Which thread are the complaints in?

Yes it's odd. The site is up and running but no items seem available for sale. Guess they've done as you say, taken all the stock on their safari.
They'll have loads of second hand stuff in a few days I suppose when they come back.

A good lens doesn't have to be used stopped down to f16. In fact it's often best not to. Images may suffer from diffraction and with a wider aperture a faster shutter speed can be used which should lead to sharper photos.
Only normally use a small aperture like f16 when you want both close and distant things in focus. An aperture of around f5.6 to f8, depending on the lens, is often preferable.
Conversly, a large aperture can make the subject sharp with the rest of the photo out of focus, making the subject stand out more.
Really with a camera there are only three variables (beside focussing), aperture, shutter speed and ISO, so just set them to suit the subject.

I'm still puzzled about this because folk used to get good results before autofocus was even dreamed about! Do you see it as a problem with the AF system hardware or the software which drives it?
I still do my focussing in much the same way I used the old ME, only pressing a button to get the centred subject in focus rather than lining up the split prism image. Sometimes the focus button doesn't work - when I'm using my old ME lenses!

You're sounding like Jules tonight, following his footsteps!
I suppose a D500 is a bit of a lorry by comparison to a smart K-1 (larger camera with a smaller sensor.) According to a certain camera comparison site that is regarded as a downgrade.
http://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D500-vs-Pentax-K-1
So I read it that you're not deserting completely?

Your gallery photos suggest otherwise!

Well from those images it would suggest there isn't much wrong the the AF on recent Pentax cameras. To be honest I didn't believe there is. Perhaps the reviewer of the review referenced to above had the camera on fully auto where mis-focussing is more likely as the camera has no idea of the intended subject and give it a whole frame to choose from its odds in it will make a mistake sometimes, as any other camera would. It isn't capable of mind reading! Provided the person using the camera knows what they are doing Pentax focussing is a non issue and re-pedalling a myth which for a Pentax forum is doing the brand no favours (or should that be favors given it's from an American forum? ) There are thousands of photos posted on our (and their) forum which dispel the Pentax AF myth.
Beginners may pick up a SLR/DSLR (any brand) for the first time and try and nail a shot of a moving target and it doesn't come out right for a multitude of reasons. It's easy to blame the tool when it's lack of experience and knowledge that is to blame.

My view to that is focussing is best done by the photographer, not the camera. What's the use of a photo of a pin sharp branch when the bird you want to photograph is sitting on a different one?! Any AF system is a compromise whatever the camera brand and requires the photographer to make critical focus decisions.
So if that was the only issue reported, the K-70 has to be a great camera and shouldn't be put down for a failing inherent in all AF systems. The grass is always greener.....

Thank goodness for that. Amazingly that same seller was listing that same lens for the same price over the weekend just gone. I wonder how many follow the unofficial request to email them first and subsequently fall prey to the conman.
I think Amãzon should make good any seller's promises where their clients are repeat offenders. That might make them a little more responsive to dealing with fraud on their site.

This week's competition is now up and running. The requirement is to produce a photograph that fits the topical theme, 'Trick or Treat.' While the photograph can certainly be based on the Halloween event coming up next Monday, it doesn't have to be. The clue is in the title! Entries can be shot for the competition or taken from your archives.