The Pentax web store has some great sales today. Official Pentax Online Store | Pentax Digital Cameras | Pentax Webstore

The FA 31mm Limited is on sale for 773! smcP FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black) | Pentax Webstore

The D-FA 50mm Macro is 303. smcP D-FA 50mm f2.8 Macro | Pentax Webstore

There are a lot of other lenses on sale as well although the price cuts are not quite as high generally.

I just ordered the 31mm :-)

[Docrwm]

Interesting. My order is still listed as "All Backordered" and no CC charge has been submitted.

[danny09]

Interesting. My order is still listed as "All Backordered" and no CC charge has been submitted.

Same status as mine. Should we lose hope? Its been 5 weeks and still counting.....

[Docrwm]

Same status as mine. Should we lose hope? Its been 5 weeks and still counting.....

Well, at least we are not alone. I won't need the lens until roughly 2/1 so I'm good to wait (and even then I'll only need it if it's raining).

[Al_Kahollick]

My order for the 55-300 still shows backordered as well, but my CC has a pending charge for the sale price. Possible Xmas returns IF they actually ship. I will surely inspect well if it arrives!

[Docrwm]

My order for the 55-300 still shows backordered as well, but my CC has a pending charge for the sale price. Possible Xmas returns IF they actually ship. I will surely inspect well if it arrives!

Absolutely a good idea.

[shaX 07]

I too have the 55-300mm WR lens on order, online the status still says All backordered but I do have a pending charge to my debit card in the correct sale price amount of $258.62. Hopefully it's on its way soon.

[allexinwonderland]

I will check my credit card account ASAP but I originally had a pending charge (correct sale price) upon initial order. That charged dropped off a few days later. At least the office has reopened and someone will be there to accept the shipment.

[monochrome]

In the IT world, these kinds of outsourcing arrangements work because of the service level agreements attached to them. The agreements include things like user support response times, system uptime, data transmission rates, etc.

Anything related to device performance can and does go into these agreements. The service provider generally performs to the terms of the agreement because failing to do so results in significant financial penalty.

I see no reason this couldn't apply in retail sales. RIAC should be holding all the cards: in exchange for using our good name on your store, you will sell according to this pricing structure, maintain stock at these levels, conduct promotions x times yearly, etc. Failure to meet performance metrics results in loss of pricing discounts.

Same thing for warranty/repair provider and the RIAC website hosting/management.

Yes, I agree, when there is a ready competitor willing to bid for a replacement contract if the SLA goes unmet. We don't know that is the case. We don't even know whether there is a Service Level Agreement attached to the RIAC contract - or whether there is a cost-differential for a contract with SLA versus one without SLA. There's just too much we do not and cannot know to make a reasoned statement about who is at fault.

[rjp]

Called and had to send them proof of my ordering at the sale price. Like some others early on, the response I received indicated it was too late in the process to correct the cc charged amount, they will have to apply a credit to adjust. I should wait a couple days for that to appear.

Some have been charged the correct amount straight off, others, like me, got charged the regular price and have to ensure a credit is given. Seems YMMV. So be sure to check your credit card charged amount sooner than later to make sure it is correct or you have to call to get it adjusted.

[xinanbei]

My order for the 55-300 still shows backordered as well, but my CC has a pending charge for the sale price. Possible Xmas returns IF they actually ship. I will surely inspect well if it arrives!

Good idea. I will do the same as well. I ordered both HD55-300 and FA 31, and was told the warehouse may have sent them. But I haven't seen any shipping information yet.

[Docrwm]

Just got an email notifying me that my 55-300WR shipped today. Enclosed invoice was for the correct sale price

[starjedi]

Just got an email notifying me that my 55-300WR shipped today. Enclosed invoice was for the correct sale price

My replacement FA 31mm is also shipped today.

[TedW]

Just got a tracking # and an email saying that my 55-300mm is in the hands of the carrier. Invoice and credit card shows correct price and free shipping. Yay!

[Al_Kahollick]

Just got an email notifying me that my 55-300WR shipped today. Enclosed invoice was for the correct sale price

Just got a tracking # and an email saying that my 55-300mm is in the hands of the carrier. Invoice and credit card shows correct price and free shipping. Yay!

Same here, no word from PWS, but did get notice from UPS. It's coming via SurePost, should have it in my hands by weeks end! Glad to hear it's finally happening for everyone else too!

[allexinwonderland]

Got a shipping notification for the 55-300. Should arrive Tuesday the 13th. Checked the cc activity and the correct sale price was charged. I ordered on Nov 28th.