40D Is Imminent...

So, it was "bonus day" yesterday, and I'm now in a position to get the 40D. The positives I've heard and read far outweigh the negatives, so the decision has been made.

I have, however, read where some people have had to return the body for one reason or another, and this leads me to my question:

Should I buy locally or from an outfit like B&H?

I really like to support my local dealer. I'm one of those guys who don't mind spending an extra hundred or two to do that. Of course, if the difference is several hundred dollars, well, not so much.

I'm going to assume that B&H handles returns (if need be) in only the most professional manner. What I can't stand, though, is the hassle of waiting for the shipping; drives me up a wall. I'm an instant gratification kinda' guy.

So, if I bought from B&H, what do you think the odds are that the body would have to go back?

Dumb question, I know, but it's probably the only question I haven't asked yet...

I try to buy cameras locally unless there are damn' good (financial) reason not to, just in case...

Impossible to say how likely having to return a camera will be though - my second (brand new in April) 30D had to go back within a few days because of a shutter problem, and the 30D is a solid, well-proven product.

These things happen, and being able to return to a local shop is just extra peace of mind.

Steve Parr wrote in post #4201087
So, it was "bonus day" yesterday, and I'm now in a position to get the 40D. The positives I've heard and read far outweigh the negatives, so the decision has been made.

I have, however, read where some people have had to return the body for one reason or another, and this leads me to my question:

Should I buy locally or from an outfit like B&H?

I really like to support my local dealer. I'm one of those guys who don't mind spending an extra hundred or two to do that. Of course, if the difference is several hundred dollars, well, not so much.

I'm going to assume that B&H handles returns (if need be) in only the most professional manner. What I can't stand, though, is the hassle of waiting for the shipping; drives me up a wall. I'm an instant gratification kinda' guy.

So, if I bought from B&H, what do you think the odds are that the body would have to go back?

Dumb question, I know, but it's probably the only question I haven't asked yet...

i'd rather return to BH than my local store. i think it would be less hassle. the only difference i see is a return to an internet dealer will take you a few days and will cost you the price of postage postage....well worth it if you've saved a couple hundred dollars by buying on the net in the first place.

i also think the likelihood of you having to return the 40d is very slim, and is not a consideration when i make a purchase.

ed rader

Steve Parr,
Well for me it would depend, B&H is the best (I used to shop locally there years ago). However it is good to help your local business, it helps keep photography in your area But just because its local doesn't always mean its good or as good as a large giant like B&H.

If you are a happy customer of your local store then I suggest get it from the local store, if not, the B&H it should be

Enjoy your 40D wherever it comes from

if you can save a few hundred, then why give it to some local business person.

I am a fan of Amazon.com and have had to return a few items (non camera/lens) and have had very good luck.

I purchased my XT, EF 70-200 f/2.8, EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8, Bigma and I think the 580EX all from Amazon.

I purchased a fairly heavy toaster oven that was DOA (it actually died the first morning we tried to use it) and Amazon.com shipped a replacement overnight and paid to return the defective oven. We have been using the replacement for over a year and are very happy with it.

I have returned other items for credit when I was not happy with the quality or it did not work as described.

So, I always check Amazon.com prior to ordering on-line anyplace else and lean toward ordering through them if the price is close as I know they will stand behind what they sell.

You do have to be a bit careful and order direct from Amazon.com and not through one of their resellers. I have not had the same luck with the Amazon resellers. Amazon will support you but the process is more involved.

In reading this over you would think I have returned more than I have purchased. I purchase a lot on-line and return very few items.

I have purchased lenses and accessories from B and H and have been very pleased with their prices and service. I got my thrifty-fifty from B and H used and several minor Canon items that Amazon does not carry. I have not had to return anything from B and H so can't speak to their return policy.

I am loffking forward to getting a 40D soon and will probably get it through Amazon.com.

arizona85224 wrote in post #4201204
if you can save a few hundred, then why give it to some local business person.

If the price is within two hundred bucks, the local guy gets the nod, simply because I believe it's important to support "the local guy" whenever possible. It's a great shop, real knowledgable people who know me, and it's relatively close.

Again, if were to be several hundred bucks, I'll probably give the nod to B&H...

B&H or Amazon is my vote. I doubt you will have to return the 40D anyway. Very few do. Great camera.

Amazon also has a 30 day window for returns which is better than B&H's 14.

Talk to your local dealer and tell them your dillema, while they might not price match to B&H they might take a little off to make it reasonable for you to do business with them.

Skrim17 wrote in post #4201292
Amazon also has a 30 day window for returns which is better than B&H's 14.

Talk to your local dealer and tell them your dillema, while they might not price match to B&H they might take a little off to make it reasonable for you to do business with them.

I agree, give the local company a chance to compete for your business.

If it were me and it was only a couple hundred diff and the local dealer was very reputable and fair in his dealings there would be no contest that I would get it locally. In my case there are no local dealers and I have to either drive over 100 miles or buy from the internet so I have no real choice but to buy internet.
The problem there is I have no way to even test out the feel and performance. I also am a very inexperienced with SLR and it might be months before I would even notice problems or irregularities. I have no perfectly working models to compare with.
I say you are lucky to even have local dealerships and as long as their prices are reasonable and they take care of their customers that is the best choice for many. IMHO

You are also lucky to already know what your next dslr will be. I have a 10D and its a tough decision, 40D,5D,or an older 1D series.

My local guy is expensive but when they had the 40D and B&H didn't....well, it was a no brainer. Skip ran right downtown and wrote a check

BTW, he LOVES it and has had no problems with it.

local store without a doubt. i LOVE B&H and i do buy most of my stuff from them but i would rather buy the 40D from my local store even though it would cost me a few more bucks. at least this way if something is wrong, you can just hop in your car and go grab a new one. with B&H, you will need to ask for RMA, ship the camera out at your expense, wait for the credit on the camera and wait for the new one...

I bought my 40D locally from BB and had to return it the same day after only 8 shots. Pictures were soft and after the 8th shot, the 28-135 wouldn't work anymore. Switch the camera on and it would just make clicking sounds. I put on the Tamron 17-50 and it worked, but pictures were still a little soft for my liking. Bad lens contact??

I generally don't mind buying anything online, as long as the dealer handles returns painlessly. B&H would be fine IMO. Several days of waiting isn't gonna kill you.

My "local guy" (Roberts Imaging) was cheaper than B&H.