Where do you buy equipment Canadians?

I hear so many people talk about B&H for their equipment purchases but with customs and taxes, I think I'd rather stay within Canada...so...could anyone let me know where in Canada to get the best prices online?? I have been searching.

http://www.thecamerast​ore.com/

I have bought the 24 105 f4 IS L from them they are located in Calgary so I save 8 % PST in Ontario which was more than a $100 savings plus their price beat the local price by another $100 so it was worthwhile.

I am also interested in making a eBay purchase from Robinson from Calgary, same rational lower price plus I will save 8% PST.

Gerhard

What do you have in mind re your purchase.
Sometime small camera stores match price well.

a new lens, a new flash, some filters, some memory, soft box...alot

Memory.....I was surprised that a 2Gig card was cheaper at Japan Camera than Staples or WalMart @Gig Compact memory...$99.

Quality Camera was the best price for a 5D 902 562 3600
Canon flash ...best price was Henrys in Halifax.

While you shop..dont forget your local small camera store. They all buy from a purchase club (photosource) and will price match. Stay in Canada

Good luck

Maria - I just recently got into photography (about 4 weeks ago). I ordered a Rebel XT, a Tamron 28-75, 50mm 1.8 and some other odds and ends, all from B&H. It was in my hands 4 business days after B&H shipped it. I figured I saved about $300 bucks. I like to buy locally too, but when you're talking $300, forget it. That's a long way to my 10-22.

There's NO duties on camera equipment. I repeat, theres NO duties on camera equipment coming into Canada from the US. All you have to pay is 15% sales tax(GST+PST, or in your case HST) when it gets delivered. This isn't a biggie since you have to pay it if you bought locally anyways.

If buying from the US, don't use UPS Ground - hits you up for heavy brokerage fees (actually I don't think B&H will ship this way anymore due to complaints). Any other method is fine.

The fact of the matter is, the recent tear our dollar has been on has not made it's way down to consumer goods - basically the stuff we buy in stores is priced at a 70 cent loonie. When we buy stuff ourselves from the US, we're buying at our present 90 cent loonie, and since there's no duty, why wouldn't you?

One other thing, Canon Canada recognizes warranties on Canon products bought from the US, another reason not to worry about buying from the US.

In terms of memory, that stuff is cheap anywhere in the planet. Look for a sale locally and pick some up.

I would highly suggest at least pricing out your package on B&H and compare that to Canadian retailers.

I'll second the recommedation of The Camera Store in Calgary. Shipping is only $10, anywhere in Canada. Be sure to consider that when comparing US prices.

I tend to try and buy things like cameras and lenses where I might need warranty work in Canada so I don't have to be concerned if I need to contact the Canadian distributor. For other products I use B&H if I can't find a Canadian supplier who will come close to the price.

Check the usual suspects for best price:

thecamerastore.com
cameracanada.com
vistek.ca
henrys.com

Then if BestBuy or FutureShop carrys the item, you'll probably save even more on a price match.
Example today, henrys and vistek have the 30D for $1499, Futureshop price match works out to $1484 !

They dont sell everything, but lots of cameras right up to and including the 5D .

As far as favorite place, it would be thecamerastore without question.
Fair prices, return policy, lots of stock.

I bought most of my equipment at Vistek (www.vistek.ca). To me service after sale plays an important role. Vistek is always there whenever I need assistance. The other good place is "Film Plus". By the way, both stores are located in Toronto.

I've bought from thecamerastore.com. I"ve used amazon.com. I know that it's in USD, but I thought I'd take a chance. I ordered the Opteka battery grip + 2 batteries for 89.95 USD. It was shipped from 47th. Street Photo in NYC. They charged me 19.95 USD for shipping and handling. After the coversion came to $126, and then upon delivery I had to pay $3.42 for duties. So, $129 in total for the Grip and 2 batteries. I thought that was pretty reasonable, since the cheapest I found the canon grip was at thecamerastore.com, and they wanted $159.99 + tax.

I find it difficult to find good stores in Canada. I'm really looking for a 430EX flash, but can't find a deal on it anywhere. I may have to buy it from the USA. I still end up saving $75-80.

I ended up picking up a 2Gig Sandisk Ultra II from Costco for $85.

I'm in Edmonton and buy most of my equipment from B&H. They almost always have better much prices than any Canadian reseller, on-line or brick and mortar store (thecamerastore sometimes is very competitive though). Also keep in mind that you do not pay any kind of duty for camera equipment being imported from the US into Canada, and only have to pay GST (and PST if applicable).

Using UPS Expedited my stuff always arrives in 3 days, excluding weekends and holidays in both the US and Canada. I've kept stats on all of my orders and only 1 out of 14 orders that took longer than 3 days. With UPS Expedited the customs brokerage fees are included in the shipping price.

Living in Alberta I pay no more in taxes buying from B&H than buying within Canada. Actually I pay LESS tax since the item is usually priced lower. If you live outside of Alberta, there won't be much difference between buying from B&H or buying the same (but higher priced) item from an Alberta reseller since with the B&H order you'd have to pay pst, but with the Alberta order you wouldn't.

Er, thirded?

For memory, I generally check Canada Computers, or Costco. For everything else, it's The Camera Store (or maybe Vistek) if I am shopping within Canada.

Price match? Never seen that in Edmonton. I saved almost $600 buying my 24-70 f/2.8L from B&H than from my local shop (McBains). McBains dropped their price a bunch a few months later, making the saving from B&H only about $300, then more recently (with competition from thecamerastore) have finally come into line with the saving only being about $50-100, including shipping from the US. I've been ripped off by them for 30 years and have had enough. They've lost a customer forever.

I appreciate all of the honest answers...I have checked out all of the locations mentioned that are online and noone can compare to B&H prices..disappointed that they will not accept Paypal payments from Canada. Even the memory is cheaper $66 for 2G. Thanks for all the help, especailly about not apying duty on camera parts.