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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / January 2007

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Canadians Buying Camera Equipment in the USA

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twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 13 Jan 2007 13:38 GMT
Hi All,

I'm looking for input from any Canadians who have purchased new camera
equipment in the US from officially recognized dealers (as opposed to
buying grey market) either on the web or purchased from a retail
outlet.  I'm curious about terms such as "Nikon US Warranty" and how
warranty repairs or other service work was dealt with back in Canada.
Other postings seem to indicate that Canon will cover warranty work
regardless (international warranty), but Nikon take a much stricter
view of where the camera was purchased and refuse service work and at
times selling parts to repair cameras without a valid serial number for
a specific country.

Any thoughts or experiences would be much appreciated.
Dave - 13 Jan 2007 16:41 GMT
This was discussed about a month ago on Usenet, not sure which newsgroup
but you could find it with Google. You're asking a very specific question
about Nikon and I don't think you will find many here who have personal
experience. After all, most of us buy cameras and never test the warranty. I
have been happy and confident with Canon, but have never needed to test the
warranty question.

Dave
Alan Browne - 13 Jan 2007 18:59 GMT
> Hi All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Any thoughts or experiences would be much appreciated.

Nikon are a.sholes when it comes to warranty.  The fact that Canada/US
is the largest trade pairing in the world seems to escape them.

Last year the Nikon 9000 ED was US$1800 (B&H) and CAD$3300.  Even
accounting for the difference (at the time) in the US and CAD $, it was
a total ripoff to buy the 9000 in Canada.  And of course if you buy in
the US then the US warranty applied.

Finally, in late 2006 the Canadian price aligned closer to the US price
(and the US price increased as the US dollar continued its decay) so I
bought the CAD version in order to "enjoy" the Nikon warranty at a
premium of about CAD$250 over the US price.  I just didn't want to have
a "US" unit here failing and needing shipping back for repair.  (It is a
very large and heavy scanner).

Why is this?  Nikon USA is a US company that markets Nikon products in
the US.  There is no Canadian tie.  Nikon Canada imports from Japan
separately from Nikon USA.  (It may come on the same boat and container,
but they are segregated invoices and destinees).

To my knowledge only Nikon are as idiotic as this in the popular photo
equipment world.

As to saving money, be careful.  Since B&H switched to UPS, the savings
is eroded by UPS' horrible brokerage fees in Canada.  A true ripoff.

According to another Canadian poster, you can go get your package at UPS
and fill out the customs paperwork yourself and save all or at least
most of the brokerage charges.  I don't know that this is in fact true.

When B&H used FedEx, the FedEx brokerage charge was very resonable.

In the US, trusted names for photo gear ordering are B&H and Adorama.

Cheers,
Alan

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HarryO50 - 13 Jan 2007 22:06 GMT
> > Hi All,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 53 lines]
> --      [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
> --                   e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

I/ve never had  a problem with Canon warrantee support, bafck when my
XT was in warrantee.  They took the camera back, cleaned it and checked
the electrical system as I thought I was having problems with it.  It
was eating batteries alive.  When it returned from Canon, the battery
problem had been solved.  I can fill the good part of a 2gb card with
L+RAW images without changing the battery.  Quite amazing really.

Harry

H. Flaxman Applictions Engineer (retired0
Brian Sullivan - 14 Jan 2007 03:17 GMT
> As to saving money, be careful.  Since B&H switched to UPS, the savings
> is eroded by UPS' horrible brokerage fees in Canada.  A true ripoff.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> In the US, trusted names for photo gear ordering are B&H and Adorama.

AFAIK B&H will ship USPS to Canada for most shipments -- the Canadian post
office has a nominal fee for customs handling.

Signature

Brian Sullivan
Courses by Wire (http://www.coursesbywire.com)

Alan Browne - 14 Jan 2007 16:22 GMT
>>As to saving money, be careful.  Since B&H switched to UPS, the savings
>>is eroded by UPS' horrible brokerage fees in Canada.  A true ripoff.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> AFAIK B&H will ship USPS to Canada for most shipments -- the Canadian post
> office has a nominal fee for customs handling.

I'm not very happy using FedEx/UPS for shipments of electro-mechanical
gear, even less so by "post".

