Are they clearing some warehouse space for the full frame perhaps?

Yep. There is tax to pay when it comes into UK. The carrier wants a handling fee as well!

Usually you have to pay before it is delivered. Not sure the rates but it can still be worth it as the Japanese second hand prices can be good.

I'm sure someone else will be along with better information soon.

Just goes to show, you should always go for the genuine fake ones. Definitely not the fake genuine!

The linked article didn't say if there was anything wrong with the batteries. The crime was dishonesty not anything to do with faulty goods.

When you say 'the dust removal comes on when switched on', do you mean it does a flutter as you switch on or the mirror flips up and stays up?

Sounds like the debris is on the viewfinder screen, if they are not seen on the image.

The screen is up above the mirror, at the bottom of the pentaprism. If the image is OK then why worry? You may find it will just clear on its own. You may find a blast with the blower brush, up around the focusing screen clears it. Only problem is, it may get some where worse inside your camera.

Not sure if the screen is removable or not on the k500. If it is. it's fairly easy to clean after removing it from the camera. Needs a steady hand and tweezers. There are videos on the web showing how to do this if it is easy to remove.

If the K500 does not have changeable screens, it would have to be done at a service and will probably cost.

Surely so does the sensor?

Might be worth clarifying.

Are the hairs seen on the image, or is it seen through the viewfinder?

I have used eBay specials in both my k10 & k5.
No problems with any of them yet (5-6 years on). I think the last one,for the K5, was around £8 posted so if they don't last as long I've still saved a fortune!

There will be some who tell of horror stories of damaged cameras but it always seems to be hearsay rather than personal experience.

x2.

I feel educated about ladybirds too!

Printed manual for me, every time.

PDF copy has its place but the printed word works better for me to dib in and out of.