"brick & mortar" vs online purchase?

[MI_canuck]

(edit: sorry I guess this should be in the "WHERE should I buy my camera" forum)


I've been contemplating a D-SLR to replace my Canon Elan7, and been going to my local camera shop to play around with the Rebel XT, 20D and D70... It's been pretty helpful in narrowing down the choices, and figuring what I like/don't like physically about these 3 models...

However... purchasing a camera there (at least for the body) will cost me about $100 more. They are a Nikon authorised dealer, but not for Canon (although they still sell them obviously). And I'm leaning heavily towards a Canon since I have lenses already. For lenses, their prices are closer to online. Of course, there's tax (only 6% here in MI).


Would it be "unethical" to say screw it, and purchase online saving myself $100. If my local shop was also a Canon authorised dealer, I'd be more tempted. But to me, $100 could easily go towards a new lens, or memory card.


Besides the help initially, I don't see much advantage in buying a Canon D-SLR from my local shop, if it's just going to cost me more.


Just wondering what the opinions are of this? I know MANY people buy online at the cheapest place they can get (with a reputable online reseller of course).


thnx!!

[speaklightly]

MI_canuck-

Where you purchase your camera is really a matter of personal choice and where you live. I live in a very small town where there are no authorized dealers for anything other than Kodak. (lol!). So, lacking any other option, I have successfully purchased many cameras and camera items on line.

The advantage to the local store, particularly for lenses, it that if you don't get a good lens you can just take it back to try another lens, or to exchange it for a different lens. The prices will probably be higher, but the exchange convenience can make it worth it.

Sarah Joyce

[Lenny_ks]

(edit: sorry I guess this should be in the "WHERE should I buy my camera" forum)


I've been contemplating a D-SLR to replace my Canon Elan7, and been going to my local camera shop to play around with the Rebel XT, 20D and D70... It's been pretty helpful in narrowing down the choices, and figuring what I like/don't like physically about these 3 models...

However... purchasing a camera there (at least for the body) will cost me about $100 more. They are a Nikon authorised dealer, but not for Canon (although they still sell them obviously). And I'm leaning heavily towards a Canon since I have lenses already. For lenses, their prices are closer to online. Of course, there's tax (only 6% here in MI).


Would it be "unethical" to say screw it, and purchase online saving myself $100. If my local shop was also a Canon authorised dealer, I'd be more tempted. But to me, $100 could easily go towards a new lens, or memory card.


Besides the help initially, I don't see much advantage in buying a Canon D-SLR from my local shop, if it's just going to cost me more.


Just wondering what the opinions are of this? I know MANY people buy online at the cheapest place they can get (with a reputable online reseller of course).


thnx!!
ask yourslef if it's unethical for them to sell it more expensive than online ;)