Not many have noticed as yet

[gstark]

But I've removed the bargains page from the site.

Because Poon has changed his busness model, it's proven to be no longer practical for me to do the bargains. As I've just changed the server and hosting, I decided to remove the facility.

Basically, Poon is just doing mail order now. My understanding is that he's not doing much on his ebay store any more either. A couple of weeks ago, when I last chatted with him, he told me that he's no longer selling lenses via the internet, and it's been over two years since I last got a full price list from him, despite numerous requests for one.

He's told me that I should email for a current price, item by item. Sadly, that;s a lot of work at my end, and especially so when it takes several emails from me before I get a response. I simply don;t have that time to expend.

As a part of that recent conversation, he mentioned that he's about to open a second store in HKG, but the stock in those stores is his lighting and accessories, and not bodies and lenses. He's currently in Photokina, I believe, with about 13 people on his two stands.

This is all all good stuff for him, and I think that it's great that he's doing well, but it's my belief that our members - you - are more interested in buying glass and bodies.

Sadly, I think we've reached the end of that road.

[Reschsmooth]

I noticed but figured it was part of life and not simply an omission.

[aim54x]

I am glad to hear that Poon is doing well. I am sure many will miss the prices that he can get for us, but all good things come to an end.

[rookie2]

I had noticed but similarly thought things had slowed down a fair bit in that area with a lot of local competition. A few people no doubt would be looking again now with the old pacific peso gaining ground!

Anyway, hats off to you Gary for all the years of communicating, updating, negotiating, haggling and mediating that you have done on behalf of members. Many of us benefitted from Poons (and Birdies?) support for the forum with gear that will always hold its value!

More time to get out and take pics Gary!

cheers
R2

[biggerry]

yeah noticed, but quite frankly, don't care - I think forum associated sales/orgs is a prickly beast Phottix are advertising their accessories pretty heavily now so it only makes sense that this is more of core business then a few sales thru a forum. Hksupplies site seems dead also.

[Critter]

I am in a much more secure financial position compared to when I started on this site a few years ago, so am not really bothered by losing the service that Gary and Poon provided, but I would like to say thank you to Gary for helping out so many people get access to great bargains over the past few years. You have done a great job with the couple of purchases I made, and it is clear that many others also appreciated your help!

Well done, and thanks!

[photograham]

Gary, many thanks for doing all of the organising of our bargains with Poon in the past. I did take advantage of the special offers given to us forum members several times, so again, special thanks for all of that.

[the foto fanatic]

Yep, the earth has rotated and the season has changed.

With the PP at around 95c to the US dollar, BH Photo, Amazon and the other US internet stores will be very competitive.

Thanks to Gary and the forum for providing this feature for us whilst it was viable.

[ozczecho]

The end of an era...I only bought a couple of things but the service was always 1st class.

Thank you Gary for providing it for so long.

[surenj]

Yes noticed. I did buy the Golden Eagle from poon and it is still flying.

Thanks Gary for going to be the trouble to make the special pricing available. All the best to Poon for his future. [Phottix is looking good atm]

[Alex]

Yep. I noticed it. It is sad, but good for Poon. Thanks Gary and Poon for making it available in the past.

Cheers
Alex

[radar]

Thanks Gary for the update and for your help with facilitating purchases with Poon. I've done a few purchases myself and certainly was very grateful with your efforts.

Good luck to Poon, sounds like he is doing very well with Phottix. PS: one of the reason a lot of people may not have noticed is that when going to the www.dslrusers.com it takes me (assume others too) to the board index instead of the Portal page where the bargains were prominent.

[ATJ]

I hadn't noticed that the Bargains section was missing, but I had assume from previous discussions that it had effectively ceased so am not at all surprised.

It was great when it was around but it isn't the reason to hang around on DSLRUsers.

Thanks to Gary and Poon for the bargains we did manage to get.

[ozczecho]

PS: one of the reason a lot of people may not have noticed is that when going to the http://www.dslrusers.com it takes me (assume others too) to the board index instead of the Portal page where the bargains were prominent.

..and I thought it was my browser history that got screwed up somehow. Personally, I prefer the old home page "Portal", as I can see POW and also posts unread and news.

[gstark]

PS: one of the reason a lot of people may not have noticed is that when going to the http://www.dslrusers.com it takes me (assume others too) to the board index instead of the Portal page where the bargains were prominent.

Yep.

That happened when I changed the server, but I don't understand why. I'm wanting to upgrade the forum software to the latest version, but I'm also working on four other private projects as well, plus work, plus my radio stuff.

So I'm just a little bit busy. Hopefully by the long weekend ...

[radar]

Wasn't trying to hurry you along, just a general comment. Sounds like you have your hands full, which is always good

cheers,

André

[barry]

I too have noticed but I must say it was sometime that I expected given previous posts.

I also noticed entry via the Index page. Can we get entry via the Portal page back?

[gstark]

Wasn't trying to hurry you along, just a general comment.

André,

I certainly didn't take your comment as anything other than a general comment or observation.

Barry,

Please refer to my post a couple of messages above yours. I'm working on it.

[barry]

Sorry Gary, I read this post earlier this morning and missed your post when I replied.

[gstark]

Sorry Gary, I read this post earlier this morning and missed your post when I replied.

Not a problem.

[Willy wombat]

As mentioned - It was great when it was around (I bought a bit of gear from here) but its not the main reason I come here!

Thanks for offering the service whilst it was around though Gary/Bridy/Poon/and all those others that have been involved.

[petermmc]

I noticed. I think I have checked the bargains page more over the years than I have looked at posts. When I can't work out what the Australian Dollar is doing I checked the bargains page as it usually reflected those fluctuations. It didn't argue, it didn't have strong opinions and it was always willing to admit its mistakes. Imagine what a week it would have this week with the Aus dollar heading towards parity. I have purchased a few beauties over the years: My Sigma 10-20, A 50mm 1.4, A SB900Flash, and other bits and pieces. Sadly it is gone but the memories are still there.

Thanks Gary. It has been an amazing service that you have provided. I personally appreciate the time, effort and friendly responses you have given me while using bargains....now where can I get a cheap 300 F4.

Peter Mc