Nikon 14-28mm f/2.8 - Why so much cheaper at TriState Camera?

[can]

Hi, new account but long time user and lurker here and have a question please. I am looking to buy the Nikon 14-24 2.8 zoom and during my search of the "big" sellers (Adorama, B&H, etc.), TriState undercuts everyone by nearly 200 dollars ($1819 versus $2000).

I bought from TriState ebay before and never had a problem, but the difference here is so significant that I am suspicious and thought I'd better ask around.
Is TriState still a reliable company? Am I missing something here? Thanks in advance; I am a long time Canon user and really look forward to using this lens!

TriState:
http://www.tristatecamera.com/produ..._Super_Wide_Angle_Zoom_Lens_2163_AFS1424.html
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-14-24mm-2-8G-Nikkor-Angle/dp/B000VDCTCI

--
Regards,
Can

 

[hikerdoc]

Nikon USA does have a minimum advertised price policy. I believe retailers offering Nikon USA warranteed gear can not display a lower price. Be careful that you are not looking at grey market, refurbished, or used equipment. Google Tristate and you seem to come up with a lot of grey market complaints. The link you provide does not state Nikon USA warranty as included in purchase if that is of concern to you.

 

[lickity split]

Call them and ask if it's grey market (no warranty) or a legal U.S. import.. (If it sounds to good to be true....... (((((

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

Tristate has been around a long time. I ordered my first set of Nikon gear from them in 1992. Generally no problem, but one time they did sort of a hard sell to add on a 'cleaning kit' for $20. When it came I had to laugh - it was a plastic box with about $2 worth of cleaning stuff in it. Kept it as a reminder of that sort of sales tactic.

My guess is that you're looking at a grey market lens. Or a demo.

 

[Chrisd999]

Not sure why, but it's been selling here in Canada for $1,635 CAD for several months now. That's about $1,600 USD. The only issues is the dreaded HST (sales tax).

Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 G IF ED

www.photoprice.ca

 

[Alpha Tech]

PHXAZCRAIG wrote:

My guess is that you're looking at a grey market lens. Or a demo.

No. All of you are on the wrong track. This is not a grey market or scam issue.

For quite a while now the US dollar and other currencies have been rising against the yen after years of declines. The end result is that prices are supposed to decline.

The retailers that are sill charging the same price as in previous years are cheating their customers.

Unfortunately most retailers are slow to react to the change in currency valuation. They are going to keep taking your hard earned money because they know you will never research the underlying reason why some businesses are offering lower prices.

Here's the latest Bloomberg news from just a few minutes ago:

"The dollar gained for a third day to its strongest in three weeks versus the yen before a U.S. report today that will probably show manufacturing rebounded..."

The trend means better prices for consumers -- as long as the retailers respond to the change instead of pocketing the difference as they are doing now.

 

[hikerdoc]

Your points may be accurate, but Nikon USA still has their Minimum Adveritsed Price Policy. The individual end retailer does not decide that price, Nikon USA does. From what I have read, the retailer risks losing status with Nikon if they fail to comply.

Apparently these policies differ legally from price fixing and collusion amongst retailers.

This may benefit smaller retailers as they know that if they are offering a product at the MAP they will not lose the sale to someone offering a beat any price policy. As noted above retailers try to offset this by offering junk filters, slow CF/SD cards, cleaning kits, etc. as add on bonuses.

 

[stevo23]

Alpha Tech wrote:

PHXAZCRAIG wrote:

My guess is that you're looking at a grey market lens. Or a demo.

No. All of you are on the wrong track. This is not a grey market or scam issue.

For quite a while now the US dollar and other currencies have been rising against the yen after years of declines. The end result is that prices are supposed to decline.

The retailers that are sill charging the same price as in previous years are cheating their customers.

Unfortunately most retailers are slow to react to the change in currency valuation. They are going to keep taking your hard earned money because they know you will never research the underlying reason why some businesses are offering lower prices.

Here's the latest Bloomberg news from just a few minutes ago:

"The dollar gained for a third day to its strongest in three weeks versus the yen before a U.S. report today that will probably show manufacturing rebounded..."

The trend means better prices for consumers -- as long as the retailers respond to the change instead of pocketing the difference as they are doing now.

If this is true, we would see evidence of this in other places. I've not studied this for comparison, but it would be nice! I would like to see these prices come down!

Unfortunately, it's NOT true in this case. If you buy this lens, you will need to buy the Mack 3 year warranty or you will be without support if it breaks. TriState is the notorious grey market vendor.

This is a Grey Market Lens:

If you put this lens in your shopping cart and then look at the recommended accessories, you will see the "Mack - 3 Year International Extended Professional Lens Warranty*FREE SHIPPING*". This is the warranty that's offered for a grey market lens. It is usually not offered, nor is it required for a USA warranted lens since they are 5 year warranties direct from the OEM. Some retailers still offer it on USA warranted lenses, so beware!

NOTE - TriState has TWO versions of this lens, one at $1800, another at $2800!

http://www.tristatecamera.com/produ..._2163_AFS1424.html&store=&levels=&sti=3181551

http://www.tristatecamera.com/produ..._2163_AFS1424.html&store=&levels=&sti=3181549

The $2800 version doesn't mention a Mack warranty. This is because it has the US warranty.

Tri State has always been the king of the grey market game since before there was such thing as the Internet. It's not always a bad thing, you should just be aware. Look up the Mack warranty service and make sure it's smooth and works. I've heard both succes and horror stories. I also don't enjoy working with Nikon direct!

 

[can]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. I checked and lo and behold these guys are NOT authorized Nikon dealer. http://www.nikonusa.com/en_US/IMG/Images/Corporate/Where-to-Buy/Nikon_Authorized_Dealers.pdf
This threw me off because I had bought expensive stuffs from their ebay store, also at the lowest price around, and that transaction was flawless.

I ended up getting the lens from B&H for 2000, no tax, free shipping, 2% gift card or something like that.

BTW my wide angle go-to lens is the Contax Distagon 21mm f2.8, which is an excellent wide lens but I've been looking for a wider lens, and a zoom. Can't wait for this baby to show up!!

 

[diacrum]

We are sitting here with a broken motor on our recently purchased Canon camera. We have emailed and called MANY times and never get a response. Poor customer service! You get what you pay for, as they say. Never again will we deal with these people.

 

[TOF guy]

If you paid with a credit card you should bring up the issue to credit card Company's attention and dispute the charge (hopefully you haven't paid the credit card bill yet).

 

[diacrum]

We already paid for the camera, unfortunately. We sent it back once because the bottom was cracking from being on the tripod. After spending $45 to return it to them for repair, they sent it back and told us it was our fault because we had dropped it. So untrue! When it was returned to us it was simply thrown in a box with no packaging whatsoever. Now we’re trying to deal with them again but having absolutely no success.