For those that buy lenses at stores...

Do you use the lens, before you purchase it? Do some/most of you take your camera to the actual store, and then test the lens out? If not, what are the return/exchange policies for places like B&H, etc? Will they even allow you to test the lens, prior to purchase?

inthedeck wrote in post #2030094
Do you use the lens, before you purchase it? Do some/most of you take your camera to the actual store, and then test the lens out? If not, what are the return/exchange policies for places like B&H, etc? Will they even allow you to test the lens, prior to purchase?

My local shop will, most definitely, try the lens in-store before I buy it. They've even got a kiosk where I can print the shot out to see how the actual photo looks.

I've never returned anything to this particular store, but I believe they'll do a return and offer store credit, which is fine with me...

I'm all about purchasing glass in the store so I can try it out. I usally bring along the laptop so I can peep into the pixels.

I wish there were more local shops around the area...the only ones I can find are either Ritz, and a couple of Sam's. Never really liked ritz, and the Sam's don't really have new lenses in stock. They have to order them. Otherwise, it's just the local printing stores, that don't carry camera gear.

I have gone to B&H multiple times, but never thought to ask if I could 'test' things, before I bought them. Since they are ALWAYS so crowded, it's a wonder that I even have a minute to ask for what I want...hehe. That's why I usually end up at 17th st. photo, downtown. No headaches, and no madness, unlike B&H.

Maybe next time I visit (when buying a new camera) I will check to see if I can test other things....who knows what the response may be.