Why buy on the Internet?

[TonyNC]

I know I'm new here, and this might sound sacreligous, but why is there such a fixation on internet purchases? After reading multiple threads here about poor service, outright ripoff artists and other scams, why do buyers continually seek out the absolute lowest price, when you KNOW it's not a good or legit deal?

A Rebel Xt for $500 - when every reputable dealer (brick and mortar OR web) is around $900?? And then you complain 'cuz the $500 one never shows up, or is missing stuff? It's the absolute truth - "if it sounds too good...."

What's wrong with supporting a local merchant (whose money stays in the community) who will be there for support, questions, training, etc. if the cost is a few bucks more? NO< I DON'T OWN A CAMERA SHOP - I own a custom framing shop.gallery.

Yes, some folks don't live in a major city with multiple camera stores - but lots do. I'm just curious - Why do you continue to allow yourselves to be ripped off, aggravated and misled BY CHOICE?


BTW - this is a great site - I think I'll stick around a while ;)

[nitr0uzv]

I agree when your camera decides to fail on you its much easier just to go back to the store and deal with them instead of dealing with unrelible tech supports

But if you could save 100 dollars on a legit site Thats a lot of money..

another reason is that online retailers usually have more stock

I had to go to 3 best buys before I found one s2 in stock and that was because i was watching the best buy site constantly checking to see if any of my local best buys had it in stock

[Rex914]

Two simple words sum up my only reasons for buying online.

No tax*

On a cheap point and shoot, this isn't a big deal, but when you say, a 20D, that's $100+ in savings!

* Assuming you buy from an out of state retailer of course!

[abhinav]

I wonder how people fall in such traps. A quick visit to resellerratings or a similar store review site would clear things up.

[Rhys]

I looked at the internet prices. I looked at internet sites. Every time I have tried to order something online, it has always turned out to be advertised as though the company has one but upon investigation it's been a case of being "backordered". In other words, the slimy individual behind the internet sham shop is waiting for enough people to place orders before it becomes worthwhile to make a bulk purchase from the supplier. Meanwhile, he's investing your money and turning a tidy profit from it.

[Robert]

I know I'm new here, and this might sound sacreligous, but why is there such a fixation on internet purchases? After reading multiple threads here about poor service, outright ripoff artists and other scams, why do buyers continually seek out the absolute lowest price, when you KNOW it's not a good or legit deal?

A Rebel Xt for $500 - when every reputable dealer (brick and mortar OR web) is around $900?? And then you complain 'cuz the $500 one never shows up, or is missing stuff? It's the absolute truth - "if it sounds too good...."

What's wrong with supporting a local merchant (whose money stays in the community) who will be there for support, questions, training, etc. if the cost is a few bucks more? NO< I DON'T OWN A CAMERA SHOP - I own a custom framing shop.gallery.

Yes, some folks don't live in a major city with multiple camera stores - but lots do. I'm just curious - Why do you continue to allow yourselves to be ripped off, aggravated and misled BY CHOICE?


BTW - this is a great site - I think I'll stick around a while ;)


Friend, you're preaching to the choir. Most folks who post regularly on the DCRP are more than savvy about who and who not to purchase from on the Internet. The vast majority of those being taken in with the promise of killer low prices are folks that don't agree with the premise that if something is too good to be true it probably isn't.

It's pretty obvious that people buy on the Internet primarily to save money. One isn't usually going to save a big bundle online but a savings of 15% to 20% isn't at all uncommon. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what mailorder houses are honest. Read enough postings and visit resellerratings.com and it soon becomes obvious.

There are a ton of stores in my city that sell camera equipment but only two that one could consider as Mom & Pop operations. Only the Mom & Pop stores really know anything about cameras but are mostly to busy to really be of any serious help. I've picked up more info here on the DCRP and on other similar sites than I can measure.

I've made no less than fifty purchases from perhaps a half dozen well chosen mailorder houses in the past three years and have yet to be scammed by any one of them. A couple orders were a little problematic but nothing that wasn't promptly rectified when brought to the attention of the seller.

If you're ever tempted to purchase on line but have cold feet just ask here on the DCRP for recommendations. Many of us are here and more than happy to help.

[timmciglobal]

Want a reason why?

I recently went to one of the "local shops" looking for a 18>125 or 18>200 lens. They had the tamaron but 399 + tax vs 360 no tax on net. So I was honest and said "I've been looking online guys thats about 40$ cheaper + 30 in tax, if you could come down to 375 I'd buy it here.

Response? "That's below our cost on that item"

I know that's a lie. So instead of making a few bucks they let the item sit on shelf "hoping for the sucker purchase."

That is why I buy online for pretty much everything, the cost savings and the inmobility atleast here of "local" merchants.

Tim

[timmciglobal]

By the way, buydig.com has been a great site for me. Never once did I have any problems and they've had most of items I've wanted. Even amazon.com while being closer to local merchants saves you tax which as mentioned in this thread can ammount to alot on a 600$ lens and amazon is more then happy to replace ANY issue with lens not argue with you that its "your camera."

Tim

[Rhys]

Want a reason why?

I recently went to one of the "local shops" looking for a 18>125 or 18>200 lens. They had the tamaron but 399 + tax vs 360 no tax on net. So I was honest and said "I've been looking online guys thats about 40$ cheaper + 30 in tax, if you could come down to 375 I'd buy it here.

Response? "That's below our cost on that item"
Tim

ROTFL.... I don't know what rate of tax businesses pay but normally a business will need to make a 40% markup on most stock. Thus your local shop would have been paying for a $399 Tamron lens (which I too have seen for $360) around $285 maximum. More than likely as it's an item they don't sell a lot of, the markup will be more like 50% or even 60%. Any business making a mere 7% markup is going bankrupt fast.

[sots]

Believe me, if I could ever even imagine being able to afford the comfort, ease, security, and overall pleasantness of the experience of going to a small mom & pop store, browsing through their camera seclection, finding the exact camera I needed, and actually being able to BUY it there... Well, aside from having a cardiac arrest or something of the like, I would be one happy art student.

In the meantime, I'll have to continue to do extensive research, spend months mulling over auctions, and take the risk. Most ebayesque web sites (& paypal) now offer adequate insurance against scams, if you are careful. Its a gigantic pain, but so far I've saved hundreds of dollars on supplies. Online options are good when you have no other options... if you need good supplies and you need to pay less.

[TheObiJuan]

If you shop witht he trusted stores, and shop smart, the internet is the best market there is.
Brick and mortar stores are for trying the gear out, e-stores, for buying.

[Kenyada]

I went to a brick 'n mortar camera store (a major chain) a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time in years, because I usually purchase everything online. But I wanted to get the look and feel of a particular camera bag. I was approached by sales people everytime I changed my direction. When I finally decided to purchase a bag, there was no one in sight to ring it up. They were so busy trying to make "the deal," that they forgot how to close one. So I left the store, went home, typed in the make/model on pricegrabber.com. I found the bag I wanted... $30 bucks cheaper, no tax and free delivery.

I can appreciate the old school feel of the Mom and Pop shop, but they are quickly being devoured by the mega-store, and with their demise goes the kind of personal touch that Mom and Pop used to offer. No, I don't often get the warm fuzzies clicking on The Shopping Cart, but I've gotten used to the rush I get when I see the UPS woman walking in my direction.