Why This Forum Is Costing Me (More) Money

Hi,

I was happy with just my 5d mkII and my one lens. Telling myself that this was all I needed to enjoy the photography I was learning/doing.

But then along came POTN and the wealth of information about the advantages of F2.8 over F4.0 and the amazing new Canon F2.8 70-200mm IS MkII. Of course I wanted one (didn't necessarily need one). Fortunately logic prevailed and the $2500 price tag said I just couldn't justify it.

Mind you I did rent this lens recently and did like it!!

But then along comes POTN with the info that Adorama is selling them for $1974. So I did what I really wanted to do all along and justified buyiny one because of the money I would save!!:p

All that to say I just put the order in with Adorama and will hopefully have it by the end of the week. Why can I buy this $500 dollars cheaper in the US than Canada? Ah well, I am more loyal to my pocketbook than my local retailer (I did call them and ask them to move on their price - but they wouldn't budge.

Now, I haven't told my wife yet - one dilema at a time. Thank heaven shes out of town at the moment!!

Boy are you in trouble...

Welcome to a very, very slippery slope! There's a world of amazing glass out there and we here at POTN like to help you spend your money!

Bryan

Well,

I've made a solemn promise to myself that thats it. No more lenses...well none atleast until the next one...


I guess my first avenue of argument will be the "Well whats the point of having a camera if you don't have some lenses?? I imagine that gets a lot of traction.

Of course in my mind I'm thinking what I can now buy with the money I just saved (maybe an extender??

What's in your Wallet...??? lol Toys for the big boys & girls...
For me it was camera gear body , lens,etc. or a used car.
I all ready have a used car....lol
Have fun with it... treat your self!

Happy Holidays!

yup the same thing happened to me! this forum being amazing, at the same time, it blows!

General_T wrote in post #13531995
Why can I buy this $500 dollars cheaper in the US than Canada?

Honestly, that's something I'd very much like to know myself, especially seeing as there's no apparent reason for equipment selling for roughly 20-80% more than in the U.S., when we know it only costs 10$ to ship a lens from NYC to the border... And I'd very much like to know why Amazon.com doesn't ship photography equipment to Canada (actually, I think I'm going to write them just to see). In the meantime, B&H will be getting my business!

That lens is a worthy investment. This is a pro zoom and Nikon and Canon and several other manufacturers made these lenses to satisfy professionals and many great images have graced the covers of the publication trade made with these lenses. National Geographic for starters. Enjoy your lens.

Apricane wrote in post #13532367
Honestly, that's something I'd very much like to know myself, especially seeing as there's no apparent reason for equipment selling for roughly 20-80% more than in the U.S., when we know it only costs 10$ to ship a lens from NYC to the border... And I'd very much like to know why Amazon.com doesn't ship photography equipment to Canada (actually, I think I'm going to write them just to see). In the meantime, B&H will be getting my business!

Most likely the trade tariffs are different. Canada has different tax programs and services for the country and I would't be surprised if there is a tax on the cost of imported goods to generate revenue to cover these programs.

I've spent nearly $8k in 5 months of shooting. Gear is kewl.

Yeah, I pay duties when I order them from the US, but these duties are nowhere expensive enough to justify the price difference; I can't imagine that Canada's tariff schedule with Japan is so different from the US'.

Plus, it wouldn't explain why there's a 20% premium on some lenses, and as much as 80% on others (i.e. products in the very same category); if tariffs are the real reason, then the premium would be the same for all lenses.

Some of it probably has to do with how the corporations demand performance from their individual business units. The Canadian market is small and that means lower volume which means that it costs more to ship and retail on a per unit basis versus the US market. So if they have a profit margin target for the Canadian business unit, then it makes sense to raise prices in Canada to compensate. Now that's only going to work up to a certain extent until the price is so different that people start buying from the US only.

However, some companies, like Nikon, uses tactics like not honouring warranty on out of country purchases to reduce this kind of grey market movement and keep prices and profits higher.

Now all you need is a fast prime

I recently spent wayyy tooo much time here talking lenses....
If you will go to a photography websites, suck as www.1x.com, you will be exposed to the art and lot's of great photographs - this is really why you purchased the gear, no?
SO go there and spend all of your time there.....you will become a batter photographer vs a better lens expert.
My personal advise.
By the way, I started several thread on 1x.com on how people achieve great results and what is the gear they are using - noone really responded. People don't care....the only thing that matters is the end result.

Hi,

Thanks you for all the replies.

I personally think it has more to do with profit margins for the stores...am also thinking collusion. If it was a matter of $100 dollars then it wouldn't bother me...but c'mon. I just bought this lens and with shipping and a 3 yr extended warranty it is still $400 dollars cheaper (that assumes I will have to pay sales tax in Canada when it arrives) If I don't (heres hoping!!) then it would be a $700 dollar difference!

BTW I do have closure now. I got the OK from by better half so all is right in my world. I guess I will have to plan my next purchase for when she is out of town again.

I am definately no Pro photogragher...but I do know enough to appreciate this lens.


Thanks again.


Cheers and Merry Christmas