I pre-ordered from B&H on 3/2/2012 at 7:30 AM central. So, I figured I was as anxious as the next guy to get mine. I even payed fifty bucks for overnight shipping. I'm in a situation in which no local dealers within a 90 minute drive will have 5D3.
I guess I'm not "as anxious as the next guy." I just don't get all the bashing of B&H (or Amazon and others, for that matter) here. Like many here, I've relied on B&H's great selection and service for many years to buy high-end video and photo gear. They've always delivered, often exceeding my expectations.
I don't find it insulting, surprising, or discourteous for them to give out no information right now. First, and most likely, there may be no information to give. They can't say this, since people here would just assume they are lying, apparently. Even if they were expecting a shipment from Canon today or tomorrow that would allow them to fill every pre-order, they would be foolish businesspeople to tell that to anyone, since it is something outside of their control. If you want to get a bad business reputation then start setting expectations and making promises on something you do not control. Second, even if they have units in stock and ready to ship, Canon appears to have placed embargoes on the release of these. Either smaller dealers don't have those same rules or are breaking the rules. Ask yourself this: Is it likely that a dealer who doesn't play by Canon's rules will continue to pull the wool over Canon's eyes? Authorized dealerships require authorization. That's not a good long term strategy for the dealer and not a good long term strategy for someone wanting to depend on a solid dealer.
As yet, B&H has broken no promises. Will I be disappointed if my 5D3 isn't shipped in the first batch? Yes. Will I hold this against B&H? Probably, in the sense that I will question their ability to get stock on high-demand units in the future. Should I do that now, before anything has shipped from larger retailers (e.g., Best Buy, Amazon, B&H, Adorama, etc.)? No. B&H has at least earned my "benefit of the doubt."
We're talking days (actually, we're probably into hours, now) until these units ship or not. I'm anxious and excited, too. Let's just not blow this out of proportion and smear some good businesses over nothing.
And, if you're still reading, I agree with those who are cautioning others about the "no sales tax" issue. In Illinois, the law requires you to pay Illinois sales tax on any item bought online and shipped to Illinois. To not report and pay the taxes is, indeed, gambling with the law, and is unethical. That the state may be corrupt and misspending the tax dollars it receives isn't an excuse, as two wrongs don't make a right.
