Trying to find a new D3?

[EricC]

Terry never even thought of it in that context. Sorry if I got your mailbox flooded. My Bad!

[Richard_Coyle]

Terry
Due to my educational (including credentials requirements), business, and charitable background, work and involvement, over the last nearly 50 years, I've become very concerned about the ethics of our society. For the most part, I find the photography community to be on a much higher plane in this regard than many other professions with which I have been, or am currently associated. The financial planning industry is one that comes quickly to mind!

While I don't fault you for wanting to assist other readers, one of the first issues that should be raised when any promotion occurs is that of "quid pro quo". What will the promoter receive for their efforts? While yours may simply be "good will", from my perspective, and that of most professional organizations, it's still important you disclose that up front, as well as the other details you subsequently listed. To not do so can create a shadow of suspicion, as I initially indicated, and mitigate any positive effect you wish to have.

That said, your facts seem reasonable enough, and there may be benefit to others from your post. However, it is a concern that you haven't asked the dealer if they want your help with this, and allowed them to "give their blessing" to your efforts. Why not simply do so from the beginning? Then you will know how they wish to approach the results that may be generated, and they'll also know the source for them.

Finally, although I'm a strong promoter of competition, and have always disliked enforced MSRP, I do advocate following the pertinent laws, rules and regulations that keep the market place from collapsing under it's own greed. A totally free market is a fantasy, since without some level of control, fraud and greed take over and the whole society can collapse, as with Holland during the great "Tulip Bulb" financial bubble. While this one instance is unlikely to produce any greater negative effect, if your dealer is "flying under the radar" of ethical brand requirements, I do have a problem with this whole situation.

[Terry Zorich]

You must lead a miserable life, Richard. God bless you, and those you deal with on a daily basis. Have a little faith, man!

I am not sure what the minimum advertised price for the D3 is. However, my GUESS is that B&H's price is probably right on that number. This dealer's current price is a couple hundred dollars less; however, he does not advertise, so there is no breach of contract. The MAP agreement simply says that a dealer may not ADVERTISE any price which is lower than the stated amount.

Now, regardless of whether I did so with the dealer's knowledge/permission, IF I were to post this information on a public forum, I imagine it COULD be construed as advertising. Although there was no discussion about this between the dealer and me, there are those (possibly at Nikon) who would assume there was something back-handed going on. Asking the dealer for his 'permission' to do what amounts to second-hand advertising would not change anything with regard to the MAP agreement. And that is why I refuse to post the dealer's name or number. However, I will be glad to share this information with any PPH community member who sends me a PM.

There are no pro camera stores in Delaware. I drive over an hour to get to this particular shop, and I like them a lot. They move a lot of product, and they get a lot of product when other shops don't have any. My interest? Well, it directly benefits me when that shop is successful and has high-end products in-stock when I'm looking for them. And just maybe the owner will appreciate my help in sending him some customers with $5000 to spend.

That is all.

[Richard_Coyle]

Terry
Speak for yourself as to the life being led! ;-)

Although I've always been an indefatigable optimist, over my long years of exposure to many situations where trusts were compromised, I've learned that "blind trust" is simply ignorance, and "trust without verification" is a lesson in naivete. Trust must be earned by ethical behavior and responsibility over time. There simply is no substitute.

As for those I deal with on a daily basis, we get along just GREAT! Even for those that violated my trust in the past, as long as we've worked through the problem and have a real understanding of where we are today. That of course includes an agreement as to what constitutes ethical behavior, on both of our parts.

Finally, I do have Faith, and Hope and Love. And of course, the greatest of these is.....

God Bless you, too!

[Terry Zorich]

UPDATE:
I spoke to the shop owner again this afternoon (when I pulled the trigger on my own D3 purchase). As I suspected, he was thankful that I did not post a price online.

So here's what I CAN say without ruffling any feathers:
I LOVE Allen's Cameras in Levittown, PA (they're "in the book"; look them up). They have several hard-to-find items in stock, including the D3, 24-70, and 70-200. If you live in the US, and you're looking for this or other photo gear, they have my high recommendation. And you may be pleasantly surprised at the prices, too.

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