It looks like Canon is going to start cracking down on MAP violations with a new policy on November 1st. They are attempting to enact a similar program to Nikon --- which has been successful. So what does this mean? There are many dealers out there that are blowing out the 5DIII or other Canon products significantly below MAP. When the new system takes place on November 1st, many of these dealers will no longer be able to do so. Otherwise, their dealership might be revoked. If you're planning on making a large canon purchase in the near future, don't be surprised if the "bargain prices" we've been seeing on certain products go away on November 1st.
Ben Horne wrote:
It looks like Canon is going to start cracking down on MAP violations with a new policy on November 1st. They are attempting to enact a similar program to Nikon --- which has been successful.
Don't confuse MAP (min advertized price) with Nikon USA's unilateral price policy which sets the minimum selling price.
And, the info I've heard is Canon USA intends to enforce their new rules quite strictly and that penalties for violating them will be severe.
I know that in the USA, from one state to the next, there's not allowed to be a difference in price for Mesa Boogie guitar amplifiers. Not even on the East coast where it costs more to ship them to.
The company says our product is X, you sell it for X.
It was for awhile, but I recall some laws were overturned recently. Basically the consumer is screwed more and more in the US. I hear that other countries even have more than the one year warranty we get.
the canon brass are obviously getting annoyed by the undercutting of prices on the 5dm3. Frankly, they need to listen to what the market is telling them.
It's not something we are used to in Australia, but I'm sure there are products it exists for. I know VW dealers cannot offer arbitrary trade-in prices and are forced to go to a database and look up the price irrespective of things like the condition of the car and what options it may have.
EB-1 wrote:
It was for awhile, but I recall some laws were overturned recently. Basically the consumer is screwed more and more in the US. I hear that other countries even have more than the one year warranty we get.
EBH
EU mandates a 2 year warranty on a lot of stuff, which is why Microsoft keeps getting in trouble with them, as they don't seem to give a shit.
timbop wrote:
the canon brass are obviously getting annoyed by the undercutting of prices on the 5dm3. Frankly, they need to listen to what the market is telling them.
I agree and I think they are when they made that firmware announcement for the 5d3. Sadly it will take them until april to figure that out.
They should at least match the price of Nikon. The prices they put into play is utterly ridiculous. But perhaps the pricing is a reflection of actual supply and demand. Either Nikon produced more, less people were buying Nikon or Nikon is trying to get market share.
dolina wrote:
I agree and I think they are when they made that firmware announcement for the 5d3. Sadly it will take them until april to figure that out.
They should at least match the price of Nikon. The prices they put into play is utterly ridiculous. But perhaps the pricing is a reflection of actual supply and demand. Either Nikon produced more, less people were buying Nikon or Nikon is trying to get market share.
I am pretty sure it is not a case of canon having demand for the 5d3 at $3500; the recent ebay deals from valid licensed retailers at ~$2700 would seem to indicate that those retailers needed to move inventory.
There's another thread about canon's Q3 not being what they had forecast
If Canon truly has the nads to enforce MAP it would help level the playing field for dealers. Of course there are always ways to dance around MAP: call for price, dealer rebates or add-ons like free shipping and accessories are common.
It's too easy to circumvent, in the end dealers who want to sell for less will find a way. Instant cash rebate, selling through fronts on amazon/e-bay/etc. or whatever. If the price the market will bear is below the price they allow, the choice for the dealer is find a way to bypass it, or don't deal in that item at all.
Henry, since canon is being so aggressive on pricing, maybe you can clear the air on how places like beach and adorama can offer brand new usa warranty 5d iii's for $600-$700 below retail?
Don't confuse MAP (min advertized price) with Nikon USA's unilateral price policy which sets the minimum selling price.
And, the info I've heard is Canon USA intends to enforce their new rules quite strictly and that penalties for violating them will be severe.
I still do not understand how this is possible. Apple and the U.S. book publishers just lost in court due to (illegal) price fixing - *because they were setting a minimum selling price*.
