With Canon Jordan, you can't !

My quest to fondle the latest and greatest in digital photography equipment took to me to the Canon dealership in Jordan. I was hoping to get some fondling time with the Canon EOS 40D and squeeze off some shots and maybe get my Canon version of the infamous Shutter sound burst Video.

My hopes were all dashed and then some.

Arriving at Canon I looked around to find a 40D on display fitted with and EF-S 17-85mm IS kit lens. Situated right above the 40D were a brand new 400D and a Speeelite 580EX II flash unit. This alone gave me goose bumps as the substantial size difference and heft of the 40D tempted me even more to ask for a hands-on. The guy at the counter called for some one from the Back office to answer some question from customers that were there before me. Once they finished I hit him with my request.

True or lie I cannot say, I was told that the 40D sits behind a glass cabinet that only the showroom manager, who by the way was out, had the keys to. Being so convenient to ward off would be fondlers raised an eyebrow of mine. Knowing that I cannot demand a hands-on I submitted to the fact that my fingers will not fondle the 40D today.

That was a stark difference from the treatment I got at Nikon! Well to be fair, he might have been telling the truth but to deny a customer that has clearly come to try out a product flat out is cruel!

Next was the inevitable Question, "how much does it cost?"
I was not that shocked but the answer left a bitter after taste.

The 40D is a mid range DSLR so nothing comes cheap. On amazon you can get it with a kit lens for USD1300 (little less than JD900). Canon's asking price was a whopping JD1500 (not including TAX I was told) making it around JD1750. Although I think he misquoted since I remember that it was advertised on a weekly Ad paper as JD 1500 tax included.

Now assume it is JD1500 which is around USD 2100 let's do the math!
2100- 1300= USD 800 which is about 550 JD is the price difference!!

I know DSLRs are not necessities and are absolutely a luxury item, but this is way over priced.
I don't believe neither Customs, TAX or Shipping can cover all of this price difference.
Asking the next logical question "Why on earth is it that more expensive?" I got the usual "but you get to have our service and warranty". Well Mr. Canon rep. you can take that "service and warranty" and ..... (creative ending added here).

I know that anybody who has been abroad will be spoilt with the better prices over there, so this comparing game is not really meaningful. Yet sometimes one cannot help but feel like it is a highway robbery.
In the end I came to the conclusion I read on another local blog, that if you want to invest in photography as a hobby (or any other hobby) then buy your equipment anywhere but here!
As much as I want to buy local, I don't want to be ripped off!