D 3 not looking good

[Bob G]

Made a few calls today to the three Nikon professional dealers in Queensland and found that Photocontinental rec'd 1 x D3, Ted's Camera House rec'd 2 x D3's and Camera House Noosa rec'd 1 x D3.

Camera House Noosa and Camera House Maroochydore are under the same ownership and apparently I was only first on the list as far as Maroochydore was concerned and there was one before me at their Noosa Store.

So I am now offically pissed off and will probably have to wait for the next shipment after Christmas. I could try to track one down elsewhere but that would probably be futile.

Anybody out there with any ideas or who had one on order and has had a change of heart/ circumstances please PM me as I will be happy to relieve you from your burden.

[gstark]

Bob,

This is entirely consistent with our expectations. Nikon Oz's place in the food chain is not very high: my understanding is that we receive about 5% of Nikon Asia's allocation. Not the world allocation: Nikon Asia.

We are an insignificant market in world terms.

At least, according to Nikon.

I also provided evidence of this when referring to the first D300 shipments: Poon shipped 40 units in the first three days they were available. The largest allocation of D300s to any dealer in Oz that I've heard of was 20 units requested, but somewhat less than that number being received.

More typical is that larger dealers' expectations are to be receiving about 3 D300 units weekly for the rest of the year. I'm expecting many more than that to be in Poon's hands later this week.

[Nnnnsic]

You shouldn't be pissed. It's entirely what was expected.

According to the Nikon Australia and Nikon Hong Kong -- and this is from the Presidents of those divisions -- Australia is 5-10% of the Asian market.

That's not exactly a lot.

So don't expect much even if you're the first on the list.

The pro's and what-ever-stores-get-them-first are the priorities.

[Bob G]

Gary,

Do you expect Poon to be getting a quantity of D3's and if so how is your list looking. Also is their a price on it yet.


Bob G

[gstark]

Bob,

Do you expect Poon to be getting a quantity of D3's

Yes.

Also is their a price on it yet.

No.

And no ETA.

When they arrive, they will arrive.

[methd]

When stock comes in from Poon, and prices stabilise, I will be looking to get another D3.. they're that good!

If you'd like, I can ask the person I bought my D3 from and see if he can source another one.

[Glen]

Bob G, sorry to hear you got shafted like that. I think Dug on digital used to work at Camera House, maybe he could get an honest answer when the next stocks are expected by Camera House?

[broadbean]

According to the Nikon Australia and Nikon Hong Kong -- and this is from the Presidents of those divisions -- Australia is 5-10% of the Asian market.

I suppose they only judge by numbers sent to Nikon dealers, so there may be slightly more actual units that end up in Australian hands.

This may also inflate some of the numbers in say Japan if people like Poon also sources directly from there...

Anyway, it's screwed the way it's done - too much incentive for some of us going overseas via eBay or Poon etc. The camera business for the longest time has given rise to huge grey markets in Hong Kong. I think Canon is biting back - offering warranty in China for units bought in Singapore.

[Bob G]

Camera House got back to me today after e-mails with the Qld. Nikon rep. and says they are expecting two more shipment this month and I should have it before Christmas. They say they are hoping to satisfy 80% of the consumer demand before Christmas.

I seriously have my doubts.

Methd wrote:

If you'd like, I can ask the person I bought my D3 from and see if he can source another one.

That would be appreciated if you can come up with something before they do - I am also wanting the 24-70 lens if that becomes available as well. It's the Melbourne pics. you posted making me all the more impatient.

Thanks all for your responses - much appreciated

[who]

Well..... I'm happy with the 28-70 thanks Bob

You may well get a D3 reasonably promptly yet, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, etc......

[CraigVTR]

Hey Bob
Overseas flights are pretty cheap at the moment.

[PSi]

You shouldn't be pissed. It's entirely what was expected.

According to the Nikon Australia and Nikon Hong Kong -- and this is from the Presidents of those divisions -- Australia is 5-10% of the Asian market.

That's not exactly a lot.

When you think of Australia's population (generally more affluent, no doubt) as a percentage of Asia's (let's see, China 1.3 billion, India 1.1b, Asean 500m, Japan 120m, plus Korea, Taiwan ... ), then 5-10% is huge.