I cannot for the life of me figure out why people are willing to purchase D800 bodies from individuals and pay them full price plus their supposed sales tax (I'm trying to figure out where in the US sales tax is 10-15%) plus all shipping charges plus any PayPal fees. All of that for the privilege of purchasing a camera body that does not have its warranty transferred (that's Nikon's rules, same for Canon and others - warranty valid only with the original purchaser).
I realize that the D800 has been difficult to get, but if you read the various forums, many are providing the names of reputable retailers who have the bodies in stock. It seems like a little patience would be needed in order to get a D800 with full warranty.
In what regard? Being sparsely available at first release and having above retail prices by individuals selling them? If so, lump them in with the D800 and any other photography item in high demand.
I recall when the Honda 2000 sports roadster arrived on the market. i visited the dealer's showroom and was aghast to see they had added a $10,000 surcharge on the one roadster available for sale. I guess capitalism really works when a willing buyer and willing seller agree on a price, WHATEVER it may be. Some people have more money than time and some have more money than brains...
CGrindahl wrote:
I recall when the Honda 2000 sports roadster arrived on the market. i visited the dealer's showroom and was aghast to see they had added a $10,000 surcharge on the one roadster available for sale. I guess capitalism really works when a willing buyer and willing seller agree on a price, WHATEVER it may be. Some people have more money than time and some have more money than brains...
Well, at least in your example, the person purchasing the roadster would get the manufacturer's warranty. Buying a camera from an individual voids the warranty, whether Nikon, Canon, etc. Some people claim that they can get around this limitation, but it is still illegal. That's a lot to sacrifice particularly for a newly released product.
I wish people would return these "extra" cameras so that the next buyer would get the warranty with it. But with rare exception, these people are making money on the sales in the guise of "helping others". And even if they are breaking even, the buyer isn't. The buyer is paying for shipping costs and PayPal fees that likely wouldn't be there if they bought from a retailer. And again, there's the loss of the warranty.
What amazes me are people who are attempting to sell what are used cameras, whether NIB or not for retail, plus local sales tax plus Paypal fees plus shipping... when all a new buyer has to do is wait and buy from an out of state vendor who will ship for free on credit card purchases. Yes, the owner is obliged in most states to pay the local sales tax and some folks actually do that... most don't.
I never comment on these FS listings but internally I smile, hoping the seller won't find a buyer stupid enough to do a deal. I'm waiting for the day when these cameras are generally available and all the folks playing games with them will have to sell at below retail to do a deal... That will make me smile.
We live in an age of instant gratification...and some people take that to extreme levels. It's a free market so for those that are willing to pay more than retail price, knock yourselves out.
BTW, there's also the opposite group...those that will seek out the lowest possible price even if it means a risky purchase from a disreputable seller....they cango 'knock themselves out' too!
