Both of their distribution systems have weaknesses. Note the conspicuous absence of 1Dx bodies, OK? And though that body was announced over six months before expected release, it's already past its expected release date and it's already confirmed to be delayed at least until June. Clearly both Canon and Nikon could improve their product-release processes and logistics by a country mile, because both have had major problems in this area.
As for my earlier comments and the responses, let me just point out that my comment about "that's how it's always done" referred only to having some product set aside for marketing and PR... I was not referring to their logistics, shipping, or predictive abilities -- or lack thereof. So I agree with most of the responses, and always did. I think it's fan-bloody-tastic that Nikon has been able to drive this level of interest in their new releases, and I'm just as sad (for them) as all the rest of us are that they haven't been better able to capitalize on that interest to maximize sales and customer satisfaction.
okafoja wrote:
Check B&H, Adorama, Amazon and BestBuy 5DIII is out of order on all of them. So you guys should stop making it look like Canon users are dumping Canon in droves therefore making it hard to find D800. It is just not true.
Didnt state this, nor implying that this was the case. I specifically wrote that at least with a less amount of time to announcement i can still walk into my camera store (as of last week), and they had 1 sitting on the shelves, in fact implying a better distribution system.
Not even sure where the dumping canon comes in, i didnt even think of that.
Maybe you touched a nerve. A lot of 5D3 users are sensitive nowadays.
EPerfection wrote:
Didnt state this, nor implying that this was the case. I specifically wrote that at least with a less amount of time to announcement i can still walk into my camera store (as of last week), and they had 1 sitting on the shelves, in fact implying a better distribution system.
Not even sure where the dumping canon comes in, i didnt even think of that.
I received an email from B&H today hoping it was informing me of the shipment of my D800 ordered on 2-7-2012. But alas was a letter from Mr. Posner explaining and apologizing for the continued back order situation. Still waiting patiently!
AMaji wrote:
After NPS supplying Greta the tv personality with an NPS allocated D800, I have lost respect for this process. I have heard (this is heresay, so take it with a grain of salt) that many of the NPS folks have scalped their D800s on eBay. If that is the case, it is a blatant abuse of the NPS system, at least in spirit, if not to the letter of by-laws of that organization. I am ranting, but once I see favoritism or people abusing a system, I get upset. I also feel that B&H showed favoritism by sending Greta the cups. B&H should send mugs/cups/caps to all the NPS buyers of D800, and then I can't say they are playing favorites. Of course, they are a private company (as is Nikon) and they can do whatever they please. However, we as potential buyers can make other potential buyers aware of what is going on and let them know there is a chance of someone else being treated better than them.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. ...Show more →
There is a D800E on eBay listed at $7000. Apparently the seller doesn't care to let everyone know where he got it from, one of the pictures shows the D800E in the shipping box complete with Adorama pillows.
NPS is a joke if you ask me and I refuse to open my books to join. Before I spent four years playing with Canon gear I saw this exact scenario go on with bodies going back to the film era. I waited nearly two months to get a D200 and three months for a 18-200 VR. It the price I pay for refusing to pay more than MSRP and refusing to open my books unless I'm looking for a line of credit.
K6AZ wrote:
NPS is a joke if you ask me and I refuse to open my books to join. Before I spent four years playing with Canon gear I saw this exact scenario go on with bodies going back to the film era. I waited nearly two months to get a D200 and three months for a 18-200 VR. It the price I pay for refusing to pay more than MSRP and refusing to open my books unless I'm looking for a line of credit.
Open your books? Have you actually looked at the application? You just need to show tear-sheets and/or have a current member vouch that you're a full-time pro.
brett maxwell wrote:
Open your books? Have you actually looked at the application? You just need to show tear-sheets and/or have a current member vouch that you're a full-time pro.
Depends on what you do. Since I don't shoot for hire the paperwork they sent me to fill out along with proof was outrageous. They wanted more than I had supplied to creditors for lines of credit. I suppose if you are something like a wedding photographer or do independent work for publications it wouldn't be as intrusive. They also could have changed their criteria but I'm not going to bother with it again. I keep plenty of backup bodies and lenses and wait in line like everyone else for new gear.
I really do think Nikon needs to add some terms for NPS members to prohibit them from using NPS to flip hot new gear for profit.
I walked into our local camera shop last week and there was a D800 box sitting on the shelf. I chuckled and said "that's empty and for display purposes right?" He said "No, that's a real-life D800!" I said "I'll take it" and he said "it's spoken for".
So close, yet so far!
So yeah, local shops are definitely getting them. He had 3 on the waiting list and was expecting a shipment this week, so I put my father on the list (that's who I was trying to get it for in the first place). He hasn't received a call yet, but we'll see. I bet they'll only get 1 in the shipment again.
I called my local shop (the only one that isn't a box store) and was told I'd have to pay up front and no returns, warranty service only. Not only that I discovered they shut down their lab so no more film processing. They only carry P&S and entry level DSLR equipment, anything else you pay up front for and wait 5-10 business days. I see absolutely no reason to go back.
surgeon1 wrote:
Called my local Best Buy tonight. They said the D800 is available online. Why doesn't B&H have supply? Oh well.
According to Adorama, NPS orders go to the top of the list no matter when placed per Nikon USA requirements. The NPS orders designate a specific dealer. The dealer's allocation of cameras takes into account the NPS orders. Therefore, very few cameras make it through to the non-NPS customers who placed their order months before.
Adorama received 40 D800s last week that were released to the non-NPS queue. That's good, but it didn't make a big dent in the pre-order list. I suspect B&H and other large retailers with significant professional clientele are in the same boat.
In retrospect, this has been a very "educational" experience. I just wish that the "first come first served" language that I read in early February had an asterisk explaining that NPS customers were an exception to the "rule."
Speaking of NPS, do they have any limitations? Can a NPS member keep going back for more? Years ago (pre-digital) they used to set a period of time pre-release for pros.
Foggy14 wrote:
According to Adorama, NPS orders go to the top of the list no matter when placed per Nikon USA requirements. The NPS orders designate a specific dealer. The dealer's allocation of cameras takes into account the NPS orders. Therefore, very few cameras make it through to the non-NPS customers who placed their order months before.
Adorama received 40 D800s last week that were released to the non-NPS queue. That's good, but it didn't make a big dent in the pre-order list. I suspect B&H and other large retailers with significant professional clientele are in the same boat.
In retrospect, this has been a very "educational" experience. I just wish that the "first come first served" language that I read in early February had an asterisk explaining that NPS customers were an exception to the "rule." ...Show more →
Sounds like I may be waiting awhile. I wonder if any pre-orders with Amazon have been shipped?
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