Support local photo shops

I have been thinking about picking up the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II and really want to support the local camera shops around here but if I was to buy local instead of online I'll end up paying an extra $150 in local tax. And with that $150 I can probably use it to be a filter or something for the lens. Bright side I can see with buying local is I get to try out the lens in person to see if it'll need any micro adjustments with my camera body and if there's anything wrong I can just take it back to the camera shop.


What do you all think or feel about supporting local to online?

Haven't bought anything locally in the last 10 or so years. In addition to lowered cost, I just don't like shopping in person, and rather like my stuff magically showing up at the door. -alex

It's tough, but I can't justify paying $x more to buy local and in store in most cases. I wish it were different and local stores could charge the exact same as online, but I can't throw my money away either. Of course, the direct result is that there are hardly any local stores left

Eel Noob wrote in post #17484192
What do you all think or feel about supporting local to online?

i tried... it's not just the tax problem. you would figure that the brick and mortars would know the only advantage they have over internet is service and you being able to play with stuff. but... about the first part, service, believe it or not i've received worse service from stores than internet companies like bh or adorama!

i've met all kinds in camera stores. you got the guys who insist that film was the best of all time, and pretend not to care about digital cameras. then you got the "i'm too busy" types that are always in a rush, like the worst doctors. then you get the kinds where if you even bring up "but they're cheaper..." they instantly turn sour.

yeah, i would like to support stores, but they make it too hard. i wouldn't mind paying for the tax if all else was equal and i get better service, but well, they're not. i give up. they deserve what they get.

even if there was no tax difference i'd still buy online just to avoid the crap from the store.

I picked up a lens that turned out to be a dud. Took it back to the store where they checked it and ended up sending it in for warranty repair. When it came back with no discernable difference they just gave me a new copy and said that they would deal with the manufacturer. They've also been willing to at least discussing some movement on their prices as well. The $150 seems like a small amount compared to the cost of the lens, you might at least want to see if can work something out with them. Mark up on filters is usually pretty high, so they might offer you something there.

Spats139 wrote in post #17484536
I picked up a lens that turned out to be a dud. Took it back to the store where they checked it and ended up sending it in for warranty repair. When it came back with no discernable difference they just gave me a new copy and said that they would deal with the manufacturer. They've also been willing to at least discussing some movement on their prices as well. The $150 seems like a small amount compared to the cost of the lens, you might at least want to see if can work something out with them. Mark up on filters is usually pretty high, so they might offer you something there.

they have to be able to at least match the lowest price online (not including tax). if they can't at least match the price i'm not going to buy from them no matter how good their service is--i'd just feel like a retard for paying more than i need to.

the tax thing for me is not that big of an issue, as i mentioned in my first post, cause legally you're supposed to pay the tax when you report anyway. it's just that it's not enforced. someday i'm sure they'll fix that hole and you'd have to pay anyway, so it would be a moot argument. i believe in taxes anyway--they serve an all-important purpose, and i want to support my country. but they MUST match prices.

(hint: best price is cpw "street price." that's the price they must meet.)

The local shops here will price match so I don't worry about paying the tax.

If you would were gonna buy a UV filter you'd be throwing that money away anyways. Buy Local and get better image IQ.

I wish I could buy local. The shop here does not sell Canon equipment of any sort, and treats women as if we know nothing. I shop mostly through B&H and Amazon.