Stock, ordering & feedback... Nikon

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ruley74

ruley74

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So, it's been a month since I ordered and put down a substantial deposit on my 600 F4. I asked for a status update today to see when it may be coming in and all i got was, no stock, no shipment detail available and check again in 2-3 weeks... pretty dissapointing to say the least as this is not a new release lens.

This response has me again questioning my commitment decision and start to regret it... is that unreasonable?

If there is no global stock say so, and let me know if it will be part of a production run... and when that run may be scheduled!

Canon or Sony are getting closer to my wallet!😤
 
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There are shortages of many things right now, so not really suprising that you have to wait. I have had to wait 4 weeks + for plenty of lenses before, any of the made in Japan stuff takes longer now days.
 
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Yeah I understand, but the lack of information is what annoy's me. I had to wait for about 4 weeks for my D500 and that was in Feb/March this year when things started to shut down which they told me and we had a planned date... this I'm getting nothing.
 
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I was on a waiting list for 6 months for a 500mm PF, with 10% deposit down.
Nikon Aus ignored three emails asking about an ETA. They did reply to my dealer saying that they had no information.
In that time through to the following year some folk who walked into a store found one by chance.
Nikon failed to manage expectations and failed entirely to engage at all with its customers. It failed to inform its dealers about its allocation principles.
Later I saw professional staff saying one thing while sales reps said something different to dealers.
When I called out their ignoring emails on their FB page they responded by asking me to get in touch. I asked them to read their emails. Silence.
 
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Ziggy said:
I was on a waiting list for 6 months for a 500mm PF, with 10% deposit down.
Nikon Aus ignored three emails asking about an ETA. They did reply to my dealer saying that they had no information.
In that time through to the following year some folk who walked into a store found one by chance.
Nikon failed to manage expectations and failed entirely to engage at all with its customers. It failed to inform its dealers about its allocation principles.
Later I saw professional staff saying one thing while sales reps said something different to dealers.
When I called out their ignoring emails on their FB page they responded by asking me to get in touch. I asked them to read their emails. Silence.
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I wish it was only 10%, I put down 50% and the order after me was asked for 100%....

Email them about 2 hrs ago and got a response pretty quickly buy it was the same.... we don't know until they arrive!

Follow that with a phone call and requested more detailed information as I'm considering cancel orders and switching and they're getting me more detail.... we'll see.

Nikon Aust. have two orders in the system for the lens, funny enough both Ted's Brissy and they confirm the order is placed. How can they not get more details from Japan on status...
 
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I think they're complacent.

The ACCC regards a 10% deposit as legit and 0% if they can't say when they'll supply.

I ordered a Sony 400/2.8 and the experience couldn't have been more different. They are made to order and I was given an ETA of 2 months. They got in touch to apologise that it was going to be a week late.
 
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ruley74 said:
So, it's been a month since I ordered and put down a substantial deposit on my 600 F4. I asked for a status update today to see when it may be coming in and all i got was, no stock, no shipment detail available and check again in 2-3 weeks... pretty dissapointing to say the least as this is not a new release lens.

This response has me again questioning my commitment decision and start to regret it... is that unreasonable?

If there is no global stock say so, and let me know if it will be part of a production run... and when that run may be scheduled!

Canon or Sony are getting closer to my wallet!😤
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I think it should illegal to take a deposit unless that company has the item in stock ready to ship. After all we could all do this. Simply take orders and a deposit then source the item from somewhere, great business, no stock, no over heads, no staff, money in the bank earning interest from the get go! Would you like to place your order with me? Yes yes of course it's in stock..................................................somewhere.
 
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I don't think Sony or Canon are any better off as a major semi-conductor plant in Japan burned in Oct: https://nikonrumors.com/2020/12/18/...and-f-mount-delays-expected.aspx/#more-153641
Nikon, Canon and Sony have all been impacted; Nikon seems to say dslr's and F mount are affected. The 600 (and 800, 500 and probably 400) are produced in batches. I don't think they make many per batch. I had to wait several weeks to get my 600, all dealers were out (I'd only buy from one dealer anyway) and that was about 3 years ago. If they are having trouble getting parts, (like after the tsunami) even Nikon can't say when they will be back in stock.
All that aside, I don't like the idea of paying up front for something that might take a long time to get in stock. I have a good relationship with my dealer so that's never a problem.
 
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I also had to wait many weeks for 400 f2.8E, and put down a deposit. I know first hand from a Nikon ambassador who happens to own a 600 f4E that each lens is aligned, "hand-checked" etc by a highly experienced technician, who signs off each assembly. On a factory tour, He got to shake the hand of the actual person who'd assembled and signed off his own copy - ie referable on serial #. In short, in their key respects these exotic primes are a bespoke product. AND produced in batches/subject to order(s).

Then add to bespoke production all the factors pointed out above that have set back almost everything in 2020.

There is the Nikonian elephant in the room no matter One hears again and again that a core problem with Nikon is poor communication - in both directions - with HQ and the client. As with the ~3year production of a bespoke best gun by gunsmiths, exemplified in Westley Richards, the client can check each stage as the rifle or shotgun moves forward through from the lock to stocking and barreling et al.... So why cannot one track one's order on line with Nikon?

Great products but incredibly terrible marketing and support. Unchecked this could eventuate in hari-kari, albeit dishonourable as it's inexcusable disorganization/poor attitude.
 
