Encouraging you to Buy Locally!

It's hard to justify buying locally with the 10% tax rate. For something like the 7D I can get a good filter or grip with that tax money online.

Costs less and you can return things you don't like on line.
Costs more and a no return policy locally, easy choice for me.

Shockey wrote in post #11899479
Costs less and you can return things you don't like on line.
Costs more and a no return policy locally, easy choice for me.

why you cannot return it locally. That was one of the main advantages, easy returns.

I tried to buy locally at National camera exchange in Minnesota. Spoke to the manager when we went into it full time 4 yrs ago. Told him, Im going to be buying a ton of gear. How close can you get to B&H, Adorama, on the other on line stores. He gave me his best client price, which was about 35% higher than B&H And on the popular items such as a 24-70, or a 70-200, they were 40% higher than B&H.

I even asked our state photography association if there was a supplier in our state that would get it somewhat close, like with in 15% of B&H. I was referred to the National camera exchange rep. Same song and dance.

In the past 5 years, we have purchased over 30k in photography equipment and lighting equipment for our business. 35% of 30,000.00 is 10,500.00 dollars. Who do you think i baught my gear from ?

B&H, Adorama, Denny backgrounds and Pual Buff got our business.

MoM and Pop stores cater to uninformed consumers, not professional photographers. They dont want to deal with working photographers who run a legitimate business.. At least thats been my experience.

I buy almost exclusively at my local camera shop. They cost me about $150 over buying my 70-200 MkII or 100-400 online; the difference is, if I have ANY problems with it whatsoever with any of the stuff I buy there, I can walk in the door and they'll replace/exchange it on the spot or send it in to Canon for me. I don't have to deal with RMAs, phone reps, etc; I get to talk to real, dyed-in-the-wool photographers and get service or tips/tricks from them for fixing the issues when it's not gear related.

If your only local option is Ritz/Wolf/BB, etc; sure, online's likely the way to go. But if you have a truly knowledgeable and service oriented local shop, it's nice to be able to interact with real people in real time to try and resolve any issues.

I've had great experiences at the two local stores I've visited. Supporting your local economy makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside!

One was a mom & pop type store. The guy there is a photographer, and he was very helpful to me. I bought a nice lens cleaning kit for $20.

The other one is bigger. There is a good variety of items sold at the store, and they let you try everything you want without pressuring you to buy it. I did pay an extra $15 or so (including tax) on the Lowepro Flipside 300 I purchased, but, as far as I'm concerned, I'm paying extra for instant gratification and the ability to see and feel the item before handing over money.

Owfin wrote in post #11920641
I've had great experiences at the two local stores I've visited. Supporting your local economy makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside!

One was a mom & pop type store. The guy there is a photographer, and he was very helpful to me. I bought a nice lens cleaning kit for $20.

The other one is bigger. There is a good variety of items sold at the store, and they let you try everything you want without pressuring you to buy it. I did pay an extra $15 or so (including tax) on the Lowepro Flipside 300 I purchased, but, as far as I'm concerned, I'm paying extra for instant gratification and the ability to see and feel the item before handing over money.

Well, if you're buying something @20 bucks I wouldn't mind. But if you buy a $1500 lens or camera, I wouldn't pay 3-400$ extra just to get that warm and fuzzy feeling ...and I have a feeling that neither do you.

I always shop at Adorama and B&H. Mom and Pop is for looking.

keyframe14 wrote in post #11920761
Well, if you're buying something @20 bucks I wouldn't mind. But if you buy a $1500 lens or camera, I wouldn't pay 3-400$ extra just to get that warm and fuzzy feeling ...and I have a feeling that neither do you.

I paid $100 over B&H price on my 70-200 a few years ago at a local shop that also runs a studio in the back. They are a 100% Canon dealer and supply the local college with discounts for students and teachers. They get a TON of business from the school so there is no incentive to lower prices to everyone. However every other store within 100 miles that had a bigger selection has closed thanks to Best Buy and other big box stores. In the end it's me who suffers as there is no one within hundreds of miles that even sells Gaffers Tape so ordering online is the only choice.

It might seem like a good deal now but there will come a time when most of America will be kicking themselves for avoiding tax. Just remember you read it here when it happens and remember your replies about how much you saved by not supporting your local economy.

isoMorphic wrote in post #11920961
I paid $100 over B&H price on my 70-200 a few years ago at a local shop that also runs a studio in the back. They are a 100% Canon dealer and supply the local college with discounts for students and teachers. They get a TON of business from the school so there is no incentive to lower prices to everyone. However every other store within 100 miles that had a bigger selection has closed thanks to Best Buy and other big box stores. In the end it's me who suffers as there is no one within hundreds of miles that even sells Gaffers Tape so ordering online is the only choice.

It might seem like a good deal now but there will come a time when most of America will be kicking themselves for avoiding tax. Just remember you read it here when it happens and remember your replies about how much you saved by not supporting your local economy.

I see no reason I should pay extra for the exact same lens that does the exact same think, I also buy from authorized dealer(btw there are not with percentage, they are either authorized or not).
I really don't believe in this overpay to support "local economy", buy a poor build, overpriced american car to support american economy when for the exact same money I could get a reliable well build japanese or german car.
I like to be a smart shopper and look for the price because I pay with my hard worked money.
What you're saying basically is that I should not even look at the price, just enter the store, pick up whatever I need and swipe my card at the register because in long run I would get my money back. On top of that never buy used stuff including gear unless because I'll avoid paying taxes and the local economy would suffer. This doesn't work for me.
I do a lots of local shopping, I pay thousands in taxes for my home, other taxes from my salaries and I'll have no problem if local stores that cannot have competitive prices would closed. It's the nature of the business, Circuit city closed after decades of being in business, did I suffer? No, actually I made a deal when they sold their inventory in the last week buying lots of stuff at 80% discount.

Thorrulz wrote in post #11890747
I actually Googled Winchestertonfieldvill​e, Iowa to check if the place really exists/

HAHAHA.....

macroshooter1970 wrote in post #11920776
I always shop at Adorama and B&H....

Thank you; we appreciate your business!

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Unless the camera was manufactured in the U.S.A does buying locally really help the economy all that much?
If you had bought it online and then spent the money you saved at a few local shops wouldn't it roughly be the same for your local economy?

fotoworx wrote in post #11922153
Unless the camera was manufactured in the U.S.A does buying locally really help the economy all that much?
If you had bought it online and then spent the money you saved at a few local shops wouldn't it roughly be the same for your local economy?

It would. It's a global economy now so the concept of buying locally is rather anachronistic.

HelenOster wrote in post #11921886
Thank you; we appreciate your business!

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You're welcome, thanks for the good prices and fast shipping.