For those in Europe -- UK prices

**rparmar** · 01-06-2009, 05:05 PM

A heads-up for those who are unaware of a few key facts. Now may be a good time to buy from the UK.

1. Pound sterling exchange rate
Two weeks ago was likely the best possible purchase window, with the euro at an all-time high against the pound -- almost on par. Of course by the time I got a purchase fixed up it had jumped to 1.10 euros. My timing is usually like that!

2. Lower tax rate
The VAT rate is now only 15% in the UK. That compares to 22% locally.

3. Cash-back deal still on
For those in the UK or Ireland the cash-back deal is now in its last weeks. This is not valid on body-only purchases; you need to buy a lens.

4. Prices are rising in the UK and beyond
No idea when, but it will be soon, say the retailers.

5. Incentive prices
Some very decent prices can be found online.

For example, SRS Microsystems has the K-m with lens for £299 less £30 cash-back. That would make a great starter system for someone you love! Intelligently, they also offer this camera bundled with one of the DA Limited lenses.

Park Cameras has this for the same price under their "unrepeatable" offers. They also have the DA16-45 for £180 less £25, which may be the best price in the UK.

Me, I bought the K20D kit from SRS since they offer a two year warranty. After rebate this was £500 shipped to my door.

Now I must be patient and wait for it!

dan aron · 01-08-2009, 03:54 AM

I agree. I was lucky and ordered K20 and couple lenses at the moment when pound was in a ditch. I saved 700 euros. Not bad. Even though I didn't get the cashback.

The cuurency is not too bad right now either. But be fast.

losecontrol · 01-08-2009, 04:42 AM

Great great! we pay less but get more, that's the spirit :P

well...do anyone know any good website for photogear in UK?

Regards

Emil G

axl · 01-08-2009, 04:46 AM

You can get some good deals, on kits and couple of lenses that is, but everything really interesting went up in price...

losecontrol · 01-08-2009, 04:47 AM

that's too sad. But at least it's more cheap then in Sweden I guess so any link that you could recommend with be worth gold

axl · 01-08-2009, 09:07 AM

SRS Microsystems ? Pentax, Nikon and Olympus Digital Cameras, Camera Accessories and Lenses
Microglobe Digital slr Cameras Nikon VR Lenses IS Binoculars canon Flash accessories NX tripods photography equipment stores London UK
Jacobs Digital Photography & Video

the fist being the cheapest...

and to explain my previous thread:
I was buing DA40 in April 08 from Microglobe (the second link) for £200 (it was cheapest I could find). Now they are listing it at around £230 and srs too. At the same time, FA35 went for the same £200 and now they are listing it for £269....
I wish £ got strong again...

Pwn4g3_P13 · 01-08-2009, 09:18 AM

Well, the depressing downside of all this is that I can no longer buy electronics at effectivly half price from America... So I just plain ca't afford anything new :[

axl · 01-08-2009, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Pwn4g3_P13

Well, the depressing downside of all this is that I can no longer buy electronics at effectivly half price from America... So I just plain ca't afford anything new :[

I know exactly how do you feel...

dan aron · 01-08-2009, 07:05 PM

I've tried to order some more stuff from Britain but it seems everywhere almost everything is sold out. It's hard to get what you want. I know plenty of people who ordered from Britain to Finland and I think so did people from any part of Europe.

**rparmar** · 01-15-2009, 07:28 AM

My K20D arrived today in Ireland from SRS in the UK. Took 6 days.

Also a note that Park Cameras has a refurbished K20D with 16-45mm for £485. Amazing deal.

bnishanth · 01-15-2009, 11:10 AM

ParkCameras are normally very low in their prices.

However note that WarehouseExpress do a "Price match guarantee", where they lower the price and refund 125% of the difference against the retailer (the retailer has to be in their list and Park Cameras is).

I wanted to try this trick when I picked up K10D, but unfortunately they did not have it in their stock.

Cheers
Nish

Indianadinos · 01-15-2009, 01:27 PM

Hello,

I have a friend who lives in Italy which is currently looking for a seller who ships there, but he has been unable to find one (he contacted almost all the ones you cited here) ...

Are you aware of a seller shipping abroad, or his best move would be to get in a low-cost fly to London and spend a week-end there for shopping ?

Best regards

falconeye · 01-15-2009, 01:53 PM

I don't see everybodies point here.

If I take an arbitrarily chosen offer from Parkcameras:

The black K-m kit 339.99 GBP or 379.19 EUR and compare with

Tekade (tekade.de, a Pentax premium online dealer):

393,50 EUR

then I see that prices are identical except for the tiny 4% difference in VAT rate.

For the white K-M kit, it is even 501.72 EUR (UK) vs. 449,00 EUR (D), so the German price is 10% lower despite the 4% higher VAT. Not to forget the recent special Munich Saturn market offer for K200D kit II in silver running at 299.00 EUR ... and Munich Sauter market offer for K-m kit running at 375.00 EUR ...

No problem for Italian customers to order at Tekade. It is one EU, isn't it

ftpaddict · 01-15-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

Me, I bought the K20D kit from SRS since they offer a two year warranty. After rebate this was £500 shipped to my door.

That is quite a deal! Very cheap for European standards.

**rparmar** · 01-15-2009, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by ftpaddict

That is quite a deal! Very cheap for European standards.

Actually it was £490 after rebate... which looks a lot nicer than the £500 I stated before.

