Canon "Vendor Associate Purchase Program" Discounts?

[evan_parker]

I've recently become an employee of a camera chain, and thus am

eligible for Canon's employee discount program. I can get a brand

new 10D for $1020, but I need a lens for it! Does anyone else here

know about these discounts (can I get them even on lenses that are

not specifically listed in the price sheets, considering only about

ten lenses or so are on there)? Also: are there any other companies

besides Nikon and Canon that offer discounts to camera store

employees that are authorized dealers of their equpiment?

 

Thanks for any replies!

[vassil_mihov]

what are the lenses listed? what lens do you need?

[bob_bell]

Can I get a 10D from ya for that price plus shipping etc... I also need a 17-40/4 :)

[mtwhite]

<p>Trying talking directly to your store's rep. It's a slightly more

informal program than Nikon's. A well-connected rep can swing some

pretty good deals, especially if your store is doing a good job

selling Canon gear. Just be careful, and *don't* buy for other

people. Canon'll yank that privilege pretty damn fast if they think

you're helping to take money away from their regular sales. That

program is mostly there so that they get advertising when a customer

asks you, "So what do you use?"

<p>Nikon's program is also excellent. Up here, I could get a D70 with

that nice but overpriced 18-70mm for Can$1400, about US$1000 or so.

(Notices the forum he's in, sweats) Err. Of course, the 10D is

better. :)

<p>I'll have to check with my store's Pentax rep the next time he's

in, to see if they've got a purchase program. They've got a good

sales spiff program, about as good as Nikon and way better than

Canon, but I don't know if they've got good deals for salespeople. I

don't even know if we have a Minolta rep. I've never seen one in the

two years I've been working here. Minolta just doesn't seem to care.

<p>(Bitter rant time) Thanks for not giving spiffs on A70's, Canon! I

must have sold hundreds of them last Christmas.

[mark_mankey]

I'll just echo Matthew White's comment that no matter how tempting, don't buy for other people. I know of a store that had their discount revoked. Enjoy the program.

[asimh]

Out of curiosity, would you mind stating how much your business pays wholesale (if you know the info) for the camera? or can you say it it's less/more than the Canon program price?

[jeff_b.]

I actually have a question for you... how do you get a price list from canon for employee

purchases. I work at a reseller and should be eligible but i can't find a number, website,

list or anything about the program. I have a 10D and i'm looking for some lenses to add to

my collection. Any help would be appreciated.

 

--Jeff B.