topic Re: Canon Pricing Policy in General Discussion

Canon Pricing Policy

Stoneysnapper — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:27:45 GMT

As a UK Customer who has invested heavily in Canon after I moved from Olympus 2 years ago I find Canon's Pricing policy to irk me somewhat. A good example is the recent release of the 24-70 F4L IS and the 35mm F2.

35mm F2.0 IS Priced at $849 / £799 / 849Euros
24-70 F4.0L IS Priced at $1499 / £1499 / 1449Euros

On the basis of the above the UK customer is well and truly being hard done by. I know exchange rates vary and there is VAT @20% in the UK included and that in the US sales tax is added (not sure if it is all States) but in Texas for example I think it is about 6% although it can vary slightly.

So assuming I buy in Texas and we take the current exchange rate for the £ to the $ of 1.55 then the equivalent price for the 35mm should be £696 i.e some £100 cheaper compared to the $ equivalent and the 24-70 should be £1230 i.e. some £260 cheaper. If say the £ was Canon's base price US Customers should be paying $1050 ($200 increase) for the 35mm and for the 24-70 some $1970 ($470 increase). Note I deducted the UK vat from those prices and added back 6% sales tax. I could have used New Yorks typical 10% if I had wanted to.

It would be good if someone from Canon could answer this question and give a rational response as to why their British Customers pay more. There's little point in this forum if Canon are not going to particiapte in fair questioning of their products or policies so hopefully some one will respond. Thanks in advance, there may be a perfectly good explanation I am not seeing.

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

GlynH — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:25:01 GMT

As the man says...I think it's disgusting that here in the UK most things are priced far above what our American cousins pay for the same gear.

I think it is even worse with software - especially downloaded software because then the argument about shipping, transport etc. goes out of the window.

The term 'Rip Off Britain' was coined for good reason methinks!

-=Glyn=-

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

ratan — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:00:08 GMT

You didn't know? Canon's pricing policy is geared towards high income enthusiasts and not towards pros and consumers.

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Khristo — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:31:31 GMT

It's about profit maximisation.

Guided by HO, but mostly local subsidiary control. What the market will bear considering all the competitive forces operating. If they can charge you an extra $100 because the circumstances in your local market make it possible, they will.

Simple - you would too.

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Khristo — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:32:50 GMT

Why is my icon a pig?????

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Jessica — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 03:49:04 GMT

Hi Khristo! You should be able to choose from a variety of avatars by clicking "My Settings" at the top of the page, then choosing the "Avatar" tab. Your current avatar will be displayed, and from there, you will be able to choose a new image from our collections, or from your Uploaded Images, if you have any. We hope this helps!

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Khristo — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:26:03 GMT

Thanks Jessica,

I guess it was more about wondering why you would have a piggy as a default "avatar".

Some people could get offended.

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Stoneysnapper — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:18:14 GMT

I thought I would get the odd condescending remark about market forces etc and not being disappointed I did!

Anyway thanks for replies guys and taking the time to do so. I know about what the markets dictate and I buy generally L lenses as I can afford them so I know where Canon make their money. The market for high end Canon gear in the uk is not massive, and the bulk of it will be bought by people like me, i.e enthusiasts with too much money or people who will push the boat to get the best. All I know is that here in rip off Britain we pay more than our American cousins and more than our European neighbours.

All I want is for someone from Canon to justify it, c'mon you know you want to....

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Stoneysnapper — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:20:01 GMT

Khristo

Why is my icon a pig?????

Now that made me laugh!

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Lieonel — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:54:28 GMT

Personally I think the Pig is COOL.

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Khristo — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 20:22:28 GMT

Stoneysnapper wrote:
I thought I would get the odd condescending remark about market forces etc and not being disappointed I did!

Sorry if you feel condescended to. I'm in Australia and we get the same thing with camera gear and many other product types. It irritates the ... out of me too.

Anyway.....you asked the question and you got the answer.

You obviously want to believe that some notion of "justice" can or should be brought to bear. (That would be nice.) Don't hold your breath.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well.. the pig's growing on me. After all I haven't changed it!!

This is the 2nd most viewed topic on this Board, still no...

Stoneysnapper — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:52:01 GMT

This is the 2nd most viewed topic on this Board, still no response from Canon though....

Quick better shuffle some more papers......

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Ghost — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:56:39 GMT

Ummm.... Jessica (our moderator) replied about the pig icon question (which made me laugh), yet didn't address the main question and point of this post: Canon's Pricing Policy.

This is merely an observation. "I'll have to check into that pricing difference and get back to you" might have been nice to see.

I'm in the States and enjoy the price difference. Why can't Britain enjoy it, too?

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

Ghost — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:15:46 GMT

...still no response?

Re: Canon Pricing Policy

shoot_ric — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 04:33:31 GMT

A substantial part of international differences in prices of individual products, both goods and services, can be explained by differences in per capita income, wage compression, or low wage dispersion among low-wage workers, and short-term exchange rate fluctuations.