Where do you buy your equipment?

Recently, I've seen threads about high-end equipment on ebay and people going back and forth about the quality of the seller and equipment. I've never bought anything off ebay for more than about $50. I'm weary of a lot of stuff on there. I prefer to buy from photography internet sites, but did buy my last lens at my camera shop because it was $10 cheaper there and no shipping.

You really should have an answer for a combination of the responses. Most of the time I buy from B&H, but sometimes, I buy from my local pro shop. If I need something quickly, or if the pro shop offers a piece of equipment for less than the B&H price (with shipping), I'll buy from the pro shop. Otherwise, I buy online.

Makr

I always try my local, family owned camera store first. Then I go to B & H next.
Barry

about 95% of my gear comes from ebay, the rest is from forums. The closest real camera stores are at least 2 1/2 hours away from me, and are way overpriced imo. Haven't had any problems buying or selling with ebay yet.

Most of my gear were purchased used mostly from here. I have purchased a few used lenses locally. My 30D came from Ebay.

Of the new items I own, I bought my 5D and 580EX from Amazon, and my 24-105 from B&H.

I agree with Mark. You need a category for combined places of purchase. If at all possible, I'll buy locally, if not, B&H. I'm lucky, as Canoga Camera is only about 45 minutes away, so I count them as a "local" store.

I usually get my gear on line. B&H, Adorama ext. If I need it right away I will go to my local pro shop.

90% of our equipment came from B&H or similar sources. Those lenses that we needed immediately and were on backorder were from ebay. I have yet to experience fraud on ebay. As long as you buy from a reputable source (person with lots of positive feedback for lens/camera sales) there should not be problems when dealing on ebay.

You should also have an option for used as well. I look for used first, then beachcamera/buydig and others with b&h last cause they're usually the most expensive

I usually purchase mine through BHPhoto, Beach Camera, Buy Dig, 17th Street, Butterfly Photo and Adorama.

I try and keep my friendly local camera store going

Camera was here and so were accessories (bags, batteries, etc) but my glass comes from Dell. They have great deals for account members and i have $1500 limit which suckers me in, but I'm good right now.

Thanks for the suggestion about the poll. It was my first one, so now I know how I can make another poll better.

I might buy local if it were anywhere near reasonably priced. However, the prices are absolutely insane. I couldn't care less if these places stay in business...they need to take care of the customer. How do they expect someone to want to pay hundreds more, wait a week, and still be happy when they could have it the next day (or whenever) and pay much much less ordering online? I couldn't give a **** about the local camera shop. They're snotty, condescending, horrible people that shouldn't be able to be in business. I understand not everyone's shop is like that, and some may even get reasonable prices...I just don't see that anywhere around here.

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #3659669
I might buy local if it were anywhere near reasonably priced. However, the prices are absolutely insane. I couldn't care less if these places stay in business...they need to take care of the customer. How do they expect someone to want to pay hundreds more, wait a week, and still be happy when they could have it the next day (or whenever) and pay much much less ordering online? I couldn't give a **** about the local camera shop. They're snotty, condescending, horrible people that shouldn't be able to be in business. I understand not everyone's shop is like that, and some may even get reasonable prices...I just don't see that anywhere around here.

You describe my local shop very well! That's why I buy 99% of my photo gear on-line.