EOS ID MkIII : Thanks for the french price tag...

lacroute · Feb 22, 2007

I do a mix. I buy in France, or in Germany, through the web.

On big products like that, when you want to be sure to get them on time, the only solution is to buy them from a well established dealer.

Of course, if you can afford some time, internet is the way, and you still have invoices for your accountant.
--
lacroute
http://www.stefcande.com

lacroute · Feb 22, 2007

1- I don't care about other companies. I'm a canon user for years now, so I compare what I need.

2- You are right, photo products have most of the times been cheaper in the US, but only in some well known states or famous internet shops, like B&H. Buy a canon lens somewhere else in the US, and the difference will not be so obvious, though existing.

3- The price difference on such an otem has never been so big, which is bugging me, and that's obviously a company policy, an certainly from the french or euro branch of the company.
--
lacroute
http://www.stefcande.com

Afzal Ballim · Feb 22, 2007

As a comparison point, Canon Switzerland hasn't even got an announcement on their site yet, so no telling what they are going to price it at, however the IIn can be found in shops at aroundCHF5000, which is about $4000.

One shop in Geneva sold off it's IIn's last week (they had 2 I believe) at CHF3999, which is about $3,200.

--
http://www.digitalphotoplayground.com

Ondri · Feb 22, 2007

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about.

Buy it at B&H in New York.

You'll get the equipment plus a "free" trip to New York for the same amount of money as buying the camera in France. Go for a long weekend and have some fun!

Plus, take shoot pictures and you have a business trip....

By the way, this strategy applies to all high-end portable electronics purchases (including laptop computers).

lacroute · Feb 22, 2007

That is the problem.

As a photographer, it's so useful to have 2 cameras ready at the same time, with different types of lenses on them. And that's possible with a 5D, a brilliant camera at a decent price.

For the new MkIII, it would be possible at the US price, but forget it at french or euro price.

Prices in USA for pro digital cam are getting closer to what costed a pro film camera in the "old days". This is what I'd like to see coming in Europe.
--
lacroute
http://www.stefcande.com

lacroute · Feb 22, 2007

Definitely right. I'll do it. Never mind the customs.

The fuss is when you run a photo business in France, it's better to buy your stuff from France for tax problem.
--
lacroute
http://www.stefcande.com

Oystein Soreide · Feb 22, 2007

Well, I have do agree about that ....

Duane Bong · Feb 22, 2007

Agreed. The price difference is clearly unfair. I also wonder how much of it is due to Canon, and how much is due to tax (US prices I understand don't include sales tax - which can be quite high in some states) and poor European distribution system (the added cost due to 35 hour weeks, strong unions, high minimum wage).

lacroute said:
Yes you're absolutely right, and I often buy on the web as well.

But here the difference is way too high, and it's bothering me.

--
View my photoblog at:
http://duane.shutterchance.com/

Valentia · Feb 22, 2007

I could fly from Dublin to New York and back, buy in B&H and save €1000 euro. Wouldn't I be mad not to? Actually knowing what some shops charge here it could be closer to €2000 ;-(

For example the 17-40L in B&H is €499 at current rates. It's is €939 in one shop in Dublin!!

I just happen to be going over for St. Partick's day;-) Too early for the new camera but I'm just after getting the 5D so wouldn't have been getting that anyway. A few new lenses though.
--
Danny
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valentia

Ondri · Feb 22, 2007

lacroute said:
The fuss is when you run a photo business in France, it's better to
buy your stuff from France for tax problem.
--
lacroute
http://www.stefcande.com

Fair enough. I don't run my own business, so I'm not aware of all the details. I was just talking from personal experience when buying a Canon S3-IS (definitely not in the same price range!).

The basic point, that prices in France are absolutely insane when compared to other markets, is a completely valid one. I am glad not to have to worry about it to the extent so many of you have to.

The price difference is so huge I am sure it has been well studied by you all. I hope there is a solution....Maybe ask Johnny Hallyday for some tax advice?

