How I got my 18-200VR :)

Ok, I am new here so please don't flame me but I find it funny how I got my 18-200 VR.

On Monday I began the hunt for my VR, like many of you I called all major retailers asking if they had it in Stock only to be told we can put you on a waiting list and will call you when we get it in. Fine, I put myself on the list for BHT, Adorama and KCamera.

Come Tuesday I start thinking, perhaps I should call the small unkown stores maybe I will get lucky and find a lense. Anyhow, again no luck, but there was one place that sounded promising, they said they had put in an order quite some time ago and would gladly put my name on their list since it is so small.

Today (Wednesday), I get home from work and their is a message waiting that my lense has come in!!! Turns out three were sent to them and somehow I ended up being the third on the list

I still can't believe it. I guess this is my week

if you could email the name of the store to [email protected] that would be amazing, thanks

same here.I was on a wait list in several stores in Canada. Monday i went to Black's and asked abot it.They called the wherhouse and , what do you now- two lenses available.Today finally got mine.I don't think the wait lists are respected by sales people Black's had 18 names with no money down and I got it .

Here's a lucky story...I decided on Tuesday I wanted one...decided to call a local store and they happened to get 10 in 45 min earlier and said they had one left for $720. I left my name and picked it up an hour later. Haven't used it yet becuase in all my excitement forgot to buy a protective filter...maybe tomorrow.

B Singh

Damn, 720 I got mine for 749. Where did you get yours?

Central Camera, Chicago.

B Singh

Its been like a frustrating treasure hunt since I decided I needed this lens. A lot of those shopping sites that list retailers say they are in stock when they are not. Calling around its all wait lists. Some that will estimate say it could be months. Then started bidding for one on Ebay, but when the bids got to 900 I quit, figuring someone wants this as bad as me and we'll just keep bidding up and up.

Googled the lens adding "in stock" to my phrase. A lot of those shopping sites that list retailers say they are in stock when they are not. But I decided to call Beach Camera, there site said they were in stock. Beach Camera is in New Jersey. I'd avoided it before cause the lens was more expensive there, but they have a real good service reputation. They had recently gotten 50 in and had 3 left when I called! Its on it's way. I am thrilled! Yes I paid more, 900, but I'll have it in a few days.

Thats my story!

I put my name on a wait list March 2, and received the call yesterday that it was in and about to be shipped.
--
Ron
CP 5700, D70
http://www.pbase.com/ronhrl

I only waited a week and a half on the B&H list. I don't think they take orders unless the wait is short.

It sounds really odd that you found the lens at Central Camera, Chicago! I called them Tuesday (21st) like I do often to ask about the lens and was told that there were more than 50 names on their waiting list! The guy said there was no point in putting my name on the list considering how many folks are on the list!! Very odd!