Anyone Use Amazon?

For many years I purchased most of my stuff at B&H. However, I am an Amazon Prime member, so I get free shipping on most everything I buy. My concern with Amazon when it comes to making any Canon purchase is if I will be getting authentic, unused, brand new Canon gear or some open box/ returned/demo item.

Most items I buy on Amazon lists the vendor's name ("order fulfilled by..."), however, I noticed that with certain Canon products there is no third party vendor mentioned. Does this mean that Amazon gets items directly from Canon then redistributes to us?

Amazon is an authorized dealer. I have bought several lenses and bodies from Amazon and they have all appeared to be brand new which is more than I can say for B&H.

DanThoman wrote in post #17662087
Amazon is an authorized dealer. I have bought several lenses and bodies from Amazon and they have all appeared to be brand new which is more than I can say for B&H.

Thanks Dan! I have been lucky I guess with B&H over the years regarding ordering/receiving new gear. What attracts me to Amazon is their quick shipping time. What I don't feel comfortable with on Amazon is that with some Canon items they list a vendor. Some of these vendors are not places I would normally buy things from as I have had issues with them in the past (shady practices with some New York based vendors).

Some other items have no vendors listed. Would this be either a simple oversight on Amazon's behalf, or do some of these items ship directly from some Amazon owned warehouse?

One difference is that B&H does free shipping(on some items) and no sales tax(for California, anyways). Amazon does free shipping on Prime, but it's not always two days shipping. And it does charge me sales taxes more often than not Since Canon doesn't have many cheap things, the sales tax does add up.

CheleA wrote in post #17662142
One difference is that B&H does free shipping(on some items) and no sales tax(for California, anyways). Amazon does free shipping on Prime, but it's not always two days shipping. And it does charge me sales taxes more often than not Since Canon doesn't have many cheap things, the sales tax does add up.

Same issue with me. B&H doesn't ship free to my P.O. box due to "USPS restrictions", yet Amazon and others do offer free shipping to P.O. boxes.

I've spent more than I care to admit on Amazon this last couple of years. all without issue. That said I did still get my bodies from B&H, wasn't comfortable getting them from Amazon.

I actually feel more comfortable buying from Amazon than any other place. So easy to return/exchange.

What ever you do stay away from something like this!


http://pages.ebay.com …87892380&global​ID=EBAY-US

http://pages.ebay.com …25891584&global​ID=EBAY-US

http://pages.ebay.com …18734133&global​ID=EBAY-US


http://pages.ebay.com …87665845&global​ID=EBAY-US

Amazon isn't always Amazon

In some cases Amazon buys and resells products, the same way B&H does. In other cases, a seller (might be a manufacturer, a distributor, or maybe even an individual) ships their product to Amazon and Amazon handles the sales (labeled Fulfilled by Amazon). And in other cases, Amazon merely handles the listing and payment for a product that Amazon never actually touches.

The newest type of transaction is where Amazon purchases the product and then resells it, but never warehouses the product. They handle the entire transaction and then send drop-shipping instructions to the manufacturer or distributor.

The confusing part is that Amazon will use the same item listing for all types of selling. If you are buying a Canon lens or body directly from Amazon, you can be assured that it's going to be the same product you would get from B&H. In fact, you might even be buying it from B&H through Amazon. But third-party sellers aren't any more reliable than eBay sellers. Except for their guarantees, Amazon has nothing to do with inspecting third-party products, whether fulfilled by Amazon or whether shipped directly from someone's garage.

Even though Amazon stands behind third-party sellers to a certain extent, it's still buyer beware. Stick to Sold by Amazon products and you'll be assured of getting brand-new products with the full warranty.

I have bought tonnes of Canon gear from Amazon over the last 10 years, including L lenses and 5D bodies, however I have nearly stopped buying them since they started charging sales tax for MD. Now I prefer other retailers like B&H or Adorama, and occasionally some other dealer through Greentoe.

I would rate Amazon as my #1 choice except now they charge tax which increases the price quite a bit. At one time, when I bought my 135 f2 from them, and didn't think I got a sharp copy, Amazon shipped me a second one to try and keep for a few days before returning the first so i could choose which one did i want to keep - I have never seen such service anywhere!

cacawcacaw wrote in post #17662409
Stick to Sold by Amazon products and you'll be assured of getting brand-new products with the full warranty.

THIS. And to add: I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that if it's eligible for Prime shipping, it's probably sold by Amazon. The only killer for me with Amazon is that they now charge sales tax in CA. If you're looking for a good price on product (and no sales tax if applicable), I'd choose Greentoe, Adorama or B&H in that order. I've never had an issue with any of these sellers, including Amazon for that matter.

I legit laughed out loud at this

snegron wrote in post #17662134
What I don't feel comfortable with on Amazon is that with some Canon items they list a vendor. Some of these vendors are not places I would normally buy things from as I have had issues with them in the past (shady practices with some New York based vendors).

Some other items have no vendors listed. Would this be either a simple oversight on Amazon's behalf, or do some of these items ship directly from some Amazon owned warehouse?

Usually it will say Ships from and sold by Amazon.com if the item is shipped directly from Amazon's warehouse.

Like you, I don't always feel comfortable buying from an outside vendor or store. Some have names I've never heard of before.
If it's not an expensive item, and the store has good feedback, then I'll place the order. I did this recently for some pet supplies and
a book. But for expensive or fragile items - lenses, cameras - I like to buy directly from amazon. Either that or BHP.

EnglishBob wrote in post #17662269
I've spent more than I care to admit on Amazon this last couple of years. all without issue. That said I did still get my bodies from B&H, wasn't comfortable getting them from Amazon.

As a prime member and B&H Photo customer for over 5 years, I concur.

I usually buy batteries, tripods, filters, flashes, speakers from Amazon but my photo purchases over $1000 are done through B&H Photo.

Amazon return policy is a little more lenient that B&H. My experience tells me you are more likely to get a returned item from Amazon than B&H Photo.

I've bought several items from Amazon. The only complaint that I have is that I bought a lens that had a rebate but they put a sticker over the bar code and I couldn't get it off without ruining the bar code so no rebate.

Amazon charges taxes and so their products are not really that cheap or even more expensive than other vendors...