Amazon price games? Canon G10 - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

06/29/2009 08:55:19 PM · #1

Just wondering, has anyone had experience with Amazon's pricing? I haven't dealt with them for awhiIe, I've been looking for a good price on a Canon G10, and my vacation is coming up next week so I'd like to get one in hand for a nice point and shoot. Portable you know. As of yesterday, I couldn't find a better price than the retail of $499, and not that long ago they were going for $425 street price. Appears to have gone up, on old technology no the less. Being so cheap, the thought of paying retail online sucks. I'm better than this, I have skills. So anyway, this morning Amazon went down to $480, then down to $460 in the afternoon. I took the bait and hook, swallowed whole, and ordered one, best price I've seen in awhile. A $40 drop in a few hours seems odd. The paranoid consumer in me thinks this is a sign that a replacement is coming soon and Amazon is dumping, but the slug in me is happy I might not have to slug around 40 pounds of crap. Should I be happy to get a old model for less, or think I'm a dumb ass for jumping on at the end of an era? Help.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/29/2009 09:00:18 PM · #2

That's weird pricing for sure. Are you sure you bought it from Amazon itself, and not from a 3rd party retailer selling via Amazon? That is where I have seen price fluctuations is when the 3rd party sellers adjust their prices against each other, or sometimes sell out their stock. I got a 430EX flash for $165 by waiting for one to come up from a 3rd party at the right price.

Message edited by author 2009-06-29 21:00:48.

Marc923

06/29/2009 09:11:51 PM · #3

Amazon does tend to put things on sale. They have Deal of the day. They also have the Lightning deals. These are usually for an hour or until sold out. And on Friday, they have the Friday sale. Some of these deals are a few bucks off, and some are quite significant and can be 50% off. Also look for the gold box deals.

I guess what I'm saying is that price fluctuations on Amazon are not that uncommon.

06/29/2009 09:15:56 PM · #4

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Yeah, I did look for that, that's what seemed so weird, Amazon had the price that dropped. The third parties seem sketchy in general and I avoid them.

Message edited by author 2009-06-29 21:17:13.

06/29/2009 09:18:29 PM · #5

Originally posted by Marc923:

So, might not be a dump, huh?

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

06/29/2009 11:51:53 PM · #6

The latest-
List Price: $499.99
Price: $469.00 & eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime
You Save: $30.99 (6%)
Special Offers Available
In stock on July 2, 2009.

Now it's not even in stock, and mines supposed to be on the way. Maybe I busted a move and got one for a deal. Maybe not. I think I get some Shutterfly prints for free to, if I can figure out how to do it. First new camera in a while, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

jessielude

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

06/29/2009 11:53:55 PM · #7

I experienced this last Christmas when I purchased a Braun razor for my husband. What irked me is that I bought it and found the price drop a few days later. I called and spoke to customer service and they offered a refund of the difference. Pretty cool!

Same thing with my iPod touch. A few days after committing to buy, (though I had to wait for stock to resupply and it had yet to be shipped) the price dropped again. This time I emailed them that I hadn't even gotten notice of shipment and the price dropped, they confirmed that when they billed me on shipment date, it would be for the lower price, however, I had to bring it up to them, unlike Orbitz.com who now sends you money if you pay the higher price.

They have responded honorably both times (mostly because it was a short timeline) so as long as you are diligent, you can be sure to get the best deal.

$469 at Crutchfield with free shipping also on Amazon right now.
I got an Amazon card just so I could get free shipping all the time.. I don't even have to use the card! Same price if you have that benefit.

Jessie
Happy owner of the G10 :)

jessielude

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

06/29/2009 11:54:52 PM · #8

Originally posted by delin:

So I say... Price jumping seems to be common, but it hasn't been something I've found to be a problem so far. Who knows why they do it? I've seen it jump higher a couple of days later, so I don't think its the end of the G10's era yet!

Message edited by author 2009-06-29 23:56:49.

JeffryZ

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

06/29/2009 11:59:33 PM · #9

Excellent little camera! Should be great for your trip. Just as speculation I know Amazon has software which keeps track of what people are looking at- maybe they have a price reduction programmed in on things you repeatedly visit within a certain period of time to try to convince you to go for it if you seem to have shown interest. Anyhow- nice deal for you! Enjoy it!

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

06/30/2009 12:04:33 AM · #10

My experience with the G10 is good! I recommend it. It is $469 on amazon right now--that is the best price I have seen it at for some time--if you want one, I think now would be the time to snag it. I caught it at that price for one week last November--hasn't gone lower since, only back down to that level now and again.

Note: google Canon G11 rumors and see what you get--I do see one link speculating on a G11 this fall, but you likely wont get it for $469.... if it even is legit.

As for Amazon, I also notice price variations, up and down. It mostly seems to vary with who actually is stocking it: if it is in Amazon's warehouse, the price is often lower, shipping faster. When they are sold out, they still offer it thru third parties at whatever price those places are asking.

