Buy online or from local store

[chartbin]

Assuming the price will be about $1500, would it be wise to buy from local store, less headache with warranty,etc. I have no experience in dealing with online vendor when it comes to warranty stuff.
Any comments?
:)

[chartbin]

I am refering to Canon 20D

[scottbergerphoto]

IMHO, your best bet is to buy from an online retailer that has a brick and mortar store. They tend to be more reliable, although that is no guarantee. I buy mostly from B&H, both online and in the store.

www.bhphotvideo.com
www.jr.com
www.calumetphoto.com
www.adorama.com

Regards,
Scott

[Sketcher]

There are popular views on both side of this fence. A couple things to note from my perspective:

1. ALL but a select few Retail locations service DSLR's on-site. They ship them out for service & repair.

2. Not all service warranty's are created equal. Each retail location provides a service guarrantee that may be better/worse than the next. Spending this kind of money it'd be good to be comfortable with the warranty service your purchase obtains.

3. Depending on your local state and vendor requirements you may pay a significant sale's tax compared to an online retail purchase.

4. If your 'local' purchase is not loyalty based (meaning not from a camera shop that supports your photography on a personal level) then IMO the decision is more a cost issue than a B&M issue.

I'll let everyone else fill in the blanks/set me straight but those are the main considerations that I run through in my purchases.

[CoolToolGuy]

The 20D will not be discounted for quite a while, so you will most likely pay the same price for the camera either way. But online will likely require a shipping cost. Here is your opportunity to establish a relationship with your local store (unless it is a Ritz or other big chain).
It may still make sense to go online, but if you buy local they will probably remember you in the future. That could pay benefits. However, if it is a big chain where the sales staff changes every week you will likely never get anything back from buying local.

Another potential benefit is that you might be able to get your 20D sooner at a local store. If you line up at B&H or another online, you will get yours after the 100 or so in front of you get theirs. If you can strike up a relationship with a local store, you may get a call sooner. No guarantees, but I have seen it happen.

I buy online, and I will continue to, but I also buy from two good camera stores in my area - Cooper's Camera Mart and Penn Camera.

Have Fun,

[scottbergerphoto]

Another potential benefit is that you might be able to get your 20D sooner at a local store. If you line up at B&H or another online, you will get yours after the 100 or so in front of you get theirs. If you can strike up a relationship with a local store, you may get a call sooner. No guarantees, but I have seen it happen.

Have Fun,
B&H has enormous leverage from suppliers. It was getting large shipments of 1D Mark II's while small stores were getting none. I got my Mark II the week it was released, with no reservation, while people with early reservations at other stores waited months.
Regards,
Scott

[velvetjones]

I think I would prefer to pay $25 or so for shipping rather than over a hundred bucks in local sales tax....but that will be different from state to state, of course.

[toddb]

I bought my 10D because I thought I should support my local businesses and thought they would be knowledgeable when I get into trouble. I was wrong. I wish I would have saved the extra few bucks and got online. Every-time I go into the camera shop they just are not very knowledgeable. In the first month after having the camera I was pretty much able to stump them on every question I had (good thing I found this forum). Maybe other local shops are better...but they never carry what I want anyway (except the 10D at the time). I realize that local shops are good for the completly clueless, but once your into these types of cameras, your better off just going online and figuring stuff out yourself.

[CoolToolGuy]

Another potential benefit is that you might be able to get your 20D sooner at a local store. If you line up at B&H or another online, you will get yours after the 100 or so in front of you get theirs. If you can strike up a relationship with a local store, you may get a call sooner. No guarantees, but I have seen it happen.

Have Fun,
B&H has enormous leverage from suppliers. It was getting large shipments of 1D Mark II's while small stores were getting none. I got my Mark II the week it was released, with no reservation, while people with early reservations at other stores waited months.
Regards,
Scott

In my experience, several people 'reserved' cameras at the local store, and they apparently did the same at other outlets to cover their bets. When a shipment came in, they called around, and not all of those on the list were ready to buy. So first one in with the cash gets it.

Yes, the local store only gets them in dribs and drabs compared to B&H, which probably gets them by the truckload. And if you look at the B&H Web site and it says it is in stock, you can buy one (even in the middle of the night). But, as I said, the personal relationship can, in certain instances be a value. B&H won't call you to ask you if you want one.

Tax can be a factor, but some online vendors must charge tax as well, depending on what state you live in, and whether they have an operation in that state.

As I said, online is a good thing, and I do buy online. But when the price will be the same (like for the hot, new camera that everyone wants), that may be the time to make friends with your local camera store. They may make it worthwhile in the long run. It works for me! :wink:

Have Fun,

[chartbin]

The replies so far are kind of what I would expect. The local store may not provide the quality of service and support that you expect so no point in paying "extra" just because.

My concern is what happens if something goes wrong with the camera after the 1 week return grace period. How does the vendor handle such issues? Do we have deal with Canon directly anyways regardless of who we made the initial purchase from?

[robertwgross]

I bought my 10D because I thought I should support my local businesses ...

I bought my Canon film camera from San Jose Camera back in 1997. Then I went back to them for another lens. So, when I decided to buy my Canon digital, I went back there first. They did not have it in stock, but they said they would get it within two weeks, so they took my check. They called me a week later to pick it up. They are not the cheapest house around, but when you don't know or aren't sure, a local camera store might be a good place to shop.

Now, knowing what I do, I make nearly all of my major Canon purchases online to B&H or Adorama.

---Bob Gross---

[ohenry]

My feeling is that you have to weigh any potential savings over potential customer service. If the price difference is reasonable, I say support your local retailer (provided you feel the service rendered is worthwhile).
The lowest cost is not always the best solution.