Any advantages of buying at the local store, other than maybe getting better customer service/support, and supporting your local camera store and local economy? A high tax rate on nearly $7k adds up to a lot of money wasted, compared to purchasing it through other online retailers which charge no tax.
Well, I can't tell you yet because I haven't received my Canon EOS 1D X yet (Switzerland!).
However, hearing that most of the early guys here placed their order on March 14th, I had to laugh hard. I pre-ordered mine in December - no kidding. After having a bit of a fight with them, because they said at first that they can't accept pre-orders yet. I insisted and they were like: Okay, if you pay us $1000 (actually it were Swiss Francs but since Swiss Francs and USD are almost the same atm, I'm using it to make your life easier) in advance, we'll give you priority. So I did it. About 5 weeks later I walked into the store again and saw that they now have a EOS 1D X promotion running - if you pre-order and pay more than $300, you get a second battery pack free of charge.
Also I know that in Switzerland (there is no BH or Adorama here!) the Etailers will not have stock for a long time - the real Canon Pro dealers will be the ones having all the priority. Since my local store is a Canon Pro dealer of the city, chances are fairly good that I soon get my hands on my 1D X. Waited long enough for it!
Although I do not know how they'll handle it in other countries, but my guess would be that Amazon will be the last one to be served. This is purely hypothetic, of course.
Regarding availability in Switzerland:
I asked them on the 6th of June the last time about the 1D X, they said that they'd receive their first batch within "the next weeks".
Sounds pretty vague to me - I'll call them tomorrow in the morning and see what they tell me.
Also, as soon as I get mine, I'll take a day off (if my boss doesn't cross that plan
) to shoot with it. Of course if you guys want me to, I'll share some of the shots made.
