I didn't get that deal either, but the concept worked the same, even though I paid $1185 at the time at Best Buy on January 2nd. After that, I bought lightly used ones at $500-600 to get the W323 P3P with old motors for the better video output from the aircraft. Ultimately, I was able to exchange the W323A $1185 one towards a P4 at Best Buy and got a price match to the DJI two extra battery P4 bundle price, as well.
I operate in Canadian Dollars. Here, all our retail stores sell for approx the same price. Apple, Henry's, BestBuy and Staples all sell for $1379 + 13% tax = $1558. Drones Plus and other Hobby shops sell for a little higher - $1399 to $1449. Saw one on Amazon for $1299 + tax and that was the absolute lowest I could find for retail.
Craigslist has a number of individuals selling used P3Ps at various prices in conditions from "good" to "like new" or "mint". A few retailers advertise there too at $1379 + tax. The used ones are often bundled with cases and extra batteries.
I found a guy who was selling one he had received as a gift and it was actually new. Still factory sealed. He was asking $1200 (no tax). He was selling it because he already had one so I convinced him to keep the battery and give it to me for $1000 - no tax. So I ended up saving $558 over retail and still got a brand new bird (minus the battery). That's about 35% less. I already have 3 batteries (plus 2 aftermarket we won't discuss here) so I was happy to give up the battery in exchange for an extra $200 off.
$1558 Canadian - the cheapest retail cost with sales tax included is $1228 US at the interbank exchange rate.
$1000 Canadian is $788 US. I didn't get the battery, but I did get all the other accessories - (charger, props, remote control). 2 months ago I sold an extra P3A I had for $1000 - so this was a steal compared to what else was on the market. I can probably use this until DJI replaces my crashed unit and then still sell this for the same $1000 I paid for it! And if I'm ever able to recover the Phantom at the bottom of the lake - I'm reasonably sure I'll be able to salvage the 4K circuit board and get at least $200 for it. Any other parts I'm able to dry out and salvage will be great to keep on hands as spares.
Even if I don't find it myself. If some fisherman ever hooks on to it and pulls it up - it's got my name and number on it and it offers a reward - so I'll probably get a call - but if that's what happens, I'll be unlikely to salvage anything more than the shell from it since the fisherman is not likely going to know to take quick action on the dry out and it will probably sit on the floor of his boat corroding for a week before he calls.
My submarine arrives on the 14th. It may help me find it a but I shant wait. This weekend I'm going to hire some kids to snorkel in the area and see if they can find it for me. More than any salvage value. I'm very curious to see if all 4 props are intact!