Ondri · Feb 22, 2007

Duane Bong said:
(US prices I understand don't include sales tax - which can be quite high
in some states)

Yes, you're right that U.S. prices do not usually include sales tax, which can be made up of a combination of state and local sales tax or just state sales tax. There is a pretty big range between states, but the highest rates do not exceed 8 or 9%.

By the way, this applies to restaurant bills, also. So, although upscale meals may seem much cheaper on the menu in New York than in, say, Paris, you have to add sales tax + a 15-20% tip on top of the amount.

PixelMinded · Feb 22, 2007

lacroute said:
But thanks Mr Canon France for the 4500 euros price, compared to
the 4000 US dollars on the US market, even though euro is way
stronger than dollar.

That's 50 % more. Didn't know we were so rich, here in France.

The best European prices can usually be found in Germany (or Switzerland), here is a top-price list (for 1D Mark II N):

http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/OffersOfProduct/323943_-eos-1d-mark-ii-n-canon.html

Check also:

http://en.toppreise.ch/

--
Ahmed Elnagar

lacroute · Feb 22, 2007

In the past years, the difference, tax and euro / dollar rate included, was around 35 %

All things being equal, it's a strictly private policy from canon.

What do the 35 hours and unions have to do in this. Canon cams are not made in France by french workers.

That's strictly a canon policy, even when you take in account the tax plus vat aded to the price.

--
lacroute
http://www.stefcande.com

Claire Dupuis · Feb 22, 2007

WAY too expensive, France. France is THE country to get robbed of your money at every darn occasion.

Currency rates make it 50% cheaper to buy in the US, for those who can, for the others Germany is a good alternative.

Claire

crouvrais · Feb 23, 2007

Hello Claire,

If I remember well you're into breeding, I saw your picture of a German shepard a while back - I can't find it now but I think my memory isn't so bad yet.

My question is very simple: how would you feel if I, as an acquirer of a german shepard, say exactly the same thing and go to Germany to buy a German shepard; because y"ou are to darn expensive".

Think about it ...

a++ Cédric

Claire Dupuis said:
WAY too expensive, France. France is THE country to get robbed of
your money at every darn occasion.
Currency rates make it 50% cheaper to buy in the US, for those who
can, for the others Germany is a good alternative.

Claire

Duane Bong · Feb 23, 2007

They affect the efficiency and cost of the distribution network - time and cost taken to get the camera from the container port to the camera shop. Everyone who the camera passes through wants to get paid more than someone in the US, but at the same time also wants to work less than in the US. Sure, that's possible - just that someone has to pay for it.

Supposing you're a professional photographer, it's easy. You now charge someone else more for their wedding photo shoot. The money goes around and around.

lacroute said:
What do the 35 hours and unions have to do in this. Canon cams are
not made in France by french workers.

--
View my photoblog at:
http://duane.shutterchance.com/

Robert Lejeune · Feb 23, 2007

The US price is without sales tax.
The European prices are all VAT included.

There is still a difference, but smaller.

Also: if you fly to New York to buy from BH, you'll pay sales tax (8%) and you risk paying your local VAT + a fine when coming home.

When the dust will have settled, the prices in Germany and The Netherlands will be close to the US prices + VAT:

Just compare BH and fotokonijenberg.nl:
the 5D is 2800$ versus 2259€
1DIIN is 3400$ versus 3400€

--
Robert Lejeune
http://www.pbase.com/rlejeune

xyphoto · Feb 23, 2007

OUCH!

ymages · Feb 23, 2007

4300 euro : http://www.ac-foto.com/ac/shop/info.php?hersteller=&tabelle=PREISLISTEN&id=20086

Joss Delage · Feb 23, 2007

Duane Bong said:
The brits used to have to go to France to buy Rover cars... saved
about 10-15% that way.

That doesn't make any sense since the Brits drive on the left side of the roads and have their driving wheels on the right side of the car.

With this said, as a Frenchman living in the US I encourage all Franchouillards to come buy their gear here.

EOS ID MkIII : Thanks for the french price tag...

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