My article on the Nikon instant rebate program and lack of accessories on new products (see below) seems to have hit a nerve. Actually, a bunch of nerves. I've gotten quite a few emails about it, both from customers and retailers.
First, I need to make one thing clear: I wasn't suggesting that B&H was doing anything unusual or untoward. Just the opposite, as a matter of fact. I was just using them as an example of how the whole MAP thing was supposed to work. I monitor them fairly closely and talk with them regularly, so I know their numbers as well as any, which is why I used them as an example. B&H is actually doing what Nikon asked them to do.
Surprisingly, I've heard from a lot of dealers. I can tell you that they don't like this new Nikon rebate program. They pay for stuff up front, sell it to you for a discount imposed by Nikon, apparently have to participate in an advertising program to get the rebates, then have to file absolutely pristine paperwork to get their share of the rebate back (they don't get US$300) in 60 days or more. Essentially, NikonUSA is getting a loan from your dealer, and at good terms. Given the economy at the moment, putting monetary pressure on dealers is not a smart thing for a manufacturer to do. The manufacturer just might find they have fewer dealers and lower volume when all is said and done.
Meanwhile, potential customers wrote to me saying that they couldn't find a dealer who knew about any deal on the 16-85mm. Keep looking. Some dealers may not be offering it simply because they don't have any (or low) stock on this popular lens. A few might have overlooked the change in the program. Just remember that for the dealer to get any money back from Nikon (after giving you the discount out of their pocket) that the D300 and lens have to be on the same invoice. Put another way: you need to buy them at the same time.