GH1 Shipping Today! According to Panasonic Sales Rep

I was going to New York City at the end of July and was really looking forward to shooting some stuff. I am on hold with Panasonic right now.
 
Panasonic guy was as helpful as he could be which is to say not much but not his fault. Ugh. >.< Today sucks.
 
I don't know anyone who was shopatroned, but the message I got today from Panasonic Direct on my June 10th preorder was that it should be shipped within in the next week. I'm not putting too much faith in that assessment...
 
The information that I got when I called today was that they were expecting a "large" shipment within two weeks, and that if I called back in 48-72 hours that they would have enough information to give me a "firm" shipping date.

My order through Panasonic Direct was June 22
 
I will maybe call shopatron then, or maybe call panasonic direct and see if it is possible for them to change the order over or something....ugh.

When I asked the guy at shopatron if "early august" meant that early august would get here and then they'd say september and pull the same crap again or if it actually meant early august he said he didnt know
 
so, though I knew that the earliest my camera would ship was July 15, I called Panasonic anyway (because it has just become a sort of ritual, and because I saw that guys fully auto footage of just eating lunch with his co-workers and thought "Jesus, I can't wait to get my hands on this")

I complained to the Panasonic lady about my Shopatron order and she didn't have any help for me and put me through to Shopatron, and yes he said July 15th.

Then I asked how things got split up, like, why is my order being handled by Shopatron and getting no service and people who ordered after me direct with Panasonic Direct already have their cameras? He believed that if I had called in my order I likely would have been handled directly through Panasonic but since I placed it via the web that all web orders got routed to Shopatron.

Anybody have any info to the contrary? seems a little far-fetched but if it is in fact the case I might call in an order and see what comes back.
 
sdhurley said:
Anybody have any info to the contrary? seems a little far-fetched but if it is in fact the case I might call in an order and see what comes back.
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Yes I do. I called in both times and got different order numbers. The first 'SHTR' and the second 'INT'

It's all just a shell game of excuses.
 
So I've been hesitant to join the ranks of those who have had conversations with these Panasonic reps...but I gave into the temptation today...since there was no online record of my order when I logged into the site.

Apparently they still have it on file, but I need to call someone to verify my information...but the people at the main number don't know what it is...the funny thing about it, is I ordered something the same day from Panasonic before I placed my GH1 order...and I already got it with no verification needed.

While it is not a surprise, it really seems like they are using this "verification" step to stall on the orders - my account info is already in their system, so what do they need to check? It was funny because when I started to suggest this, the woman on the phone was really fast to say "it has nothing to do with that" -- about the only thing she said on the phone with certainty in her voice. I don't buy it! I guess there probably is no grounds for class action lawsuit from such bad business practices....too bad there's not a different camera that compares at the moment...

If Nikon would announce something I might cancel my order(s) just so I'm not supporting such poor customer service practices.

I feel so violated!
 
e-steve said:
While it is not a surprise, it really seems like they are using this "verification" step to stall on the orders.
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My thoughts exactly. They used the "verification" step on me, too. After that I canceled my order - I was so tired of getting the runaround (I got three different excuses over the span of four days).

I'm holding out for B&H ... even if I have to wait another month. Of course, who knows what other cameras will be announced by then (Nikon)?
 
The verification step works for most people, except they didn't account for someone ordering something earlier the same day!

I just got my "do you want to cancel your order" email from Amazon. Sigh...

Anyone going the Canada route? How does the US to Cad conversion work during the buying process? Are they in stock?
 
Wow, I just spoke to someone who sounded like they had a clue...at Henry's in Canada.
The woman laughed when I asked if they had the GH1 in...so they are fully aware of the craze I suppose.

They have an estimated date of July 1 (tomorrow) as their next date to receive another shipment, but they did say Panasonic didn't hit the last date exactly, so it could be later. She did say they had 25 cameras coming in, and 10 were already spoken for (I was surprised that it wasn't more).

So, I officially placed my 3rd GH1 order today, from Henrys in Canada.

Panasonic Order is in limbo - they said my bank didn't release payment (which has to be bogus, unless they were going to actually ship it). I have had no issues with my card anywhere else...

Amazon Order - just revised my ship date to UNKNOWN.

Henry's - they hope to get the camera in by the end of the week, if not tomorrow. There are 14 left as of my order. The cost to purchase in USD is $1696.50 - shipping is free, but VAT is unknown (she said sometimes they charge and sometimes the don't). Someone else mentioned VAT for them was about $25.

So, while I hope to get my Amazon order for $1500...I will settle for paying $200 more. How on earth did I get this desperate?

If you want to get in on it... might want to call em!
 
I just talked to Henrys and they said that they didn't know exactly when more cameras were going to be coming in...
 
Too bad Henry's isn't located in Montreal. I fly to Burlington, VT tomorrow - it's just a two hour drive to Montreal. I'd definitely make the trek if I was guaranteed a GH1!

Of course, Montreal to Toronto is only a 5.5 hour drive. Hmmmmm. :Drogar-Love(DBG):
 
I think tomorrow is a holiday in Canada, so even though July 1 is their estimated date for next shipment, they are probably closed tomorrow.

The woman seemed to be reading off of something where she said the date was July 1 (and she didn't realize that was tomorrow), and the # cameras they are expecting.

Who knows, but at least they gave me more information than anyone else. She also said, if my other orders come in first to call them and they will cancel the order...so how can you lose (as long as you want to spend that much)?
 
I might call back later in the week and see if they have in stock. I am going to New York City near the end of the month and really wanted to shoot some stuff and thought I was going to get my shopatron order until they delayed it ANOTHER MONTH.
 
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