Buying local - paying the price.

I'm buying my first dSLR in the next week or so, but I am wondering is it worth saving the $50US odd bucks on buying from a place 800kms away, or is it worth the extra for a local camera store, that is 5 minutes from my house?

I'll be getting:

350D
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX
Sandisk Ultra II 1GB

What's everyones thoughts and experiences?

If I have the time to properly plan out a purchase, I will do that. I will find the most reputable dealer online (typically B&H) and order it. It ships in after five days or so.

On the other hand, when I've had some major equipment failure or loss, and I have to get re-equipped for shooting very quickly, then my friendly neighborhood Canon dealer gets the business. I have to stop and remember state sales tax adds onto the tab.

---Bob Gross---

You can save a lot more than $50.00 online. I bought my 20D (with 17-85 IS Lens) for $1,700 from Digibuy.com The local reatailer wanted 2,000. That is a 300.00 saving...which is exactly how much a 4GB flash card costs...so, for 2,080.00 (final price, inludes 2nd day shipping), I bought the the 20D w/17-85 IS Lens, a 4GB Flash Card, and 67mm UV Filter... that is a pretty good deal. No retailer (on my area) could even touch that.

But, local reatialer means less hassle returns, etc... Good luck!

If your local dealer is only 50$ more expensive than the cheapest reputable online dealer, then by all means buy there.

I've heard my share of stories about 'shoddy QC at Sigma' so for that lens, I'd maybe go for the local option where you could test out the lens in the shop before actually buying it.

I can't really comment on whether Sigma lenses are better or worse than others, because my only Sigma lens (30/1.4 EX) had to be sent back to Sigma immediately for re-calibration because of a very severe front focusing issue As soon as it arrives back, I'll be able to comment.

Best regards,
Andy

I prefer to buy local from a shop myself and build up a rapport with someone, if I have problems it can be less headache and save money in the long run. That said I have got better prices from my local store than I could off the net, maybe because I have bought quite a bit from them.

Hey morris where do you live? Aus? NZ?
I Am guessing its outside of america.
I Purchased a couple months ago a 350d, sigma 24-70.
I Live in aus and if you like i can give you my advice on everything, if your in australia

Border of VIC/NSW

Shoot.

(no pun intended)

Congrats Morris_Jay on your big spend. Birthday time or something?

Go for it!

(Actually going down that way tonight, to Eden.)

Finishing year 12 HSC. It's my "present" from myself, for finishing.

Birthday is in a couple of months, so thats chippin' in for it too!

double post.

If you buy smart online(sometimes it takes buying from a few different shops), you can save a decent amount.

The card, the camera, lens. If you do your hw, you'll never fail. And you can get warranties and whatever on any of those things.

Sites like Pricegrabber.com, Yahoo's shopping section give you good price comparisions and also reviews on the vendor. They list places like Dell, B&H, Beach Camera, etc.

If the difference is only US$ 50, I would just buy local. It has some advantages: you have a place to go to if there's a problem with it and you can actually meet the people you're buying it from in real life.

If you buy in an online shop, always be VERY careful. There are many con-shops that try to impress you with incredibly low prices, but they have all kinds of nasty tricks to make you pay much more than you intended to. If you buy online, always check the shop on http://www.resellerrat​ings.com first.

Nice choices ... buy local. The saving isn't too significant.

I only wish there was a decent local store in my area that stocked anything other than the simple basic stuff.

I only wish there was a decent local store in my area that stocked anything other than the simple basic stuff.

If I see another small shop with only a dozen P+S types, 2 DSLR bodies, kit lenses, lens blower from Pakistan and a rack of chinese tripods.

"We can certainly order a remote cable for you right this minute...."