Store or Online vendors

[sid369]

Hey everyone.

I am planning to buy the canon S3 IS and have found different prices from differnet vendors. Since I am investing $$$ I would want to know from you guys should I buy from a reputable store like best buy,costco,fry's where if something goes wromg I can go to the store and have it replaced or returned or buy it online from bhphoto, newegg etc. where I will have to shipp it back to them. also if I buy it from best buy they have a service plan for around $80 should I buy that plan to protect the investment. Buying from best buy,costco etc would be more expensive than the online vendors.

Ktixx has a list of vendors good and bad and that has been helpful in narrowing my search of where to buy the camera from, but I need to know the pros and the cons of buying it from good online vendors or vendors who have stores. Also I don't know if the online vendors have a protection plan like best buy has.

Please suggest

[ktixx]

Online - if purchased from the right store - is perfectly safe, the reason why online gets a bad name is because it offers an opportunity for "shady dealings". Companies like B&H have excellent customer service departments and they are also a brick and mortar store, so you have nothing to worry about. As an added note - you can purchase a MACK warranty from most online retailers that is basically the same thing as the retail (best buy/Circuit city) warranty (a 5 year MACK warranty that covers parts and labor is $50.00 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=153171&is=REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detail&addedTroughValue=425379_REG)). I always inform new camera purchasers that you can add your equipment to your homeowners/renters insurance. I have all of my equipment (valued at around $4,000) on my insurance policy and it costs me about $20 a year. If my gear ever gets stolen, or broken or anything I can put a claim into my insurance company for a complete refund of what i paid. This may not be your best option as the cost/benefit of putting a claim into your insurance company may be reduced because of the increase in premium, but it is something to think about...
Overall - if you purchase from a RELIABLE online dealer you have the same customer service as if you purchased from a Circuit City, Best Buy or other Brick and Mortar business.
Good Luck with your purchase!
Ken

[sid369]

Hey Ktixx,

Do you know if you can buy the camera from one of the onlone vendors who have good ratings and reviews, and then buy the MACK warranty from somewhere else. I read somehwere that MACK are having problems and that their service is taking longer than usual.

I saw a good deal for the S3 from buydig with the Mack warranty, which comes to around $450. and bestbuy the deal with a warranty comes to around $550. With best buy I can go to tthe store and give tyo them if something goes wrong, but then again the price difference is too much. I am confused I don't know what should I do.

[ktixx]

Hey Ktixx,

Do you know if you can buy the camera from one of the onlone vendors who have good ratings and reviews, and then buy the MACK warranty from somewhere else. I read somehwere that MACK are having problems and that their service is taking longer than usual.

I saw a good deal for the S3 from buydig with the Mack warranty, which comes to around $450. and bestbuy the deal with a warranty comes to around $550. With best buy I can go to tthe store and give tyo them if something goes wrong, but then again the price difference is too much. I am confused I don't know what should I do.

To be honest with you I am not the guy to ask - I don't buy warranty's on my products. As I said I only have my equipment covered under my personal insurance policy and I have no experiance with MACK, sorry I can't be of more help.
What I can say, is if the price difference between Best Buy and Buydig is so much why not try and get Best Buy to match the price. Tell them you want to purchase a warranty and they may work with you. I worked at a major electronics retailer for 7 years and we did this kind of thing all the time - especially if the customer was buying a warranty. Plus, I believe Buydig is actually a brick and mortar store (part of Beach Camera), so you may have some luck with this..
Ken

[Rhys]

I wouldn't touch an online store for anything that costs more than $10.

[ktixx]

I wouldn't touch an online store for anything that costs more than $10.
While I cannot fault Rhys for disliking online stores (personal preference), I can say that I have purchased thousands of dollars in equipment through numerous online transactions and I have never had a problem with an online retailer. If you do your research and read the ratings I can almost guarantee you will have a positive experience. Especially when purchasing from sites such as www.bhphotovideo.com - www.newegg.com - www.buydig.com - etc. Online is a very viable option.
Ken

[pas49ras]

Especially when purchasing from sites such as www.bhphotovideo.com - www.newegg.com - www.buydig.com - etc. Online is a very viable option.


I'll second Ken's recomendations of my 3 favorite stores....I have used all 3 many times and have always been pleased. :)

[Fred]

While I cannot fault Rhys for disliking online stores (personal preference), I can say that I have purchased thousands of dollars in equipment through numerous online transactions and I have never had a problem with an online retailer. If you do your research and read the ratings I can almost guarantee you will have a positive experience. Especially when purchasing from sites such as www.bhphotovideo.com - www.newegg.com - www.buydig.com - etc. Online is a very viable option.
Ken

My experience has been pretty much the same as yours.

[Rhys]

Until one has an experience of a specific online store then it's best to steer clear of it. Online shops go from good to dodgy in the blink of an eye. Steer especially well clear of too-good-to-be-true deals. It's not a good deal if you give them your cash and don't receive anything. There are a lot of scams going on involving Western Union payments. ebay is riddled with scam deals - probably more scam deals than real, honest deals.

[ktixx]

Until one has an experience of a specific online store then it's best to steer clear of it. Online shops go from good to dodgy in the blink of an eye. Steer especially well clear of too-good-to-be-true deals. It's not a good deal if you give them your cash and don't receive anything. There are a lot of scams going on involving Western Union payments. ebay is riddled with scam deals - probably more scam deals than real, honest deals.
Of course - if you purchase from EBAY and use a money order (absolute worst case scenario - thank you :rolleyes: ) you will have problems. But if you purchase from well know dealers with a credit card you will not have problems. The resellers (if well knows) will give you your product and if they do not (unlikely) all you have to do is report it to your credit card company.

Rhys seems to be a bit of a pessimist when it comes to online retailers - just realize that with a little bit of research and some intelligence (ie: don't shop from USA photonation and other crappy online stores) you will have a positive experience and will most likely save a good bit of money.

Ken

[peppy5]

amazon has the s3 for $356 plus tax

[RichNY]

I'm wrestling with the B&H vs. local really great camera store. If I go with the D80 they are both going to be the same price so it becomes a no-brainer. If I go with the Canon 30 there is a $300 price difference on the body alone.

With the local store I'll be getting a few hours worth of needed hand holding at the beginning and have the ability to bring in my shots for critique and assistance at any time. (They have a 26 year reputation for above and beyond customer assistance).

Even if I spent the extra $300 on the body and justified it to myself as buying some personal training, it would end up costing me at least another $1000 in expense by the time one buys a few L lenses, and Gitzo tripod.

How can quality local stores stay in business when the price differential is so incredibly large as to justify?

[henryp]

Companies like B&H have excellent customer service departments and they are also a brick and mortar store, so you have nothing to worry about. Thanks for your kind words. Much appeciated.