Canadian Prices up already! Holy crap!

vizjerei · 04-08-2009, 08:28 PM

Oh just great... I was thinking to get another 540FGZ....

**rparmar** · 04-09-2009, 04:58 AM

These prices are insane! Does anyone here have a real contact at Pentax Canada? Or maybe someone can get on the phone to them, to avoid the same form letter response. Basic math demonstrates that the prices are (mostly) out of line.

SealMe · 04-09-2009, 05:38 AM

Just received my 31mm 2 days ago from Henrys. Ordered a couple days before they jacked up the price from 950ish to 1400. Dodged that bullet

That's a fat 50% price hike... man.

Alfisti · 04-09-2009, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

These prices are insane! Does anyone here have a real contact at Pentax Canada? Or maybe someone can get on the phone to them, to avoid the same form letter response. Basic math demonstrates that the prices are (mostly) out of line.

There is a nice Pentax CDA guy over on DPR, he often sends free tickets to the Henry's shows and is very nic ein person. Pentax CDA are a good group of guys if you can bpass the absolutely LOST reception person.

RBellavance · 04-09-2009, 07:13 AM

I just sent them a (polite) message expressing my disappointment & puzzlement over this price increase, using their "Contact us" page at Pentax Canada - Contact Us

I also gave them the URL of this thread, as well as a couple of similar ones on DPReview.

I'm not really sure this will accomplish anything, but it didn't take very long and maybe if they get enough negative feedback they will ask the Pentax Mothership to reconsider.

RBellavance · 04-09-2009, 07:16 AM

Originally posted by Alfisti

There is a nice Pentax CDA guy over on DPR, he often sends free tickets to the Henry's shows and is very nic ein person. Pentax CDA are a good group of guys if you can bpass the absolutely LOST reception person.

You mean Dan Savoie, I presume: Henry's Photographic & Digital Imaging Show { Toronto }: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I was unsure if he was an employee of Henry's or Pentax Canada.

Alfisti · 04-09-2009, 07:19 AM

Yeah that is him, pretty sure he is a Pentax rep, he helps where he can but sometimes his hands are tied.

lesmore49 · 04-10-2009, 09:29 AM

Price increases for Pentax in Canada...I don't know...I haven't done an item by item check...but I just bought...yesterday... a Pentax KM with 18-55mm zoom for $ 529 Cdn....not bad.

frogger · 04-10-2009, 11:18 AM

Prodigital has some FA77 lenses on for a not too ridiculous price right now.

KungPOW · 04-10-2009, 12:03 PM

There has been almost no price change to the bodies, or the kits. The kit level lenses have not changed either (18-55 and 50-200).

But the 50-135 has jumped from 999 to 1799. the 31 from as low as 799 to 1399. DA 25 ltd from 460 to 700.

ajuett · 04-10-2009, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by KungPOW

There has been almost no price change to the bodies, or the kits. The kit level lenses have not changed either (18-55 and 50-200).

But the 50-135 has jumped from 999 to 1799. the 31 from as low as 799 to 1399. DA 25 ltd from 460 to 700.

Basically, the 2 DA* zooms, the 2 DA* primes, all DA and FA Limiteds and flash units have gone up 50 to 100%. The DA* 55 hasn't change but I suspect they released it at that high price point by default. It certainly is not worth the money either.

My second letter has not been replied too, so Pentax has lost me from buying anything new. I'm actually quite happy shooting film now anyway.

ajuett · 04-10-2009, 10:25 PM

It appears Lens & Shutter Canada has not updated their prices for Pentax. If you want to buy, do it quick! Lens & Shutter

cyg · 04-11-2009, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Price increases for Pentax in Canada...I don't know...I haven't done an item by item check...but I just bought...yesterday... a Pentax KM with 18-55mm zoom for $ 529 Cdn....not bad.

Where did you find it that cheap?
All I can find is ~600$ region for that kit...

**rparmar** · 04-11-2009, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by ajuett

It appears Lens & Shutter Canada has not updated their prices for Pentax. If you want to buy, do it quick! Lens & Shutter

They only ship to Canada which is just as well, or I might buy an FA50/1.4 for $200.

**ManuH** · 04-11-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by RBellavance

I'm not really sure this will accomplish anything, but it didn't take very long and maybe if they get enough negative feedback they will ask the Pentax Mothership to reconsider.

Anyway they don't use forum feedback to decide things that way. The only real negative feedback is the bottom line. We'll see how that strategy can work when you can get the goods much cheaper from B&H even with shipping and taxes. IMHO prices in Canada and US should always be harmonized at a maximum of 10-15% difference. Otherwise this put a lot of pressure one way or the other. And there is a rumour on DPR that Pentax Canada will charge a 50$ fee to repair items under the international warranty but not bought in Canada. It's not fair for the consumers but what they can do? They face the problem of not selling and lose money on repairing items on which they didn't make a dime. That's why Hoya should stabilize the price in North America to the same levels for US & Canada.

Also let's not forget that Canon & Nikon have been practicing hefty prices for years without any real issues for their sales. And Sony and Olympus are neither particulary known for their cheap lenses. The FA50/1.4 is still a bargain at 300$, The D-FA 100 is still competitive. The DA*16-50 at 1000$ is still cheaper than the C&N 17-55. OK the 50-135 price went completely crazy, especially when the Tokina variant is still much cheaper. The problem of course is that these price increases make Pentax much less interesting than before. If I had to start over, at these prices I'm not sure I would choose Pentax again.

