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Optics Prices

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Subject: Optics Prices
From: Chris Ross <>
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:35:17 +1100
I have a friend that works in a well known optics store, sells binos and astronomical equipment. I know their markups are not extreme, certainly not the 100% that is common for things like consumer electronics and running shoes. A lot of the price is due to the importer setting large mark ups. A lot of the more niche products require the retailer or importer to provide warranty service out of their markup. This is a left over it seems to me from the time when these items attracted 27.5% luxury sales tax. They sold to pros who could quote a tax number and not pay it, so it seemed cheap to them, then when GST came they adjusted their prices and mark up accordingly and the pro camera stores also marked up handsomely. These outlets are of course all dying out now. As someone else has said, Nikon have dumped Maxwell's their old importer as they weren't performing having grown old and fat from years of gouging and by all reports it's a good thing they did.

If you're talking camera equipment, be aware of the warranty and service implications. It varies from brand to brand. Nikon has a world wide policy that local importers/service agents will not touch equipment not purchased through the importer. By not touch I mean they will not honour warranty, will not work on it if you are paying yourself and will not provide parts. They ask for equipment serial numbers before supplying parts to service personnel. Canon is a bit more forgiving and if you can buy a product with a world wide warranty card I believe they will honour it here, but their point and shoots say that the warranty is only valid for Aust. an NZ. As far as binos go, if I'm paying the premiums for something like Leicas, I'll buy from a store that allows me try them and all the alternatives so I get something that suits me, I believe binos are a very individual item and really need to tried extensively to get the item that best suits you.

Chris Ross
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