Encouraging you to Buy Locally!

i loved when my local stores were B&H and Adorama. I don't even have any "local" photography stores around here. The last one in the area stopped selling gear a couple years ago, and just became a printing service store. I don't even know if they are still open anymore. Other than that, there's Best Buy and Ritz Camera and they are ridiculous.

It's sad that mom and pop stores are going the way of the dinosaurs. I'm all in favor of buying local, but for some industries, like photography, it wasn't even close. Most local places were so much more expensive that online or large stores (like the aforementioned NYC stores), that I couldn't even justify it.

The sales tax issue is huge and will be enforced by many more states. In the not too distant future I would not be surprised if all online retailers collect your local and state taxes no matter where you buy from.

My local camera shop is very competetive with online stores.

wilerty wrote in post #11972503
The sales tax issue is huge and will be enforced by many more states. In the not too distant future I would not be surprised if all online retailers collect your local and state taxes no matter where you buy from.

With so many states on the verge of bankruptcy I think you are correct!

For bodies and lens my local camera shops are spot on with the prices online stores charge. I went on line for my gimbal head but stayed local for the tripod. IMO once online stores have to charge state taxes like B&M stores the price advantage to online shopping will fade away.

Darth Mo wrote in post #11887909
Wolf/Ritz closed all their brick and mortar stores, didn't they?

I am in the Sarasota, Fl area (a pretty large area by the way) and we have a grand total of 2 camera shops. Wolf/Ritz is one and they only carry Sony in store. The other is a very small Mom & Pop place, which has a decent selection, yet way over priced. It's a shame really..