Canon's Worldwide Pricing Policy

[Paul_O]

Following the recent spate of zoom lens posts I have an additional query and some info for you.
I recently purchased a 75-300 USM IS lens from my local store after getting some advice here and locally. I was originally looking at one of the 28-300 zooms and glad I didn't go down that road. I'm very happy with it for the time being (soft at 300mm which many told me about) but still happy. At the time many of you suggested looking at the 70-200 F4 which apparently is only approx USD$100 more. Well after doing a bit of research locally here's some local (Australia) pricing which you may find interesting.

75-300 USM IS A$1099.00 (USD$770)
70-200 F4 A$1600.00 (USD$1120)
70-200 F2.8 A$2850.00 (USD$1995)
70-200 F2.8 IS A$4000 (USD$2800)
100-400 IS A$3899 (USD$2730)
50mm 1.8 MkII A$180 (USD$126)

I realise now that I could have purchased the 70-200 F4 overseas for less than I paid for the 75-300 IS ! :cry:
Reason for the post though is I can see myself upgrading in the future to the 70-200 F4 or F2.8 however I'd be interested to hear from others in Australia or Europe who have ordered from B&H regarding their experiences in relation to delivery, additional costs etc.

USA - Home of the consumer goods market :wink:

Paul

[aam1234]

Where I'm at, Canon prices are worse than Australia, the 100-400 L costs more than $3,000. As for shipping, I used to worry about a lens being damaged during shipment, not any more. Received the 70-200 about 10 days ago in excellent condition (from the US). So I ordered the 100-400, it will be here any day now, yibbe :D

[robertwgross]

Where I'm at, Canon prices are worse than Australia, the 100-400 L costs more than $3,000. As for shipping, I used to worry about a lens being damaged during shipment, not any more. Received the 70-200 about 10 days ago in excellent condition (from the US). So I ordered the 100-400, it will be here any day now, yibbe :D

Is that $3,000 US, or other currency?

At present, they go for about $1300 US.

---Bob Gross---

[aam1234]

The price of 100-400 here is the equivalent of US$3,000. That's why I bought it from the US (half the price).

[Cadwell]

The "on the street" price for a 100-400L in Britain is US$2,307 at todays mid-market exchange rates. ( Price source "Jessops" ).

Basically, Canon seem to charge whatever they think a particular market will stand.

[aam1234]

I think we are linked to the UK market. Both the G3 & 300D came from the UK.

Keep in mind that we don't have taxes, sales tax/vat or anything.

[evilenglishman]

Basically, Canon seem to charge whatever they think a particular market will stand.

isn't the price issue more do with national taxes etc? It isn't just Canon stuff thats more expensive than in the US - Just about all types of electronics cost more.

I remember being in Sweden 4 years ago and a can of Heinz baked beans cost nearly £1.

[aam1234]

Taxes is one part, there are other issues too. Like real estate cost (shop rental) and labor, just to name two factors.

[Cadwell]

isn't the price issue more do with national taxes etc? It isn't just Canon stuff thats more expensive than in the US - Just about all types of electronics cost more.



No, absolutely not. VAT + UK import duty on camera lenses is @23% so even if you assume the US goods are essentially untaxed (not true) then the UK price should only be the equivalent of US$1,599 all local taxes and duty paid.

I am afraid there has been a long held tendency for manufacturers to say £=$ when selling goods in the UK. US price for the 100-400L = @$1,300. UK price = @£1,300. They do this, because they can get away with it! "Rip-off Britain" isn't a myth, it's a reality.

[aam1234]

I am afraid there has been a long held tendency for manufacturers to say £=$

Same here! imagine that 1 unit of our local currency = $3. Some items are just switched from US to local currency (means 3 times more).

[DocFrankenstein]

It would be cool if they did this in Russia :twisted:

$ = rouble :lol:

[Cadenza]

And why is it that, when we in the states
buy imported "gray market" goods it is
actually less expensive? Makes no sense.
Imported should cost more than U.S., since
those abroad pay more for their stuff.

And how is it that B&H is so blatantly able
to circumvent ex/im taxes when selling
abroad from its website?

[Perfect_10]

isn't the price issue more do with national taxes etc? It isn't just Canon stuff thats more expensive than in the US - Just about all types of electronics cost more.



No, absolutely not. VAT + UK import duty on camera lenses is @23% so even if you assume the US goods are essentially untaxed (not true) then the UK price should only be the equivalent of US$1,599 all local taxes and duty paid.

I am afraid there has been a long held tendency for manufacturers to say £=$ when selling goods in the UK. US price for the 100-400L = @$1,300. UK price = @£1,300. They do this, because they can get away with it! "Rip-off Britain" isn't a myth, it's a reality.

One of the reasons I moved to Canada :lol:

[robertwgross]

And why is it that, when we in the states
buy imported "gray market" goods it is
actually less expensive?