Check the nikon 35mm 1.8 dx--were going for 199-219 when in stock at amazon, but yesterday I saw they were $549 via another vendor, today $349. When you know what you want, and you have no urgency, best to watch a bit :-)

Message edited by author 2009-06-30 00:10:32.

Marc923

06/30/2009 12:28:34 AM · #11

Originally posted by delin:

Now it's not even in stock, and mines supposed to be on the way. Maybe I busted a move and got one for a deal. Maybe not. I think I get some Shutterfly prints for free to, if I can figure out how to do it. First new camera in a while, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

You might have gotten the last one in stock. Check your orders page and see what the shipping date is.

Message edited by author 2009-06-30 00:28:47.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

06/30/2009 12:31:18 AM · #12

I tried finding G11 rumors to no avail, no doubt I'll have buyer's remorse. And there is always that new product bug working out period. The G10 seems like a solid product, I think I'll do OK. At least for the next few weeks I'll be diggin' not carrying the world on my back. :)

Bugzeye

06/30/2009 12:35:13 AM · #13

I have been watching for the price to drop on the G10 ever since I bought mine. Usually this happens with in days of when I purchase an item. However this camera has not budged. I have looked at places like B&H online and it is still $499 I have looked at various electronic stores in New Zealand as well as the States and the price is right around the same. However one store here in New Zealand did have it on sale last week -$100 NZ dollars which worked out to be around $450-$460 US after figuring the rate of exchange. I wouldn't expect Canon to lower the price until they come up with a newer version G11 or G12 or something along those lines.

06/30/2009 12:36:37 AM · #14

Originally posted by Marc923:

Originally posted by delin:
Now it's not even in stock, and mines supposed to be on the way. Maybe I busted a move and got one for a deal. Maybe not. I think I get some Shutterfly prints for free to, if I can figure out how to do it. First new camera in a while, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

You might have gotten the last one in stock. Check your orders page and see what the shipping date is.

I think I got it, at least they sent me a shipping number. They say July 1st. My faith in Amazon isn't all that great, but if you can't trust the internet, who can you trust?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/30/2009 02:56:01 AM · #15

When I posted earlier, the $469 price also said "1 left order soon" so it looks like you got it.

The G10 is a great camera: 4 friends who got to see mine went out and ordered their own the very next day.

There is (on amazon) a canon wrist strap for video cameras---it is wide and comfortable and fits the g10 well & only 15 bucks. Check the generic brand g10 battery for spares--about a third the price and apparently just as good (it wasn't available last fall so I paid for the official canon version. You will need at least one spare--not likely to make it thru a day of shooting on one battery.

Enjoy!

And I wouldn't have recommended waiting for a g11..... :-)

faidoi

Pentax K10D

06/30/2009 05:13:25 AM · #16

G10 ads everywhere.

06/30/2009 10:41:19 PM · #17

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Good advice, thanks. Amazon is now saying 2-5 weeks for new purchases, guess I did get the last one. Tracking says it just landed in town, should be seeing it in the morning :)

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

06/30/2009 10:43:09 PM · #18

Originally posted by delin:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
When I posted earlier, the $469 price also said "1 left order soon" so it looks like you got it.

The G10 is a great camera: 4 friends who got to see mine went out and ordered their own the very next day.

There is (on amazon) a canon wrist strap for video cameras---it is wide and comfortable and fits the g10 well & only 15 bucks. Check the generic brand g10 battery for spares--about a third the price and apparently just as good (it wasn't available last fall so I paid for the official canon version. You will need at least one spare--not likely to make it thru a day of shooting on one battery.

Enjoy!

And I wouldn't have recommended waiting for a g11..... :-)

Good advice, thanks. Amazon is now saying 2-5 weeks for new purchases, guess I did get the last one. Tracking says it just landed in town, should be seeing it in the morning :)

I like, among other things, how the lcd screen adjusts when you dial the aperture and shutter speed settings in full manual :-)

Bugzeye

12/01/2009 04:59:01 AM · #19

My only concern would be that it gets delivered on time for your vacation. I have ordered from Amazon a couple of times and each time it took nearly 2 weeks to get my stuff. That was during the summer time too when they shouldn't be so busy. Leading up to the holidays they probably have alot more sales happening and could be even longer in getting the product into the hands of the customer. Hopefully you wont have that kind of luck with them.

FrankRobinson

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/01/2009 05:22:10 AM · #20

Hopefully he will know by now... a couple of weeks is one thing, a five month delay in delivery would be a bit much for anyone... ;o)

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/01/2009 09:28:31 AM · #21

I've noticed that they change prices often too. I'm guessing they price match? Then put a time limit on the price match and it resets after a few days, then they price match again.

A couple times I'd see a price, think about buying it, the next day I go back to buyi it and it's more money. Then I watch it for a few days and it drops back down...

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30