Pentax/Ricoh putting prices up

I personally think some people are out of touch as to the way they attack people and company`s, if you carry on like some people, companies`s will ignore such comments, if you want to voice your concern it can be done in a constructive manner,you catch more fly`s with sugar than vinegar.

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K7,KM, MG, Super A, MZ50.
24f2.8; 28f2.8;31 limited; 35f2; 55f1.8; 135f2.8; 400f5.6:
Some zooms

This is exactly the point we are making. We have to ask how we would react to some of the more extreme comments if we were the ones making the decisions. In general, reasonable argument is a better approach.

As for Dave's post, the very fact it is there is a demonstration of the ability of anyone to have an opinion. But the golden rule is you attack the argument, not the person.

However, we are all judged by what we post. Do please remember that what you post will not be editable after a very short while, so always be courteous as it will stay there for all to read in the cold light of day.

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Best regards, John

I think that this thread would be more appropriately entitled "Pentax/Ricoh putting prices up".

Further, I think its wholly inappropriate and totally unfair to target one particular dealer when all dealers will be putting their prices up when their existing stock is exhausted and replenished with new.

If SRS are putting their prices up sooner than other dealers, it's probably for very good reasons which I think Chris has already explained adequately.

Pentax/Ricoh alone is responsible for these increases for, as yet, undisclosed reasons, not SRS Microsystems.

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Peter E Smith

Body: Pentax K5, K5-II, K20D + BG's, MZ-6, Super-A
Prime: Pentax A28, FA31/43/77 Ltd, M50/1.7, FA50 Macro, DA*55, D-FA100mm Macro, Sigma EX180 Macro.
Zoom: Pentax DA12-24, DA*16-50, DA*50-135, Sigma 70-200mm EX DG OS HSM, 150-500 DG OS HSM.
Flash: Pentax AF240FT(2), AF500FTZ(2), AF540FGZ(2), AF160FC Ringflash.
Software: Adobe Lightroom 4, Photoshop CS4, Photomatix Pro, Noise Ninja, iWatermark, Picasa 3.

My flickr Photostream

"Knowledge is knowing that a Tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad."

Agree with this. This topic on the surface points at srs but looking at the bigger picture its pentax/ricoh who should be providing explanations if required.

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Pentax k100d, kit lens, Tamron 70-300, Rikenon 50mm.

K10d with DBG 2 Grip 50-200 WR

I agree with Mannesty about the misleading title of this thread.
SRS have their hands tied and have very generously let us have
existing stock at the pre Pentax increase price, even though
this can mean they actually lose money, if it costs them more
to replace a lens than they sold the old one at.... I doubt
if any supermarkets would do that

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Pentax K-5 and some other stuff

Algi

I don't think that's how it works. SRS will mark up the price they payed or will pay to give them a profit.

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Barrie
Too Old To Die Young
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Pentax K5x2 K20D Q I-10 01 02 DA*300 A50/2.0 A50/1.7 FA50/1.4 FA100/3.5 K55/1.8 M40/2.8 M200/4.0 FA135/2.8 FA35 DA70/2.4 FA28-70 DA10-17 DA18-55WR DA16-45 DA17-70 DA55-300 DA50-200WR DA*50-135 Sigma 24,50,105,180 8-16 17-70 24-70 150-500 400/5.6MF Tamron 70-200/2.8 17/3.5MF 28/2.5MF 90/2.5MF 300/2.8MF

To be fair to SRS the thread title has now been changed

Good move.

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Pentax K-5, K10D, DA17-70, DA18-55 MkI, DA55-300, FA50 F1.4, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, A400 F5.6 (AF), 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
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Would second that.

Take care.

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Chris R.

I. El. (Eng). (Rtd).

From Ned Bunell of Pentax USA:
I guess this applies to the UK a little too?
I think that Pentax are going to have to try really hard to get more Shops to stock them but I'd love to see it!
I get sick of seeing Canon/Nikon/Sony/Panasonic and nothing else, in every Camera Shop!