First of all, you have to understand that all Canon goods are imported to the
USA. There are no domestically made Canon cameras or lenses.

When those come to the USA, they can be sold with a USA warranty, or without a USA warranty. The latter is referred to as a gray market item. Sometimes it means that the item was intended for distribution outside the USA.

In essence, when you buy the USA version, you are paying slightly more for the warranty. Pure and simple.

In some cases, a reputable Canon dealer will sell the "import" version (without USA warranty) and then give its own dealer warranty to make you feel better.

In some cases, a non-reputable dealer will sell the "import" version (without USA warranty) and claim that it is a USA version. That is bad for the consumer.

---Bob Gross---

[karusel]

Yeah, this is annoying... Where I'm at 100-400L costs ~$2200 USD, 10D is at ~$1800 USD. Tax & Duty means +30% (on shipping too). Pretty funky, eh? Thank god we don't have to pay duty within EU, so now I'm mostly buying in Germany.

[Cadenza]

Well, next time I go to Europe I'm gonna sell my
equipment there. Will be able to do a whole upgrade
when I get back to States. Damn it, been to Europe
three times last year, should have thought of it.

[aam1234]

Well, next time I go to Europe I'm gonna sell my
equipment there.

Not a bad idea. Never thought of that :lol:

[tommykjensen]

Denmark is probably the country that take the price of highest prices for camera equipment.

For example the lens

EF 400/5,6L USM

cost approx $1000 in US in Denmark the lens cost more than $2000 :shock: :shock: The difference can pay for a weekend trip from Denmark to New York and back !


This lens is the most extreme example but the save is between 40 and 53 % between danish and us prices.

[aam1234]

I hear you tommykjensen.

[Cadenza]

Denmark is probably the country that take the price of highest prices for camera equipment.

.

But everyone knows that all Danes are rich, and can afford
to pay a lot more, which in turn can afford to pay their
workers decent salaries, which gives them the Danish of the
highest standards of living in the world. This never gonna
happen in U.S. under Bush. The poor need to be exploited
so that rich can get richer and enjoy cheaper L-lenses.

[aam1234]

Canon prices turn to politics, umm :roll:

[eos10dmacosx]

I have purchased from B&H, 24 hours from New York to Sydney, (they ship via UPS), 5 days from Sydney to Wollongong (go figure!). Bought a second flash unit 420. Coming in via UPS I paid both GST & Duty and of course postage. Still worked out cheaper than buying it in Australia.

Have also purchased from DigitalRev, Hong Kong. 100-400L IS and 17-40L. They deliver by EMS Express Post which can be traced online via Australia Post. Ordered Monday received by Friday. Paid $80.00 GST on the 100-400L and no duty :). On the 17-40L NO GST, NO DUTY (you little beauty!). More info about GST & duty is available from the Australian Customs website. :)

[RichardtheSane]

And how is it that B&H is so blatantly able
to circumvent ex/im taxes when selling
abroad from its website?

They aren't.

I bought from B & H and paid my import duty and vat.

Some people probably get away with not paying, but that is nothing to do with B & H.

[Paul_O]

eos10dmacosx,
thanks for the info, I've seen digitalrev pop up a few times but was under the opinion that they're one of those companies that will purchase something into stock once you place an order. Good feedback too re: duties, GST etc, I wasn't sure if that would slip under the ATO's radar. I know what you mean about delivery times though, for work I just shipped some gear out of Holland which arrived within 24 hours then sat in Brisbane for 3 days while the customs department figured out what to do with it ! Pity I couldn't send customs a bill for equipment downtime !

thanks again for the info

[In Hoc Up2 Eyeballs]

Denmark is probably the country that take the price of highest prices for camera equipment.

.

But everyone knows that all Danes are rich, and can afford
to pay a lot more, which in turn can afford to pay their
workers decent salaries, which gives them the Danish of the
highest standards of living in the world. This never gonna
happen in U.S. under Bush. The poor need to be exploited
so that rich can get richer and enjoy cheaper L-lenses.


I used my tax cut to buy L glass and I'm not rich. I'll let the Danes speak for themselves. :roll:

[aam1234]

I paid tax on the 100-400 eventhough i'm not an american. still wayy cheaper than here.

[dleewo]

Well, next time I go to Europe I'm gonna sell my
equipment there. Will be able to do a whole upgrade
when I get back to States. Damn it, been to Europe
three times last year, should have thought of it.

I did just that....My company had temporarily transferred me to the UK for 1 year and I'm returning to the US permanently in 3 weeks time. I decided to sell my 10D body and grip over here and get the 20D when I get back to the US. I sold it for about US$400 more than I would have gotten in the US (compared to a similar sale I saw in another forum for the same equipment at around the same time). This is equipment I bought last year before I moved to the UK.