Would you pay an extra $50+ for...

I am 99% conviced to purchase a Tamron 18-270 VC lens. It seems like a logical choice when I do not want to have change lenses when I am in a less than ideal environment. So, here is the dilemna:

I can purchase the lens on-line for $629 plus tax with free shipping. Total cost: $673.

I can also purchase from an authorized Tamron dealer on Ebay who is participating in the 8% Bing cash back. My cost would be $620 (includes Tax and shipping) and I would get $49.60 back in 60 days from Microsoft. ($570 true cost)

I emailed the seller (which is a company) and they assure me that it is new, unused, USA goods, and that they are an authorized dealer. The down side is that there is no return policy.

I know that there are some bad versions of the lenses out there. I would hate to have to sent it to Tamron 24 hours after I purchased it.

So, what would you do? Thanks in advance for the advice!

You're in NY huh?

Anyways..yeh..the tax thing is a problem i run into frequently..you might want to check a local shop, shockingly Tamron has pretty good price controls and I've found my local shops to equal or sometimes BEAT the online price when it comes to Tamron...

I live in PA but have everything shipped to my office in NJ. I cannot ship to my home because UPS will not leave it there and I am never home when UPS shows up.

Thanks for the local idea. I'll make some calls. Local would still run me more $$$ since I would pay sales tax and lose the 8% rebate. Would you take the chance on Ebay?

Addicted2EOS wrote in post #8174198
I live in PA but have everything shipped to my office in NJ. I cannot ship to my home because UPS will not leave it there and I am never home when UPS shows up.

Thanks for the local idea. I'll make some calls. Local would still run me more $$$ since I would pay sales tax and lose the 8% rebate. Would you take the chance on Ebay?

Eh...Ebay makes me nervous when it comes to a lot of that stuff, especially new...

Now I've bought a few new lenses off eBay...so I guess I shouldn't talk...

What company is it if i may ask?

The Ebay seller is PhotoVideo4Less. Their feedback is strong and the email response has been fast and detailed.

A No return policy =`s a NO PURCHASE POLICY from me...You would be CRAZY to buy something without a return policy.02$

I only buy new from B&H, Amazon or Beach Camera. Not a good time to try and save a few pennies or even dollars.

Addicted2EOS wrote in post #8174241
The Ebay seller is PhotoVideo4Less. Their feedback is strong and the email response has been fast and detailed.

I dont like the name to be honest..sounds like a scam operation for some reason...

Just my 2 cents on that though

This name seems familiar .. way similar to www.Sigma4Less.com. If they are same company, then there is a return policy. Also they might operate in name of Photo4Less
I had one purchase from Sigma4less.com, and everything went as smooth as an Amazon purchase. Sigma4Less has 7 days return policy with >10% restocking fee..

I hate to make blanket judgements...

I don't know if your online seller is based in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City....

I hate to make blanket judgements but, I have found that online sellers based in Brooklyn, NY are bait and switch artists. They will quote one price over the phone or online and you will never receive the merchandise at that price. This appears to be a pretty general consensus.

When you attempt to contact the companies customer service, you are directed to a salesperson who will attempt to upsell the merchandise; often charging for items which are included free of charge by the manufacturer such as lens hoods in the case of lenses and batteries and strap and software in the case of cameras.

This happens again and again and has happened to me early in my days of purchasing digital photo equipment online. I will only deal with three dealers in New York City:

B&H, Adorama and 17th Street Photo.

I have bought equipment from them all and have always been satisfied with prices and service.

All I can say regarding purchasing from no-name online sources is BUYER BEWARE.

I am sure that there are honest dealers in Brooklyn as I am sure that there are pigs that fly and that most Al Qaeda Suicide Bombers are Jewish!

Yes, they are the same company as Sigma4less and Photo4less.

My apologies- There is a 7 day return policy less shipping costs