Buy k100D or wait

[leto78]

I really had made my mind about buying the K100D+18-55mm kit but when I tried to buy it, it was very expensive in street shops (700€) and not in stock in online shops (600€)

I wanted some help in deciding either to buy it or wait for the new model.
There are plenty of rumours that it is going to be replaced soon. I was wondering how soon and when would it reach the shops... especially with the difficulty in buying Pentax cameras.

It is amazing because some shops are making big discounts on 10MP cameras... and I could get a 400D for 800€ in the same shops that were selling the K100D for 700€

[KhoKing]

700€ for a K100D seems quite expensive. You can get a K10D at that price already.

Why or mail order from oversea?

[leto78]

I can't find the K10D in europe for less than 1000€

[manual_focus]

Its unclear what if any new camera(s) Pentax will announce at the upcoming PMA.  Its also never been mentioned when such a camera is going to be available.  You can always wait a few weeks to see what is announced before deciding.

I would also see if you can't get a better price by ordering from overseas.  Try B&H Photo.

[leto78]

In some countries like spain, there are a lot of problems with customs.
Some US companies simply do not ship to spain because of this.

If a product gets stopped by customs, you usually have to pay the VAT but also other import taxes depending on the product and to finalize that the customs handling costs.
Basically, you have to pay for them to charge you money.

[tcom]

Same here in Switzerland. Many online shops (ie amazon) do not ship camera equipment to Switzerland probably because the brands prefer to sell their stuff at higher prices through there own distribution channels.

Should you find a shop which ships to Switzerland, the stuff is frequently checked by customs. If the stuff is shipped with a receipt they will charge you VAT, otherwise you will be contacted to provide them a receipt in order to get you charged. In addition to the VAT, you will also have to pay a handling charge, frequently higher than the VAT itself.

[manual_focus]

I guess the tax man is serious.  Don't really know the policy thoughts behind having a VAT, but I'm just glad I don't have to pay it.  Although I know my tax man has his own methods to dip into my pocket.

[KhoKing]

I guess that's how the government protects local dealers and distributors in Europe. Most Asia countries are having tax free for camera equipments, hence we get cheaper price here in Malaysia, Singapore...etc. If resell to Europe, then Europe distributors will be in trouble selling their import items.

I think it is a good policy held up by the government/custom

[tcom]

Not sure how it is today.

Cameras are not that expensive in Switzerland. I was in Singapore about 8 years ago for a short visit, and cameras were about the same price as in Switzerland, but the photo accessories (filters, tripods, bags,...) were much cheaper in Singapore.

But ordering over the internet is today not really an option. The customs on the cameras does not make it interesting, and the taxes on the accessories are frequently higher than the accessories themselves.

[leto78]

Cameras are not that expensive in Switzerland.

Cameras in Switzerland are usually much cheaper than in EU countries. When I search in toppreize.ch I always get frustrated due to the price difference.

[tcom]

True, for the cameras, but not necessarily for the lenses or other accessories.

Btw, it is www.toppreise.ch but this site only shows prices in online shops. Some if these shops do not have a real "shop" and may charge high prices for P&P or apply some unfriendly paying conditions such as payment in advance even if the stuff is not in stock.

[leto78]

I guess that is the same with all online shops.
For most products they have a positive cash flow, i.e. they receive the payment before they pay their own suppliers. That's how they have low prices and that's why a lot of products take a long time to be delivered.