Got my 7D back from Canon...

This is my point...I have no problem with paying extra locally......but you're paying for personal service! The OP didn't get it in this case! I prefer to buy locally if possible but there needs to be a reason to support that! We have 2 shops near me....1 is useless...overpriced and very poor help...they cater to prints online and cheap accessories. The other is a bit farther, have good people working there but are unwilling to come close to Adorama/BH pricing ( plus sales tax added as well). I have bought bags, cards and small stuff....but big ticket items....can't justify the cost difference. If I buy a camera from them...30 days after...they will say "send it to Canon"....why bother giving them business!!

Just got mine back, works great. Good to have to old 7D back again. I knew it was completed but Canon never gave me a tracking number, I figured it wouldn't be till next week, then a Fed Ex truck show up this morning....on a Saturday.

jra wrote in post #12005681
You should always consider your local merchants first IMO. That doesn't mean that you have to buy from them but at least give them the chance to get your business. Many times, my local camera store will match (and sometimes beat) an online price from Adorama or B&H if I ask. If they can't match and the price difference is quite significant (or if the local store doesn't carry the item), I will usually buy online.
Support your local small businesses whenever possible

Matching the price is one thing, but they'll even take off 7% for Ohio's sales tax? That must be a hell of a local shop. Adorama and B&H won't charge you that crap out there...

the only reason why I buy locally (nyc) is because if something goes wrong then I can return it right away and walk out the store with a new "thing" immediately. But if I need a real service then I go to Canon directly. We have to admit it: Canon gives some outstanding service , why bother with the store? The store is only good for the returns. Now the on-line stores also give the return thing, but I have to ship and wait: not the same thing. That makes up for the difference in price between a local store and on-line store. But if the difference is too much then I too buy on-line and hope for the best of course.

jcpoulin wrote in post #12008009
This is my point...I have no problem with paying extra locally......but you're paying for personal service! The OP didn't get it in this case! I prefer to buy locally if possible but there needs to be a reason to support that! We have 2 shops near me....1 is useless...overpriced and very poor help...they cater to prints online and cheap accessories. The other is a bit farther, have good people working there but are unwilling to come close to Adorama/BH pricing ( plus sales tax added as well). I have bought bags, cards and small stuff....but big ticket items....can't justify the cost difference. If I buy a camera from them...30 days after...they will say "send it to Canon"....why bother giving them business!!

Just because a store is local doesn't mean the service will be good, although in many (if not most) circumstances local merchants provide better service than online stores IME. In this instance, if I were the OP, I probably would be slow in giving the store any additional business without a good explanation.
I also didn't suggest buying from a store simply because it was local but instead, to give your local merchants the first chance to compete for your business. If they can't compete because of poor service or because they are unwilling to work on price, then go elsewhere.
I want to use my local economy if at all possible when it makes sense to do so. The local economy directly affects my community, my friends, my family and myself. When the option to go local is available and reasonable, that should be the obvious choice. Keep in mind also, by law, I bet that you are supposed to be paying sales tax on the things you purchase out of state...it just isn't collected by the merchant.

wcgryphon wrote in post #12009262
Matching the price is one thing, but they'll even take off 7% for Ohio's sales tax? That must be a hell of a local shop. Adorama and B&H won't charge you that crap out there...

By law, you are required to pay sales tax in Ohio on purchases made out of state. Out of state merchants just do not collect sales tax. You are required to report it and pay it when you file your state taxes. IMO, it's far less hassle to pay the sales tax up front rather than track the purchase and pay when filing taxes.

Agreed....but to not come close to matching the price AND have to pay taxes.....strike 2! I do agree with much of the above....good service is worth paying for!

jra wrote in post #12011659
By law, you are required to pay sales tax in Ohio on purchases made out of state. Out of state merchants just do not collect sales tax. You are required to report it and pay it when you file your state taxes. IMO, it's far less hassle to pay the sales tax up front rather than track the purchase and pay when filing taxes.

I was curious at this law, and checked it for NJ. Seems I'm supposed to do that here too (and probably true for most other states). But then again, I've never done it and will never do it. Can't imagine why anyone would, I might as well just burn my money. At least that way I can get some heat or light a fire.