Sony Rebate
 

I've purchased 3 cameras from B&H and countless accessories and I can attest to the fact that B&H's word is as good as golden. I plan to buy 3 HDV cameras from them this year (not sure which -> possibly the A1U) and I know B&H will take care of me.

Long live B&H and NAPP together... free shipping!!!!!!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!

It's finally up!

http://www.rebate-zone.com/sonyb2b

I think it here and it comes out there.

Now that it's confirmed, WHY?
 

Does anyone know why sony has a $500 rebate on the a1u? I don't see any competition, at least not at their price point, for a similar hdv camcorder.
Are they clearing out existing inventory to make way for a new revision?
Has anyone posted info on a sony hdv roadmap?
Could this be a move to keep the A1U competitive in the face of a possible Canon GL2 hdv revision?
Thanks!
*I have to make a purchase decision by Feb 15th and don't want to be bummed out by a new revision on the 16th.

Ok you're trying to read too much into this. Rebates are a common thing for Sony to do. All this is meant to do is to spur sales and interest in the A1. And just from the postings I have seen on this board alone, seems to be working.
The HC1 is selling like hotcakes, and the A1 isn't which is why the rebate most likely.

I stumbled upon this forum over the weekend and noticed the rebate topic which lead me on a low cost pursuit across the net in search of an HVR-A1U. In doing so I noticed numerous dirt cheap prices on the HVR-A1U

infinitphoto.com has it for $1599

prestigecamera $1799

preferredhpoto $1819

CCI Cameracity $1175

and several others in the sub $1500 range.

Are these scams or cameras without warranties? Anyone here gamble and go with one of the lower cost camera shops, any feedback, mistake?

Regards, John

I use B&H only!

Most of those other companies "say" they have the cameras but unless you buy their overly inflated accessories, the camera mysteriously is not longer in stock!!!!

On second thought I just finished reading a series of threads on some of the photo shops listed above.

It appears through research of others that expressphotos, infinitiphoto and bestpricecamera are all the same company with bait and switch as the game.

http://www.epinions.com/msg/show_~th.../forum_id_~145

Other than B&H Photo what other authorized Sony dealers have any of you had good dealings with?

Regards, John

I bought my 1st camera from onecall.com and had pretty good success with them.

Is Zoommania an authorized Sony reseller?

How does one know which companies are actually authorized without taking their word for it over the phone?

Regards, John

John you can go to the Sony Rebate page and see a list of authorized dealers, and I can guarantee you that none of those low balling discount dealers are on them.
They are bait and switch, and for the most part most any online dealer based in Brooklyn NY will be so.

If you want the camera, I say go with B & H, as you won't find a better authorized dealer price out there for the most part.

B & H does such great volume business that they get specail deals on prices from manufacturers like Sony, that enable them to sell their products for lower than normal pricing. This is whay you will see them with links on their site saying, email me a lower price, as they can't advertise their actual selling price publicly.

Trust me on this go with B & H. as you will have peace of mind knowing that the camera isn't Grey Market (from Japan and not with US Warranty), and you will get reliable support and service from them.

Just remember the old addage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

You might luck out and save a few bucks somewhere else, but I guarantee you it won't be worth it.

I agree with Michael. Plus you will save yourself a lot of headches by dealing with B&H. Their name would not get mentioned so much if they were NOT so reputable!

I have to chime in, as I too almost tried to go with some of the 'online/shipped from Brooklyn' stores - in the weeks before the holidays, the camera was $1699 on some of the 'price-hunter' sites, but then mysteriously went up to $1899 on several sites in one day.

After reading so many reviews on epinion.com and other sites, I decided that while getting a A1U for $1699 or even $1899 _seemed_ like it might be worth the trouble, buying it from B & H for $2499 was much easier on the mind and spirit. Plus, I live in NYC, and I was able to walk in, buy it and get my mitts on it - instant gratification!

The serendipitous and karmic pay-off has come in the form of this rebate, making the camera almost as 'affordable' as the online scammers purport to be.

Getting to the rebate form has been a mild annoyance - create an account on Sony online, enter a bunch of information, then download the rebate form - but it's obviously well worth doing: excluding tax, it's making the camera approximately $2000, actually within the range of the casual HC1 prices you see.

If you want to buy this camera, Go with B & H before the rebate ends and don't look back.

Just bought the A1U! And of course from B&H.

I advise adding www.resellerratings.com/ to your bookmarks.