Exactly! And the thing is these relatively inexpensive lenses should never
be 'off the shelf' if there is a demand. Pentax shooting themselves in the
foot again. They're likely creating a continous cycle of customer
frustration.
Tom C.
From: Micah Kleit <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: lens around to buy?
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 15:08:37 -0500
I took the advice of the group and called the Pentax Çolorado office. The
conversation was a bit surreal. They tell me that B&H and amazon.com have
the lens -- neither do or have for months -- and this guy couldn't tell me
when the lens will ever be made again, although it's not discontinued. I
asked him when they last made the lens, and he says, immediately, four
months ago. So I ask him how he knows when they made it last and not when
they'll make it again, and he got obtuse again. He also said he's gotten
at least eight calls in the last few weeks about the 200mmf/2.8's
availability. So again, I ask whether demand or queries will stimulate
interest in manufacturing the lens, and he said no; plants cycle through
the manufacturing process: sometimes they make cameras, sometimes lenses
(aren't there separate machines for each?). He took my name and number
and promised to call once he was alerted to a new supply, but a new supply
could mean only a few lenses. In any event, it seems to me the guy was
blowing me off, and they probably won't ever make the lens again. Even if
Pentax doesn't list the lens as discontinued, amazon.com does, and B&H
hasn't had one in months.
I agree that it's good business to not let unsold inventory build up if
there isn't demand. But part of a company's reason for being is to create
and support demand for a product. Maybe if they could have a bit more
stock and a bit more willingness to serve existing demand both would
multiply.
Micah