01-06-2009, 05:05 PM	#1
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	For those in Europe -- UK prices A heads-up for those who are unaware of a few key facts. Now may be a good time to buy from the UK. 1. Pound sterling exchange rate Two weeks ago was likely the best possible purchase window, with the euro at an all-time high against the pound -- almost on par. Of course by the time I got a purchase fixed up it had jumped to 1.10 euros. My timing is usually like that! 2. Lower tax rate The VAT rate is now only 15% in the UK. That compares to 22% locally. 3. Cash-back deal still on For those in the UK or Ireland the cash-back deal is now in its last weeks. This is not valid on body-only purchases; you need to buy a lens. 4. Prices are rising in the UK and beyond No idea when, but it will be soon, say the retailers. 5. Incentive prices Some very decent prices can be found online. For example, SRS Microsystems has the K-m with lens for £299 less £30 cash-back. That would make a great starter system for someone you love! Intelligently, they also offer this camera bundled with one of the DA Limited lenses. Park Cameras has this for the same price under their "unrepeatable" offers. They also have the DA16-45 for £180 less £25, which may be the best price in the UK. Me, I bought the K20D kit from SRS since they offer a two year warranty. After rebate this was £500 shipped to my door. Now I must be patient and wait for it!

01-15-2009, 07:28 AM	#10
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Just an update My K20D arrived today in Ireland from SRS in the UK. Took 6 days. Also a note that Park Cameras has a refurbished K20D with 16-45mm for £485. Amazing deal.

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01-08-2009, 03:54 AM	#2
dan aron Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 55	I agree. I was lucky and ordered K20 and couple lenses at the moment when pound was in a ditch. I saved 700 euros. Not bad. Even though I didn't get the cashback. The cuurency is not too bad right now either. But be fast.

01-08-2009, 04:42 AM	#3
losecontrol Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gnesta, Sweden Posts: 373	Great great! we pay less but get more, that's the spirit :P well...do anyone know any good website for photogear in UK? Regards Emil G

01-08-2009, 04:46 AM	#4
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	You can get some good deals, on kits and couple of lenses that is, but everything really interesting went up in price...

01-08-2009, 04:47 AM	#5
losecontrol Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gnesta, Sweden Posts: 373	that's too sad. But at least it's more cheap then in Sweden I guess so any link that you could recommend with be worth gold

01-08-2009, 09:07 AM	#6
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	SRS Microsystems ? Pentax, Nikon and Olympus Digital Cameras, Camera Accessories and Lenses Microglobe Digital slr Cameras Nikon VR Lenses IS Binoculars canon Flash accessories NX tripods photography equipment stores London UK Jacobs Digital Photography & Video the fist being the cheapest... and to explain my previous thread: I was buing DA40 in April 08 from Microglobe (the second link) for £200 (it was cheapest I could find). Now they are listing it at around £230 and srs too. At the same time, FA35 went for the same £200 and now they are listing it for £269.... I wish £ got strong again...

01-08-2009, 09:18 AM	#7
Pwn4g3_P13 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Photos: Gallery Posts: 115	Well, the depressing downside of all this is that I can no longer buy electronics at effectivly half price from America... So I just plain ca't afford anything new :[

01-08-2009, 09:23 AM	#8
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Pwn4g3_P13 Well, the depressing downside of all this is that I can no longer buy electronics at effectivly half price from America... So I just plain ca't afford anything new :[ I know exactly how do you feel...

01-08-2009, 07:05 PM	#9
dan aron Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 55	I've tried to order some more stuff from Britain but it seems everywhere almost everything is sold out. It's hard to get what you want. I know plenty of people who ordered from Britain to Finland and I think so did people from any part of Europe.

01-15-2009, 11:10 AM	#11
bnishanth Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 223	ParkCameras are normally very low in their prices. However note that WarehouseExpress do a "Price match guarantee", where they lower the price and refund 125% of the difference against the retailer (the retailer has to be in their list and Park Cameras is). I wanted to try this trick when I picked up K10D, but unfortunately they did not have it in their stock. Cheers Nish

01-15-2009, 01:27 PM	#12
Indianadinos Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Posts: 128	Hello, I have a friend who lives in Italy which is currently looking for a seller who ships there, but he has been unable to find one (he contacted almost all the ones you cited here) ... Are you aware of a seller shipping abroad, or his best move would be to get in a low-cost fly to London and spend a week-end there for shopping ? Best regards

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01-15-2009, 01:53 PM	#13
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	I don't see everybodies point here. If I take an arbitrarily chosen offer from Parkcameras: The black K-m kit 339.99 GBP or 379.19 EUR and compare with Tekade (tekade.de, a Pentax premium online dealer): 393,50 EUR then I see that prices are identical except for the tiny 4% difference in VAT rate. For the white K-M kit, it is even 501.72 EUR (UK) vs. 449,00 EUR (D), so the German price is 10% lower despite the 4% higher VAT. Not to forget the recent special Munich Saturn market offer for K200D kit II in silver running at 299.00 EUR ... and Munich Sauter market offer for K-m kit running at 375.00 EUR ... No problem for Italian customers to order at Tekade. It is one EU, isn't it

01-15-2009, 02:22 PM	#14
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by rparmar Me, I bought the K20D kit from SRS since they offer a two year warranty. After rebate this was £500 shipped to my door. That is quite a deal! Very cheap for European standards.

01-15-2009, 05:03 PM	#15
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by ftpaddict That is quite a deal! Very cheap for European standards. Actually it was £490 after rebate... which looks a lot nicer than the £500 I stated before.