So you won't believe an entire thread dedicated to their business practice but just mention one vendor's name and you're all in?
Right...
Alex Phan wrote:
here is the thing..it is a hypocrite practice among us. I remembered couple years ago when i recommend Greentoe, i was attacked left and right by the very finest members in here. They all saying oh, it is a grey/imported product, you can't return, too good to be true, fishy business..you named it, i've seen all. To the point, i would just say f-ed it. You guy want to pay retail, so be it.
People that never use the GT before wouldn't feel confident if they don't know who the vendor is. Now, when you share the vendor name, you got attacked too.
Those that already use GT now, let me ask you: Before you first using GT, do you believe in it? do you feel like it is too good to be true? do you want to know who is really the vendor? are they authorize dealer? all of those info will ease your mind before you use the service right? So there, that is the good reason for sharing the info.
First time use it in 2013. Order #2795, recent order 3/2018 and order #86003
5 years with over 80K fulfilled order..they're not going anywhere. They're growing thanks to our community. Don't be too tight ass on sharing the info guys. ...Show more →
Well I have a slightly interesting little tale. I offered $1200 for a Batis 135 on 4/6/18. Later that day the offer was accepted (according to Greentoe). They did not name the vendor, and three days later I have had ZERO futher correspondence from Greentoe or from the mystery vendor. My card has not been charged, but I really want to know the ship date as I will be leaving town and don't want to miss the package. I requested an update from Greentoe but have heard nothing but crickets.....Not entirely happy with this, but I'm not panicking yet.
NJPhotographer wrote:
I agree. If they are asking buyers to not disclose the retailer, then that's essentially part of the deal. Buyers should honor that request. If a buyer doesn't want to honor that request, then they should not use Greentoe. It's a simple matter of respecting the process. Whether it's legally enforceable, I have no idea. But it's a simple request, easy to follow. I presume they have a very good reason for making it, or they wouldn't bother.
Greentoe is good for everybody, including dealers. Dealers are free to negotiate on price — but they can't advertise a price lower than the MAP. Greentoe effectively delivers a mutually negotiated price that is lower than the MAP. My guess — and this is pure unresearched speculation — is that Greentoe indirectly helps manufacturers too. If accused of price fixing, a manufacturer can say in its defense: "There is no price fixing because buyers and retailers are free to negotiate a lower price, and as evidence of that: Greentoe!"...Show more →
GT is not a price fixing club that you get access to as soon as you submit an offer. The only reason why you are speculating is because you're unsure why GT sends you a 'friendly' reminder not to disclose the dealer. Also, I can assure you it doesn't happen to all paid offers. GT is neither in the business of currying favors with dealers or outright undercutting MAP prices set by manufacturers. At its core is an affiliate marketing business which is based on wholehearted cooperation by authorized dealers of all kinds of goods. Check this thread for Helen Oster from Adorama saying the same.
Like many have alluded to, there's no harm in going by what GT suggests but chastising others for revealing the dealer or questioning their integrity is uncalled for. I intend to call out such rude behavior on the basis of their ignorance. It's better we shed light of who GT works with than cover for them just because GT wants to avoid dealers from knowing each other who fulfilled what at which price. This is somewhat analogous to car dealers not letting you want out of the dealership with the paper on which they have laid out their pricing to the customer as it could be used for negotiating a lower price at a nearby dealership. It's kinda like doing a super price match which has the potential to take out GT from the picture altogether.
Neurad1 wrote:
Well I have a slightly interesting little tale. I offered $1200 for a Batis 135 on 4/6/18. Later that day the offer was accepted (according to Greentoe). They did not name the vendor, and three days later I have had ZERO futher correspondence from Greentoe or from the mystery vendor. My card has not been charged, but I really want to know the ship date as I will be leaving town and don't want to miss the package. I requested an update from Greentoe but have heard nothing but crickets.....Not entirely happy with this, but I'm not panicking yet.