Cheers,
Alan

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RichA - 14 Jan 2007 20:14 GMT
> >>As to saving money, be careful.  Since B&H switched to UPS, the savings
> >>is eroded by UPS' horrible brokerage fees in Canada.  A true ripoff.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Cheers,
> Alan

The scum at UPS are now being sued for their undisclosed border
brokerage charges.
They can be as high as $60 on a $200 item.  They are crooks.
Ken Davey - 15 Jan 2007 01:26 GMT
Please join my team in the fight against cancer.
http://www.grid.org/services/teams/team.htm?id=9184296B-D4ED-49A2-A173-AEB0DD18A6CE

>> As to saving money, be careful.  Since B&H switched to UPS, the savings
>> is eroded by UPS' horrible brokerage fees in Canada.  A true ripoff.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> AFAIK B&H will ship USPS to Canada for most shipments -- the Canadian post
> office has a nominal fee for customs handling.

Amen to that!
I will always refuse to deal with any usa company that insists on shipping
UPS.
Their shipping rates and brokerage fees are a deal-killer!

Ken (in Canada).
G.T. - 15 Jan 2007 03:51 GMT
> Please join my team in the fight against cancer.
> http://www.grid.org/services/teams/team.htm?id=9184296B-D4ED-49A2-A173-AEB0DD18A6CE
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> UPS.
> Their shipping rates and brokerage fees are a deal-killer!

Same here but more for the destruction of packages and complete
inflexibility on deliveries.

Two companies I've worked for have given up on shipping computers
amongst branch offices via UPS, we had a run of 8 straight computers
thrashed at my last job.  And I can remember only one broken part
handled by Fedex.

And as far as flexibility goes, at least here in southern California, at
worst Fedex will have a package held at the local office the SAME
EVENING of the delivery attempt, and at best they've come back by my
place after calling my calling them, same with Airborne but not as many
people ship Airborne.  And there are FedEx/Kinkos everywhere around
here, I've never lived more than a mile from one.  If I miss a UPS
delivery and don't think I'll be there for delivery the next day I have
to wait until the next night at best to pick it up, and they don't use
their Mailboxes Etc to leave packages at which means a 15 mile drive in
shitty traffic to get to their depot.

In fact, when I have the choice when purchasing on the web I pick USPS
first, FedEx next, and then anything else after that.  USPS doesn't have
the tracking that the private companies do so I usually don't get that
option for higher ticket items.

Greg

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Slack - 16 Jan 2007 02:38 GMT
> Two companies I've worked for have given up on shipping computers  
> amongst branch offices via UPS, we had a run of 8 straight computers  
> thrashed at my last job.  And I can remember only one broken part  
> handled by Fedex.

hehehehe..... I worked for UPS (briefly) loading trucks back in the 80's.  
That damn conveyor belt doesn't stop for anything; jammed box, loader  
can't keep up with speed, box falls off.... it doesn't care -- just keeps  
rolling for 4 frig'n hours!
Signature

Slack - destroyed my share of boxes

Not Disclosed - 16 Jan 2007 12:40 GMT
>> As to saving money, be careful.  Since B&H switched to UPS, the savings
>> is eroded by UPS' horrible brokerage fees in Canada.  A true ripoff.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> AFAIK B&H will ship USPS to Canada for most shipments -- the Canadian post
> office has a nominal fee for customs handling.

Canada Post often forgets to collect the fee.
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 17 Jan 2007 12:07 GMT
Thanks for all the input.  At the same time I posted the original
question here I e-mailed both Nikon Canada & Canon Canada and asked the
same question.

>From Customer Support at Canon Canada;

"The warranty for digital cameras and lenses is valid for both Canada
and the U.S.A as long as you have a valid sales receipt from a
authorized sales dealer from Canada or the U.S.A."

No response to date from Nikon Canada.  Hmmm.

I did a couple of on-line checks to make a pricing comparison between
US dealers (B&H and Adorama) and Canadian Dealers (Henry's and Vistek),
what I found did not surprise me.  By the time I converted the USD
prices to Canadian funds, the package (a Nikon D200 w/ an AF-S 28-70mm
lens) was about $450.00 less in New York than in Toronto.  Would it
cost $450.00 to pay the shipping, insurance & duty on this package from
New York to Toronto?  More than likely it would on a $3,500.00 package.
Could you travel to New York for a weekend and buy the camera directly
for the $450.00 savings?  As enjoyable as a weekend in New York would
be it would likely cost at least that much for my girlfriend and I (yes
I could travel myself much cheaper but no I can't travel myself if you
catch my meaning) to make the trip, and you are still required by law
to declare that purchase and pay the duty and taxes when crossing the
border.

