Started reading this thread as I'm having a bit of a sleepless night, and became intrigued by the whole subject. Re the how can they do it for the price, are we being ripped off by the official UK suppliers etc. topic, I've just done a bit of research on the two camera brands I own and found this 'interesting'.
Admittedly Fuji UK are running a promotion at the moment, but at present a X-T1 with the full UK warranty can be bought for £830 from any of the big suppliers, whereas Panamoz, who appear to be one of the cheapest, want £740, 89% of the 'official' UK price, even without the promotion the ratio is 80%.
However with Nikon the big suppliers, supplied through Nikon UK, want £1,800 for the D750 and £2,400 for the D810. Panamoz prices are £1,240 and £1,750 which are, respectively, 69% and 73% of the 'official' UK price.
The conclusion that I have drawn from this is that in the case of the Fuji X-T1 it could well be that, as some have suggested, that something is being done to minimise or avoid payment of the VAT. However in the case of the Nikon cameras, even if something is being done to minimise or avoid payment of the VAT. they are being bought by the suppliers at prices some 10 to 15% lower than the cameras supplied to retailers by Nikon UK.