I'm in the middle of a similar situation (on a 100-400mm GM). Offer accepted, then nothing for a couple days. Contacted GT, they said the dealer had run out since making the offer. I could cancel or wait. I wait three days, then this morning I decided to cancel and try again. Wrote to them requesting the cancellation; no answer so far. Started a new order; got an offer right away; accepted it right away. Now crickets.
prosumerhacks wrote:
GT is not a price fixing club that you get access to as soon as you submit an offer. The only reason why you are speculating is because you're unsure why GT sends you a 'friendly' reminder not to disclose the dealer. Also, I can assure you it doesn't happen to all paid offers. GT is neither in the business of currying favors with dealers or outright undercutting MAP prices set by manufacturers. At its core is an affiliate marketing business which is based on wholehearted cooperation by authorized dealers of all kinds of goods. Check this thread for Helen Oster from Adorama saying the same.
Like many have alluded to, there's no harm in going by what GT suggests but chastising others for revealing the dealer or questioning their integrity is uncalled for. I intend to call out such rude behavior on the basis of their ignorance. It's better we shed light of who GT works with than cover for them just because GT wants to avoid dealers from knowing each other who fulfilled what at which price. This is somewhat analogous to car dealers not letting you want out of the dealership with the paper on which they have laid out their pricing to the customer as it could be used for negotiating a lower price at a nearby dealership. It's kinda like doing a super price match which has the potential to take out GT from the picture altogether. ...Show more →
GT explains how they work, and GT requests that you honor their process. It sounds like some people want to be able to benefit from GT without honoring their process. That doesn't sound fair to me. Anyway, I'm very happy GT exists and will honor their process.
My offer was accepted on March 25. Received notification that it has shipped on April 9th.
Received an email today with the following
“We wanted to reach out and kindly ask that you DO NOT post any details of this deal on any facebook groups, forums, or social media. DO NOT post the price, product or retailer's name.”
This clarifies Greentoe ‘s position on not mentioning vendors or price on “social” media.
Papat wrote:
My offer was accepted on March 25. Received notification that it has shipped on April 9th.
Received an email today with the following
“We wanted to reach out and kindly ask that you DO NOT post any details of this deal on any facebook groups, forums, or social media. DO NOT post the price, product or retailer's name.”
This clarifies Greentoe ‘s position on not mentioning vendors or price on “social” media.
I got the same email from Greentoe support today about not posting to social media.
It’s always been the case of them asking you not to post these details. Might be a fire storm going on at the moment and it’s not a legal issue because they are asking you not too. I still think it could hurt GT in some way and I will always honor the request. I got a A7rIII and several lenses from there dealers and it was always very positive and from my seat if I’m asked than I will honor the request. To me it’s the right thing to do. But that’s my way
Hi all!
I'm looking into Greentoe, I've recently learned about this because of FM. Looks like there are some dealers that people have had a bad experiences with.
Can you please share list of dealers one should avoid. Or just share which dealers you've had a bad experience with and I'll try to make a list and share it with everyone in one place.
semorg wrote:
Can you please share list of dealers one should avoid. Or just share which dealers you've had a bad experience with and I'll try to make a list and share it with everyone in one place.
You don't get to choose the dealer when buying through Greentoe. In fact, you don't find out the name of the dealer until the order is accepted & processed.
MikeEvangelist wrote:
You don't get to choose the dealer when buying through Greentoe. In fact, you don't find out the name of the dealer until the order is accepted & processed.
Thanks for the reply. My understanding was reading the thread that you could block some dealers. Did I understand this incorrectly?
There are pros and cons of using GT being discussed here. I’d call on GT to come clean on why they are now asking for price/product & retailer not to be named now. If they are doing anything unwarranted, it’s time for them to openly address it else I don’t see anything wrong with talking about what they do or who they work with. Folks, don’t be under the impression that GT is a one stop for all your discounts. This model has been around for sometime and is legally supervised. Listening to all the FM royalty going gaga over ethics and doing what’s being asked to do, I’m sure GT is reading this thread. Spread the word and let others speak openly.
prosumerhacks wrote:
There are pros and cons of using GT being discussed here. I’d call on GT to come clean on why they are now asking for price/product & retailer not to be named now. If they are doing anything unwarranted, it’s time for them to openly address it else I don’t see anything wrong with talking about what they do or who they work with. Folks, don’t be under the impression that GT is a one stop for all your discounts. This model has been around for sometime and is legally supervised. Listening to all the FM royalty going gaga over ethics and doing what’s being asked to do, I’m sure GT is reading this thread. Spread the word and let others speak openly. ...Show more →
Selling items below MSRP goes against any manufacture policy to protect all business by maintaining a competitive advantage.
