Greentoe - overhyped and be careful

Amamba wrote in post #17922335
And I am sure you also noticed the fact that this is the only testimonial / advertisement that gives the actual %s saved. If there were three ads giving the range of 7 to 30% that would be different. The fact is, there's only one ad that quantifies savings and it says 25-30%.

You have a valid complaint...

Amamba wrote in post #17922335
Not that everyone else isn't doing this.

but it quickly falls apart because you've stated it is common practice, and because of that, most people just ignore these types of claims.

If the advertisement offends you so much, file a complaint:
https://www.ftc.gov …eting-internet-rules-road

pat.kane wrote in post #17922662
You have a valid complaint...

but it quickly falls apart because you've stated it is common practice, and because of that, most people just ignore these types of claims.

If the advertisement offends you so much, file a complaint:
https://www.ftc.gov …eting-internet-rules-road

Not worth the trouble, really. And it doesn't really offend me any more than the Geico gecko.

As I said - I honestly admit that I didn't realize the possibility of revising the bid to zero. Which negates my main complaint - being locked into a bid you can't delete. The little advertising trick is not any worse than what many other companies are doing daily.

I've saved that much on products more than once. Bought a Yamaha soundbar that retailed for 850 and got it for 660. Keep in mind that's tax and shipping included so in reality I prob saved nearly 300. I think a lot of people tend to forget that part.

mileslong24 wrote in post #17923138
I've saved that much on products more than once. Bought a Yamaha soundbar that retailed for 850 and got it for 660. Keep in mind that's tax and shipping included so in reality I prob saved nearly 300. I think a lot of people tend to forget that part.

That's correct. OTOH with Prime you don't pay shipping. Taxes are a complex issue. Michigan has absolutely the worst roads in the US and everyone is **** about this but people seem unable to understand the connection between the state tax revenue and the quality of services they receive. I personally don't figure in the sales tax when price shopping. After busting two tires in one winter before they finally got the funding to repave the roads around our subdivision, I know that I will pay for it one way or another. Used to think about this differently when I was in my 20s and no house / no kids.
The biggest thing is how much do you value the possibility of no-hassle returns and especially exchanges. A few years ago I bought a lens from a fairly reputable store in another state and the lens would randomly lose connection to my Canon T3i body. They told me to send the lens in, then a few days later sent me an email claiming it worked on a couple T3i bodies they had in store and basically accusing me of lying. I did get a refund - they knew they would lose a credit card dispute - but there was no way I'd get it exchanged with them. Later that year I found the same lens being sold by a POTN member and, lo and behold, no issues whatsoever.

So, there's a small price I'm willing to pay for the peace of mind and convenience. Saving 7-9% on a premium lens that costs a couple grand and doesn't have known sample variations is different than saving that same %ge on a relatively inexpensive lens that may have decentering or focusing issues. It's at least $10 to send it insured back to the vendor, plus the hassle.

How did this turn into a political forum???

LOL

If you are talking about sales tax, there are only 2 sure things: death and taxes. Not really political, but rather a reality.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17923582
If you are talking about sales tax, there are only 2 sure things: death and taxes. Not really political, but rather a reality.

Taxes are political in nature, so we will have to agree to disagree.

I lived in NH for two years, where there is no sales tax, and the roads were better than they were in MI. As the OP said, MI roads are terrible (grew up in SE Michigan, myself) but perhaps the politicians should get blame instead of lack of taxes?

Greentoe should be treated like any other merchant--if you don't think they offer a good deal, don't give them business.

I saved 19.xx% on a Sigma 50 1.4 Art when nobody was offering that kind of a discount outside of the occasional grey market sale, and my story is hardly unique.

If the OP wants his "peace of mind", great. He can pay for that luxury and have less of a chance of having his psyche shaken and stirred.

Amamba wrote in post #17920973
Their own website features "testimonials" from the customers who say they saved 25-30% off going market price.

So, I try the first product. Sony 35 /1.8 OSS. Lens sells on Amazon for $448 and quite often there are $398 sales. I figure 20% off $448 is $358, offer them $370. They emailed me that I am way too low and offered it for $419. A whopping 7% savings and most likely a return headache if there's any problem with decentering or what not.

Then I try another product. Sigma 19/2.8, currently on sale at B&H for $169. I offer $140. The reply - "we're overwhelmed at the time, please hang tight, will get back within 24 hours".

Here's the kicker... you can't delete your offer once posted. And you're under obligation to buy your item if your offer is accepted. So, now I have to wait for a day, and my offer is active for two more days, in the meantime the sale at B&H may end or they will run out of stock.

So, be careful and plan ahead... not saying it's a bad service - but know what you're getting into. Make sure you can wait the required 3 days and won't miss the window of opportunity with other vendors.