I realize that many of you have expressed concern over our new unilateral pricing policy and specifically the lens pricing. However, the new policy we introduced has both short and longer term implications for our plans in the U.S. Recognizing that there is frustration and misinformation being discussed on various forums, I’d like to address a few of your concerns.

To clarify, we have not "raised" the prices on any lenses. The last increase we announced was over a year ago and applied to the DA* star lenses (such as the 16-50mm and the 50-135mm) as well as the FA50mm f/1.4.

One user comment I read summarized the situation quite well by saying, “I think you are seriously misunderstanding the whole conversation. Pentax has not raised prices. They have required authorized dealers to stick to MSRP [Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price] or some percentage of it (we do not know the exact terms). Pentax is attempting to police their sales channel just as many other manufacturers do. Any additional margin will go to the dealers not Pentax.”

The comment above is pretty accurate in his assessment of the retail distribution channels, not only for Pentax, but for every manufacturer in the photo industry. For our growth as a company, and the health of the photo retail marketplace, it is necessary to set guidelines for retail pricing to protect the integrity of the marketplace, and the value of a manufacturer’s products.

One specific plan we have which will benefit the brand and many of you as customers is to increase availability of Pentax products in retail stores.

For example, during the last year we have renewed relationships or expanded our presence with key photo retailers across the U.S. such as Samy’s (LA), WB Hunt (Boston area), Dodd Camera (Cleveland), Ace Photo (Virginia), Cameraland (Iowa), Cameraland (NYC), Creve Coeur Camera (greater St. Louis), National Camera Exchange (Minneapolis) as well as others. In addition, you’re going to very shortly hear that Pentax is back in a major National account, which is something we’ve been working on extremely hard for over a year.

While I can’t share certain details, I can tell you that establishing a level playing field is critical to our expansion in the States. This includes new partners being able to carry and offer not only our cameras but our lenses. The prices some of you refer to are likely found “online” and have in the past represented significant discounts which no storefront can compete against. As such, until we create parity in pricing, it’s very hard to get retailers to want to carry or expand their support for Pentax.

Many of you have asked for greater availability of Pentax cameras in stores, where you can touch and test the product. This is absolutely the right approach for us to take and is consistent with Pentax and Ricoh’s goal to grow our businesses in the U.S. market.

We realize the need for Pentax to better monitor prices across our distribution channels will likely result in higher lens costs to you. Therefore, once we’ve established this program, we will consider running lens rebate promotions in the future. We tested this program successfully several years ago and these type of rebates offer a good value to consumers and increased traffic to our dealers.

I would also like to dispel any rumors or misinformed comments that our relationship with Ricoh is in any way responsible for our changes in retail channel pricing policies. We are excited about being part of Ricoh and the opportunities it presents to Pentax for future growth in the photo industry.

I hope this helps you better understand our channel strategy in the U.S. and how lens pricing is an integral part of the plan. And I certainly appreciate and encourage your comments on this matter.

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Cheers Jules...
tri-elmar-fudd
www.exaggeratedperspectives.co.uk

ha ha, the increase in price is so we can touch it locally and buy it at one price only. Zero competition both internally from dealers and externally from other lens manufacturers.

Sounds a bit like they want to pretend the internet doesn't exist.

If Pentax wasn't niche before, it seems to be getting nicher.

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Pentaxshhhhhhh

Oh, well if it gets Pentax in to US stores then I'm happy to be paying 30% more, I don't know why they didn't say that in the beginning

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My images here

That's a lot fairer

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Pentax K-5 and some other stuff

Algi

"We realize the need for Pentax to better monitor prices across our distribution channels will likely result in higher lens costs to you. Therefore, once we’ve established this program, we will consider running lens rebate promotions in the future. We tested this program successfully several years ago and these type of rebates offer a good value to consumers and increased traffic to our dealers."

In other words, don't buy any lenses yet!

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Pentax Photo Gallery

I don't think anyone was going to!

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My images here