Purchasing new camera and AV gear in Australia

[Paul JM]

I presume that the general experience is much the same elsewhere but almost impossible to get hold of new gear currently in Australia. No stock in country for so many items for a broad variety of manufacturers

One can only presume this is due to chip and part shortages generally. It is however very frustrating when major distributors here offer online sales of items that they can possibly access anyway. Personally I have been a big fan of Digidirect here and have used them for years now but they are particularly guilty of this. Currently trying to pick up some IS Canon binoculars, advertised as 15% off, but none in the country. A youngster who I mentor in photography was just cancelled an order for a Fuji XT4 through them after waiting more than 4 months for delivery. There is currently a Fuji sale on MF gear, but pointless as you cant access it

Amazon show stock but I have not purchased significant camera gear from them, ever. Have others used them for major camera and AV purchases ? When they show stock, does that translate to reality ?

 

[rdavy]

.. Personally I have been a big fan of Digidirect here and have used them for years now but they are particularly guilty of this. Currently trying to pick up some IS Canon binoculars, advertised as 15% off, but none in the country. A youngster who I mentor in photography was just cancelled an order for a Fuji XT4 through them after waiting more than 4 months for delivery. There is currently a Fuji sale on MF gear, but pointless as you cant access it
...

I had the same experience trying to buy some basic studio lighting stands & umbrellas from them a while back. I think they have a bit of a reputation for this. I had no trouble getting a refund in the end.

 

[Dr_Love]

I presume that the general experience is much the same elsewhere but almost impossible to get hold of new gear currently in Australia. No stock in country for so many items for a broad variety of manufacturers

One can only presume this is due to chip and part shortages generally. It is however very frustrating when major distributors here offer online sales of items that they can possibly access anyway. Personally I have been a big fan of Digidirect here and have used them for years now but they are particularly guilty of this. Currently trying to pick up some IS Canon binoculars, advertised as 15% off, but none in the country. A youngster who I mentor in photography was just cancelled an order for a Fuji XT4 through them after waiting more than 4 months for delivery. There is currently a Fuji sale on MF gear, but pointless as you cant access it

Amazon show stock but I have not purchased significant camera gear from them, ever. Have others used them for major camera and AV purchases ? When they show stock, does that translate to reality ?

I don't know is Amazon in Aus is the same as Canada, but when they say they have stock, they have stock. The only exception being like all warehouses when there is only one left it sometimes can't be found.

I have purchased a number of camera items form Amazon. Sony A7Rii, 2470/4, 200600. Other gear like tripods and heads, backgrounds, light modifiers for studio flash and plenty of smaller items.

The only thing questionable is sometime their packing skills leave a little to be desired in terms of protection inside.

 

[rdavy]

..
Amazon show stock but I have not purchased significant camera gear from them, ever. Have others used them for major camera and AV purchases ? When they show stock, does that translate to reality ?

..
The only thing questionable is sometime their packing skills leave a little to be desired in terms of protection inside.

Amazon are also brokers for 3rd party (grey market) sellers. You have to be careful you are not buying from those sellers (unless that is your intention).

 

[tassienick]

I presume that the general experience is much the same elsewhere but almost impossible to get hold of new gear currently in Australia. No stock in country for so many items for a broad variety of manufacturers

One can only presume this is due to chip and part shortages generally. It is however very frustrating when major distributors here offer online sales of items that they can possibly access anyway. Personally I have been a big fan of Digidirect here and have used them for years now but they are particularly guilty of this.

Digidirect is notorious for advertising gear they don't actually have. My last purchase from them (listed as 'In Stock' at time of purchase) took 9 months to turn up. Communication was non-existent unless instigated by me. No apology, no explanation. I won't be using them again.

Currently trying to pick up some IS Canon binoculars, advertised as 15% off, but none in the country. A youngster who I mentor in photography was just cancelled an order for a Fuji XT4 through them after waiting more than 4 months for delivery. There is currently a Fuji sale on MF gear, but pointless as you cant access it

Amazon show stock but I have not purchased significant camera gear from them, ever. Have others used them for major camera and AV purchases ? When they show stock, does that translate to reality ?