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04-13-2010, 05:04 AM   #1
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Prodigital2000 - is it just me?

Sheesh! After reading so many glowing references for Prodigital2000 as a seller on eBay, I thought I'd check him out for a couple of items - a DA15mm lens, and a Tamrac Pro 12 camera bag.

The prices on the items were fine - enough less than the current Australian prices to make it worthwhile considering buying.

BUT - then I looked at the shipping costs.... WOW!!!

The Tamrac bag was $Aus 149, but shipping would be $US185 - that's over $Aus200 for shipping! For a $149 bag...!

And the tiny little Pentax DA15mm lens is $Aus699 - not too bad. But shipping is another $US85 - or over $Aus100.

Is UPS the one making the big profit here? Does anyone else find these shipping costs absolutely ridiculous and blatant daylight robbery?

Or is it just me?

Needless to say - I didn't order anything, as the price savings on the articles was almost completely offset by the added shipping costs.

04-13-2010, 06:13 AM   #2
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No its not you, their item prices are cheap & then they [Prodigital2000] make back their profit margin with ridiculous shipping cost's

I have emailed & asked why their shipping to Oz is so exorbinate, but never get an answer.
04-13-2010, 06:26 AM   #3
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First it would be CanadaPost ripping people off (they are ridiculous) and Prodigital2000 is Canadian.

Their shipping to Canada and the US is very reasonable (often free) its just the southern hemisphere who is getting no love. Sorry
04-13-2010, 06:29 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Derridale Quote
Sheesh! After reading so many glowing references for Prodigital2000 as a seller on eBay, I thought I'd check him out for a couple of items - a DA15mm lens, and a Tamrac Pro 12 camera bag.

The prices on the items were fine - enough less than the current Australian prices to make it worthwhile considering buying.

BUT - then I looked at the shipping costs.... WOW!!!

The Tamrac bag was $Aus 149, but shipping would be $US185 - that's over $Aus200 for shipping! For a $149 bag...!

And the tiny little Pentax DA15mm lens is $Aus699 - not too bad. But shipping is another $US85 - or over $Aus100.

Is UPS the one making the big profit here? Does anyone else find these shipping costs absolutely ridiculous and blatant daylight robbery?

Or is it just me?

Needless to say - I didn't order anything, as the price savings on the articles was almost completely offset by the added shipping costs.
Well, I definitely wouldn't get the bag!

I shipped a $550 lens to Australia using Canada Post's Express shipping --the only way I could get insurance and tracking-- and it cost $70, so $85 by UPS is probably over by $10 - $15.

A month ago there were rebates available--maybe there'll be a better savings in the future.

04-13-2010, 06:33 AM   #5
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You should try the sellers from Hong Kong or that side of the world, Shipping from Canada to Australia is always expensive.
04-13-2010, 06:36 AM   #6
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I bought my K200d from prodigital2000 for $400 US and had free shipping. But then again I live in the States.
04-13-2010, 06:55 AM   #7
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Woah, just checked Adorama's price--they're back-ordered for the DA 15, but their price is $499 US once you add it to the cart + $52.75 US shipping. Much better, but also not in stock.

The DA15 is one of those lenses that never came down in price in Canada. The pricing between the Canada and US is pretty inconsistent.

04-13-2010, 06:57 AM   #8
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Their shipping charges to Europe are quite in line (or even below), what US companies account for and not near what they seem to charge for shipping to Australia.

Ben
04-13-2010, 09:34 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by wwwmorrell Quote
then they [Prodigital2000] make back their profit margin with ridiculous shipping cost's
nothing like this for US and Canada - it is just they do not consider selling to places like AU as an important business and if somebody from AU is going to buy something then that person has to pay the premium, because prodigital2000 is not going to bother to find (or take a risk) a cheap(er) way to ship...
04-13-2010, 04:08 PM   #10
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I just ordered the DA15 from Adorama. And as the poster above mentioned, the price changed as soon as I put the lens into my shopping basket, from $649 to $499. UPS shipping is only $52, so all up, I'm paying about $550, which is about $Aus 600 at current exchange rates. Much better deal all round - thanks for the info Farfisa

Now to wait for the thing to come into stock and get shipped.
04-13-2010, 05:17 PM   #11
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About a year ago they were the best seller on Ebay for camera equipment, they had incredibly good prices, nobody had heard any bad reviews from them, and everyone used them.

So what happened then?
04-13-2010, 05:37 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by jct us101 Quote
About a year ago they were the best seller on Ebay for camera equipment, they had incredibly good prices, nobody had heard any bad reviews from them, and everyone used them.

So what happened then?
I think those incredibly good prices were a combination of favorable currency exchange and pre-price hike of Pentax lenses.

I know I jumped in on it at the time and purchased two lenses and a camera from them.
04-13-2010, 05:42 PM   #13
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There was another store on there that had a great reputation too. I think it was Cameta Auctions? How are they doing now too?
04-13-2010, 07:37 PM   #14
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I still wouldn't hesitate to buy from Prodigital 2000. Prior to March of 2009, Canadian Pentax prices were unbelievable. I got the 16-50 for 600 dollars, the DA 35 for 350. The exchange rate was part of it, but part was that Pentax didn't get around to raising prices till then. Prodigital's prices aren't as good now, but they still have free shipping to the US and usually throw in a 7 year Mack warranty, for what it is worth.
04-13-2010, 09:07 PM   #15
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The prices still aren't bad compared to current Australian prices. Our exchange rate is sitting over the 90 US cents to $Aus1, so the conversion is quite good. Our importers here jack up the prices to the point where it becomes silly.

But those UPS prices, for shipping, with no other options, kill the Prodigital2000 advantage. For example, that $Aus149 Tamrac bag, with over $Aus200 shipping...! Plain silly.

You lot in the US do have it pretty good on many fronts, not the least being the free shipping from Prodigital2000, and starting from lower prices to begin with.
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