Canon's MAP Pricing Goes Into Full Effect Today

[sleepnever]

I have purchased equipment from retailers below the MAP several times. I call them and ask for best prices, package deals, etc. The MAP price is for advertising, not for the ultimate selling price.

Regards,

-R

Yes. MAP will force you to put things in your virtual shopping cart before you get to see the price, if it's below the MAP price (or get a rebate). Canon cannot restrict the finale sale price of the good (resale price maintenance) , that would be illegal.

This should be added to CR's article on the front page in some form. It makes me breathe a sigh of relief to what I just read.

In the WTF are you thinking Canon, department... Really, the 5DMkII is higher priced than the new 6D? Hahah. And also as others said, why not take this opportunity to lower your prices a little bit to compete, since you know, you just reported a ton of lost revenue? Just a thought.

 

[zim]

This does not make me happy. Looks like I won't be buying a new camera this year afterall.

+1 A simple elegant solution to a complex problem

 

[EOBeav]

Glad I grabbed a 135 f/2 a couple of days ago for $879. It's $989 now.

Dang, I was hoping that would be my next lens, too. Looks like I have a little more saving to do.

 

[dadgummit]

If I am reading the original post correctly the MAP and the MSRP are one in the same to Canon?

 

[dadgummit]

One good thing about this though is the decision between the Olympus OM-d and the Canon EOS-M has been made. If the EOS-m came down in price I would have gone that direction but now I will not expect this. I will now invest in Micro 4/3 instead which is a much more mature/ proven product anyway.

 

[RLPhoto]

Canon, Why do you do this? Err.....

 

[madmailman]

B&H are already offering a $200 "instant discount" on the MAP prices. Crisis averted. Well, almost.

 

[dadgummit]

In the USA manufacturers can implement MAP's but - "when implementing a MAP policy, it is critical to establish a policy that controls the price at which products can be advertised but not the ultimate price at which the products may be sold."

This quote if from an article concerning U.S. Antitrust Laws (Sherman Act)

Link: http://www.scottandscottllp.com/main/minimum_advertised_price.aspx

I have purchased equipment from retailers below the MAP several times. I call them and ask for best prices, package deals, etc. The MAP price is for advertising, not for the ultimate selling price.

Regards,

-R

Hi Ralph, If I am reading this correctly this means they have to advertize at the MAP but if Adorama just decides to price the 5d3 at $2800 on their web page/ ebay that is ok as long as they do not advertize the price in the news paper, e-mails, etc?

 

[87vr6]

Guess this is to make up that difference to 1 billion...

http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/10/canon-cant-even-make-a-billion-dollars-anymore/

 

[anim8r79]

I, too, was looking at the 135mm yesterday on Amazon for $879, and today it's $989. I see that this matches B&H's price, which shows the rebate of $100 from the $1089 price.

I guess I'm a little confused... I get the idea behind MAP, but why were these cheaper yesterday? Did Amazon and B&H have them marked down, AND the lens rebate applied???

And couldn't these stores still offer them for the same price as yesterday, but hide the price, and only have it available at checkout, or virtual carts, or whatever they do to get around the MAP law in effect?

 

[markbyland]

I hate B & H.

 

[Wahoowa]

Golf business has been this way for years. Retailers cannot even allow coupons to apply to their products.

Regarding the laws, I think there is always a loop hole both ways. Retailers can just advertise it as 'price too low to advertise' or they can list it on eBay. On the other hand, manufacturers can cut the retailers' account by saying the marketing strategy in the area has changed. I know one famous golf pro shop that usually sells their stuffs at a really really low price. Last time I called, their Ping account was cut for a year. That's why, if you're in golfing market, you'll see that most retailers won't risk advertising their prices below the minimum as required.

Now, back to photography. If, say, Adorama makes another spot sale on eBay for 5D Mark III for $2,750, we'll have to see how it pans out. Canon might not want to risk cutting big account like Adorama. But, who knows? B&H may put some pressure on Canon as well.

One thing for sure. I don't think anyone who wants Canon gear will find something cheap in the next few weeks from an authorized dealer.