You should be aware that there are other options out there. When we designed the "CPW street price" program, we made it more customer-centric than Greentoe's system:

1. Our prices are advertised up-front. Rather than making you play the bidding game, we simply show the best prices we can find. On average, it's about 10-12% off MAP for most Canon gear.
   
2. No waiting game. Typically you'll get a reply from us within a couple hours, and you can often place the order that very day.
   
3. There's no obligation to buy. When you're ready to purchase, we tell you who the store is. If you're happy with the store and their return policies, only then do you only provide payment info directly to them.
   

PhotoPrice wrote in post #17924710
You should be aware that there are other options out there. When we designed the "CPW street price" program, we made it more customer-centric than Greentoe's system:

1. Our prices are advertised up-front. Rather than making you play the bidding game, we simply show the best prices we can find. On average, it's about 10-12% off MAP for most Canon gear.
   
2. No waiting game. Typically you'll get a reply from us within a couple hours, and you can often place the order that very day.
   
3. There's no obligation to buy. When you're ready to purchase, we tell you who the store is. If you're happy with the store and their return policies, only then do you only provide payment info directly to them.
   

And if you don't shoot Canon?

ptcanon3ti wrote in post #17924723
And if you don't shoot Canon?

We focus solely on Canon. That's what we know best. Sorry!

PhotoPrice wrote in post #17924915
We focus solely on Canon. That's what we know best. Sorry!

Hence the advantage of greentoe

I think many of the people here are being argumentative just to be argumentative. Personally, I found the OP's warnings to be of value. I have never used Greentoe, and never really investigated it, but the OP brought up a couple points that I would be uncomfortable with, so now I am better informed should I ever decide to try them in the future.

I can't speak to current experience but I bought my Canon 5D3 from them for $2800 at a time when the price was $3495 and no Canon USA authorized dealer was discounting them. It came from an authorized Canon USA dealer and included the Canon USA warranty with no sales tax and free shipping.

Maybe things have changed but I was very happy with my purchase and when I'm dreaming I go there and check the price of "L" lenses I would like to have. There price is usually better than I can find elsewhere and close to Canon's refurbished lenses if you are lucky enough to find them in stock. You may not save 30% but on a high end item even 10% can add up to a couple of hundred dollars or more. I recommend them with the caveat that you should always check other sites first to see if you are actually going to save money. eBay prices are usually cheaper but that also usually means grey market items. Greentoe only deals with the retailers who are authorized dealers.

Bottom line if you want an item check online for the best deal you can find including taxes and shipping and then check Greentoe. If they can't save you money then don't buy from them. If it's an item you are going to purchase anyway and they only save you 10 bucks then buy from them and treat yourself to a drive-thru lunch with the savings.

GaryS1964 wrote in post #17930885
I can't speak to current experience but I bought my Canon 5D3 from them for $2800 at a time when the price was $3495 and no Canon USA authorized dealer was discounting them. It came from an authorized Canon USA dealer and included the Canon USA warranty with no sales tax and free shipping.

Maybe things have changed but I was very happy with my purchase and when I'm dreaming I go there and check the price of "L" lenses I would like to have. There price is usually better than I can find elsewhere and close to Canon's refurbished lenses if you are lucky enough to find them in stock. You may not save 30% but on a high end item even 10% can add up to a couple of hundred dollars or more. I recommend them with the caveat that you should always check other sites first to see if you are actually going to save money. eBay prices are usually cheaper but that also usually means grey market items. Greentoe only deals with the retailers who are authorized dealers.

Bottom line if you want an item check online for the best deal you can find including taxes and shipping and then check Greentoe. If they can't save you money then don't buy from them. If it's an item you are going to purchase anyway and they only save you 10 bucks then buy from them and treat yourself to a drive-thru lunch with the savings.

Well, this is a good approach. But my position is, having been nearly burned before, that there should be a good reason to not buy from the vendor who would work with me should I get a less than ideal copy of a lens. And by that I don't mean the hassle of returning it for a refund, wasting time and effort, and starting at square one.

I know that if I got a misbehaving lens from Amazon, they would exchange it without giving me any grief. B&H and Adorama can also be worked with. Any other store should give me some incentive to buy from them, and $30-40 on a $450 item doesn't seem enticing enough. Take the family out for a dinner on a Friday night and you'll spend double that.

Anyway, this is a non-issue.

Amamba wrote in post #17931209
I know that if I got a misbehaving lens from Amazon, they would exchange it without giving me any grief.

This can vary widely depending on the actual seller on Amazon. There are several times when I've had to spend days arguing with the seller and then Amazon to even get a refund.