Update: Amazon UK started to contact customers with canceled D800 pre-orders to notify them that this was an error and all orders will be reinstated.
Today Amazon UK started canceling D800 pre-orders because Nikon has informed them that “D800 is in restricted supply” and “no longer available“. You can read the full text of the sent emails at the [NR] forum. This is even more annoying for people who pre-ordered their D800 before the UK price increase. Amazon may also have a legal reason to cancel unfulfilled pre-orders after 90 days – I read somewhere that if a seller cannot deliver the purchased goods in 90 days, the contract is void (maybe someone with a legal background can clarify that).
Other retailers have also sent emails about D800 shortages, but have not canceled any pre-orders yet:
“As you maybe aware that this particular model has been extremely well received. Nikon, therefore are currently experiencing supply shortages due to the high demand of this product and at present are unable to provide an accurate estimate of availability dates.
Whilst we are not in a position to satisfy all current orders due to this stock shortage, Nikon have provided assurances that Jessops will remain as the first retailer to receive stock allocation in the UK. We would like to thank you for your continued patience on this matter and will endeavour to keep you updated regarding stock availability.”
From Jessops UK
“Because the backlog in fulfilling these orders is unprecedented in our history we want to let you know we’re aware of your frustration. Many of you have asked for detailed order information and detailed information about when you can expect to receive your camera. Unfortunately we cannot answer these questions with the degree of specific information many requests include.
In a popular forum dedicated to digital photography a former Nikon USA sales rep wrote:
When I was a Nikon sales rep, Nikon USA absolutely did not tell dealers ahead of time how many units of any backordered product they would be allocated… So when dealers tell you that Nikon does not tell them what’s coming and when, they’re almost certainly telling the complete truth.We cannot tell you when we expect our next delivery and we cannot tell you how many that delivery will include.
We do not know. Nikon USA does not tell us. Because of this dearth of specific information we cannot predict when any individual customer’s order will be fulfilled. We share your frustration about this uncertainty and apologize for the distress it has caused some of you.We are in contact with Nikon USA daily and continue to press them to deliver as many cameras as possible to us and to do so as quickly as possible. We renew our promise to you that we will fulfill your orders in the chronological order we received them.”
From B&H