Buying local - paying the price.

[morris_jay]

I'm buying my first dSLR in the next week or so, but I am wondering is it worth saving the $50US odd bucks on buying from a place 800kms away, or is it worth the extra for a local camera store, that is 5 minutes from my house?

I'll be getting:

350D
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX
Sandisk Ultra II 1GB

What's everyones thoughts and experiences?

[robertwgross]

If I have the time to properly plan out a purchase, I will do that. I will find the most reputable dealer online (typically B&H) and order it. It ships in after five days or so.

On the other hand, when I've had some major equipment failure or loss, and I have to get re-equipped for shooting very quickly, then my friendly neighborhood Canon dealer gets the business. I have to stop and remember state sales tax adds onto the tab.

---Bob Gross---

[bigdoggy007]

You can save a lot more than $50.00 online. I bought my 20D (with 17-85 IS Lens) for $1,700 from Digibuy.com The local reatailer wanted 2,000. That is a 300.00 saving...which is exactly how much a 4GB flash card costs...so, for 2,080.00 (final price, inludes 2nd day shipping), I bought the the 20D w/17-85 IS Lens, a 4GB Flash Card, and 67mm UV Filter... that is a pretty good deal. No retailer (on my area) could even touch that.

But, local reatialer means less hassle returns, etc... Good luck!

[Andy_T]

If your local dealer is only 50$ more expensive than the cheapest reputable online dealer, then by all means buy there.

I've heard my share of stories about 'shoddy QC at Sigma' so for that lens, I'd maybe go for the local option where you could test out the lens in the shop before actually buying it.

I can't really comment on whether Sigma lenses are better or worse than others, because my only Sigma lens (30/1.4 EX) had to be sent back to Sigma immediately for re-calibration because of a very severe front focusing issue :wink: As soon as it arrives back, I'll be able to comment.

Best regards,
Andy

[Mitcon]

I prefer to buy local from a shop myself and build up a rapport with someone, if I have problems it can be less headache and save money in the long run. That said I have got better prices from my local store than I could off the net, maybe because I have bought quite a bit from them.

[BtBam]

Hey morris where do you live? Aus? NZ?
I Am guessing its outside of america.
I Purchased a couple months ago a 350d, sigma 24-70.
I Live in aus and if you like i can give you my advice on everything, if your in australia :)

[morris_jay]

I Live in aus and if you like i can give you my advice on everything, if your in australia

Border of VIC/NSW

Shoot.

(no pun intended) :lol:

[Carzee]

Congrats Morris_Jay on your big spend. Birthday time or something?

Go for it!

(Actually going down that way tonight, to Eden.)

[morris_jay]

Congrats Morris_Jay on your big spend. Birthday time or something?

Go for it!

(Actually going down that way tonight, to Eden.)


Finishing year 12 HSC. It's my "present" from myself, for finishing.

Birthday is in a couple of months, so thats chippin' in for it too! :)

[grego]

double post. :(

[grego]

If you buy smart online(sometimes it takes buying from a few different shops), you can save a decent amount.

The card, the camera, lens. If you do your hw, you'll never fail. And you can get warranties and whatever on any of those things.

Sites like Pricegrabber.com, Yahoo's shopping section give you good price comparisions and also reviews on the vendor. They list places like Dell, B&H, Beach Camera, etc.

[Jesper]

If the difference is only US$ 50, I would just buy local. It has some advantages: you have a place to go to if there's a problem with it and you can actually meet the people you're buying it from in real life.

If you buy in an online shop, always be VERY careful. There are many con-shops that try to impress you with incredibly low prices, but they have all kinds of nasty tricks to make you pay much more than you intended to. If you buy online, always check the shop on http://www.resellerratings.com first.

[condyk]

Nice choices ... buy local. The saving isn't too significant.

[Tsmith]

I only wish there was a decent local store in my area that stocked anything other than the simple basic stuff.

[Carzee]

I only wish there was a decent local store in my area that stocked anything other than the simple basic stuff.

If I see another small shop with only a dozen P+S types, 2 DSLR bodies, kit lenses, lens blower from Pakistan and a rack of chinese tripods.

"We can certainly order a remote cable for you right this minute...."

[Dan GSR]

buy local
easier to deal with if there are any issues

I had an issue with my memory card
I was able to exchange it for another brand
no down time

also supporting your local economy is always good

[Ricko of Fla]

Buying local is best if they can compete. Think about buying a canon lens they are superior, look at the threads what most members have. 1. Ef 17-40L

EFS 17-85 IS is great or look at the new one announced 2 days ago will be out in Sept 24-105 F 4L about $1,200. expensive . On line look at B&H or amazon

Good Luck
Ricko:rolleyes:

[subtle_spectre]

My local store makes me feel inferior, intimidated and un-helped. I have resolved I will not go there again. I buy from Canoga Camera and find them to be not only cheaper significantly, but extremely helpful and dead-on reliable.

