Photocraig

I was visiting my local Camera shop, Gordon's Photo in Reno, NV. Yes, we're lucky to have them. After I picked up my Rain Sleeve and stepper ring, I asked to see a Canon 80D--just to stoke my GAS engine. The salesman said that they didn't have many cameras because shipping was delayed from the factories for two reasons, the Fukushima Earthquake damaged semiconductor factories and the Hanjin Shipping Bankruptcy. Apparently, he said, many ships with a lot of Electronics and camera freight are anchored off shore not unloading it, for fear that the vessels would be seized by creditors, I'm guessing. I looked over the normally well stocked shelves and saw very few red and white Canon boxes, nor were there many gold Nikon boxes, or Pentax either.

This is the first I have heard of this issue. While the Hanjin troubles have headlined the business news for nearly a year, inventory impact had not surfaced so far as I have read. I also thought that the Semiconductor supply chain was, by now, up to date. If this is the case, I bet this will ripple further and could become a Holiday Sales issue this year. But I have a nagging doubt that is the correct story since I had not heard more about this here. And we know our fellow Hoggers, especially the severely GAS afflicted would certainly comment (perhaps, even, complain). If it IS true, this could put the final dagger into the hearts of many of the remaining full service Camera Stores we have in the country.

Has anybody else heard this story?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Production problems from Fukishima have long been overcome. Currently sensor production has been affected by the more recent Kumimura (Sp?) earthquake, but that factory has been up and running for almost a month now. And neither earthquake directly affected Canon sensors as they are not made in those regions.
The Hanjin bankruptcy however has slowed shipments from China and Hong Kong as the unexpected filing left thousands of containers of product sitting on docks and already loaded on ships and all cargo was embargoed at that time. I have read that hundreds of containers of product is still embargoed and may be until next spring. There are many Hanjin affiliated ships that are anchored offshore for the very reasons cited by your local dealer, they are afraid they may not be allowed to go back to sea due to creditor seizure.
Other shippers have also slowed their shipping times and will not let partially loaded ships sail because of the rate wars that have been going on for a few years now, only FULLY loaded container ships are sailing and that can mean extended delays awaiting enough cargo to fill a particular ship depending upon its final destination.

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Wonder if there will be any kind of problems from the cameras sitting so long at the docks?.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, this bankruptcy was big news a few weeks ago because Hanjin did so much shipping, and other companies will have to take up the slack - somehow. With Christmas looming on the horizon, this could pose a problem for stores - both online and in town.

whitewolfowner

I was going to comment on this exact issue. If they are sitting on boats or on the docks for weeks on end, the salt from the water will eventually seep into them and start destroying them. I read an article a few years ago and one of the biggest arguments against the international warranties is that sometime the items can sit on ships for long periods of times and receive damage from the salt in the air. Now we have to worry about this for years on end; same as the flood damage to cars from the tsunami a few years ago.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"If they are sitting on boats or on the docks for weeks on end, the salt from the water will eventually seep into them and start destroying them. "

I got a new Panasonic camera last summer. I think I remember that the box itself was plastic wrapped. Every piece inside was sealed in plastic. There were desiccant pouches in the sealed bags. The only air near the camera and it's parts during shipping came from where they were sealed inside their respective bags.

The real danger to my camera comes when I take it places!

whitewolfowner

Those pouches only work os long; eventually they get saturated. And the air does get inside those plastic wraps; they are not air tight sealed.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I too broke to buy anything but a cheap monopod right now. So, it doesn't really matter.

whitewolfowner

Bu it could effect the used market for years as people buy these pieces. realize there is something wrong with them and dishonestly sell them to get their money back. I'm like, no money to buy right now, but there are many out there waiting to buy. That equipment can sit on store stock for years (in some cases) and the used market fr years to come. So, sooner or later, unless you never shoo again, it could land one of them in your bag.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

My husband deals in the shipping industry and the stories about Hanjin are valid. There are many ships around the world waiting to be offloaded. They don't want to dock because the creditors will grab the ships right away. When you owe billions of dollars, you expect these problems. I'm sure there are tons of cameras waiting for good adoptive homes.

Photocraig

Notice I only bought a few sundries for the same reason.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

That is the most negative, pessimistic and sour attitude I can imagine. I hope there are elements of photography that you find fun, exciting and rewarding enough to risk the occasional purchase of the currently amazing gear!

I refuse to let Hanjin interfere with my version of life!

Bill

whitewolfowner

It is not a negative attitude but reality. Us older generation have seen things like this in the past and know the consequences it can cause down the road for years. If you are smart, you will take note of this event and take diligent caution when buying gear that could have been involved in this hold out of affected gear or you may find you have expensive equipment that rots from the inside out on you. Remember the scamming that was done by dishonest people and insurance companies several years ago with cars that went through the floods? Maybe you were just young enough to not be aware of it? Or do you forget so easily and quickly?