This time it is $2,886. The lowest it has been was $2,700 a couple of months ago. Adorama also had it shortly after that at $2,750. But we haven't seen those prices recently, certainly not since MAP.
You also get about $57 in eBay bucks, which lowers the net cost a bit.
As usual, YMMV. Big Value is not a "Canon Authorized Dealer." It also may or may not be a USA body. Opinions vary - look through the threads for the discussion.
It does say "Canon USA Warranty." Canon "may" have tightened policies since 11/1? Again, opinions vary on whether they can even do that legally if it is not a "grey market" camera.
So what's the deal with all the big name sellers all selling the body with similar (but not exactly the same) free stuff (camera bag, memory card, etc)? B&H, Adorama, etc - all the same price and all with 'extras' that someone buying a replacement camera wouldn't need.
- "Canon USA" body means that it will come with a Canon warranty card. And, per Canon USA warranty disclosure, Canon USA will provide warranty service to Canon products that come with a Canon USA warranty card.
- There is no statement in the warranty disclosure that Canon USA will only provide warranty service that the products have to be purchased from an authorized dealer. However, you are guaranteed that Canon products will come with a Canon USA warranty card if purchased from an authorized dealer.
- Most of the time, Canon only requires a valid receipt for warranty purpose. There have been reports that Canon will provide services for products even from a retailer that is not an authorized dealer. However, this may have been more strict after MAP policy is in effect.
- Bigvalueinc is not an authorized dealer. But someone here mentioned that he got a 5D3 with Canon USA warranty card, while a friend of mine got one that didn't come with a warranty card. So, don't bank on it that you would get one with a warranty card or expect that Canon will provide service if it doesn't come with one.
Wahoowa wrote:
Add to what mmurph has summed up:
....
Cheers.
That is a great summary!
I have purchased from them twice and been quite happy. I am waiting until spring to buy a 5D3 or a Nikon D800, as I only have a few jobs in the winter. I will get by with my 2 Canon T4i and a Nikon D3200 until March, no sense in buying too early.
If I needed a 5D3 now, I would buy from Big Value at $2,750 or less. If I didn't get a Canon USA Warranty card, I would either send it back immediately on their dime, or bargain them down enough to pay for a 3 year Mack warranty.
I was able to go to BestBuy today and show them a printout from East Coast TVs for a 5Diii for $2718. They price matched it on the spot, with a manager approval. No Grey Market issues or questions ot be asked. A different store nearby said no last week because East Coast isn't an authorized dealer. Today, no such issue.
