Buying a lens from Amazon?

I'm looking to buy a Tokina lens and I find I can save a few dollars buying it from Amazon. But I've always bought from B&H or Adorama in the past.

Should I have any concerns about using Amazon or would I be better to pay a few extra dollars and go with B&H or Adorama?

I've never had any issues buying through amazon. With that said pay attention if its sold by amazon or fulfilled by them.

Another thing you may consider is if they will charge tax. I dont get charged sales tax through BH or adorama but I do with amazon now so depending on that it may still be cheaper overall.

Compare the warranties. Make sure Amazon lens isn't a gray market lens without a warranty for your country.

warranty is USA, 3 year

it is sold by ***** and fulfilled by Amazon....is this ok?

Ah, scratch the whole thing. I just looked up the seller and they have shady reviews. I think I'll go through B&H instead - never had any issues with them. That peace is worth the extra bucks I suppose. Thanks again for the advice!

daystar wrote in post #18145439
Ah, scratch the whole thing. I just looked up the seller and they have shady reviews. I think I'll go through B&H instead - never had any issues with them. That peace is worth the extra bucks I suppose. Thanks again for the advice!

I know you've made up your mind..... sound choice. I stopped using Amazon for Canon products a while back. They don't put any shock reducing dunnage in their packages. I bought a couple lenses from them (not third party sellers) and they came in a box where the Canon box could float freely. I'll stick with Allen's Camera, B&H or Adorama.

I'm an Amazon Prime customer and have had excellent experiences with Amazon other than Canon gear so this isn't an anti-Amazon rant.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18145636
I know you've made up your mind..... sound choice. I stopped using Amazon for Canon products a while back. They don't put any shock reducing dunnage in their packages. I bought a couple lenses from them (not third party sellers) and they came in a box where the Canon box could float freely. I'll stick with Allen's Camera, B&H or Adorama.

I'm an Amazon Prime customer and have had excellent experiences with Amazon other than Canon gear so this isn't an anti-Amazon rant.

Weird... I've bought many lenses from Amazon and they always come well packaged, even the used ones.

Not discrediting your story, just stating that that's definitely not the norm in my experience. Amazon also has an excellent return policy and satisfaction assurance, I buy most things there confidently.

daystar wrote in post #18145439
Ah, scratch the whole thing. I just looked up the seller and they have shady reviews. I think I'll go through B&H instead - never had any issues with them. That peace is worth the extra bucks I suppose. Thanks again for the advice!

Amazon is fine for things.

But what you looked at is the important part. There are just too many non-Amazon vendors which means return/warranty/issues can be a real bear if you're not careful. I do not buy from the third party vendors, even with good ratings, for high-dollar items. There's too much risk. I either buy it from Amazon sold by Amazon, or I go to Adorama/B&H (who ever has the best deal).

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #18146707
Amazon is fine for things.

But what you looked at is the important part. There are just too many non-Amazon vendors which means return/warranty/issues can be a real bear if you're not careful. I do not buy from the third party vendors, even with good ratings, for high-dollar items. There's too much risk. I either buy it from Amazon sold by Amazon, or I go to Adorama/B&H (who ever has the best deal).

Very best,

There's no risk beyond wasting your time.

As long as you are paying them through Amazon there's no way for them to scam you. Someone tried to with me a couple of months ago and after a couple of weeks without them shipping the item Amazon cancelled the order and gave me a full refund.

Just don't fall for the stupid "Send me an email before purchase" scams out there and you're pretty well covered.

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #18146719
There's no risk beyond wasting your time.

As long as you are paying them through Amazon there's no way for them to scam you. Someone tried to with me a couple of months ago and after a couple of weeks without them shipping the item Amazon cancelled the order and gave me a full refund.

Just don't fall for the stupid "Send me an email before purchase" scams out there and you're pretty well covered.

There is still issues with returns. Vendors can have their own return policies, that Amazon doesn't enforce. There's a warning about it before you even check out with them that you have to read their return/RMA process before purchasing because it's not Amazon's. Plenty of folk, myself included, have all picked up something this way and needed to return it for whatever reason and end up with a different experience. My latest one was with a third party where Amazon sends them the refund/return request, they respond, and I had to ship the item myself back to them with the RMA number to get my refund, but minus my shipping. I complained to Amazon about having to ship it to the vendor, but they shrugged their shoulders, when I purchased I agreed to the return policy of the vendor since it was not Amazon. I had another interesting experience, where a vendor sent me a lens collar that was untapped (totally useless). I filed for return, they granted it, but I had to pay shipping. So I complained to the vendor that shipping was more than the item was and that I wasn't returning it, it was ridiculous and gave them negative feedback. They ended up refunding me and sending me a new lens collar to replace it, so I revoked my negative feedback since they displayed good service. But they didn't have to. And Amazon couldn't force them. That was on me for buying from vendors on Amazon that are not selling through Amazon, even with good reviews.

Anything I buy through Amazon that is sold by Amazon with their return system is flawless and wonderful.

Very best,

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #18146704
Weird... I've bought many lenses from Amazon and they always come well packaged, even the used ones.

Not discrediting your story, just stating that that's definitely not the norm in my experience. Amazon also has an excellent return policy and satisfaction assurance, I buy most things there confidently.

It probably depends on which Amazon DC is shipping the product. They opened up a new DC here in Florida and books I've ordered are showing up in padded envelopes instead of boxes or those cardboard book shipping "whatever the right name is".

I do love their return policy and have had excellent customer service when I've needed it.

It's good to know my lens experiences were an anomaly. Thank you for sharing yours.

I buy pretty much all of my camera gear from Amazon, but I only order directly from them not through third party sellers that sell through Amazon. I've had excellent results. On the few times I have returned an item it went smoothly. For example, I received a lens that had some fingerprints on the barrel, which for new lens wasn't acceptable to me. I returned it with no problems.

Also, if it is an expensive item I will usually get an email from an Amazon "concierge" while my item is in transit asking to let them know if there is anything they can help with, questions, problems, etc. Here is an email Amazon Concierge, "Tammy" from when I ordered a lens:

Oh, they also don't have any problem taking money from me on a Saturday

It's been a while since I had the money to take leaps into "Gear Acquisition Syndrome", but Amazon did me good back in maybe '08 when I wanted a Canon 1D Mk III. It had been recalled due to AF issues, but the word came out that everything was in the system so a new one should have had the repair dome.

Well, I checked my "Old Faithful" provider B&H, they didn't have any yet, but I checked Amazon and, hey, they had one in stock, and I bought it!!! And no complaints about their service!

I will say that my "normal" online provider had been B&H, but I also have found a lot of stuff at a couple places here in the Portland/Vancouver Metro area, and I'll admit, I do like to browse a local joint!

I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon.com. Cameras and/or lenses are not on the list. In order, I buy from Canon, Adorama, B&H. I've never had a problem with any of them.

I've bought several cameras and lenses from Amazon, always with good results. Often an item will be listed as "sold by xxxxx and fulfilled by Amazon", and the seller in the listing will change throughout the day. When I see that happening I will keep checking back until it says "sold by Adorama" and then make the purchase. That way I have the benefit of my Amazon Prime shipping and Amazon credit card, but the item comes directly from Adorama. Best of both worlds!