[Titus213]

If the difference on all that is only $50 I'd buy local. I know I wanted my nifty fifty right now so I bought local and paid $10 more. No big deal.

[Johnny Thunder]

the one Big advantage over buying Local is INSTANT gratification, No waiting on Shipping, worrying about a lost package, none of that. You hand them the money, they hand you the goods.

I always try and shop local, and its nice having a Calumet Photo not to far away, their prices are generally as good as a majority of online stores, and will price match a reasonable internet price (not those horrible rip off/bait and switchers)

-Johnny

[rickc]

I purchased my D60 from a large photographic shop here in Boise, paying full retail in advance and waiting for it to arrive at the shop. I did this with the idea of having better (read local) service AND some consideration when making future purchases. As it turned out, this was all for nothing, as the salesman never knew me when returned again for accessories and it was still difficult to get assistance.

Then, shortly after the 10D was introduced, I was considering upgrading to a 10D and asked my original salesperson (who also happened to be in management there) what my D60 was worth in trade-up. I was then told that it was worth nothing to them in trade.

So much for "support your local photo shop". I'll not purchase from them again, instead, I'll be happy to buy via the internet.

Your milage may vary: I'm sure that most shops would have better customer service after the sale, but this was my experience here in Boise.

[Wilt]

If you take uo the sales person's time at your local store, BUY FROM HIM! If you already decided what to buy on your own, based upon web research or photo mags, take your business where you can save. But if you expect to come back to the local store for later advice, buy from your local store!!! Our local stores are going out of business, and soon we will not have the ability to buy accessories locally, on short notice, if they are all out of business because we are using nothing but mail order!

[formula4speed]

I'd like to buy local, but I really can't afford it. I went in a couple days ago because I wanted a UV filter for my new sigma 24-70 2.8 and while I knew it would be expensive (82mm threads) they charge over $70 for a no name brand and they didn't have them in stock. Thats double what I would pay online.

[WepWaWep]

Our local stores are terrible for prices, everything is always SMRP. Would love to do business with them but they won't concede that the online stores offer better prices. When the difference is a couple hundred bucks, I can wait a few days.

[Hellashot]

Did you take tax into account? I'm surprised you'd save only $50 by buying online. When I bought my Drebel it would have been $1080 local but got it for $905 on www.newegg.com

And often online places are better for returns because they deal with higher volumes and have another unit to send out right away vs. a small shop that stocks 1 dSLR or expensive lens.

[robertwgross]

If you go to any normal store and ask for a Canon 20D, they go behind the counter, open up a storage drawer, bring the Canon 20D box out onto the counter, and then ask you if that will be cash or credit card.

When I needed my Canon 20D (in a semi-hurry), I went to San Jose Camera and asked if they had a Canon 20D in stock. They did. I asked for the price. Standard price. "I'll take it. No lenses." They went behind the counter, opened up a storage drawer, brought the Canon 20D box onto the counter. Then, before asking for cash or credit, the guy quietly opened up the box. He placed the battery in the camera. He stuck one of his lenses on it. He put his CF card in it. He aimed it at a focus target and snapped two shots. He quickly reviewed those on the rear display. Then he took out his CF card, his lens, and battery. He put stuff back in the box. He ran the credit card, and I was out the door feeling like that sales guy had really done a decent job.

---Bob Gross---

[Johnny Thunder]

I bought a Nifty Fifty today, most online stores have it around $70, I paid $79 + Tax, a little more then I would have paid for the Lens + Shipping, it was definatly worth it to me.

If its close, go Local, if its not, buy Online. Support local business whenever possible, aslong as its reasonable.

-Johnny

[bauerman]

I work too hard for my money to buy local just because it is the "right thing to do".....folks. I have purchased probably 6 cameras over the last 3 years and ALL of them have been online due to the significant difference in price.

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned in this thread either is the fact that can also save some significant money on sales tax buying online. Combine free shipping - which I have gotten several times - with no sales tax and you have got a windfall of savings in a lot of cases.

RickC - was it Idaho Camera that you bought your D60 from locally? And if so - what store?

[Wilt]

<<I work too hard for my money to buy local just because it is the "right thing to do".>>

Then it is hoped that you did not enter your local store, consume a lot of the sales guy's time asking questions and debating with yourself about any of those purchases and asking him pros and cons, then ask him to open up product boxes so that you could play with the items, and then finally walk out the door and place your order on the web!!! To do otherwise is immoral.

[Chris1le]

For those who advise to buy local because you believe they will treat you better if there is a problem or what not think again. I used to feel this way until the last month. I bought a DVD burner from the local Circuit City. 35 days after purchase it quit burning. No problem I think, I'll just take it back and exchange it for another one. They claimed that since it had been longer that 30 days I would have to send it back to manufacturer. They would not budge even after talking to the manager. I could have received this type of customer service online.

