Purchasing S2 IS on line v/s local camera store

[ron42838]

Hi,
I am very pleased to join this group. Very good information and the response from members is GREAT. Thank you Nancy for your reply. I am on my way now.
Question: I would appreciate recommendations for a on line purchase of the S2 S1. What have been your experiences? Good/Bad. As I stated to Nancy, local camer store very good but full price. On line purchase offers are much better. My concern is if there is a problem, local store is there to help. On line can be a problem. Appreciate your replys and suggestions.
Thanks,
R. Ragno

[gkas]

You said it all. Do you feel confident enough in your skills to purchase online vs. your local camera store? That 'extra' premium should get you a little added help with your new purchase. I certainly don't buy a camera online if I get a reasonable amount of help from the local guy. That's how they stay in business. I probably buy 60-70% of my major photo purchases online, but I'm way past asking my local store for help. If my local group of photog friends can't answer, then I come here.

[etaf]

how much difference is there between online and the best price the store will offer - you may be able to negotiate.......
If it goes wrong or does not work in the first few days then you can very quickly swap it... also you may want to get the camera quickly - for christmas if you celebrate it and those extra memories captured may offset the cost....... {so if you have a film camera - how much is Processing and printing going to cost.....

i buy the majority of my gear through Jessops in UK and they price match most internet UK based with instock items

[nwyman]

well, based on a negative experience I've had today, I'd say go with the best price. But I guess it all depends on how userfriendly your local store is.
I went in looking for a camera bag today in a photo shop in a nearby town (we have nothing here). I could have easily had my arm twisted towards the purchase of a DSLR, had the salesman been remotely interested in me. However, he was so taken with the fish he had on the line that I was ignored. It was all they could do to take my credit card for the camera bag. There were at least three auxiliary sales personnel behind the counter, and they were all involved in the sale of this Nikon P&S wonder that some guy was getting his wife for Xmas. I'll never go in there again.

Ritz Camera, on the other hand, while pricey, has always been pleasant and informative. Unfortunately, the nearest of those is too far away to be considered local.

Nancy

[bandrew]

I bought mine online at bestbuy.com and they give you the option to pick it up at the store or shipping. I picked it up the next day at the store it worked out really well.

The only bad part is that it's a Christmas present and I can't use it yet. I'm stuck with reading about how to use it ;(

[etaf]

bandrew, thats terrible, to have to wait a week+ but you can at least catch up on some theory - theres some great info online

as well as this great site...
check our these free online books

http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2162



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Clive R. Haynes FRPS

In teaching and running courses in Photography and Photoshop I produce many notes for students.
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[bbaltz]

I would definitely research the online store before buying. I had a very bad experience buying a camcorder from a no-name site with the cheapest price.

I've had good experiences with NewEgg, Crutchfield and now Dell. They typically have very good prices and their support is quite good (although I've never had to return anything.)

[bbaltz]

Sites like Dell and Crutchfield typically have offers and coupons that can lower their price even further. At Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com), you can Save $20 off $100 purchase (http://www.mastercard.com/us/specialoffers/savings_discounts/crutchfield.html) just by using MasterCard.

[JTF]

I would buy at a camera store (bricks and mortar) rather than online or from a big box retailer likefuture shop; best buy, etc.

[WarHoover]

I am in the military and even though I could have saved about $50 by buying my S2 at the exchange (no tax charged), I still payed more and went with Costco online.

Costco is a US-based membership warehouse like Sam's Club or BJ's. They didn't have the S2 in stock at the stores, but it just recently popped up at their website with free shipping.

So why pay $50 more than I have to? Because Costco has the absolute best return policy I've ever seen. No reason needed, no time limit, on any of their products (the only exception is computers, which is a still-generous 6 months). IMHO it's the best "Extended Warranty" you could ever hope for.

I've used it on several occasions at different stores (I move a lot) with a new laptop (changed my mind) on one occasion and a palm pilot (several years old, with no receipt) on the other. I've never had a problem and walked out with a cash refund in minutes.

There is a yearly membership fee but the deals are usually pretty good. The selection isn't nearly as extensive as what you'd find in a dedicated electronics store, but what they have in stock is generally good quality and a good value.

This post ended up longer than I expected! If you happen to be a member or live near a Costco and could benefit from buying other stuff in bulk, then it may be an option to consider . . .

Go Navy, Beat Army!

[Dusty Pockets]

I got mine at Costco, no extra shipping and handling charges