Cheapest place to buy a *ist D in the UK

You're completely right to be suspicious! Its the way of the world these days that companies will try to wriggle out of anything.

But why would the purchase receipt have my friends name on it? We're not talking about a credit card receipt - besides - i could be paying cash! (although i'm not!).

Maybe I could phone my order through (thus paying for it myself) then just get my friend to pick it up. Are there any risks there? (seriously I mean - I'm not being sarcastic).

Damn I wish I was minted enough to buy one in the UK!

Jules,
I really don't have any answers Maybe someone else reading this board has some experience. I am not in the market for an *istD at the moment and I will probably have to stick to my RD3000.

As to the receipt. I would expect a bit more than just a till receipt for such an item even for cash and it may well have a name on it. How you deal with that is up to you. My main concern would be mail order as in the case of my friends Nikon. At the end of the day, if companies didn't use Europe to subsidise the American market, it wouldn't be a problem!

Yep, i'll have to be careful on the receipt front.

I just got another email from Pentax - i asked about buying from the US again.
>>>>
Thank you for your e-mail.
All Pentax cameras purchased through authorized distribution channels are
guaranteed against defects of material or workmanship for a period of twelve
months from date of purchase. You should be able to buy an extended
warranty through third party insurance company.

We do not have any warranty restrictions regardless of where item was
purchased however, your purchaser's rights under legislation currently in
force may be limited.
<<<<<<<

I guess that last paragraph means I'm not protected by UK legislation.

I think I'll ring the store I'm thinking of using and sound them out on it - i.e. what would happen if the camera simply didn't work when I opened up the box? Maybe ask them if they'd check the camera before handing it over to my friend, etc. (yet at the same time making sure my friend ensures it comes out of a sealed box etc. Aaaargh! its never ending!)

At the end of the day, if these things were a little more, say "Quality Assured" then I wouldn't worry to much. And at the end of the end of the day, like you say if European prices were equivalent...

Hi Jules,
Having seen the price drop on another thread, perhaps this solves your problem. The saving for an import has just about dissappeared!! You might want to have a look at the thread in troubleshooter on the S4. Despite the wordwide warranty, it looks as though on guy has to send his camera back to Hong Kong.
Kim

About that international warranty - I think in this case the guy doesn't realise that Pentax "apparently" will honour the warranty here in the UK. Hopefully he'll spot your reply before he posts it off!

You're right about these price reductions, seems that the saving would now only be £140. Not really worth it - except that those Yanks get the $200 rebate on the DA lens if I wanted that too.

Unless of course the price drops over there too...

Try here

www.cliftoncameras.co.uk

Don't let this blatant advertising waste your time, the *ist D body is eighty pounds dearer than at Park Cameras.

I saw the topic of the thread so I thought you guys mght be able to help

I am after a supplier for the *ist D SLR in central London (don't have a car so it's hard to get around... the joys of living in the big smoke).

I was wondering if anyone could recommend one with all of the usual attributes... good service, aggressive pricing etc

Just for your information,

Saw in a magazine yesterday that www.cameraworld.co.uk are selling "Refurbished *ist-D with 12 month warranty" for £899.99
It doesn't appear on the website, just in the 29 May 2004 issue of Amateur Photographer.

Matt

excellent!

thanks Matt, I'll pay them a visit