I used to travel to the US quite frequently and never bought a single
thing because of the high exchange rate.  Now that the gap between the
dollars has closed, it would seem there is very little incentive to
risk buying items out of the US, and judging by what others have said
Nikon may not uphold a "Nikon US Warranty" in Canada.  There is a
Henry's store close to my home that have always given me great advice
and better service, it only makes sense to buy something like this
package locally.

I do realize that B&H and Adorama don't have the "best prices", but one
has to wonder when reputable dealers are selling the D200 for $1,699.00
and somebody else is listing the "same camera" for $1,129.00... what
are they actually selling?  Terms like "you get what you pay for" and
"buyer beware" spring to mind.  You could buy from the lowest price
people and never have any problems or issues and pat yourself on the
back having saved a chunk of change... or you could create a nightmare
for yourself.  These are electronic devices and electronic devices do
pop widgets, something like a blown image processor chip or a defective
sensor would run some pretty serious coin to get fixed without a proper
warranty and you may wind up cursing the day you saved $500.00 on that
camera.
eawckyegcy@yahoo.com - 17 Jan 2007 13:28 GMT
> I did a couple of on-line checks to make a pricing comparison between
> US dealers (B&H and Adorama) and Canadian Dealers (Henry's and Vistek),
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> cost $450.00 to pay the shipping, insurance & duty on this package from
> New York to Toronto?

Where have you been?  At no time in the past 15 years (and probably
more) has it ever been cost effective to purchase moderately expensive,
well-built equipment in Canada (say, over $500 -- especially over
$1000).  Virtually everything I use came from B&H or Adorama,
mailorder, and I probably have saved many thousands by doing so.  Heck,
I bought my EF 500/4 from B&H.  Neither Vistek nor Henry's even stock
this item, and when I asked (as a joke), I was given a price three
thousand in excess of the B&H price and a delivery time on the order of
several weeks.

>More than likely it would on a $3,500.00 package.

I think I paid $150 for the shipping on my big-a.s lens, and only
because it was so big and heavy and I wanted it fast.  Again, where
have you been all this time?

>  Could you travel to New York for a weekend and buy the camera directly
> for the $450.00 savings?  As enjoyable as a weekend in New York would
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> to declare that purchase and pay the duty and taxes when crossing the
> border.

There has been no duty on electronics, optics, or similar for many,
many, years.  Up until 2000(? I forget) you could even escape
provincial sales tax, just paying the GST.

Going to NYC and doing the deal in person and walking away with the
item is a non-starter, as you will pay New York sales tax on the
transaction.  But I'm told you can walk into the store and have it
shipped home, in which case there is no sales tax.  One day I will
endure the sacred haj to B&H and test this theory, but thankfully, I
have no particular urge to visit NYC.

> I used to travel to the US quite frequently and never bought a single
> thing because of the high exchange rate.  Now that the gap between the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> and better service, it only makes sense to buy something like this
> package locally.

I'm sorry to break the sad news to you but:  Henry's and Vistek are for
the fearful ignorant.  I use them for inexpensive stuff I need right
now -- a 4GB CF card the other week -- and for hand-holding and trying
out gear prior to ordering from B&H.  Actually buying from them is at a
steep loss most of the time.  People who obsess over about warranties
-- forgetting the likelihood of needing such things for well-built
expensive stuff -- should probably go to Henry's and be fleeced.

> I do realize that B&H and Adorama don't have the "best prices", but one
> has to wonder when reputable dealers are selling the D200 for $1,699.00
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> warranty and you may wind up cursing the day you saved $500.00 on that
> camera.

Run and hide, sir FUDster.  The probability of this is low, and even if
there is some warranty fuckup (doubtful), the amount you save by buying
from B&H goes to the (unlikely) repair bill.  Sometimes you lose,
almost all of the rest of the time you win.  And big.
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 17 Jan 2007 14:08 GMT
> Run and hide, sir FUDster.

Thanks for the input and opinions.

However, an honest question does not deserve your insults.  A simple
statement of your experiences would have sufficed.
eawckyegcy@yahoo.com - 17 Jan 2007 14:26 GMT
> > Run and hide, sir FUDster.
>
> Thanks for the input and opinions.
>
> However, an honest question does not deserve your insults.  A simple
> statement of your experiences would have sufficed.

