It was 17/2/04 5:59 pm, when Jay Busse wrote: >> Too good to be true?..... > > Well, you know the saying, "if it sounds too good to be true...." I think > you'll find that the prices headlined by the big dealers generally reflect > "after applicable discounts." That's common practice here in the states, if it > isn't in England.
Jay Certainly not common practice, the trading standards would slap a retailer into goal unless they state clearly the price includes " applicable discounts." Whatever they are. Discounts are negotiable off the list price in the UK. That's been my experience. > Presumably, some of the price disparity between US and UK list prices for > items > reflects a company's increased costs in setting up separate marketing, support > and repair facilities in the second market. It seems a bit disingenuous to > expect to be able to avail yourself of those facilities if you haven't paid > for them by buying offshore instead. A lot of trade is done through virtual shops. While there is going to be some difference in running virtual shops, I can't imagine it's going to cost the same as corner shops who have to pay West End rates. How did I hear of B & H? Through lists like this, so marketing budgets should, in theory, be less while repairs are and can be marketed out to local repair shops. Isn't that what Kodak do? Apple have done it for years... > At the same time, I understand the line of > thought that says the markup seems far too much for what is offered. That was > certainly what I was thinking when I bought that 500CM and lenses with the > manuals in German back then. It's not just the markups. On the whole, we earn a lot less than, say, people in the USA. Things like jeans and petrol (gas) cost an arm and a leg as does going to the films (movies), etc, etc. The list goes on...So, in reality, the markup is even more once you start comparing penny for cent. > If the US list for the SLRn is $4,995, that appears to be �2,697. Is shipping, > duty and in-country support worth �300? There is no duty to pay but, personally, I would spend the �300 and move on...but if the 14n is �900 and the upgrade is �800, that's �1700 for a body as opposed to �2700...it's worth a pause and the wait can't be that bad since 14n users have been waiting for a year or so for an upgrade...OK, you don't get an SLRn at the end of the day but you save �1000. Shangara Singh. __________________________________________________ :: Photoshop CS Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) :: Photoshop CS Essential Tips && ACE Exam Aids && Glossary :: http://www.photoshopace.com && http://www.examaids.com =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
