How does 17th Street Photo do it?

I am a dedicated B&H shopper but I am in the market for a 580EX and 17th Street Photo is $50 cheaper then B&H. USA Warranty, great BizRate and PriceGrabber reviews. Shipping is the same as B&H. I don't understand how they do it.
Scott

Loss leader?

They just realized that this would be an item with a huge initial demand,. and that the people that buy this item are the people that are buying into the largest most expandable line of photographic accesories on the planet.. and one of the most lucrative.

They want the B&H shopper to consider them for this purchase.. they will take very good care of you as well I am sure.. and may end up with your business

They may very well be selling them at there cost or even under.

In addition to CDS's comments--which are likely true--my experience is that B&H are not the cheapest source for camera equipment.

17th Street Photo prices that way so they can get all of the Brooklyn customers.

---Bob Gross---

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
Loss leader?

They just realized that this would be an item with a huge initial demand,. and that the people that buy this item are the people that are buying into the largest most expandable line of photographic accesories on the planet.. and one of the most lucrative.

They want the B&H shopper to consider them for this purchase.. they will take very good care of you as well I am sure.. and may end up with your business

They may very well be selling them at there cost or even under.

Sure, go ahead be logical! Makes sense to me.
Scott

Gosh, I forgot all about 47th St Photo what with B & H and Adorama! They were IT years ago.

I've ordered several items from 17th Street Photo ....
Whatever I've ordered has always gotten to me before they said it would and it's always been the right item.
I can't say anything but good things about them ....

Gosh - I remember 47th street. Bought a couple of things there way back in the old days.

17th street is reputable, as is B&H and a host of others. I'll have to make it a point to check them out more often.

I've noticed that B & H's prices have crept up in relationship to some other vendors. They're still reputable as far as I know, however, I guess all of their promotions (they advertise heavily in the NY area), and sponsorship of various web sites and seminars must have a cost.

Last year, I made a $500+ purchase, and provantage.com beat B & H by $70. It pays to shop!

You guys would be insane to think they are selling at cost. I worked for major distributor of electronics to retailers when I was 18. The markups are regulated by the manufacturer and most of them are marked up much more then you think.

The majority I saw were regulated to around 40%. If you go by that general rule, someone like B&H is probably making in the area of about $100-$130 on the 580, considering they get discount on quantity and that they are getting it directly from Canon and not a distributor. If they are willing to loose the 50 to make even 51% more sales, they are actually making more profit.

Competition kills even the biggest names.

Cheers

I just wanted to let you know that if you plan to buy someting from Adorama, go to Amazon first. They sell for Adorama, but the price is cheaper and the shipping is free.
Scott

Yes, it does pay to shop. Onecall.com got my order when I finally broke the bank for the 1D-II camera - they were $400 cheaper than B&H. I have dealt with the following with good results:

Onecall.com
B&H
KEH (very fast delivery, since I live fairly close)
Samy's (internet only - heard they price differently in person)
Canoga Camera
Adorama (a little slow to ship, and always trying to sell you more - but competitive and reliable)

Oddly, some items are exactly or almost exactly the same price at all these stores. Lenses are generally close in price. But other things differ greatly among the competitors. It pays to shop around a bit.

I got my 20D from Amazon and a week later I was in Calumet in Chicago and I could have saved $ there!

On 47th St Photo. I bought my FTb there in 1964 for about $260 or so WITH the FD f1.2 lens. But that was probably a weeks pay or so.

I alos liked to shop in person at Olden at about 30th and Broadway and then hop over to Spiratone on about 3oth. All gone now.