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I know it's not one of the big$ lenses but the Nikon 200-500mm lens I bought had a really long wait time. I think it ended up being 3-4 months. I didn't have to give a down payment so I didn't feel the same amount of pain as some of you have had to endure. I also feel that it should be illegal to charge a down payment for something that isn't a custom order. By insisting on a down payment, companies are using money not yet deserved to finance their business. I'd love to charge 50% down for one of my wet darkroom prints with no ETA. I could wait until I have a few to print and save on chemicals, test prints, etc. Then again maybe I'm doing it all wrong? :)
 
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To be fair regards deposit, it may be more the retailer that needs the deposit as it's not a store stocked item, they need to cover their ass if they are left with a lens and with the initial timeline I was OK with leaving a chunk of money... the problem I really have is Nikon not fully disclosing the situation regards stock and production.... to me and the retail store.
 
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New ones seem sold out anywhere I looked but B&H has one refurbished by Nikon. Maybe Nikon Australia can get it for you. It’s actually fairly priced considering you cant touch a new one at any price.
 
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FB101 said:
New ones seem sold out anywhere I looked but B&H has one refurbished by Nikon. Maybe Nikon Australia can get it for you. It’s actually fairly priced considering you cant touch a new one at any price.
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Thanks, I have to wait until they fail to meet the initial timeline which was 4-6 even though the indication was yesterday they will definitely not have it within that time. Then I'll probably go a refund. There's a used one here in Oz but I'd have to fly from Brisbane to Melbourne to get it... I am looking at options don't worry!

I did actually email B&H out of curiosity and they did not have info on expected EDD either.

I'm probably being impatient and throwing my toys out of the pram really, and I did get a great price for the new one (13245 AUD) so I want this to work.
 
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ruley74 said:
Thanks, I have to wait until they fail to meet the initial timeline which was 4-6 even though the indication was yesterday they will definitely not have it within that time. Then I'll probably go a refund. There's a used one here in Oz but I'd have to fly from Brisbane to Melbourne to get it... I am looking at options don't worry!

I did actually email B&H out of curiosity and they did not have info on expected EDD either.

I'm probably being impatient and throwing my toys out of the pram really, and I did get a great price for the new one (13245 AUD) so I want this to work.
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i looked at your Instagram collection and it is stunning. Looking forward to what you can do with the 600mm f:4 but honestly, whatever you shot those with doesn’t seem to be lacking!
 
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Very interesting read.
2nd hand lens you don't have to fly.
Have lens sent to camera repair to check lens before sending it on to you or back.
I asked Anderson's in Brisbane about this when I was looking at 2nd lenses.

Very bad service you are receiving over lens. They should be more up front with you as they have your money.
At same time we need to be a bit more patient. Covid is spreading badly in Japan.
 
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FB101 said:
i looked at your Instagram collection and it is stunning. Looking forward to what you can do with the 600mm f:4 but honestly, whatever you shot those with doesn’t seem to be lacking!
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Thank you, that's too kind and greatly appreciated.

For me the main thing is filling the frame better as opposed to constantly cropping, and, I'm always fighting ISO which the 400 is great to combat but it's just a little short sometimes... and I'll be saving 1kg with the 600E which will allow easier hand holding.
 
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These are such strange times! I work for a company that has been providing a product across the US and for years and we have traditionally committed to a 4 day delivery time or less. The supply chain has always been stable enough to meet that time. Now, we hope to be able to deliver in 6-8 weeks and we avoid suggesting any deliver time frame. It is difficult for us because the customers we have been dealing with have been loyal customers for many years and the products we provide are essential to their business. We can't commit to our customers because our suppliers won't commit to us because their suppliers won't commit to them. All we can be is honest with our customers and tell them we just don't know.

We have also dealt with some unusual purchasing practices that have forced us to change some of our policies to protect ourselves and our customers. I know this is not the same as purchasing a Nikkor 600f4 but I would never have guessed some of the things that have caused us huge delays.
 
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Nikon Aust. actually rang me back this morning after doing some more research... they are saying now they are expecting a shipment of these lenses to come in early Jan (no shipping info from Japan as yet though) and mine will be in that first lot....
 
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ruley74 said:
Nikon Aust. actually rang me back this morning after doing some more research... they are saying now they are expecting a shipment of these lenses to come in early Jan (no shipping info from Japan as yet though) and mine will be in that first lot....
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Well that's good news that Nikon exacted their finger!

I upgraded my 600 f4 to the FL version in November 2019. Nikon Australia apparently doesn't hold stock of these, so each order has to come direct from Japan, and my case that took three weeks to arrive. Interestingly, the manufacture date of the lens was January 2019 which would indicate small productions runs of one or two a year.

If you are interested, Roland has a database of Nikon lenses which shows that the number 600mm FL's manufactured is approx. 6031, as of November 2019. http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html

Enjoy your 2021 600mm... you will not be disappointed.
 
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Outback said:
Well that's good news that Nikon exacted their finger!

I upgraded my 600 f4 to the FL version in November 2019. Nikon Australia apparently doesn't hold stock of these, so each order has to come direct from Japan, and my case that took three weeks to arrive. Interestingly, the manufacture date of the lens was January 2019 which would indicate small productions runs of one or two a year.

If you are interested, Roland has a database of Nikon lenses which shows that the number 600mm FL's manufactured is approx. 6031, as of November 2019. http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html

Enjoy your 2021 600mm... you will not be disappointed.
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Thank you, funny enough when i first enquired they had a single unit available in stock and i slept on it then give the go-ahead the next morning... and it went overnight! Snoozing and loosing!
 
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