 

[ajschot]

Yes this will rise up Canons' sales
Are they stupid? Now more people who will go digital will go for Nikon or Sony.

 

[preppyak]

Are they stupid? Now more people who will go digital will go for Nikon or Sony.

You do realize Nikon and Sony have similar policies, and in fact, Nikons is one of the strictest I have seen. The only way to get deals on Nikon gear is to buy it in bundles (with a lens discount) or to get it refurbished. Try and find the D800 at less than retail, it just doesnt exist

 

[dandai]

I'm happy I went ahead and bought a new 5DII for $1699. a month ago,instead of waiting for a lower price..

 

[markbyland]

Are they stupid? Now more people who will go digital will go for Nikon or Sony.

You do realize Nikon and Sony have similar policies, and in fact, Nikons is one of the strictest I have seen. The only way to get deals on Nikon gear is to buy it in bundles (with a lens discount) or to get it refurbished. Try and find the D800 at less than retail, it just doesnt exist

Exactly. The difference is that Sony and Nikon actually enforce their MAP policies and will not ship product if a dealer is found to be in violation of MAP. Canon just doesn't care about the small shops. That's been evident for years.

Also see: 'Series of Flaming Hoops to Jump Through' when applying for Canon dealership status.

 

[Scarpz13]

B&H are already offering a $200 "instant discount" on the MAP prices. Crisis averted. Well, almost.

I believe that $200 is just the current standard Canon Rebate program. I wanted to purchase the 70-200 F4 IS from B&H last week... it was $1049 after rebate. It said "Offer Ends Dec 1, 2012". I waited a week so I could have it on the next credit card cycle... now, *BOOM* price has gone up to $1149 after rebate. Guess I'm out a hundred bucks...

 

[Gothmoth]

Are they stupid? Now more people who will go digital will go for Nikon or Sony.

You do realize Nikon and Sony have similar policies, and in fact, Nikons is one of the strictest I have seen. The only way to get deals on Nikon gear is to buy it in bundles (with a lens discount) or to get it refurbished. Try and find the D800 at less than retail, it just doesnt exist

you do realize that the D800 is around 550-600 euros cheaper then the 5D MK3 ?

2413 euro body only on amazon vs. 3048 euro for the 5D MK3 here in germany.

http://www.amazon.de/Canon-SLR-Digitalkamera-Megapixel-CMOS-Sensor-Prozessor/dp/B007KKKJYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351782533&sr=8-1


http://www.amazon.de/Nikon-D800-SLR-Digitalkamera-Megapixel-Full-HD-Video/dp/B00763MHB4/ref=sr_1_1?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1351782611&sr=1-1


MSRP for the D800 = 2899 €
MSRP for the 5D MK3 =3299 €

there goes your theory....

 

[sharkcalgary]

Is Canon getting lost, lost in the sense like many giant companys that are going down in a spiral and making questionable business decisions along the way, that type of lost?

Other companies has started to catch up Canon's sensor technology after the release of 5D2. I could understand if they implemented the MAP back then, as there weren't any alternatives.
But implementing a MAP now when clearly the competition offering is not much different than Canon's, I just can't understand why.

Instead of focusing on preserving their prices margin and price enforcement over the regions, maybe Canon should spend more time and energy improving their sensor technology and coming up with camers like they did when they wow'ed the photography world with 5D and 5D2.

I started with a 300D and now own a 5D2. I almost purchased the 5D3 when the price dipped down to $2799, but the embargo to Canada was in place so I was unable to purchase it. Now, Canon has also established a MAP, forcing the same advertisement price everywhere.

What this means to me is to postpone my spending, and to wait it out or skip 5D3 all together. Consumers spend a lot around the Black Friday/CyberMonday/Christmas period, and now Canon put in a MAP. I don't think this is a wise move, I am sure the next quarter's result will tell . I surely hope Canon will reconsider its stance on MAP, especially its embargo to Canada from US on certain products.

 

[drs]

If I get this right, I might delay the replacement of my 5Dm2 and some lenses like the 24-70L.
These were scheduled for this quarter, but perhaps I should "focus" on something else for a while.
The 5Dm2 is certainly good for another year.