Deciding where to buy...

[Deserie]

Looking to buy a new Sony and after doing research on online company reviews I think I'm more confused than ever. US1photo.com has the lowest price, but I'm concerned about bad reviews. Anyone have experience?

I would like to buy locally, but no tax is a big savings. I'm also not real sure about the "grey" market concern- anything to worry about? I'm thinking I'll go with Amazon.com as a compromise...any advice?

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

If you're seeing bad reviews of a seller somewhere then I'd avoid them.

Grey market hasn't been a concern for me. I've saved a small fortune buying grey market from all over - Hong Kong, Japan, USA.

I miss not being able to try things in a store but then the couple times I've been in a store I've heard the salespeople giving very misleading advice.

[nikonian]

Well i like original marketed products never felt right buying a grey market product .
Some may feel lucky but i don't

i bought 90% of the gear second hand it is may way of saving money

[jcon]

Absolutely nothing wrong with Grey market. Just be sure to purchase from a safe dealer like BHPhoto or Adorama. Be carefull, there are ALOT of crooks out there!

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Absolutely nothing wrong with Grey market. Just be sure to purchase from a safe dealer like BHPhoto or Adorama. Be carefull, there are ALOT of crooks out there!

x 2 to that

[K1W1]

Anybody who buys from US1photo.com is a fool (sorry to the OP).

Look at the comments on Reselleratings;

They also have an F rating at the Better Business Bureau.

Avoid US1Camera/US1Photo! Don't believe there advertised shipping times.

TERRIBLE!! All the negative reviews are true, don't buy from these liars.

STAY AWAY - The word that comes to mind is 'cheat'.

Buyer Beware,
I shoudl have read all the reviews about this company before ordering,

After reading their reviews I called and wanted to give them a chance to explain all the negative reviews and guess what!!!! I could not even get through to them.

and it goes on and on for 57 pages!

[Flintlock1776]

I like B&H photo. Fast and I found their price competitive on the scope I bought. I'll buy from them again once I determine what DSLR I want to get soon.

[photograham]

B&H or Adorama 100%!
http://www.adsoluble.com/user/2/N.gif

[rallysman]

I stay with my local shop www.jackscamera.com

I spend a bit more but they go out of their way to make sure I'm not getting something that I don't need. They also remember me when I come in. they have a room full of used "stuff".

And they have dogs in the shop. They're cool:)

It's too bad more shops like that dont exist.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Nice website Rallysman, a good reminder it shouldn't just be about price.

[Falconest174]

I have had good luck with Amazon's secondary retailers. Cameta Camera for one has good prices and often good package deals bundling accessories with a main item. IE: tripod with a camera bag or a cleaning kit w/a lens (my case).As I live in NYS I have to pay state sales tax from businesses that have a storefront in the state. I have also bought from buy.com and my DSLR a Nikon D3000 was bought from Electronics Expo. All these from the Amazon Front end.

[zl-ed]

Well, two actually.

Ebay is another option to find major etailers stock on the secondary market like Amazon.

Another option is to combine online etailers with online rebates such as bing or ebates and stuff like that...

[tizeye]

I too have no problem with gray market which is nothing more than adverse marketing spin given to the identical item coming off the same assembly line. The biggest difference is that they don't have the warranty coverage of the distributor. Essentially, the distributor isn't going to give free repairs to an item they didn't import and profit off of initially. Unfortunately, they also tend to enforce price controls on their authorized dealers, so flip a coin on who you want to buy from.

+1 on B&H and Adorama.

The problem with B&H, Adorama and others the price difference between gray market and distributor is marginal, 5-6%, and further decrease the spead by giving free shipping on the distributor model. You essentially have to weigh warranty vs. no warranty vs. 3rd party warranty. Of course those that are 20+% cheaper, you have to wonder if they kind of fell off the back of a truck - which is what marketing wants you to define all gray market as anyway.

The biggest issue I have is when the retailer is not up front about it. For example, Newegg is a company I would place in the same trusted category as B&H, Adorama, Amazon and others I have purchased from. In fact, most components in this computer I am typing from came from Newegg as I built it. When shopping for a Nikon camera, they had a great price...but, they did not show up on Nikon's list of authorized dealers. I emailed Newegg asking that specific question and included a link to Nikon's authorized dealer page. The simple "Yes" or "No" answer to my email was...
Thank you for contacting Newegg.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please kindly note that the information you required is not pass to our Customer Service Department. Please contact Nikon for the accurate answer for your concerned.

Ignoring the grammar issue (english may have been a second language based on the respondent's name) kudos for not using canned responces - which are usually off topic anyway, but circular back to the information I already provided them is hardly an answer.

[Neville1977]

If you buy a camera online wouldn't it make it difficult to resolve problems if you get a fault or something? I always like to be able to deal with someone in person, but I suppose you'll have to pay more for this convenience.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Exactly right Neville.

Of the millions of cameras Nikon, Canon and others make each year, what percentage do you really believe have warranty problems (that they fix under warranty)?

As a society we pay millions of dollars extra for the same product off the same assembly line because we worry we might have a problem with the item and need warranty. It allows both the manufacturer and the small corner store to crank up the prices.

[SpecialK]

If you buy a camera online wouldn't it make it difficult to resolve problems if you get a fault or something? I always like to be able to deal with someone in person, but I suppose you'll have to pay more for this convenience.

The warranty is with the manufacturer, not the retailer (unless they have some agreement).

[Luckyshot77]

I guess I know which sites to avoid!

[gotocin]

You can go to amazon to have a look.

[cameramonk]

buydig

adorama
beach
bhphoto

all good.

[cameramonk]

x3 to that

[equity space]

When buying anything, I use my Am Ex card-they're really good about customer satisfaction. Anytime, I've has a problem with a purchase, they've always credit the funds back to me. Am Ex also offers an extended warranty, free of charge.

[luzagodom]

I think it's very cool!

[Deva]

I was nearly tempted by the very cheap prices at Provisual Direct of £659.99 pluss £9.99 So postage for my Canon 550d kit with 18-55mm lens, but after a bit of checking found connections with bentonville mall and simply electronics all of which have many dissatisfied customers. I then rang jessops online and said I can buy at £659.99 at provisual what can you do about your price for me. They were at the time £749 as were currys, comet, dixons etc. They did the kit for £709.00 (knocking £40 off) with free next day delivery (saving £9.99) and threw in free their (normally £50 but on offer at £25) Centon camera bag and I wangled a lens cloth too :). Ordered at 4pm yesterday and arrived at 1pm today complete with a nice £5.00 jessops voucher to use instore and an offer for 20 free prints. Excellent service, full uk product and warranty and I can walk into my local store (200 yards from my house) if I have a problem. EXCELLENT service I think from Jessops!!! and no waiting to see what problems I have with my seller if I have a problem just to save an extra tenner or so. Frankly as a novice I wouldn't know if the problem was me or the camera so the extra backup above online only companys really matters.