Is this the biggest rip off in the history of photography???
Discussion
I've just been looking at the new RF 200-800mm. I'd really like one, but how on earth are Canon UK justifying their pricing???
This lens will cost you $1,900 in the States, purchased from Canon. That's £1,500 at today's spot rate.
£2,300!!! That's right... TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED POUNDS!!!
That's a 53% increase for the UK market!
Now, I know US display prices don't generally include Sales Tax which varies from State to State, but even so, that only accounts for around a 12% difference even in the most heavily taxed locations, which would take it up to around £1,680 and an uplift of "only" 37%, so how much are Canon UK charging for the exact same lens?
This lens will cost you $1,900 in the States, purchased from Canon. That's £1,500 at today's spot rate.
£2,300!!! That's right... TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED POUNDS!!!
That's a 53% increase for the UK market!
Now, I know US display prices don't generally include Sales Tax which varies from State to State, but even so, that only accounts for around a 12% difference even in the most heavily taxed locations, which would take it up to around £1,680 and an uplift of "only" 37%, so how much are Canon UK charging for the exact same lens?
We've always been ripped off in the UK as normally the UK price in £ is the same/similar to the US $ price, as you point out, but the example you give does seem to be taking the proverbial.
Having had a brief look, is this perhaps due to this being a brand new release with little/no current availability?
Wex in the UK have it on pre-order, and B&H in the US also have no current stock.
Maybe when stock becomes widely available you'll start to see some discounted prices?
I know all the arguments about grey imports, but if buying new, I'll usually use HDEW, who aren't yet listing the 200-800RF, but may well do so when it is widely available. I've used them several times for new lenses/bodies with no issues whatsoever (5D3, R5, 100 f2.8L macro etc..)
As an example, I'm currently considering the 11-24 f4L EF, which is £3,100 at Wex (and $3,000 at B&H, so £2370). HDEW have it for £1,799.
Having had a brief look, is this perhaps due to this being a brand new release with little/no current availability?
Wex in the UK have it on pre-order, and B&H in the US also have no current stock.
Maybe when stock becomes widely available you'll start to see some discounted prices?
I know all the arguments about grey imports, but if buying new, I'll usually use HDEW, who aren't yet listing the 200-800RF, but may well do so when it is widely available. I've used them several times for new lenses/bodies with no issues whatsoever (5D3, R5, 100 f2.8L macro etc..)
As an example, I'm currently considering the 11-24 f4L EF, which is £3,100 at Wex (and $3,000 at B&H, so £2370). HDEW have it for £1,799.
Calm down!
Keep an eye on cash back deals etc. You're quoting the recommended price, not the actual price that will be charged by most dealers.
As an example, I just paid, after cash backs, Black Friday, dealer discount, and Canon Club cash back, £1960 for an RF 100-500mm from Wex, recommended price is £3160.
Also, we really need to bear in mind the difference in market size. Photo gear is a massive industry in the US. They also have excellent after sales service from Canon and Nikon that makes our in the UK look half-cocked. The UK's camera market is tiny in comparison. What would you do if you were a manufacturer?
And, crucially, there are places on this planet where the list price is higher than the UK's and there are no discounts.
Keep an eye on cash back deals etc. You're quoting the recommended price, not the actual price that will be charged by most dealers.
As an example, I just paid, after cash backs, Black Friday, dealer discount, and Canon Club cash back, £1960 for an RF 100-500mm from Wex, recommended price is £3160.
Also, we really need to bear in mind the difference in market size. Photo gear is a massive industry in the US. They also have excellent after sales service from Canon and Nikon that makes our in the UK look half-cocked. The UK's camera market is tiny in comparison. What would you do if you were a manufacturer?
And, crucially, there are places on this planet where the list price is higher than the UK's and there are no discounts.
Edited by Tony1963 on Wednesday 20th December 11:17
Tony1963 said:
Calm down!
Keep an eye on cash back deals etc. You're quoting the recommended price, not the actual price that will be charged by most dealers.
As an example, I just paid, after cash backs, Black Friday, dealer discount, and Canon Club cash back, £1960 for an RF 100-500mm from Wex, recommended price is £3160.
Also, we really need to bear in mind the difference in market size. Photo gear is a massive industry in the US. They also have excellent after sales service from Canon and Nikon that makes our in the UK look half-cocked. The UK's camera market is tiny in comparison. What would you do if you were a manufacturer?
And, crucially, there are places on this planet where the list price is higher than the UK's and there are no discounts.
You can always fluke a good deal from time to time, but then of course you can always do that in the States as well. That doesn't really change the lack of justification for such a vast price difference for the same lens!Keep an eye on cash back deals etc. You're quoting the recommended price, not the actual price that will be charged by most dealers.
As an example, I just paid, after cash backs, Black Friday, dealer discount, and Canon Club cash back, £1960 for an RF 100-500mm from Wex, recommended price is £3160.
Also, we really need to bear in mind the difference in market size. Photo gear is a massive industry in the US. They also have excellent after sales service from Canon and Nikon that makes our in the UK look half-cocked. The UK's camera market is tiny in comparison. What would you do if you were a manufacturer?
