Z1U Prices??? at DVinfo.net

Dave Hoyt · November 7th, 2006, 02:11 PM

Okay, what's the deal. I'm ready to buy a Z1 any minute now... so I do a search online and find this place: http://www.royalcamera.com/snhvrz1.html

Their price at around 10a this morning was listed $2179.00! I called and the rep said the camera comes with a 90-day parts warranty, no battery, etc.

Now I go back and the price is $2849.00. WTF? Anyone have experience with places like this? Seems like prices change by the minute? Same thing at bestpricecameras.com - this morning= $3799., now = $3599. About 2 weeks ago = $3369. Not kidding, I've got printouts of some of the variances.

Doing a search online, the prices range from this being the lowest to of course upper $4,000's. What's legit to pay??

Thanks all for any help.

Dan Robinson · November 7th, 2006, 02:47 PM

According to

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1895.html

royalcamera.com is one of the many bait-and-switch scam shops. Before you buy check with

http://resellerratings.com

B&H is your best bet for a decent price with no risk of getting ripped off.

Dave Hoyt · November 7th, 2006, 03:16 PM

Thanks Dan.
What do these bait and switch places actually do?

Gints Klimanis · November 7th, 2006, 03:42 PM

> What do these bait and switch places actually do?

Bait and switch means to lure in a customer with a good deal on one product yet try to sell them another, usually with a higher profit margin for the store.

Generally, these places advertise a price for a camcorder that is only available to if you buy it in a kit with a number of overpriced accessories. That is, you are unable to buy only the camcorder for the too-good-to-be-true price.

Sometimes, these places will sell you returned, grey or even refurbished merchandise when you think that you are paying for a new unit.

Gints Klimanis · November 7th, 2006, 03:44 PM

> no battery, etc.

or sell you a unit stripped of accessories so that you *have* to buy their accessories.

Robert Young · November 7th, 2006, 05:34 PM

As a consequence of several unpleasent experiences over the years, my rule of thumb is: if the advertised price is more than 5%-10% lower than B&H, don't go there. If it's too good to believe then it's probably not gonna happen.

Boyd Ostroff · November 7th, 2006, 06:38 PM

Please patronize the DVinfo sponsors. Not only do they make this site possible, but they have been hand picked for excellent customer service, competitive prices and integrity. Out of respect for them, we don't allow discussion of other vendors. See the full sponsor list here:

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November 7th, 2006, 02:11 PM	#1
Dave Hoyt New Boot Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 17	Z1U Prices??? Okay, what's the deal. I'm ready to buy a Z1 any minute now... so I do a search online and find this place: http://www.royalcamera.com/snhvrz1.html Their price at around 10a this morning was listed $2179.00! I called and the rep said the camera comes with a 90-day parts warranty, no battery, etc. Now I go back and the price is $2849.00. WTF? Anyone have experience with places like this? Seems like prices change by the minute? Same thing at bestpricecameras.com - this morning= $3799., now = $3599. About 2 weeks ago = $3369. Not kidding, I've got printouts of some of the variances. Doing a search online, the prices range from this being the lowest to of course upper $4,000's. What's legit to pay?? Thanks all for any help.

November 7th, 2006, 02:47 PM	#2
Dan Robinson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 131	According to http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1895.html royalcamera.com is one of the many bait-and-switch scam shops. Before you buy check with http://resellerratings.com B&H is your best bet for a decent price with no risk of getting ripped off.

November 7th, 2006, 03:16 PM	#3
Dave Hoyt New Boot Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 17	Thanks Dan. What do these bait and switch places actually do?

November 7th, 2006, 03:42 PM	#4
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	> What do these bait and switch places actually do? Bait and switch means to lure in a customer with a good deal on one product yet try to sell them another, usually with a higher profit margin for the store. Generally, these places advertise a price for a camcorder that is only available to if you buy it in a kit with a number of overpriced accessories. That is, you are unable to buy only the camcorder for the too-good-to-be-true price. Sometimes, these places will sell you returned, grey or even refurbished merchandise when you think that you are paying for a new unit.

November 7th, 2006, 03:44 PM	#5
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	> no battery, etc. or sell you a unit stripped of accessories so that you have to buy their accessories.

November 7th, 2006, 05:34 PM	#6
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	As a consequence of several unpleasent experiences over the years, my rule of thumb is: if the advertised price is more than 5%-10% lower than B&H, don't go there. If it's too good to believe then it's probably not gonna happen.

November 7th, 2006, 06:38 PM	#7
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Please patronize the DVinfo sponsors. Not only do they make this site possible, but they have been hand picked for excellent customer service, competitive prices and integrity. Out of respect for them, we don't allow discussion of other vendors. See the full sponsor list here: http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/