On the computer side, if Nvidia heard about any vendor selling below their recommended price without permission, they will be removed as a vendor.
Serious penalties will incur if Greentoe's vendor names become public, because they all agree to sell at MSRP.
At my local camera shop, Sony was in and out at random checking to see if they sold any a7III's before midnight.
Selling before launch dates and below MSRP are serious violations.
worldexclus1ve wrote:
Selling items below MSRP goes against any manufacture policy to protect all business by maintaining a competitive advantage.
On the computer side, if Nvidia heard about any vendor selling below their recommended price without permission, they will be removed as a vendor.
Serious penalties will incur if Greentoe's vendor names become public, because they all agree to sell at MSRP.
I understand the point you’re making here. Fact is as customer outreach and online marketplaces have evolved it’s no more the case where manufacturers impose MAP. It’s too blunt and one sided as far price control go. If you look at Priceline for instance, which is a name your price site, the marketplace has evolved and now each service provider has agreements on how to allocate and sell their capacity. This doesn’t stop providers from having their own direct customer interactions. The point is, GT has no business controlling who and why they are being discussed and these emails they sent out are not doing them any favors.
prosumerhacks wrote:
There are pros and cons of using GT being discussed here. I’d call on GT to come clean on why they are now asking for price/product & retailer not to be named now. If they are doing anything unwarranted, it’s time for them to openly address it else I don’t see anything wrong with talking about what they do or who they work with. Folks, don’t be under the impression that GT is a one stop for all your discounts. This model has been around for sometime and is legally supervised. Listening to all the FM royalty going gaga over ethics and doing what’s being asked to do, I’m sure GT is reading this thread. Spread the word and let others speak openly. ...Show more →
First off and your really pissing a lot of good folks off. Calling us royalty and BS like that is totally against the rules. I suggest you can ithe name calling now. It’s folks like you are why GT is putting out statements like this now. You have some conspiracy theory going on in there business model. We are all adults here and understand what they are asking and very capable of making a GT decision or not. Your also insulting our intergrity to just do what is politely asked from them. Most of us are just nice folks and will abide by the request. Is there something morally wrong doing what your asked or do we have to enter this assine decessive world that’s going on here in the US. Don’t we have enough to deal with. Most of us are family men with a house 3 cars and like myself have grandkids. I got enough on my freaking plate to go fight a meaningless battle. Seriously your starting to sound like some monetary disadvantage is at hand for you. Anyway what really is your point. Wait forget it I’m hiding you anyway and no one cares either. I’m going back to painting my cool deck. Save 1200 bucks so I can go by yet another lens.
GT offers a service. It is understood how they go about this. Don't want to use it, don't. But finding you can get a discount from them is an advantage to the pocketbook. Don't want a decent discount is a choice, but to me it is like hitting yourself in the face with a clinched fist, why make that choice?
Greentoe is actually facilitating a free marketplace in the goods it sells, and I have had nothing but good experiences with them and their dealers. GT has been completely straight-up and responsive every time. I have gotten better responses from them than I have gotten from some dealers from whom I have made multiple purchases in the past. GT has sometimes responded to my emails sent at 1 AM within 30 minutes. There has sometimes been a few days between when an offer is accepted by a dealer and when I get an email from the dealer telling me they are shipping my product. But there has never been a problem with actually getting the item in completely brand-new condition. I am a very satisfied customer.
The MSRP process, on the other hand, is a form of price-fixing. I am not sure why it is legal, but I am not a lawyer. I assume its primary role is to benefit dealers (rather than to directly benefit the manufacturer) because it maintains the dealer's margin (not so much, or at least not directly, the manufacturer's margin). The manufacturer wants to keep its dealers happy.
I have bought thousands of dollars of gear that I would not have otherwise purchased because of the prices I got via Greentoe.