And, crucially, there are places on this planet where the list price is higher than the UK's and there are no discounts.
I'll just buy it on the grey market eventually, which I'm sure completely defeats the object of what Canon is trying to achieve! It's as though they think we're all stuck in the Eighties and can't easily just buy elsewhere!
Byker28i said:
Taxes peobably.
20% vat, import tax, transport costs? Remember if you fly to the States, buy one, you still have to declare it and pay the vat
20% vat, import tax, transport costs? Remember if you fly to the States, buy one, you still have to declare it and pay the vat
Zero chance of me being that honest!
I've bought many an electronic gadget in the States and just brought it back. I was herded into the Custom's section once years ago and they didn't ask me anything after checking. I had two new lenses too after spending Xmas with Family there. Unwrapped and in with the rest of my kit. Impossible to know if new or not for Customs as it isn't obvious and camera kit is expected to be found on tourists.
I'll be getting the new R5 Mkii next year. Sell my current R5 to MPB and get the new one delivered to me in Easter or so by my sister when she visits.
All of the major Camera and Photo Gear manufacturers set the retail price that is largely the same around the world. Any favourable prices you stumble upon are normally the result of favourable exchange rates and local taxes. Most of the Camera retailers are more like agents (earning a commission on sales rather than buying stock and adding a mark up).
Over the past year, I've transitioned from Nikon and Blackmagic to Sony (A7iv and FX6) plus all the glass and whatnot. I've spent somewhere in the region of £15k and was thus motivated to hunt out the best deals. As I work a lot internationally, I had the opportunity to buy from elsewhere but when you do the sums, there is hardly any meaningful difference.
What Canon are doing is called Price Skimming. This is where a new product is launched at an inflated initial price which enables the company to quickly recoup their R&D and manufacturing set up costs. This does differ geographically and tends to be weighted towards those regions where there's a large number of buyers willing to buy whatever's new at whatever price. Give it a few months and the price will come down.
Over the past year, I've transitioned from Nikon and Blackmagic to Sony (A7iv and FX6) plus all the glass and whatnot. I've spent somewhere in the region of £15k and was thus motivated to hunt out the best deals. As I work a lot internationally, I had the opportunity to buy from elsewhere but when you do the sums, there is hardly any meaningful difference.
What Canon are doing is called Price Skimming. This is where a new product is launched at an inflated initial price which enables the company to quickly recoup their R&D and manufacturing set up costs. This does differ geographically and tends to be weighted towards those regions where there's a large number of buyers willing to buy whatever's new at whatever price. Give it a few months and the price will come down.
Kermit power said:
You can always fluke a good deal from time to time, but then of course you can always do that in the States as well. That doesn't really change the lack of justification for such a vast price difference for the same lens!
I'll just buy it on the grey market eventually, which I'm sure completely defeats the object of what Canon is trying to achieve! It's as though they think we're all stuck in the Eighties and can't easily just buy elsewhere!
It’s funny. I lean toward the idea that Canon probably know what they’re doing. After all, Nikon and Sony are independent of Canon and their pricing, buyers are able to buy whichever brand they wish, so buyers would be flocking to Sony and Nikon if canon’s pricing was ridiculously high. I'll just buy it on the grey market eventually, which I'm sure completely defeats the object of what Canon is trying to achieve! It's as though they think we're all stuck in the Eighties and can't easily just buy elsewhere!
Tell me, what’s the name of your successful, international company?
YorkshireStu said:
Zero chance of me being that honest!
I've bought many an electronic gadget in the States and just brought it back. I was herded into the Custom's section once years ago and they didn't ask me anything after checking. I had two new lenses too after spending Xmas with Family there. Unwrapped and in with the rest of my kit. Impossible to know if new or not for Customs as it isn't obvious and camera kit is expected to be found on tourists.
I'll be getting the new R5 Mkii next year. Sell my current R5 to MPB and get the new one delivered to me in Easter or so by my sister when she visits.
DodgyGeezer said:
unless of course, they decide to be arsey and check your credit card statements....
Who doesn’t have multiple accounts? Just don’t show the one used for such purchases. I use my Wise account when abroad mostly when in the US or my Portugal one if on the Continent. UK accounts wouldn’t reveal a thing.
Just bought a new lens today actually; SLRHut have some great deals. RF14-35 for £899. Not too bad.
I got my RF100-500 and RF70-200 2.8 in Portugal at a big discount two years ago.
I shop the whole World, wherever looks a good deal.
Once it comes into stock, globally.
Have a look at panamoz.com, hdewcameras.co.uk and cotswoldcameras.co.uk
They are all grey market importers but they offer some sort of warranty, which you won't get buying in the states.
for example Nikon Z8 £2990 vs wex at £3999.
Loads of photographers I know, use grey market gear, with no issues.
Have a look at panamoz.com, hdewcameras.co.uk and cotswoldcameras.co.uk
They are all grey market importers but they offer some sort of warranty, which you won't get buying in the states.
for example Nikon Z8 £2990 vs wex at £3999.
Loads of photographers I know, use grey market gear, with no issues.
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