[POLL] Source of your D70 purchase?

[kfandst]

Hi,

I'm keen to discover the statistics of the sources from which D70 users get their stuff, particularly the body and lenses.

Cheers

[Edit] Due my my ignorance, I've lumped Maxwell as walk-in shop. Please ignore the Maxwell in the poll.

[JordanP]

While above I answered to represent my local camera store. I have bought some accessories etc through birddog and ebay.

Cheers,

[xerubus]

d70 body from photocontinental here in Brisbane.... everything else from B&H in NY....

cheers

[Glen]

kfandst, you are a bit all over the shop with your poll here, Maxwell is the importer and doesn't sell direct. You have included it with Hardly Normal who has only recently started selling D70 where as most of the earlier members would have bought through a dedicated camera store (I did). Direct from the supplier? All D70 are made in Thailand (you asked about different countries of manufacture in a previous question), I was there last week and the D70 is the same as retail in Aus. I doubt anyone here has bought direct from the factory. If the purpose of your question is to see who has purchased through Birddog and how reliable he is, yes about $5 or $6k of my hard earned has gone through Birddog in the last few months and I would trust him with my life. That money went on lenses and a tripod, I already had a body.

[sirhc55]

Body eBay
Kit lens Brisbane
Macro lens HK
55-200 lens Melbourne
12-24 lens Birdie
other bits and pieces B&H, Kayell, Henry’s (Canada)

[Manta]

I unfortunately couldn't wait 'til I got back to Australia and purchased my D70 kit in New Zealand.

I got a Nikkor 70-300 G at Photo Continental here in Brissy before I found and joined this forum. From now on, all my purchases will be through Birddog as, regardless of price, I can't find anyone who provides his service and knowledge.

Simon.

[atencati]

When I bought my D70 there werent a lot of options. I got it the day they came out in Cali. There was one in stock within 200 miles and I ought it. Now, I would do it differently.....oh well

Andy

[Onyx]

Where's the option of overseas shop? I picked mine up at a Fotokem outlet in Malaysia. It was before any D70s were seen to be on display in Australia.

[kfandst]

Glen, I don't doubt Birddog's reliability as it is evident from past posts. I am just curious to find out which are the various sources where D70 members make their purchase so that I will be able to make an informed decision.

As Birddog had pointed out, I guess I am too cautious about spending $$$. I'm almost on the brink of making a purchase....

[fozzie]

Bought my D70 + Kit Lens from Ted's in Adelaide January 2004, well before D70users.com formed.

Purchased two (2) lenses from Photographic Wholesalers in Adelaide, and two (2) from tmwphoto.com in Queensland before joining this forum. The balance of my equipment has been sourced from Birddog. I know where the best deal is ... .

Cheerio,

[gstark]

Bought my D70 + Kit Lens from Ted's in Adelaide January 2004, well before D70users.com formed.

January?

Surely not.

Nikon only announced details of the camera pre-PMA in mid January last year, first displayed it (PMA) in February, with a projected release date (USA) of mid March.

I saw the first samples i8n late March, and bought mine in mid April.

[fozzie]

Gary,

I was doing it from memory, just looked up the receipt May 2004 .

Cheerio,

[sheepie]

I got mine from the Camera House store at Westfield Parramatte (can't remember the proper name), way back in July (?) last year. Was the only place in Sydney I could find at the time that actually had any stock - everyone else said "yeah, give us a deposit and we'll call you when they're in - don't know when that will be, but give us your money anyway"!

As a side note to myself: Don't trust fozzie to remember too much! There's a bit of difference between January and May!!!

[gstark]

Fozzie,

Thanx for clarifying that.

[digitor]

I got mine from Diamonds in Adelaide, with the kit lens + "free" Lowepro Mini-Zoom soft case and Hoya UV (0) filter. (End of April 2004, after a two-week wait)

I know where I'd buy it now though...

Cheers

[MattC]

I cast my vote as "Walk in Shop", but I did all of my research online (purchased d70 unsighted), first contact by email, and purchase made over the phone. I purchased the D70 kit, SB800 and a couple of lenses from Vanbar. I have stopped thinking about the premium that I paid.

Since then I have purchased extra lenses from online shops, one on eBay, and one more from Birddog. The best deal that I have had was from a private sale on eBay. That was a second hand but new 24/2.8 for $326. When it arrived I felt that I purchased new, such was the lenses condition.

Cheers

Matt

[plukaduck]

I to got mine from Teds Camera House in Parramatta Westfields. Also purchased a 1gb card for $770, how prices change. I purchased in late May last year.

Was the first purchaser from that store of a D70. I went back to purchase a 70-200VR and they treated me like they hated me. I will never set foot back inside the store again.