Excuse me, but when your "questions" are just simply a disguise for
afactual innuendo of someone who simply has no experience on the matter
he pontificates publicly, I call you a FUDster, because that is exactly
what you are acting like.  Whether this is a real thing or not, I don't
know though:  you haven't offered me enough evidence yet.  But it seems
more and more like you need to do business at Henry's or Vistek and
leave this mailorder stuff to those who can deal with the infinitesimal
increase in risk.  Of the two, I'd recommend Vistek, as their sales
people appear to have more of a clue than the ones at Henry's.
Slightly more.  Well, statistically significant.  At best.
Doug Payne - 17 Jan 2007 14:09 GMT
> Where have you been?  At no time in the past 15 years (and probably
> more) has it ever been cost effective to purchase moderately expensive,
> well-built equipment in Canada (say, over $500 -- especially over
> $1000).

It can be if you actually know how to go about it and do some homework.
I bought a Nikon D100 body a couple of years ago from an out-of-province
store. Their price was about $100 CDN less than either Henry's or Vistek
(but well over $1,000), the shipping cost was $0.00, I saved the 8%
Ontario PST, and it was on my doorstep the next day. Total cost to me
was about $200 less than the NY online retailers, I got a Canadian
warranty (2 years vs. 1) and I got it about 2 weeks quicker than had I
bought it in the US. I have several acquaintances with similar
experiences. It sure seemed cost-effective to me.
drew.avis@gmail.com - 17 Jan 2007 15:23 GMT
> It can be if you actually know how to go about it and do some homework.
> I bought a Nikon D100 body a couple of years ago from an out-of-province
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> bought it in the US. I have several acquaintances with similar
> experiences. It sure seemed cost-effective to me.

This is quite right.  Not trying to pimp any place in particular, but
comparing D200 bodies:
B&H: $1400 US
Camera Warehouse (Olds AB): $1790 CAN
The *total* price for CW is $1900, which includes GST, and free
shipping.  No PST, because the seller is in AB.
B&H is $1645 CAN, + 14% tax (GST + PST, at least in ONT, collected by
the post office, or whoever you ship it through) = $1875.  Now add
shipping + duties.  To add insult to injury, the Post Office will also
charge you a $5 handling fee to collect the other fees!  So unless
shipping and duties are under $25 (which I doubt), you're better off at
one of the out-of-province mail order places in AB.

Drew
Doug Payne - 17 Jan 2007 16:19 GMT
> This is quite right.  Not trying to pimp any place in particular, but
> comparing D200 bodies:
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> shipping and duties are under $25 (which I doubt), you're better off at
> one of the out-of-province mail order places in AB.

The real incentive is that B&H will not ship a D200 body to Canada :-)
(P.S. There are no duties on camera gear from the US)
drew.avis@gmail.com - 17 Jan 2007 16:51 GMT
> The real incentive is that B&H will not ship a D200 body to Canada :-)
> (P.S. There are no duties on camera gear from the US)

Really?  I thought that all items not manufactured in the US were
subject to duty.  Is there an exemption for photo gear?  

Drew
Doug Payne - 17 Jan 2007 17:03 GMT
>> The real incentive is that B&H will not ship a D200 body to Canada :-)
>> (P.S. There are no duties on camera gear from the US)
>
> Really?  I thought that all items not manufactured in the US were
> subject to duty.  Is there an exemption for photo gear?  

I've never been charged, and I've ordered lots over the years,
USPS/CanPost exclusively.
Dave - 18 Jan 2007 04:02 GMT
> Really?  I thought that all items not manufactured in the US were
> subject to duty.  Is there an exemption for photo gear?
>
> Drew

As a standard, there is no duty on camera equipment for Canadians, no matter
where the device is manufactured. I have a similar experience to that
described by "eawckyegcy" above. Even including the Canon f4 500mm lens (!).
In total I've purchased nearly $20,000 worth of camera equipment from B&H
with almost no difficulties. Once I bought a spotting scope and the shipping
company did charge me duty, but I complained and Ottawa refunded the money
as I was using it as a camera lens. I sent them a pic of my camera attached
to the scope and that did the trick. B&H tell you what carrier to use, and
they use only air shipping which avoids those exorbitant ground import fees.
Don't expect to pay much at all for shipping, maybe $70 or so. They will add
GST of course, nothing more for me as I live in Alberta. Overall it is an
easy experience. I therefore insist that camera stores compete with
international pricing if they want my business. In my experience the
lower-end equipment is usually competitive but for top line gear the prices
at a place like B&H are usually better. Sure, you may be able to lower
prices from unknown sellers, but there are few mail-order businesses with
bigger volume or as many positive remarks on the 'net.

