First, sorry to hear about your lost flash. Back in my wedding days (film), the churches I shot in did not allow the use of flash. Oh sure, a relative here and there got away with it, but when you are the photographer -- and want to be allowed back for your next one -- you do as the priest/minister requests. For reception shots I used camera mounted flash.


Quote Originally Posted by DavidEccleston
We've been through the rebate pricing
discussion around here fairly recently. It turns out that in order to
be an authorized Canon reseller, they need to charge MSRP during rebate
periods. I'm not sure why, but the retailers don't have a choice. In
some cases, there were lenses that were previously discounted by more
than the rebate amount, so the prices actually went up.

True enough. []


Quote Originally Posted by freelanceshots
I'm just so bummed

Not to bum you further, but I paid $395 for my EX580 II with the rebate last November. That was before the earthquake/tsunami and I think there were some steep increases since then. I am glad now that I got it, but at the time I had a little sticker shock at the increase since I purchased my first EX580 II. Now I wish I had bought two. Given the market, I wish I had invested more in Canon lenses and less in stock. I believe somewhere here there is a discussion on that as well.


[quote
user="freelanceshots]Can you get any good deals on fleebay on a new
flash or is that to risky? I've been screwed a few time before while
even using paypal and I never saw a cent of the money I lost.[/quote]


If you are buying new, I recommend you stick to an authorized Canon Dealer to avoid disappointment. For used, I have had better luck with craigslist dealing locally and for cash. I usually meet in a Tim Horton's and if I get stiffed, at least I have a coffee while I wait. I have never felt comfortable buying/selling used on E-Bay. My things do not leave me without my getting cash money, and I do not part with my cash until I have thoroughly examined and feel comfortable with an item. You cannot get that on fleebay.


Quote Originally Posted by neuroanatomist
Canon's 'minimum advertised price' policy
has gutted the rebate programs. From my perspective as a consumer,
there's no meaningful incentive.

Say I wanted the 70-300mm
f/4-5.6L IS. A couple of days ago, everyone was selling it for $1519.
Today, the price is $1599 and the $100 rebate only brings a net $20
savings. Heck, that's not even enough to cover a decent bottle of
champagne to celebrate the purchase, so why bother?

Quote Originally Posted by cpw
August 7th, 2011: An instant rebate on Canon lenses and speedlites begins today, and runs until September 3rd, 2011. Note that there is a Minimum Advertised Price on all items that the price will go to. Calumet
appears to be applying the full rebate amount and selling below MAP
(e.g. new 70-300L for $1419), but as with the last rebate this condition
is quickly rectified...

As it states on the cpw site, you need to act FAST! I actually had the 70-300mm f/4-5.6L on the top of my wish list. I was able to order it at the pre-rebate price within an hour of the price increase. [] I almost though about it. If I had, it would still be on my wish list instead of a FedEx truck for delivery tomorrow. []