Encouraging you to Buy Locally!

Argus goes pretty cheap on e-bay

It's funny how B&H and Adorama are considered big online retailers in this thread, when in fact they each maintain a brick and mortar store in NYC. Yes they both have a large online presence, but they started out first as a B&M store.

Everytime I have gone to my local store to look at lens, they rag on canon glass the entire time and push tamron lens down my throat. "theyre not worth the money, short warranty, not that great, etc." It's a nikon heavy store, but it gets old when I'm trying to test/buy a lens. Their prices are pretty uncompetitive anyways, so it's tough to justify spending an extra 15-20%, especially when they talk trash about the lens I want.

The local store here spends too much time pushing Nikon and Promaster to be very useful.

Addicted2EOS wrote in post #11890926
On the poliical side comments - Don't forget that the majority of the profits of a 7D sale leave the country since that is where the camera is made.

Actually most imported goods sold by major retailers are tariffed so it balances out somewhat when other countries buy from us. Many of the US made goods we buy are made with foreign materials anyway. You buy a GM car most of the parts are made overseas and many of the cars are assembled in Canada.

Sales tax helps to support the state when there is no personal income tax so even if B&H pays tax in NY it does nothing for my local economy. That money does not get redistributed in a fair split nor does it help to maintain my city roads. In fact cities all over the US are having to raise local taxes to make up for lost state tax they no longer recieve. Most states also started raising the tax on food, cigarettes, alcohol and fuel since those are the things people are more likely to buy in state.

Anyway my post was not meant to be political but rather to reinforce why it's a good idea to support the local economy. Nobody around here buys local and because of it the only thing we have left are big box shops and a dollar store. There are no longer any full-time employers left aside from the major chains who keep very few registers open even with lines a mile long just to avoid paying one dime of overtime.

I tried the local shop when purchasing my 50 1.2. Their price $1,699 + tax, B&H price $1,269 shipped with rebate! I asked if that was including the rebate and they said there wasn't any rebate.

Sorry MY pocket comes before mom & pop's profit margins.

Unfortunately, it is us, the customers, who are going to lose out, especially if the store has good knowledgable staff, but what can I say? Usually sorry as I walk out the store.

As for the big name stores, I just use them for browsing and handling the stock before I buy elsewhere. They usually have rude staff as well, more interested in their own social life than trying to sell to a potential customer.

I too skip over the local store. I try to support them, but it is challenging. I feel bad though, I stopped in a few weeks ago to see what 2x tc's they had. They insisted I throw them on camera and take a walk to try them out. I was set to get the Kenko 300 Pro, then they give me the price. With my "discount" $376 + tax. I excused myself and ordered it from Adorama for $212 shipped. Again it is challenging to support them when the margins are so severe.

isoMorphic wrote in post #11891930
Anyway my post was not meant to be political but rather to reinforce why it's a good idea to support the local economy. Nobody around here buys local and because of it the only thing we have left are big box shops and a dollar store. There are no longer any full-time employers left aside from the major chains who keep very few registers open even with lines a mile long just to avoid paying one dime of overtime.

I don't know, me saving $300 by buying a big ticket item online could be better for the local economy in the long run as I now have $300 to distribute around for non-essentials like going to a local movie theater or out for dinner at a local restaurant. Spending that $300 at a local mom and pop shop at probably a slim margin for them doesn't seem to do much locally.

Now, when people will always drive across county or state lines to buy things commodities like groceries and gas, I think that is damaging. Living just south of Chicago it's actually convenient to take a 15-20 minute ride to Indiana to save a few bucks on gas. I don't do it, but it is a fairly normal thing for some to never buy gas in Illinois.

As far as big box retailers, while they do drive out small local businesses, they employ far more people and inject more money into the local economy as such. Sure, the profits aren't going to the locals, but the taxes generated and the money pumped into the local economy from more people having income isn't bad.

isoMorphic, absolutely agree on the local tax situation. The hope is most are honest when filing their taxes so the state gets some back.

closest local store to me is 30 minutes away (Richmond Camera)...and on their website, lists the 24-70 at $1,449 where Amazon lists it for $1,299.

ImCBParker wrote in post #11889212
7D is easily found new online for less than $1400, and you could have easily sold the XTi here or on ebay for at least $50-$100 more than you sold it to them for to them (On avg $300-$350 depending on condition). Bringing your net to less than $1100. Again, would love to support more local shops, but there has to be a line when weighing personal fiscal responsibility and supporting the local community.

Besides all of that since we are only talking a couple hundred dollars, you will love this camera it is absolutely great. Congrats on the purchase.

Really less than $1400 ? I would like to see that. Seems like EVERYONE is $1499 dues to Canon rebates.

Thanks Canon *LOL*

scorpio_e wrote in post #11892791
Really less than $1400 ? I would like to see that. Seems like EVERYONE is $1499 dues to Canon rebates.

Thanks Canon *LOL*

if you don't mind refurbished, the Canon Loyalty Program will net you a 7D for $1,089 plus tax.

Go on eBay. Lots of reputable dealers there selling less than $1400 and you can take advantae of rebate. However, many have adj their price as a result of rebate.

EDIT: Looks like it is down two dealers left with them in stock at $1400. Dig rev and Cameta inventory is gone. Rebates will do that. Lucky folks who bought for $1399 with rebate and other discounts.

I buy and sell locally on Craigslist. Does that count?