Dave
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 18 Jan 2007 16:42 GMT
Dave,

Thanks for your valuable input to my original question; you have given
me a much greater comfort level with buying camera stuff outside of
Canada.  I'm surprized by the duty exemption but it's a good thing to
know.  As you can tell (and as "eawckyegcy" so eloquently pointed out)
I've never purchased camera equipment in the US.  Years ago I had a
software sales and development business and importing products from the
US was brutal... shipping, insurance, duties, brokerage and dealing
with Canada Customs would often leave me reeling.  So I guess my fear
of dropping thousands of dollars with an unknown entity has some basis
in my experience.

Any warranty tales good, bad or otherwise you care to pass on?  This is
another item that I'm nervous about (which qualities me for the FUDster
hall of fame according to some), if I were buying a Canon it looks like
I'd be fine... but Nikon's silence makes me wonder.
Robert Brace - 18 Jan 2007 19:42 GMT
> Dave,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> hall of fame according to some), if I were buying a Canon it looks like
> I'd be fine... but Nikon's silence makes me wonder.

Be careful of "made up as we go along" policies from Canadian distributors
on any items they distribute in Canada.  This means even those items which
carry a written "International Warranty" with the item, if it fails and you
have bought it in another country (even while living there and later moving
your household to Canada).  You will have to return it to the country of
purchase for repair.  This is even if the distributor in the country of
purchase disagrees with the position of the Canadian distributor.  You are
on your own.  I refer here to the distributor of Tamron (my personal
experience) products in Canada as one example.
These third rate distribution channels which operate on the basis that they
need "protection" from the big bad consumer making his own decision on
normal economic grounds make me puke.  Witness the great number of US
distributors who will not ship specific products to Canada.  Gitzo is a good
example.  Look them up on Kirk or RRS or B&H and read the fine print.
Protection for the local distributor, pure & simple.  It is laughable to
think they assume they can continue this restrictive activity long term.
The DF's just don't get it!
You are wise to check in advance and I (like you) think the lack of an
answer from Nikon Canada is telling in the extreme.
Bob
Doug Payne - 17 Jan 2007 16:21 GMT
> Camera Warehouse (Olds AB): $1790 CAN

Simons in Montreal are asking $1,730.
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 19 Jan 2007 02:51 GMT
I spoke with Nikon Canada earlier today and the Nikon US Warranty is
NOT recognized by Nikon Canada.  Any repair work under warranty would
have to be sent back to the US.  Somewhere in this thread somebody
indicated that B&H would not ship a D200 into Canada, so I e-mailed
them and they replied;

"Unfortunately due to an agreement B&H has with Nikon USA, we are not
allowed to ship any Nikon DSLR camera bodies outside the USA."

I also e-mailed the same question to Adorama and am waiting for a reply
but I'll assume the answer would be similar.

So sports fans it's all over but the shouting.

To verify my price facts I just went back to the B&H website; the D200
body is currently listing for $1,399.95 USD, converted into Canadian
funds (using the most current rate posted on the Royal Banks web site
for buying US funds) that would cost me $1,670.00 Canadian.  Vistek
currently has the D200 body listed for $1,799.00, so at best I'd be
saving $129.00 but still have to pay shipping to a US address and then
pay shipping again to my location in Canada AND as an added bonus not
have a valid warranty... and the "enormous" cost savings are where?

Perhaps there are greater savings and less risk with lenses but I've
either missing the "big savings bandwagon" or buying this specific
camera body in the US makes no sense.
jeremy - 19 Jan 2007 02:58 GMT
> Perhaps there are greater savings and less risk with lenses but I've
> either missing the "big savings bandwagon" or buying this specific
> camera body in the US makes no sense.

Your country provides broader social services to its citizens, and levies
higher taxes on goods to help pay for that policy.

When you attempt to get around the established Canadian distribution
channel, you are really cheating your government.

So, are we supposed to feel sorry because you can't have your cake and eat
it too?
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 19 Jan 2007 12:37 GMT
> So, are we supposed to feel sorry because you can't have your cake and eat
> it too?

No not at all.  My comments illustrate that the gap has closed
significantly over the years between Canadian & US retail goods and was
aimed at a few in this thread who claimed to have saved "thousands" by
buying their gear in the US.  I'm very happy for them but I just can't
see that happening today, the numbers just don't add up.

There was I time when the prices quoted in US magazines for consumer
goods generally would make Canadians eyes pop out of their heads.
Clearly that is no longer the case for cameras.  Earlier in this thread
I stated I used to travel to the US quite a bit and never bought a
thing because of the exchange rate.  I'd walk into a Best Buy in
Minnesota and see a CD I had just bought at a Best Buy in Toronto with
the same price tag... except at that time the exchange rate made the
one in Minnesota close to 50% more expensive.  Americans travelling in
Canada saved money not the reverse.

