Unfortunately, we can now confirm the price change rumor we posted earlier this week. Canon will strictly enforce their “Minimum Advertised Price”, or MAP, starting April. We expect to see the listed price at all stores go up to MAP. We’re told that the usual “add to cart” trick will not be permitted.

This would explain the recent spike in great deals as stores rush to clear inventory at low prices.

MAP does not prevent a retailer from selling below the advertised price. However, in our experience, it keeps prices high as retailers are not openly offering deals and competing against one another.

This is the third attempt at MAP enforcement from Canon. The previous two lasted several months each, with good deals being extremely rare during those periods. We don’t know how long this new strict MAP enforcement will last.

At this time we recommend purchasing at the current low after-rebate, refurb, or deal prices.

• The mail-in rebate ends Saturday, March 29th.
• The Canon refurbished sale ends Saturday, March 29th.
• Various other deals are going on this week, for example the 5D Mark III for $2675.
• Sign-up for a specific item notification on CanonPriceWatch.
  Occasionally we will have special deals and group buys.
• Feel free to contact us and we can always help find you a deal.

A reminder that this is the last week for Canon’s mail-in rebate: of up to $200 off twenty different L-lenses. Purchases must be dated March 29th or before to be eligible for the rebate.

We have also heard that a “price adjustment” (and not the good kind) will happen a few days after the rebate period ends. At this time we recommend purchases during the current rebate or refurb sale as it may be the lowest prices that we’ll see for a while. We’ll provide more details as we hear…

We list the lenses, the rebate amount, and after-rebate prices below. Some of the lenses (in bold) are great deals as the price is close to the very low prices that we saw last year! There have been a few double-dips (even a triple-dip) but no major movements on prices during this month.

• $150 off EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM: $1398 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 17-40mm f/4L USM: $732 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $200 off EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM: $1799 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $200 off EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM: $1199 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $200 off EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II: $2159 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM: $1333 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $150 off EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM: $1148 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $80 off EF 70-200mm f/4L USM: $563.99 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $200 off EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM: $1229 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $200 off EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM: $1349 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $150 off EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM: $2084 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $150 off EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM: $1518 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 35mm f/1.4L USM: $1229 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $150 off EF 50mm f/1.2L USM: $1469 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $150 off EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM: $2039 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 135mm f/2.0L USM: $989 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $50 off EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM: $719 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM: $1219 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 400mm f/5.6L USM: $1169 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)
• $100 off EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: $933 AR (B&H, Adorama, Amazon)

Here’s a link to the mail-in rebate form. Just like previous rebates, the rebate is given in the form of an AMEX gift card, which can be refunded to a check on demand. Recent Canon mail-in rebates have been highly reliable.

The Canon Direct Store sale was just restocked! They are offering 20% off refurbished bodies, lenses, and flashes, unfortunately excluding the 5D Mark III, 6D, and 1D-X.

Here are some of the hottest deals in the restock:

• Speedlite 600EX-RT for $351.99
• EF 50mm f/1.4 USM for $255.99
• EF 85mm f/1.8 USM for $268.79
• EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM for $1471.36 SOLD OUT (set notification)
• EF 200mm f/2L IS USM for $3839.36 SOLD OUT (set notification)
• EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM for $563.19 SOLD OUT (set notification)
• Extender EF 2x III for $319.99 SOLD OUT (set notification)
• EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM for $415.99 SOLD OUT (set notification)

As with previous sales, these items will likely sell out within minutes. Remember, refurbs come with a one-year Canon warranty, and you can get free group shipping with coupon “SHIP14FF”.

You can see what else is in stock on the CanonPriceWatch Refurbished Stock Tracker. If the item you are interested in is still not in stock, or sold out, please sign-up for a specific notification on that item (click the ‘Notify’ buttons on the tracker page).