Buying cameras from the internet

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Sammy J

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Hi all

I'm new here so a big hello! I'm looking to upgrade to a 5D Mark II... obviously I'm aware of all the furore and confusion over pre-orders and back orders and delays etc.

Have been looking around at prices and just wondered if anyone had any thoughts or experience of why the massive difference in price between the big camera shops and some of the other big technology stores. For instance Lambda Tek are selling the new 5d (body only) for £1708 including VAT where Warehouse Express has it for £2250.

I know Warehouse Express has a good rep but how can they be undercut by over £500 by a company that doesn’t even specialise in cameras? I have bought computer components from Lambda Tek before and think they are a decent company… but are there any other issues I should be aware of before buying from them (they are taking back orders but say they won’t be here til January.. but that seems to be the same everywhere).

Cheers for any advice in advance, and I look forward to chatting about more interesting photography related stuff in future!
 
Sammy J said:
Hi all

I'm new here so a big hello! I'm looking to upgrade to a 5D Mark II... obviously I'm aware of all the furore and confusion over pre-orders and back orders and delays etc.

Have been looking around at prices and just wondered if anyone had any thoughts or experience of why the massive difference in price between the big camera shops and some of the other big technology stores. For instance Lambda Tek are selling the new 5d (body only) for £1708 including VAT where Warehouse Express has it for £2250.

I know Warehouse Express has a good rep but how can they be undercut by over £500 by a company that doesn’t even specialise in cameras? I have bought computer components from Lambda Tek before and think they are a decent company… but are there any other issues I should be aware of before buying from them (they are taking back orders but say they won’t be here til January.. but that seems to be the same everywhere).

Cheers for any advice in advance, and I look forward to chatting about more interesting photography related stuff in future!
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Maybe the cheaper ones are grey imports (IE from Japan/US) therefore making them cheaper, although not as cheap as greys used to be due to the currency exchange rates?:shrug:

Welcome to the forum by the way:thumbs:
 
At full RRP somebody is making a fat load of profit somewhere along the line. Look at the 50D - released at £1199 and many were charging that to start with and now available at £800 or so. Did Canon reduce the price in the supply chain by £400 or has someone been reducing their exhorbitant profit margin along the way? I just bought a G10, for £335 delivered from Jessops (minus £15 cash back from Quidco to come). If you shop unwisely you could easily pay over £400 for that camera. I have no idea what the wholesale price is for the 5D2 but it would not surprise me to find that the LambdaTek price is legit, but you will have to deal directly with Canon for any post sales support, and no product returns!.

FWIW I contacted LambdaTek about the 5D2 and they want payment in full up front, before placing the order themselves, and that must be by bank transfer or debit card - no credit cards. They also say that the camera is for supply to "business" rather than "retail" so you waive the 7 day cooling off under DSR etc.. The cameras are said to be UK authorised stock with warranty support by Canon UK.

Feedback I've seen for LambdaTek seems pretty positive on the whole, although I've never bought anything from them myself. However, I am not happy about the idea of transferring £1720 (including p&P) in cash for them to then place an order. I would at least want the protection of the consumer credit act, just in case. I have decided not to proceed with them at the moment, or anyone else for that matter.

I was going to start my journey towards full frame but I have just returned the three EF primes I recently bought from Amazon as they are all below par and I've decided to stick with my 50D, 40D and f/2.8 IS zooms for the time being. I'll keep my powder dry until the prices in general are more favourable.

EDIT : BTW, the LambdaTek price is not so far away from some online suppliers, such as Dabs or BT Shop (both offering Quidco cash back as well). Look here....

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod726.html
 
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