1. Most places here in the States don't fully staff on weekends. Particularly Sundays. Particularly Super Bowl Sunday. If retail, the sales people are there, but not necessarily the big guys. Sunday-Monday in Oz is only Saturday-Sunday in the Big Apple. Both B&H and Adorama observe the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday on the common calendar), that is the only reason you got an answer on Sunday at all.
2. The East Coast has been getting hammered with snow, ice, and cold.
3. Pentax announced this on Friday. Do you suppose they gave advance notice of the pricing shift to area reps? Do you suppose the reps had a chance to discuss the implications with all of their major accounts?
4. See note 1 above. Do you think the sales reps were working this weekend? See note 2.
I think you should be quite pleased that you received any answer at all! Really remarkable under the circumstances.
Patience is a virtue...
Stan
graywolf wrote:
Both companies are famous for NYC curtness. Don't take it as a put down, it is just their way. New Yorkers are strange people, they will call you all kinds of nasty names while giving you their right arm. The curtness probably comes from have 11 million neighbors all wanting attention at the same time.
--
Tanya Mayer Photography wrote:
Last night I sent this email to both B and H and Adorama:
"My name is Tanya Mayer and I am a professional photographer located in Australia (www.tanyamayer.com).
I am writing as I am wishing to purchase a Pentax *istD with DA 16-45mm lens.
This morning, I was made aware of the following, just released from the Pentax USA website:
http://www.pentaxusa.com/news/news_display.cfm?pressid=174
In a nutshell, it says:
"PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. has reduced the retail price of the*ist D Digital SLR by $300. The legendary camera manufacturer also is offering consumers an additional $200 cash back when combined with the purchase of the PENTAX 16-45mm DA digital lens. These special savings are in effect February 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004."
I am writing to ask when I may expect to see these prices reflected in those listed on your website, and also, if I were to purchase from here in Australia, would I be eligible for the US$200 cash back?
I really want to purchase this prior to the end of this month, so any information that you could offer would be most appreciated."
This is what I got back from each of them...
Adorama - "Sorry not yet maybe in a couple of weeks"
B and H -
"Hello, IST D DIGITAL CAMERA $1699.95 $1349.95 The lens is not available yet."
Hmmm, great customer relations eh?
So, it looks like I am going to have to "hold out" for a while longer... I
was thinking that some of you may be saying to yourselves "girl, just go and
buy the bloody thing, it's only $300" etc, BUT the US$300 and the US$200
rebate translate to $657 at today's exchange rate, and this could very well
be the difference between me being able to afford to come to GFM or not!
Have to say though, I am totally unimpressed by the shortness of both of their replies, I mean they didn't even say "thanks for your enquiry" or whatever...
I am going to ring Pentax Australia (CR Kennedy) right now to see what they
have to say...
tan. *who WANTS her *istD! but refuses to pay more than she has to for it!*
