Why prices seem to vary so much on a daily basis.

[OldCarlos]

(Hope this doesn't break any rules & needs to be deleted)

It seems certain Asian/non EU sellers actually `import` grey goods in batches first, then they can advertise & sell at lower than normal prices.
They are then apparently posted out via a UK middleman/distributor.

Goods not already brought into the UK, tend to have higher advertised prices.

Presumably this is in case they get stopped before entering the UK and they have to pay the taxes/import duty. (This is probably why some point this out in their T&C's) but once here, if not stopped & duty isn't paid, they then know they can sell cheaper.

 

[niko]

hi carl can i ask do you work in/own a uk camera shop?
it just seems a hell of a lot of your posts are about grey imports(in a not particularly positive way)and was wandering why?

 

[OldCarlos]

Hi Nik.
No, honestly I don't have any links at all to anything even remotely camera related. (or anything else in the wholesale or retail industry) I'm semi-retired now & spent most of my working life in the building & related trades.

I'm just a keen amateur `tog who has plenty of time to spare.

I actually get very annoyed at certain practices, (as I guess we all do from time to time) but when it gets to the point that folk aren't allowed to post negative reviews or comments about certain sites & their practices, or to warn others (I do understand why TP & others have to comply though) then some of these sellers (who aren't even in the EU) threaten many sites like this with a great community, to get posts deleted & distort their `ratings`, really gets me going!


I also suffer with SAD, so can't wait for the sun to appear and chear me up!

 

[niko]

ok mate ,i see what you mean,
to be honest i think uk sellers can be just as bad .it seems like honest business practice is a bit like common sense
iam the same with s.a.d i think we might see some sun any year now(ether that or i am of to spain

 

[OldCarlos]

I'm off to Leighton Moss next week, but not really expecting the sun to appear :thumbsdown: ....... so booked for Zante in June.

 

[niko]

Zante ,just googled it ,lovely
perfect chance for some pics,

 

[Barney12]

I actually get very annoyed at certain practices, (as I guess we all do from time to time) but when it gets to the point that folk aren't allowed to post negative reviews or comments about certain sites & their practices, or to warn others (I do understand why TP & others have to comply though) then some of these sellers (who aren't even in the EU) threaten many sites like this with a great community, to get posts deleted & distort their `ratings`, really gets me going!

I have to completely agree. It's a sad state of affairs that a public forum can't 'debate', even sadder still when the company(s) in question prefer a lawyers letter over replying to said forums with a reasonable explanation of any alleged problems.

As an aside there is an interesting law suit running in the US at the momment where so called defamation (what normal people might call 'opinion') has bought a business to its knees. It's being seen as an important test case as to whether companies have any case against 'social media', comment and opinion. The consensus is 'probably not'. A very brief summary of the story here:

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-09-13/bpi-plans-pink-slime-defamation-lawsuit

I would just point out thought that I completely supports the mods on this forum asking us to 'zip it', they rightly point out that they have better things to do!

Sad world.

Barney.

P.S. I used to think I suffered from SAD but now I realise that I'm just grumpy most of the time!!

 

[OldCarlos]

Hi Barney.

I can fully understand the damage that could be done to a legitimate business by social networking in this day & age, but it irks me when non EU traders can snuff out comments & reviews by using our legal system, but are almost un-touchable themselves.

I wonder if Peter Jones, with his jessops re-launch, will be `looking into` these practices?



btw, yeah I think i'm finding myself getting grumpier more often too! (must be an age thing :thumbsdown: )

 

[digitalfailure]

I'd like to point out that we have no issue at all with members posting negative feedback about a company as long as it can be backed up with hard evidence.

Over the last few years we have had to remove some threads and trim bits out of posts because they have crossed a line and had potential to cost US large sums of money fighting a borderline case. We don't however take such action without standing our ground for as long as possible. Censorship is not something that sits well with us but we are a legitimate company and as such we have to act within the law. Talk Photography provides a discussion forum to it's members, it is NOT a public forum and as such we can be held accountable for the contents posted upon the forum.

So, by all means debate and discuss business practice and provide JUSTIFIED and proven first hand negative feedback. That's what WE need as a forum!!! What we don't need is hearsay, conjecture and axe grinding and a chuffing huge legal bill