Originally posted by GingerBeer The kit price I was paying was about $600 more than the body only price. I was getting desperate to get a K-5 so I was asking what price they could do for the body only plus the DA 18-135mm (because the official kits do come in the one box).
They wanted to charge me $789 for the lens. In the end I decided to just get the body here and get the lens from Adorama for < AU$600 (and ordered a few other things at the same time).
CR Kennedy weren't interested in price matching the grey import and neither the retailer nor CRK were interested in helping out a customer who had been waiting > 1month for a K-5 & DA 18-135mm kit by offering a price for both items individually at close to the kit price.
Thanks GB for relating your story. Exactly what I thought might be happening underneath, and find seedy about all this.
Some seem to be getting out of jail with a great result (good on 'em) while other same drawn-out-orders, like yourself, are treated like lepers and screwed over.
Are CRK pandering to the size of the order from the dealer? Who knows. It's the end-buyer inequity treatment and servicing that's the real bother.
Big commiserations from me too re the CRK outlets v US retailer prices for that lens, Ado has had it at USD499.95 (usual 529.95) for a while now; and if I wanted one... no contest.
On that subject -- Anyone here know why UPS ship rate has suddenly jumped by about an effective 25% per a similar size order just last few days? Fedex has leaped about same. B&H affected too.
Is this some type of religious season surcharge imposition, or, permanent?
Unable here so far to find an
official statement or info to explain, anywhere. Anyone?
I have a mixed bag bulk order of bits brewing in their Cart pot (to amortise ship cost) with Adorama ATM, and reluctant to pull the trigger now, but naturally want them soon-as.
Bastard, Life ain't easy for us serfs.
For anyone interested, this is all I'd been able to dig up, and doesn't seem to explain what I'm observing above, for orders placed at the current date:
Ref:
UPS Rates: 2011 Rate Change Information
//
These rates go into effect January 3, 2011.
Package
...
UPS Air and International services will increase a net 4.9% through a combination of a 6.9% increase in rates and a 2% reduction in the UPS Air and International services fuel surcharge.
Dimensional Weight Calculation Change
Beginning January 3, 2011, the divisor used to calculate dimensional weight will change. ...
- Export services from the U.S. (all services) will change from 166 to 139.
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Fwiw: The US is bringing in stronger shipment Laws re: Lithium batteries too, could affect battery or whole camera self importers.
Safely Packing Batteries Is Critical
(Not a Bad Thing™ though, IMhO)
.R.