Nikon Coolscan 9000

[plasticman]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Just want to clarify that I wasn't talking about Robert White in this context.

 

I've dealt with RW many times - bought cameras, lenses and lots of other stuff from them - importing to Sweden because their prices (even on the smallest items like filters) still work out cheaper even after courier and other charges than buying the same items locally.

 

I was specifically talking about the authorized dealers in the US who take delivery of as many of the limited run units that they can get, add a thousand bucks or so to the recommended price and put the item directly on ebay.

Personally, I can't understand how Nikon tolerate the practice to be honest, because no benefit accrues to them, and while the whole market becomes a jungle, customers are gouged, annoyed and frustrated at not being able to get hold of the machines at a reasonable price. Naturally this is 'supply & demand' - but in this case it's a manufacturer and their authorized representatives that are operating directly counter to the interests of their own customers.

 

Luckily there are some dealers who don't work like this - though the ones with stock are hard to locate.

 

As for the cost of the scanner in the EU - I think this has nothing to do with exchange rates, and is actually caused by Nikon Europe's anti-competitive price-fixing. I know that they've been investigated for such practices in the past, and the Coolscan 9000 (as a nominally 'professional' piece of equipment which is sold to a limited market) is a perfect example of this sort of thing.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[SteveYork]

The 9000 scanner is listed as discontinued on RW's website.

[wattsy]

Just want to clarify that I wasn't talking about Robert White in this context.

 

I know. Another poster suggested that RW might be "playing the market".

[plasticman]

Oh well - having found a reasonably priced 9000 at a reputable store in the US, I find (after much to-ing and fro-ing) that the store's credit card transactions are handled through Paypal.

For some unknown reason Paypal then refuses my payment, saying that it exceeds my Paypal limit (which it doesn't incidentally).

 

What the heck? Why is any store using Paypal to handle their credit card payments?? (And yes - this is a reputable and established family store, and authorized Nikon dealer).

 

First time I've had a credit card in my hand trying to buy something for almost 2,5k and Paypal steps in between me and the store owner and says the payment 'exceeds my Paypal limit'. Good grief.