Where do you purchase your lenses from?

RayinAlaska wrote in post #16337150
That's true, except that if the place the item is being shipped to is a shipping hub, it makes no difference....

Well, I can assure you, that the amount Adorama is charged IS different! If we were not given a special price for shipping within CONUS, we wouldn't be able to offer free shipping there, either.

HelenOster wrote in post #16337382
No - but I have a presence on 600+ forums, shopping sites, Flickr groups and blogs!

Wow. That's impressive.

I drive to one of three of my local Mom and Pop Camera stores. I can try a lens on my camera and buy right then and there. Let's face it, jobs are sustained through sales.

All from Amazon.com using Prime.

Talley wrote in post #16333138
Bhphoto next becaise of awesome return

Thank you.

FEChariot wrote in post #16336739
Does Adorama have marketing info on what percentage of customers are active on forums? Clearly it's a good amount that justifies your time here.

If I may butt in -- we know if a customer comes to our site from another and makes a purchase if the site they're coming from is an affiliate, but otherwise it's hard to gauge since, like Helen, many of our customers frequent more than one forum.

I'll say this, overall. Like Helen I have a large collection of forums in my bookmarks and (no doubt like Helen) I use various methods, Google Alerts to name one, to help me find conversations that deserve my attention. Over the course of the past two years or so I've noticed a marked decrease in forum activity and a marked increase in Facebook and Twitter activity. This has reached the point where forums I used to visit daily now get visited weekly but our Twitter accounts are monitored in real time by more than one person here every minute I'm in the office.

henryp wrote in post #16340776
If I may butt in -- we know if a customer comes to our site from another and makes a purchase if the site they're coming from is an affiliate, but otherwise it's hard to gauge since, like Helen, many of our customers frequent more than one forum.

I'll say this, overall. Like Helen I have a large collection of forums in my bookmarks and (no doubt like Helen) I use various methods, Google Alerts to name one, to help me find conversations that deserve my attention. Over the course of the past two years or so I've noticed a marked decrease in forum activity and a marked increase in Facebook and Twitter activity. This has reached the point where forums I used to visit daily now get visited weekly but our Twitter accounts are monitored in real time by more than one person here every minute I'm in the office.

Same here!

B&H or Adorama only for me.

Ive been hacked on amazon twice. I only will buy from a reputable dealer or Used on POTN with an established member.

Well I just pulled the trigger and ordered a Sigma 70-200 2.8 EX DG OS HSM from B&H.
I was shopping both there and Adorama, the B&H site on checkout using Paypal was a bit more user friendly and they answered the phone when I had a question on the 2nd ring. They were very polite and guaranteed I would have my package by Friday.
We shall see how the order goes from here on out.

(In no particular order): POTN, Hunts (they're local to me), B&H, Adorama. eBay for vintage or cheap lenses, but not for "good" ones.

I live in Canada and use B&H Photo for most of my purchases.

Julius

hotled wrote in post #16341290
.....
I was shopping both there and Adorama, the B&H site on checkout using Paypal was a bit more user friendly........

I'd be really very grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to let me know how we could have made our checkout more user-friendly for you; the web team are currently looking at possible improvements, and your input would be welcomed: Helen@adorama.com

hotled wrote in post #16333023
Just wondering who most of you order lenses through. Also who has good shipping practices and are timely.

• Adorama

• Amazon

• B&H

• E-Bay (any specific sellers or USA only?)

• 42nd Street

None of the above. I bought all except my 10-22 from a local camera store in the Denver metro area (I felt that the expert professional service was worth a bit more for me as a relative beginner in digital photography). The 10-22 I bought used from a private party on Craig's List.

I only buy from B&H. they have always had great service and been very easy to work with.

Used to buy just about all my camera stuff from Adorama, (still think it's a great company) ...BUT ... then got my Amazon Prime account ... so nice not having to pay shipping and ... !!! I find Amazon prices are same as or usually a little less than other online retail.