If only they new how much money they have lost.

Cheers,

Darryl.

[MattC]

Daryl,

For whatever they were asking on the 70-200 (3k?) they should have loved you. Unfortunately this seems to happen too often these days. I had a salesperson claim that I had taken too much of his time once - after I had spent 3.5k on a mountain bike and accessories. I mentioned this to another retailer and he said I could have the entire day. That is the sort of cash they make from these sales. Guess who got my future business. He was even willing to price match.

Cheers

Matt

[Werewolf]

I was fortunate to receive my D70 Kit as a leaving present from work (after 18 years). Via Paxtons in Sydney. I was stunned when I opened the package!

Since then I have bought the 50mm 1.8 from Melbourne (bad experience),
the 28-200mm and Sigma 70-300APO from HK (no probs there), and the 80-200, 24-120VR, Sigma 12-24 from Birdy ( he is THE man!!). Every thing else I buy will be from Birdy, and I will never buy from a camera shop again.

Unfortunately this hobby turns you into incurable lens-aholic

[Nnnnsic]

Mine wasa conglomerate of the following:

Graduation present, christmas present, chanukah present, and 21st birthday present.

It's interesting that I got the D70 kit for my 21st because on my 17th, I got an F60 kit... do 35mm's have a 4yr shelf life when it comes to birthdays?

[Paul]

I got mine from Dirt Cheap Cameras off there web site, at the time it really was the best price compared to all the other on-line shops listing it.
I've since learned and saved from Birdy which way is best now!

[sirhc55]

I got mine from Dirt Cheap Cameras off there web site, at the time it really was the best price compared to all the other on-line shops listing it.
I've since learned and saved from Birdy which way is best now!

That’s interesting Paul because you are absolutely right. At one time Dirt Cheap Cameras were very cheap but now they should be called Expensive Cameras.com

[Glen]

Kfandst, sorry not wanting to have a go at you, more cutting to the crux of the matter. I will clarify a few things for the record. Maxwell is the sole importer of Nikon products to Australia. Almost all products sold through shops come through Maxwell. Maxwell include a healthy margin in their products. There are also a number of parrallel (or grey) importers who import from our asian near neighbours which have more realistic pricing. Thes e importers are able to offer a more reasonable price due to the price in country of origin. All D70's are made in Thailand. If you purchase from a Maxwell supplied reseller, Maxwell will warrant the product. If you dont they will not only not warrant it, they will not service it any price. You will have to send it back to the country of origin. It can take 2-3 weeks for Maxwell to service your camera and usually does. I believe Birddy has some sort of system to help with grey problems though not sure of it as I have a Maxwell body.

From your posts you seem like a cautious guy, as well you should be with this sort of money involved. I beleive you will end up buying from Birddy as his prices are very competitive, but you may not. He is both an authorised Maxwell reseller and offers grey market product. If you are the tiniest bit worried about grey, buy Maxwell stock. You pay a premium but will sleep easier. If not buy grey as the savings are worthwhile. My suggestion is when you are getting close to buy, shoot Birddog an email, get his prices on Maxwell stock and grey stock, ask the service situation for grey (you now know it for Maxwell), compare it to other sources prices, services and how committed they are to you as an individual, then make your decision.

Good luck

[birddog114]

To add onto Glen post:
Maxwell will fix the grey/ import products but they charge a premium, same as out of warranty product from both sides.
Two ways of grey/ import products:
If you buy direct from o/s suppliers, then you have to send them back to their original.
If you buy grey/ import products from local resellers then the warranty services will be returned to local resellers.
Fair Trading Corporation:
Stores or resellers still have to honour the original warranty from resellers to end users., even the manufacturers have their present and local offices in Australia.
e.g: people buy a LCD monitor from Samsung Australia, if the LCD monitor is faulty during 3 years onsite warranty, end users has the rights to contact the resllers and asking for the service and warranty, they do not need to call Samsung nor bother to discuss the problems with Samsung, even though they can call Samsung direct to request for warranty services

[r2160]

I originally bought mine D70 kit from HN because of the interest free thingy they were offering.

After going to a couple of workshops at Birdys, the help and hospitality that Birdy and the other members of this forum have shown me, demonstrates how ordinary service generally still in Australia.

Birdy and everybody have answered a barrage of questions and since then I have bought a 24-120 VR, a 1G astone cards and a lowepro trekker backpack (and an SB800 tomorrow) from birdy. I am also probably one of the SMALLEST spenders here. That never seems to matter.

Do you want to know the best thing? I know that if I ask Birdy a question, I will get a sensible response that is not based on the amount of money I have in my pocket. Thats why I will continue to ask Birdy and everybody here the questions (despite how silly some of them might seem) that I have.