Even if total madness struck me and I accepted the loss of a warranty
and the shipping rigmarole and actually bought this D200 from B&H, I
would still have to hand the government the GST (Goods & Services Tax)
as it crossed the border (one of the things your carrier or customs
broker does on your behalf and then charges you the tax and a brokerage
fee).  Some here have stated there would be no Ontario PST (Provincial
Sales Tax) which kind of makes sense, if your not buying something in
the province of Ontario how is the Ontario government entitled to any
tax revenue?  However, I can say without fear of contradiction that all
branches of government in Canada rarely miss an opportunity to collect
taxes; and if they do miss it, trust me they will come back and get it
later.  So I don't see how any level of my government misses anything
in a legal transaction between a Canadian and a US retailer.  The
people who would really miss out are the Canadian retailers who don't
get their margin when making the sale, and as I clearly stated this
transaction in the US makes no sense on several levels.
Dave - 20 Jan 2007 07:22 GMT
>> So, are we supposed to feel sorry because you can't have your cake and
>> eat
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> buying their gear in the US.  I'm very happy for them but I just can't
> see that happening today, the numbers just don't add up.

<SNIP>

I agree the differences are smaller now than a few years ago, as Canadians
become more 'net savvy and more comfortable with international transactions.
I believe that Canadian companies are getting the message. Certainly for
commonly sold items prices are coming in to line, and there is a risk and
cost to mail orders. However for top-end equipment, expect to pay less to a
high volume dealer who is familiar with international competition. Here's an
example for the Canon 2.8 300mm IS lens:

B&H   3899 USD = 4570 CAD
Henry's                     4999 CAD
Vistek                       4999 CAD
McBain camera         5499 CAD

Even with extra charge for shipping there is a significant cost saving,
especially if you need shipping within Canada from some of the above stores.
Of course you may be able to find cheaper prices but then seller reputation
comes to play as well. When you pool an order the shipping costs come down
relative to total cost.

Dave
Doug Payne - 19 Jan 2007 13:38 GMT
> Perhaps there are greater savings and less risk with lenses but I've
> either missing the "big savings bandwagon" or buying this specific
> camera body in the US makes no sense.

If you're not in Quebec, try Simon's in Montreal.

http://simonscameras.com/

Total for a D200 would be $1,844.29 incl. GST. No PST, no-charge shipping.
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 19 Jan 2007 17:59 GMT
> > Perhaps there are greater savings and less risk with lenses but I've
> > either missing the "big savings bandwagon" or buying this specific
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Total for a D200 would be $1,844.29 incl. GST. No PST, no-charge shipping.

Thanks Doug,

Good tip and their prices on accessories & memory cards are a touch
lower than Henry's & Vistek.  I assume if you go there and buy the
camera you have to pay Quebec sales tax... pity.  Montreal is a great
place, I can't think of a more beautiful city to spend a weekend trying
out a new camera.
Doug Payne - 19 Jan 2007 18:32 GMT
> Good tip and their prices on accessories & memory cards are a touch
> lower than Henry's & Vistek.  I assume if you go there and buy the
> camera you have to pay Quebec sales tax... pity.  Montreal is a great
> place, I can't think of a more beautiful city to spend a weekend trying
> out a new camera.

If you order it online and you're outside Quebec, you don't pay PST,
which is not insignificant on this item. Sure, Montreal's nice; I visit
frequently. But is it worth all that PST?
twilson@thomasjwilson.ca - 23 Jan 2007 10:46 GMT
I received a further clarification from Nikon Canada;

"Any DSLR's only have warranty in the country that they are purchased
in. If you buy
one in the USA it will only have warranty in the US.  Nikon has an
office in New York that you can send it to.  If you buy a lens in the
USA it has one year international warranty, we can service it for you
under warranty for the first year as long as you buy it from an
authorized Nikon USA dealer with a bill of sale and a warranty card.
The only international warranty that we have is on lenses and
speedlights and F5 camera or F6 camera ( not on any digital cameras )"

Adorama also responded to my question regarding shipping camera bodies
to Canada... Nikon do not allow it.

So Nikon protect their dealer channel world-wide and if you have ever
been on the short end of that stick (as I was in the software business)
you have to tip your hat to Nikon for establishing a policy and then
sticking to it.
 
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