04-10-2009, 10:25 PM	#192
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	Quick! It appears Lens & Shutter Canada has not updated their prices for Pentax. If you want to buy, do it quick! Lens & Shutter

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04-08-2009, 08:28 PM	#181
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	Oh just great... I was thinking to get another 540FGZ....

04-09-2009, 04:58 AM	#182
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	These prices are insane! Does anyone here have a real contact at Pentax Canada? Or maybe someone can get on the phone to them, to avoid the same form letter response. Basic math demonstrates that the prices are (mostly) out of line.

04-09-2009, 05:38 AM	#183
SealMe New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 7	Just received my 31mm 2 days ago from Henrys. Ordered a couple days before they jacked up the price from 950ish to 1400. Dodged that bullet That's a fat 50% price hike... man.

04-09-2009, 06:55 AM	#184
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Originally posted by rparmar These prices are insane! Does anyone here have a real contact at Pentax Canada? Or maybe someone can get on the phone to them, to avoid the same form letter response. Basic math demonstrates that the prices are (mostly) out of line. There is a nice Pentax CDA guy over on DPR, he often sends free tickets to the Henry's shows and is very nic ein person. Pentax CDA are a good group of guys if you can bpass the absolutely LOST reception person.

04-09-2009, 07:13 AM	#185
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	I just sent them a (polite) message expressing my disappointment & puzzlement over this price increase, using their "Contact us" page at Pentax Canada - Contact Us I also gave them the URL of this thread, as well as a couple of similar ones on DPReview. I'm not really sure this will accomplish anything, but it didn't take very long and maybe if they get enough negative feedback they will ask the Pentax Mothership to reconsider.

04-09-2009, 07:16 AM	#186
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Alfisti There is a nice Pentax CDA guy over on DPR, he often sends free tickets to the Henry's shows and is very nic ein person. Pentax CDA are a good group of guys if you can bpass the absolutely LOST reception person. You mean Dan Savoie, I presume: Henry's Photographic & Digital Imaging Show { Toronto }: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review I was unsure if he was an employee of Henry's or Pentax Canada.

04-09-2009, 07:19 AM	#187
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Yeah that is him, pretty sure he is a Pentax rep, he helps where he can but sometimes his hands are tied.

04-10-2009, 09:29 AM	#188
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Price increases for Pentax in Canada...I don't know...I haven't done an item by item check...but I just bought...yesterday... a Pentax KM with 18-55mm zoom for $ 529 Cdn....not bad.

04-10-2009, 11:18 AM	#189
frogger Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, ON, CA Posts: 162	Prodigital has some FA77 lenses on for a not too ridiculous price right now.

04-10-2009, 12:03 PM	#190
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	There has been almost no price change to the bodies, or the kits. The kit level lenses have not changed either (18-55 and 50-200). But the 50-135 has jumped from 999 to 1799. the 31 from as low as 799 to 1399. DA 25 ltd from 460 to 700.

04-10-2009, 03:20 PM	#191
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	Originally posted by KungPOW There has been almost no price change to the bodies, or the kits. The kit level lenses have not changed either (18-55 and 50-200). But the 50-135 has jumped from 999 to 1799. the 31 from as low as 799 to 1399. DA 25 ltd from 460 to 700. Basically, the 2 DA* zooms, the 2 DA* primes, all DA and FA Limiteds and flash units have gone up 50 to 100%. The DA* 55 hasn't change but I suspect they released it at that high price point by default. It certainly is not worth the money either. My second letter has not been replied too, so Pentax has lost me from buying anything new. I'm actually quite happy shooting film now anyway.

04-11-2009, 09:18 AM	#193
cyg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 134	Originally posted by lesmore49 Price increases for Pentax in Canada...I don't know...I haven't done an item by item check...but I just bought...yesterday... a Pentax KM with 18-55mm zoom for $ 529 Cdn....not bad. Where did you find it that cheap? All I can find is ~600$ region for that kit...

04-11-2009, 11:40 AM	#194
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Originally posted by ajuett It appears Lens & Shutter Canada has not updated their prices for Pentax. If you want to buy, do it quick! Lens & Shutter They only ship to Canada which is just as well, or I might buy an FA50/1.4 for $200.

04-11-2009, 01:49 PM	#195
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by RBellavance I'm not really sure this will accomplish anything, but it didn't take very long and maybe if they get enough negative feedback they will ask the Pentax Mothership to reconsider. Anyway they don't use forum feedback to decide things that way. The only real negative feedback is the bottom line. We'll see how that strategy can work when you can get the goods much cheaper from B&H even with shipping and taxes. IMHO prices in Canada and US should always be harmonized at a maximum of 10-15% difference. Otherwise this put a lot of pressure one way or the other. And there is a rumour on DPR that Pentax Canada will charge a 50$ fee to repair items under the international warranty but not bought in Canada. It's not fair for the consumers but what they can do? They face the problem of not selling and lose money on repairing items on which they didn't make a dime. That's why Hoya should stabilize the price in North America to the same levels for US & Canada. Also let's not forget that Canon & Nikon have been practicing hefty prices for years without any real issues for their sales. And Sony and Olympus are neither particulary known for their cheap lenses. The FA50/1.4 is still a bargain at 300$, The D-FA 100 is still competitive. The DA*16-50 at 1000$ is still cheaper than the C&N 17-55. OK the 50-135 price went completely crazy, especially when the Tokina variant is still much cheaper. The problem of course is that these price increases make Pentax much less interesting than before. If I had to start over, at these prices I'm not sure I would choose Pentax again.