When you decide to part with your money (and the longer you wait, the more you will regret it, I know, I waited 12 years to upgrade), you should always go where you will get help later because it is not in the initial purchase you need help, its learning how to use it after you purchase. How many people can ring the guy you bought your camera off months later and still get help?

Glenn

[Matty B]

I purchased my Body + Kit lens and a 70 -300 D lens from Digital Rev Oz on eBay. This was after I travelled to Melb. (nearly 300km round trip) with cash in fist only to be patronised and ignored by several camera storess in the CBD. This bad experience forced my hand at online purchasing - D70 was first ever and I only buy online now if I can help it. Long gone are the days where shop staff are 1) KNOWLEDGABLE 2) INTERESTED IN WHAT I WANT and 3) WILLING TO LISTEN

[Onyx]

Heed R2160's words, Glenn speaks of the truth!

If this forum continues to expand, we'll be forced to bring Birddog's after sales support in line with expected/typical customer service of big companies by re-routing all questions to an indian call centre.

[gstark]

Heed R2160's words, Glenn speaks of the truth!

If this forum continues to expand, we'll be forced to bring Birddog's after sales support in line with expected/typical customer service of big companies by re-routing all questions to an indian call centre.

Are you ready to being served now, please?

[MattC]

This question stems from Glen's and Birddog's comments regarding warranty.

How will I go at getting Maxwell to do warranty work done on my internationally warranted, but grey import lenses?

Cheers

Matt

[gstark]

Being internationally warranted, I would (personally) burrow hard into Maxwell's upper eschelons.

Any refusal on their part I would contend to be a violation of their international obligations under their agreement with Nikon.

Consider the situation where you might be a tourist from the UK/USA/HKG and (a) your expensive piece of Nikon gear fails, and (b) Maxwell tell you it's not covered under warranty here, despite youre good faith purchase in your homeland.

I would suggest that they need to do some fast repairing, or else answer to the department of fair trading.

Now, let's just change the scenario ever so slightly, and you've purchased that very same expensive piece of equipment in someone else's homeland.

What's changed? Not a whole lot, IMNSHO.

[MattC]

Thanks Gary,

From what I have read in the past Maxwell seems to be taking a hard line against grey imports. Perhaps, if Maxwell reviewed their pricing policy, then grey imports would not be such an issue. Photographic equipment, as far as I know, does not attract tariffs or duties. If this gear can bought overseas at bargain prices, why not here in Australia? Greed maybe???

Cheers

Matt

[r2160]

Just remember, the customs duty isn only 5%, plus 10% gst applies to EVERYTHING.

Having said that, Maxwells can bring the price of the D70 kit closely in line with what birdy can get it from Pool.

Why then, when I was in Parramatta a few weeks ago wandering through a camera shop did they have the 70-200VR for $3719 and the 24-120VR for $1500 when birddog can easily organise these lenses for half price?

IF they can do it with the body, then they can more than do it with everything else!

Glenn

[gstark]

Matt,

Thanks Gary,

From what I have read in the past Maxwell seems to be taking a hard line against grey imports. Perhaps, if Maxwell reviewed their pricing policy, then grey imports would not be such an issue. Photographic equipment, as far as I know, does not attract tariffs or duties. If this gear can bought overseas at bargain prices, why not here in Australia? Greed maybe???

Everything you say is 100% correct.

Except perhaps the bit about greed.

That's maybe about 350% correct methinks.

The problem being that in order to get them to toe the correct/professional/service oriented line, you would need to be very persistant.

[gstark]

Glenn,

Just remember, the customs duty isn only 5%, plus 10% gst applies to EVERYTHING.

Cameras and photographic equipment attract no duty. Zero. Zilch. Duty is imposed to protect local industry.

Aside from the obvious oxymoron in the term 'local industry" when applied to Australia, there is no local photographic manufacturing industry to protect, hence no duty.

Having said that, Maxwells can bring the price of the D70 kit closely in line with what birdy can get it from Pool.

Why then, when I was in Parramatta a few weeks ago wandering through a camera shop did they have the 70-200VR for $3719 and the 24-120VR for $1500 when birddog can easily organise these lenses for half price?

IF they can do it with the body, then they can more than do it with everything else!

Yes, one would think that they could.

The question remains as to why they do not, and I think that the answer lies in a different millenium, which is where Maxwell's remain.

[Glen]

MattC, from Maxwells website I beleive it is 1 yr local warranty for digital bodies and 3 yrs international warranty on lenses. Meaning even if my Maxwell body died in Thailand I would have to return it to Aus. Lenses are as Gary says

[Miliux]

I bought mine at Harvey Norman