Olympus America announces OM-D E-M5 free accessory rebate promotion

[Four Thirds User editorial team]

After the UK initiative of a limited time introductory offer of a free HLD-6 battery grip for early adopters of the OM-D E-M5, Olympus America has revealed its own promotional rebate scheme.

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[s4ean]

Pales in comparison to the HLD-6 battery grip... it's an item more significant to the handling and ergonomics of the body than any other Olympus Body (digital) that came before it in my opinion.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by s4ean

Pales in comparison to the HLD-6 battery grip... it's an item more significant to the handling and ergonomics of the body than any other Olympus Body (digital) that came before it in my opinion.

On one hand I agree, but on the other hand a lot of folks would argue that the price in the US is lower to start with, so Olympus in the US had less margin to give away.

Ian

[hschnee]

The MMF-3 sells here for $180 (pre-order price), so it's still a very significant savings. Combine that with the lower price we pay compared to our European friends and it's a great deal, IMO. I'm grateful for the rebate!

- Hal -

[gorgejeff]

Does anyone know if the Amazon is considered an authorized Olympus dealer/reseller? I had the OMD-E5 w/ the 12-50 lens on pre-order, but cancelled when I heard about the rebate. I will re-purchase on 4/1 if they are considered an authorized dealer...

[Hans]

Don't know, but I think I remember the rep saying that the "free goodies" would only be available in stores or from Olympus directly (remember the taxes you pay). Considering tax, that would reduce the price of the "goodie" by about half. Were they "giving away" the grip, I might go for it, but I guess I'll stay where I am and not lose my place in line, unless our brick and mortar gets them first and has one for sale. Right now, I have a hard time rationalizing the freebies in the US.
As far as the Euro price being more (without checking), I might guess the price difference is the price of the grip...

[hschnee]

Originally Posted by Hans

Don't know, but I think I remember the rep saying that the "free goodies" would only be available in stores or from Olympus directly (remember the taxes you pay). Considering tax, that would reduce the price of the "goodie" by about half. Were they "giving away" the grip, I might go for it, but I guess I'll stay where I am and not lose my place in line, unless our brick and mortar gets them first and has one for sale. Right now, I have a hard time rationalizing the freebies in the US.
As far as the Euro price being more (without checking), I might guess the price difference is the price of the grip...

Reduced by half? What state has a 50% sales tax?

The offer does not apply to brick and mortar stores only. Many online retailers (including Amazon.com) are authorized dealers. You can find the complete list on the Olympus America website here: http://olympusamerica.com/files/oima...sRetailers.pdf

- Hal -

[Hans]

Well, let's see...
The camera is 1K. our state has a 7.5% tax, that's 75 bucks, half of the price of the adaptor.
Far as the other part, just what the rep said...haven't seen anything from Amazon saying they will offer the goodies. Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong about anything though.

[hschnee]

The rebate is a mail-in offer. Download the form from the Olympus America website, and then mail in the form and a copy of your receipt. They require both the camera and the accessory to appear on the same receipt. Then wait several weeks for the rebate check from Olympus. The retailer doesn't have to provide anything special--they just have to be an authorized Olympus dealer.

As for the sales tax, legally one is required to pay it whether the item is purchased online or from a store down the street. It's just a matter of whether the retailer takes care of it, or if you pay it when you file your annual state tax return.

- Hal -

[mhobart]

Originally Posted by Hans

Don't know, but I think I remember the rep saying that the "free goodies" would only be available in stores or from Olympus directly (remember the taxes you pay). Considering tax, that would reduce the price of the "goodie" by about half. Were they "giving away" the grip, I might go for it, but I guess I'll stay where I am and not lose my place in line, unless our brick and mortar gets them first and has one for sale. Right now, I have a hard time rationalizing the freebies in the US.
As far as the Euro price being more (without checking), I might guess the price difference is the price of the grip...

UK prices for the cameras are 1:1 to US prices in numeric amounts. Using the current exchange rate it means that the UK price is 59% higher (in dollars) than the US price. The UK also has a national 20% Value Added Tax (VAT, a national sales tax) while the US generally does not have an online sales tax. Thus the U.K. costs are much, much higher.