Restrictions on stocking lenses

[Wynny]

I was in the local JB store recently and asked the sales assistant why the only Canon lens that they sell separately is the 50mm 1.8. He replied that since there was a Camerahouse in town then that was all that they were allowed to stock as apart from that Camerahouse had exclusive rights to stock the other Canon lenses in the local area.

Has anyone else come across this before and knows whether it is correct? Would seem very anti-competitive if it is correct with Camerahouse being the only winner especially since they would not have to price match if nobody else is allowed to carry the stock.

I didn't check whether this also applied to Nikon or any other brands but it would seem to add to the argument for considering buying grey.

[ricktas]

Both Canon and Nikon have authorised resellers. Just like car yards have brands they sell and the local competitors generally cannot sell those brands. If you want a new Toyota, you need to go to the Toyota dealer in your area, not the Holden dealership.

My guess is that JB are not authorised resellers, they just get the stock in and sell it anyway. JB until recently also had an option to buy grey stock from them at cheaper prices, doing so would not endear them to Canon/Nikon Australia at all.

It is not about being anti-competitive. Anti-competitive is about price, not availability.

[aussieray]

Well explained Rick

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I was in the local JB store recently and asked the sales assistant why the only Canon lens that they sell separately is the 50mm 1.8. He replied that since there was a Camerahouse in town then that was all that they were allowed to stock as apart from that Camerahouse had exclusive rights to stock the other Canon lenses in the local area.

Has anyone else come across this before and knows whether it is correct? Would seem very anti-competitive if it is correct with Camerahouse being the only winner especially since they would not have to price match if nobody else is allowed to carry the stock.

I didn't check whether this also applied to Nikon or any other brands but it would seem to add to the argument for considering buying grey.

Also, don't be fooled into thinking it was Canon who prevented JB from stocking them, but the higher management of JB. My understanding is with JBs, the individual stores don't get much say in inventory. Inventory Management is handled electronically and pushed to them. The store manager probably would NOT be able to tell you whats supposed to be in his/her next delivery. Basically, JB head office may have made the decision to NOT stock the other lenses due to slow turnover (camera accessories not their core business)

[paulheath]

....maybe just a lazy sales guy, i purchased a new 24-105L from jb AND they where happy to drop the price from a ridiculous $1750 to $890 to price match . if you ask they will get it in im sure

[cupic]

You can only imagine what it cost them and there profit margins

cheers

[Mark L]

...., i purchased a new 24-105L from jb AND they where happy to drop the price from a ridiculous $1750 to $890 to price match .

Out of interest, who were they price matching?

[Wynny]

Thanks for your replies. I guess it is must just be one of the frustrations of living in a regional area where the only non-Camerahouse authorised resellers are hours away.

Just an aside when I read the above comment about the 24-105L price matching I checked the JB website and they advertise the lens for about $150 more than the Camerahouse site.

[paulheath]

Out of interest, who were they price matching?

believe it or not DDP who actually have that lens at $854 they said they would price match plus delivery ( even though i was holding the lens in my hand lol) but as the shipping is free ... thats what they charged me.

[JasonR]

So they price matched a grey price?

[ricktas]

So they price matched a grey price?

DDP only sell grey items to start with

[JasonR]

DDP only sell grey items to start with

That's what I mean did the match a grey price.

[paulheath]

yes they did, and who am i to argue with that :)

[JasonR]

i wouldnt be at all. Well done.

[Tannin]

My guess is that JB are not authorised resellers

^ Nailed it.

Canon (like most camera manufacturers) have several levels of reseller. Anyone can resell the common stuff (things like an entry-level body and a cheap kit lens) with or without a relationship with Canon; at the next level you can resell all the standard stuff including high-end semi-pro gear like a 24-104 f/4L, a 5D III, or a top-quality flash; but only as a registered Canon Professional Dealer can you resell things like 1 Series bodies.