If Ned didn't moderate th comments on his Blog he'd be a fool, Given how aggressive you seem to be in the posts here I'd remove your posts as well. He is the face of Pentax North America, he certainly isn't going to approve completely negative comments. Her did however approve more low key critical comments and responded to them, which to be honest is more than we should expect. I imagine his blog has been swamped with comments and he is moderating trying to put out answers to the most frequent questions without having it turn into a forum threadlike bitchfest.
your 3 paragraph post is highly negative and leave no room for a reasoned response. but here goes
Quote: "You might not see it as a "price increase", but the bottom line is that the price I must pay now is as much as double for a Pentax lens. My bottom line is now I can not afford to purchase Pentax lenses and Sigma now is looking damn good. I had been methodically building up my Pentax gear, but being disabled and on a very limited income I have been priced right out of the Pentax lens market. Besides why should I pay more for a product with an inferior warranty and often inferior performance?
Pentax has not increased the price but asked dealers to meet a Specific sell price (in this they are no different than other manufacturers) Certainly it means an effective price increase, but these are not new prices. I'm sorry it has limited your ability to buy, but there will be promotional periods where it is more affordable for you. Meanwhile as you point out there are alternatives (Sigma and Tamron). They have mentioned that athe warranty is being looked at. - in general he has answered these questions already
Quote: If a camera store can not be competitive, why should the customer get the shaft by "subsidizing" their lack of competitiveness. You talk about making the Pentax product more available... I live 166 miles from the nearest camera store, which is in Boise and I'm unable to drive, plus live in a very small town in the mountains.... so how does this help me? So now I not only do I have to pay the same price online, but shipping charges on top of that!
Understand there has been a long standing complaint of lack of B&M stores. It is another channel that reaches a different client. Pricing had deteriorated through lack of control to the point that it needed to be addressed for the good of all the retailers and the brand. They have not pulled out of web retail. and when you buy via the web you don't pay the tax you would in a B&M so the shipping charge is a wash I would think. He has said pricing would still be settling (ie going through an adjustment period)
Quote: If it had not been for B&H's fantastic service and prices, prior to this "price increase" I would not have taken the chance on purchasing Pentax in the first place with the often "spotty" quality control issues, along with poor warranty period.
Pentax has lost a customer and I'm sure that I'm not the only one in the same boat! There is no reason for a camera shop to make such a huge profit and it is rewarding both non-competitiveness and greed!"
BH does indeed provide pretty good customer service. Your comments on spotty QC are a bit off the mark. have a look at the complaints on Nikon and Canon and Sony. All brands have issues. As for Warranty Canon and Sony also are only 1 year warranties, Nikon is the odd one out with the longer lens warranty. However Ned has mentioned it is one of the values under review.
I't unfortunate you feel Pentax can no longer meet your needs, but in my view Pentax has a responsibility to meet the needs of the greater public by making the brand more viable and increasing its presence and market share so they can continue to grow the assortment and selection and put the incentive back for 3rd party vendors to provide additional support (by having a larger market that is viable to build for)
You can't honestly expect Ned to approve and answer every comment he has had. He is the President of Pentax US he has responsibilities that come before the Blog. The fact that he mined the comments and tried to answer as many of the questions as possible is admirable AFAIAC
In any case I think we all know you are PO'd he didn't use your comments. You've been a member for 4 posts and they all say the same thing. Perhaps now you can contribute something beyond vitriol to the forum