Stephen, Just for interest both B&H & Adorama have the lens in stock but are both closed for Passover.
My problems with B&H were not of their making - they were due to a computer breakdown between them and the Commonwealth bank Credit Card system. However they would have had the sale IF they had been willing to take a backorder. Adorama did take a back order so they got the sale :) I know I would be cancelling the order in Oz and buying from either of the USA sources. It is not the fault of the shop but they are probably surprised you have not already gone overseas - they would blame Kennedy's and not you. Rod _______________________________________________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stephen Rod, I made a small purchase from B&H with absolutely no problems. So I am confident that if I had ordered from them, I would have had the lens since January. It amazes me that there apparently have not been any in the country since November. I have been told varies times for availability: 10-12-6 before xmas middle of January 14-2-7 End of March And now end of April I first tried to order this lens in October! I have no problem with the store that actually ordered the lens for me, it's not their fault. So I am sticking with them. I do have a problem with the other stores, who simply neglected to give me a price. But I can now see why they maybe simply frustrated with Kennedys. There appears to be something seriously wrong with distribution. Stephen At 19:33 3/04/2007, you wrote: >Stephen, > >I decided to get a FA 50mm f/1.4 mid March this year. > >As I had problems with B&H authentication of my VISA payment attempts on the >web orders and they would not accept a backorder in my phone contact after >the small quantity available one USA night were sold b4 the store opened I >went to Adorama. > >The lens was shown as back-ordered on their web site. > >I phoned and a very helpful customer service operator helped me with >information on when the Credit Card is charged and shipping cost policies on >part shipments. > >I then emailed the sales person she specified with the details of my >multipart order with and a copy (as requested) to her. > >I then went to bed as it was about 3am :) > >The following day I forwarded by email - again to the same customer service >person - my credit card authentication, scans of front and back of card and >the first page of a recent bill to authenticate the address etc. > >The actual ordering was on the USA Friday morning and the lens was shipped >via UPS on the following USA Monday and it arrived on the following Friday >(local time) at my home in a Melbourne suburb. > >If the lens had not become available and there were significant items in the >rest of the order their policy is to ship the other items and NOT to charge >the card for delayed items until the item(s) is(are) shipped - they also >bear any extra shipping costs involved. > >The lens cost me about US$220 and about US$35 for shipping which was >considerably less than I found on web prices in Oz. Especially when the >shipping costs were shared over the other items. > >My only loss is that if there is a warranty problem with the lens I may have >to send it back to the USA for warranty service or possibly pay full rates >for local service - this is a risk I am prepared to take with a lens. > >Hope this is of interest and help to you in deciding what to do in your >current frustrating situation > >Rod -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
