Comments

GlennChan wrote on 8/18/2009, 10:05 PM
Some places to try:
Codes Pro Media
Tapeworks
*When dealing with these two, be aware that they might try to quote you higher. There's probably a reason why they no longer list pricing on their websites.

eBay (but only ship USPS; UPS and Fedex charge excessive brokerage fees; you'll need to pay tax plus $5 or $8 for brokerage... $8 if it was shipped fast).

Factory Direct also seems to have good prices... but some things about them are sketchy.

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It's too bad some American retailers like tapestockonline.com don't ship USPS... they have some great prices.
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 6:16 AM
I just called the tapeworks. They quoted for Panasonic 63 min pro grade: $3.25/per tape for a quantity of 50 or 100.
I've been watching some sales on Ebay but it's the shipping and import taxes that end up killing you.
rs170a wrote on 8/19/2009, 6:36 AM
Try Western Imperial Magnetics in B.C.
They have Panasonic DV - 63 MIN. PQ (DVM63PQ) for $3.75 ea. with price breaks at 10 and 50 units.

Mike
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 6:39 AM
Thanks Mike...
I guess this is the price point I should expect eh?
Between $3.25 - $3.75.
I haven't had to buy them in this kind of bulk before but I suppose it's an average price.
rs170a wrote on 8/19/2009, 7:29 AM
L8R, I' m not sure if that's a good price or not.
I'm on vacation this week or I'd see what the price was from my regular supplier.
I know they stock the Panasonic brand as that's what I've been using for several years.
Give them a call and see what their prices are like.

VCR Video Warehouse Inc.
110-215 Carlingview Dr
Etobicoke, ON
M9W 5X8
(416) 798-8284
Toll Free: (800) 267-6472

Mike
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 7:49 AM
Mike, Thanks a bunch! I will for sure give them a call. Thanks, enjoy that vacation!
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 7:56 AM
No Panasonics in stock right now but has the Maxell comparable to them. $3.10/tape. That's the cheapest so far.
Free shipping for any order over $150.
Thanks again.
rs170a wrote on 8/19/2009, 8:38 AM
L8R, it's probably just me but I've never been a big fan of Maxell tapes.
YMMV.

Mike
Tom Pauncz wrote on 8/19/2009, 8:53 AM
L8R,
Not sure where you're located, but my supplier, Vistek, downtown Toronto, has it listed on their website at $18.95 for box of 5. My salesperson would likely give you a price break if I recommend you. Let me know.
Tom
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 9:11 AM
Hey Tom,
I've been to that vistek a few times, the Mississauga location is closer now so I go there. They've take a lot of my money.

That's still $3.79/tape - max mind you.
If he can beat $3.10/tape, that's cheaper than the cheapest price I've got so far.
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 9:13 AM
YMMV - ?
So far the only ones I've used in large quantities is the tdk's from costco.
rs170a wrote on 8/19/2009, 9:50 AM
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary.
I've been using the Panasonic brand since I started shooting with miniDV tape and have never had any problems.
With TDK & Maxell, I've had periodic dropouts.

Mike
L8R wrote on 8/19/2009, 10:10 AM
I haven't experienced any problems with the with the TDK's on the tape them selves but I have had a few issues with black frames in transfer from time to time.
GlennChan wrote on 8/19/2009, 12:09 PM
I just called the tapeworks. They quoted for Panasonic 63 min pro grade: $3.25/per tape for a quantity of 50 or 100.
Is that their cheapest brand and cheapest grade of tape? You might also tell them what US prices for mini DV tape is and see what they can do for you. Remember, these guys may try to quote you higher if they can get away with it.
e.g. Tape stock online is selling sony mini DVs for USD$2.20/tape + shipping. Exchange rate is 1.10ish or so, you might eat 3% on the exchange rate (depends on the spread, which varies).
http://www.tapestockonline.com/sonyminidv.html
They don't ship USPS though last time I checked (years ago). So that's probably a no go. Though i hear the fastest UPS charges no brokerage (you still pay tax). But that's the ballpark price you should be paying. Canada strikes me as a backwater of price controls... it's ridiculous.

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Factory Direct seems to have mini DVs for $3/tape
http://www.factorydirect.ca/catalog/product_spec.php?pcode=JV0060

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eBay is a great place to look though I don't have time to sift through it.
Tom Pauncz wrote on 8/19/2009, 12:29 PM
L8R,
He may. Give me a call and I'll give you his name. My number's on my website.
He's not there (Queen St E store) Thursdays..
Tom

PS.. I am with Mike. Used nothing else but the Panasonics over the past 10 years and never a problem. But then I only ever use a tape once.
[r]Evolution wrote on 8/21/2009, 9:13 AM
Curious... why must it be Canadian?
(shipping costs? tax?)
L8R wrote on 9/10/2009, 6:47 AM
exactly sync... you get dinged with import tax and GST, also the exchange and shipping. I may as well buy them from futureshop by the time you factor all the crap in.