I purchased a hard drive from CompUSA that failed two weeks after purchase well within their 21 day return time frame. I had all the manuals, original box etc... Unfortunately they claimed that since I had cut off the UPC code for rebate purposes they could not exchange the faulty drive and I'd have to send it back to the manufacturer. Needless to say I was more than a little pi**ed off. I demanded to speak to the manager and after explaining to him the problem and the fact I had to purchase a $70 software program to rescue the photos off of the corrupted drive he agreed to exchange the drive.

I also had a similar experience with my Epson P-2000 and Kits Camera. The moral of the story. Go ahead and buy online. It is cheaper, no tax, and basically the same customer "service."

[Velvet G]

After the nightmare I had with Ritz Camera and their whopping 10 day return policy, I'll stick to B & H from now on. While it's great if the store has a real return policy for problems, if the local store has a crappy policy, order online and wait a few days.

Nothing like plunking $1500+ down on a camera and then being told 11 days later that unless I bought the 'extended' warranty, they wouldn't take it back. If you buy local, make sure you ask what their return policy is first. Get it in writing if you can.

[Wilt]

<<For those who advise to buy local because you believe they will treat you better if there is a problem or what not think again...Circuit City...CompUSA...Kits Camera>>

Those are NOT 'local stores'!!! They are all national chains, with a local outlet filled with local hires who make little money and could care less about repeat customers. No wonder you get treated so poorly.
A local store is something owned by a proprieter who lives in the area, staffed with others from the area, and has names like 'Mortimer's Camera'.

[bauerman]

Wilt - that is EXACTLY what I do - use the local store to "view" the products and then buy online baby! There is no better way! I would prefer the tag of "immoral" from you rather than "broke" from my banker.

[Wilt]

<Wilt - that is EXACTLY what I do>
If your local store is not one which is merely a local outlet of a nationally-owned chain, I can somewhat accept that.
But it if is locally owned, I hope for your sake that the store is still in business when you suddenly need that $10 accessory on extremely short notice and cannot wait for shipment from NYC with the shipment cost someday when that is the only alternative which is left any more!
I used to be able to go to 5 stores around my area with good inventory selection to look and choose. NONE of them are still in business today. Now all I have is Ritz (yeech!) and one indepedent store.

[MinisterStanley]

My local camera shop is still heavily into film, heavily into Nikon, and heavy on their price. When I was looking for my 580EX, they had one in stock (a real shocker) but it was over $600!!!! I want to support them, but they carry hardly anything for Canon, and even when they do, it will cost you almost twice what an online shop charges.

[Hellashot]

My local camera shop is still heavily into film, heavily into Nikon, and heavy on their price. When I was looking for my 580EX, they had one in stock (a real shocker) but it was over $600!!!! I want to support them, but they carry hardly anything for Canon, and even when they do, it will cost you almost twice what an online shop charges.

Where are you located? USA stores CANNOT legally sell you items over list price without telling you in advance.

[bauerman]

Local stores prices, to me, seem to be geared towards the more un-educated, first time camera purchaser. I constantly see people in my local stores buying their first camera and often times mixed with bad information from the under-educated sales staff. I have actually answered questions for people while in the store due to none of the staff being aware of the correct answer. (The question was can the flash sync on a 20D go above the 1/200 sec level - the answer was yes - just put the 420ex the customer was using in high speed sync mode....but they did not know that.)

[DxHatchback]

i don't really have any local camera shops so i always buy from the net

it's so much cheaper on the net anways

[gravespinner]

My local store makes me feel inferior, intimidated and un-helped. I have resolved I will not go there again.

I have found that at several local stores. If they are camera stores, they seem to look down on you for asking questions. If they are a mutli-purpose store, then often the sales people don't have the answers.

One of the reasons this is such a great place, is because you can ask questions without being made to feel that way, and trust the answer more than the "We don't stock that because of the problems...." vested interest answers.

[ejwebb]

I would prefer to buy local but sometimes they just can't compete on price - they wanted $400 more for the 20D than Dell with coupons (next-day shipped) and I just could not do it. I did, however, go and test the Tamron 28-75 at the local store and I purchased it ther because it was competitively priced - I paid a little more but that is ok. I also purchased my DRebel and 9100 from the local store so I try to support them when it doesn't cost me too much more. I do value having them around.

[Keiffer]

I agree, Some of the sales people in the local places really are stupid, But if their close(not over $50.) than I will buy local, I bought my tripod and head local because I was in Ritz checking them out and just decided the shipping would get me anyway. If it's something I feel I may need to bring back...Buy local, if not, get it online and don't get caught up in saving your local store, Let them drop their prices some and work together with repeat customers, If not........See ya! LOL

[CRE@TE]

If you are a diehard online shopper. Don't complain when you lose your job to someone overseas, because they will do your job cheaper.

[bauerman]

I think that we are really stretching now by saying that we will lose American jobs by buying online......EVERY camera that I have purchased online has been from an American company and sold to me by an American worker - I guarantee you. I'm also not blind enough to know that ALL outsourcing is not bad.