Let's talk DVX100a pricing. As of May 2005, the lowest legitimate price for a DVX100a with Panasonic USA warranty is about $3300-3400 (before rebate). By legitimate, I mean from an authorized Panasonic USA distributor. You can find authorized distributors on the Panasonic web site at:
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=R&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=68668&catGroupId=14569&modelNo=AG-DVX100A&surfModel=AG-DVX100A
Click on Find a Dealer
Before you buy your DVX100a, confirm that you're purchasing from an authorized dealer. One authorized dealer we STRONGLY recommend is
EVS http://www.evsonline.com/ Ask for Rush for the DVXUser discount. This recommendation is based solely on the uniformly positive experiences that numerous forum members have had with EVS.
Beware of Scams
Before you plunk down thousands of dollars, do a little research on the vendor. Check www.resellerratings.com and Google the name of the store. Try to get some personal recommendations. Here are some common scams:
If the deal sounds too good to be true or even slightly fishy--take a pass. Beware of requests for payment by Western Union. Pay by credit card so you have some recourse if the deal goes south. If the seller lives in another country, you will have no practical legal recourse if you have a problem. Watch out for stores in Brooklyn--they are almost all bad. Use your common sense and don't let your desire for cheap deal blind you to potential scams.
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=R&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=68668&catGroupId=14569&modelNo=AG-DVX100A&surfModel=AG-DVX100A
Click on Find a Dealer
Before you buy your DVX100a, confirm that you're purchasing from an authorized dealer. One authorized dealer we STRONGLY recommend is
EVS http://www.evsonline.com/ Ask for Rush for the DVXUser discount. This recommendation is based solely on the uniformly positive experiences that numerous forum members have had with EVS.
Beware of Scams
Before you plunk down thousands of dollars, do a little research on the vendor. Check www.resellerratings.com and Google the name of the store. Try to get some personal recommendations. Here are some common scams:
- The Gray Market Camera -- not imported through Panasonic USA, a gray market camera has no official Panasonic USA warranty. It may have a 3rd party warranty or no warranty at all. If you have problems with your camera, Panasonic USA will not be able to help and you may be stuck with a huge repair bill. These cameras are frequently advertised with USA warranty. They may also be advertised with an International Warranty. Panasonic USA does not recognize any "International" Warranty. Camera stores will outright lie on the phone, so don't take their word--check with Panasonic USA to see if they're authorized.
- Note: As of August 1st 2005 Panasonic U.S. is offering a $500 rebate, 10 DVM63AMQ-63 tapes, an extra 5400 mAh Li-Ion battery, Magic Bullet for Editors software, plus Barry Green's DVX100 book + DVD. If you don't receive the DVX book/DVD and Magic Bullet software in the box, you probably bought a gray market camera. You will receive the $500 rebate, extra battery, and tapes by mail. This deal makes it officially insane to buy a gray market camera--you'd be saving no money by going gray market. A gray market camera might sell for $200-300 less than the U.S. version, but you won't be eligible for the $500 rebate or any other goodies.
- The Cheap DVX100a with Expensive Mandatory Accessories -- The price for the DVX100a will appear amazingly cheap--like $2500--but you will never get the camera for that price unless you agree to buy insanely priced junk accesories or pay for standard accessories that are normally included with the camera. You may also find that excessive shipping costs (think $200-300) are added to your bill. Some of these fraudulent merchants will flat out overbill your credit card after you've agreed on the charges. Never place any order before you know exactly what the final charges will be. Get a faxed quote for the exact order including shipping and handling before you place any order.
- The Imaginary DVX100a -- Someone is advertising an incredible price on eBay or a camera forum. *Grandma needs a new hip so I need to sell today. Someone may email you with an offer after you lose an eBay auction. Run away--far away--because the camera probably doesn't exist.
If the deal sounds too good to be true or even slightly fishy--take a pass. Beware of requests for payment by Western Union. Pay by credit card so you have some recourse if the deal goes south. If the seller lives in another country, you will have no practical legal recourse if you have a problem. Watch out for stores in Brooklyn--they are almost all bad. Use your common sense and don't let your desire for cheap deal blind you to potential scams.
Seriously though, they seem pretty good. As for buying a DVX, or XL2, I'd go with EVS.
