My usual store is PhotoCreative in Mississauga; their price of $6250 plus taxes was the lowest in the greater Toronto area. But that is approximately $1200Cdn higher than B&H.

Having not purchased from outside Canada before, I am a little concerned about that sum of money changing hands without a hitch. Also, the process is unfamiliar.

I could call or fax my Visa number to B&H. (to avoid my number going on the web)
I want the items to be delivered to my place of work, as I'm not home during usual delivery hours!
Duty, I understand is not applicable provided B&H have the right code.
What about brokerage fees?
What is the whole order, best shipping choice and receiving process?

Can anyone describe the process in some detail? Please!!

Many thanks,

Lat Correa wrote:I could call or fax my Visa number to B&H. (to avoid my number going on the web)
I want the items to be delivered to my place of work, as I'm not home during usual delivery hours!
Duty, I understand is not applicable provided B&H have the right code.
What about brokerage fees?
What is the whole order, best shipping choice and receiving process?

If the page on the web where you enter your Visa number starts with https:// instead of http://, then you really don't need to worry about entering your Visa number. (So long as you trust the merchant--but that's the same trust you need to give it over the phone or fax.)

To avoid brokerage fees, use one of the higher end UPS shipping options given by B&H. Don't use the cheap UPS option or the postal service options.

Having it delivered to work might complicate the brokerage fees, as it might pass through your employer's broker. I don't know that for sure, though. It would be best if you didn't put your company's name in the address, if possible. At worst, you might have to cough up $40-50 CDN in fees to your company to reimburse them for paying the broker. Not a big deal on a $6000 purchase, really.

Both my B&H purchases I made on the web. Only one of those was after they switched to UPS, and I chose the "expedited" option. I had it delivered to my home (UPS delivered it at about 6:00 pm--the previous FedEx delivery was in the afternoon, though), and I had to pay the GST to the UPS delivery man (he took a cheque).

-Paul

Thank you Paul, you have been very helpful

Lat Correa wrote:It's ironic, but, this thread is great

I could call or fax my Visa number to B&H. (to avoid my number going on the web)
I want the items to be delivered to my place of work, as I'm not home during usual delivery hours!
Duty, I understand is not applicable provided B&H have the right code.
What about brokerage fees?
What is the whole order, best shipping choice and receiving process?

Can anyone describe the process in some detail? Please!!

Many thanks,

While I *do* shop locally when I can, some price differences are just too great.
Paul has posted some good advice, I've never been too concerned with giving credit card info, I don't think it's any less secure than any other local business who has credit card records stored on computer. When I shop online or phone order from the US, the only critical part of the process is telling them in no uncertain terms "do NOT ship via UPS ground!" You should find that most photo gear has no duty, just the 7% GST, and possibly PST (I'm not familiar with that, I'm in Alberta )

I just did a quick compare between my favorite local store, and B&H on the 300 2.8 IS. Ouch. Big difference, based on web prices anyway...

Canon did recently drop some prices in Canada, due to the Canadian dollar being stronger, so web prices may not yet reflect these changes.

I would definitely talk to my favorite shop in person, explain what I want to buy, and negotiate, before making a final decision.

Prices vary greatly within US weborder vs instore vs seller:

Examples of two popular lenses:

Canon 24-70L USM USA model (prices rounded to nearest dollar)
B&H/Samy's/Adorama (online) $1300
BeachPhoto.com $1139 (shipping was high $30)
KEH.com $1270
Wolfe (14th st Atlanta - local store) $1500 + tax for me 7% OR
---parent RitzCamera.com $1350

Canon 100-400L IS USM USA
B&H/Adorama/Beach (online) $1390
Samys.com/KEH.com $1400
Wolfe (14th st Atlanta - local store) $1600 + tax for me 7% same at parent ritzCamera.com

After speaking to my dealer today, it sounds like my EOS 1D Mk.II will be here next month - anyone want to buy a nice EOS 1V-HS?

Lat, it has been my experience with B&H that you have to call in your order if the billing address for your credit card is not the address to which the order is to be delivered. I have placed orders of 1 - 4 thousand dollars a couple of times and had the MC approval that B&H does with their machines say that the order is not approved. I phone my bank and make sure that there should be no problem with charging the order on my card and then insist that B&H telephone to verify the charge. It has always gone through after they make that call. You do have to insist though. MC is very concerned that the charges could be fraudulent. I don't know about Visa. B&H uses FEDEX for shipping to Ontario. They do require payment of the sales tax and border crossing charges at the time of delivery. Be sure to ask the sales person or Customer Service to call you if there is any problem at all. I find it a little stressful to place large orders but it has always worked out eventually.

hmmm... here in germany the price is 4499eur MSRP... just like apple computers, they just change the dollar sign with euro

with today's rate, you can buy in US for $4500+around 100 shipping, pay the 16% tax, and still end up more than 250eur ($310) cheaper at 4250eur ($5270)...i just saved over $500 for lenses that i bought from adorama... also a 1D, which i dont have to pay tax (thanks john..).

rama

..

thanks geo...

btw i am not german citizen.. and will going back home soon, so i dont really mind about repair in europe...coz i will leave in a month. And yes, i can get 16% MwSt back for all the stuffs i bought here in the last 3 months....quite a lot of money, especially coz the price in Asia is cheaper or at least the same with US.