Hi. I just received an email from an authorized PANASONIC DEALEAR in Panama, where I live, offering a HVX200 with two 4GB P2 cards for only $5,489. To apply for this offer you have to confirm the order before October 31st, 2005.

I called the guy, I know him, and he answered back to me and confirmed it. He said that he didn't send this before, because it was last night that it was confirmed.

He said I could put a $500 down payment and the rest to be paid when the camera is released and arrive.

The price is F.O.B. Miami, so in my case I can send my sister to pick it up and bring it to me. The cameras are fully guaranteed, and they are authorized service for Panasonic.

Now, believe me, this is not fishy. Panasonic's headquarters for Latin America are here in Panama, and for years this guy have a big billboard with the words "PANASONIC AUTHORIZED SERVICE" and the PANASONIC logo on it.
So, this is not a scam.
What do you think? Should I sell my old car and buy it now? Or is it basically a preview of how much the camera will really cost with both cards when it comes out? - nowhere near the $10,000 mark.

-EDWIN

First off, a reminder of our policy regarding where to buy -- in fairness to the authorized dealers who sponsor this site, DV Info Net always urges our readers to buy from our site sponsors (see link in my sig). The only dealers we discuss and promote are our site sponsors.

Second, I would advise against a U.S. customer buying a camcorder from out of the country. Or a European customer or an Australian customer for that matter buying outside of their respective countries. In the long run, this creates more trouble than it's worth.

Third, it's nowhere near the $10K price because it's including a pair of 4GB cards, not the 8GB cards that will be packaged with the $10K version. See http://www.p2info.net/articles/misc/p2cardcaps.php.

Finally, the requirement of a downpayment of $500 sends up a red flag in my book. Why not just buy from our site sponsors... EVS, Zotz, B&H... and avoid that hassle. Somebody who is "trying to save a few bucks" is approaching this kind of purchase the wrong way in my opinion.

Sorry but since this refers to a dealer outside of our site sponsors, I have to close this thread early. Anybody who wants to pursue this deal on their own is welcome to do so via Google or some other site outside of DV Info Net. Thanks,

Hey Chris... I didn't knew that my question could be a hassle for the sponsor of DVINFO.NET. I understand it now, and I apologize for it.
-EDWIN