Ilford P3 chemical prices in Australia

[ras351]

Hi All,

I've just come back from a visit to the local camera store to order some Ilfochrome P3 bleach and was given a bit of a shock on the local Australian price. I have been using P30 chemicals but in an attempt to gain more control over the process have decided to mix my own variable contrast developer and fixer meaning I'd only need to source the bleach from Ilford. As a side effect I figured it'd probably be cheaper as well but I'm no longer sure that's the case. After checking the B&H site for US prices the P30 kit sells for US$42 versus AU$66 here which is a reasonable comparison. What makes me wonder what's happening is the P3 bleach (20 litre) sells for US$54 but here costs AU$175!!! It'd still probably work out cheaper but by nowhere near as much as if I lived in the US. Does anybody know why P3 components are so expensive here by comparison? Given the chemicals would have to be originally shipped from the UK anyway I can't see how shipping costs would be that different.

Roger.

[Maine-iac]

Hi All,

I've just come back from a visit to the local camera store to order some Ilfochrome P3 bleach and was given a bit of a shock on the local Australian price. I have been using P30 chemicals but in an attempt to gain more control over the process have decided to mix my own variable contrast developer and fixer meaning I'd only need to source the bleach from Ilford. As a side effect I figured it'd probably be cheaper as well but I'm no longer sure that's the case. After checking the B&H site for US prices the P30 kit sells for US$42 versus AU$66 here which is a reasonable comparison. What makes me wonder what's happening is the P3 bleach (20 litre) sells for US$54 but here costs AU$175!!! It'd still probably work out cheaper but by nowhere near as much as if I lived in the US. Does anybody know why P3 components are so expensive here by comparison? Given the chemicals would have to be originally shipped from the UK anyway I can't see how shipping costs would be that different.

Roger.

Just a guess: could it be due to your government having some sort of regulation or extra tariff on certain caustic chemicals? P-3 is much more caustic than P-30 (I believe it's sulfuric acid). You're right that the shipping costs shouldn't make that much difference.

Larry

[Neal]

Dear Roger,

It is also possible that B&H is still selling older stock and has not raised prices after receiving a new shipment. Of course presonally, I hope that isn't the case.<g>

Neal Wydra

[ras351]

Thanks for the responses. I was wondering if shipping was an issue but it appears, at least here, that the P30 kits and the P3 components have the same safety related shipping limitations - domestically they both have to be surface shipped with appropriate labels. I was also wondering about the B&H pricing but haven't really decided if the P30 price is too expensive or the P3 price is too cheap. I'll keep my fingers crossed they don't read this message Neal.

I did however ask my friendly local camera store person to ask Ilford Australia about the difference and they were given the usual non-committal response. Although I think the Ilford rep may have squirmed a bit there wasn't any logic behind the price difference and I suspect they simply don't have the same markup on the P30 kits as the P3 components. Why will probably remain one of lifes mysteries.

Roger.

[boyooso]

I am an ilford dealer in USA.

I suspect one of two things.

Either the camera store you are buying it from is marking it up more, which can be because of their shipping costs or other issue or it costs Ilford Aus. to get it from Switzerland.

I have in a pinch had to get P3 bleach form a secondary source and I had to pay US$25 extra to have it shipped :-)

Good Luck,

Corey