Buying local - paying the price.

buy local
easier to deal with if there are any issues

I had an issue with my memory card
I was able to exchange it for another brand
no down time

also supporting your local economy is always good

Buying local is best if they can compete. Think about buying a canon lens they are superior, look at the threads what most members have. 1. Ef 17-40L

EFS 17-85 IS is great or look at the new one announced 2 days ago will be out in Sept 24-105 F 4L about $1,200. expensive . On line look at B&H or amazon

Good Luck
Ricko

My local store makes me feel inferior, intimidated and un-helped. I have resolved I will not go there again. I buy from Canoga Camera and find them to be not only cheaper significantly, but extremely helpful and dead-on reliable.

If the difference on all that is only $50 I'd buy local. I know I wanted my nifty fifty right now so I bought local and paid $10 more. No big deal.

the one Big advantage over buying Local is INSTANT gratification, No waiting on Shipping, worrying about a lost package, none of that. You hand them the money, they hand you the goods.

I always try and shop local, and its nice having a Calumet Photo not to far away, their prices are generally as good as a majority of online stores, and will price match a reasonable internet price (not those horrible rip off/bait and switchers)

-Johnny

I purchased my D60 from a large photographic shop here in Boise, paying full retail in advance and waiting for it to arrive at the shop. I did this with the idea of having better (read local) service AND some consideration when making future purchases. As it turned out, this was all for nothing, as the salesman never knew me when returned again for accessories and it was still difficult to get assistance.

Then, shortly after the 10D was introduced, I was considering upgrading to a 10D and asked my original salesperson (who also happened to be in management there) what my D60 was worth in trade-up. I was then told that it was worth nothing to them in trade.

So much for "support your local photo shop". I'll not purchase from them again, instead, I'll be happy to buy via the internet.

Your milage may vary: I'm sure that most shops would have better customer service after the sale, but this was my experience here in Boise.

If you take uo the sales person's time at your local store, BUY FROM HIM! If you already decided what to buy on your own, based upon web research or photo mags, take your business where you can save. But if you expect to come back to the local store for later advice, buy from your local store!!! Our local stores are going out of business, and soon we will not have the ability to buy accessories locally, on short notice, if they are all out of business because we are using nothing but mail order!

I'd like to buy local, but I really can't afford it. I went in a couple days ago because I wanted a UV filter for my new sigma 24-70 2.8 and while I knew it would be expensive (82mm threads) they charge over $70 for a no name brand and they didn't have them in stock. Thats double what I would pay online.

Our local stores are terrible for prices, everything is always SMRP. Would love to do business with them but they won't concede that the online stores offer better prices. When the difference is a couple hundred bucks, I can wait a few days.

Did you take tax into account? I'm surprised you'd save only $50 by buying online. When I bought my Drebel it would have been $1080 local but got it for $905 on www.newegg.com

And often online places are better for returns because they deal with higher volumes and have another unit to send out right away vs. a small shop that stocks 1 dSLR or expensive lens.

If you go to any normal store and ask for a Canon 20D, they go behind the counter, open up a storage drawer, bring the Canon 20D box out onto the counter, and then ask you if that will be cash or credit card.

When I needed my Canon 20D (in a semi-hurry), I went to San Jose Camera and asked if they had a Canon 20D in stock. They did. I asked for the price. Standard price. "I'll take it. No lenses." They went behind the counter, opened up a storage drawer, brought the Canon 20D box onto the counter. Then, before asking for cash or credit, the guy quietly opened up the box. He placed the battery in the camera. He stuck one of his lenses on it. He put his CF card in it. He aimed it at a focus target and snapped two shots. He quickly reviewed those on the rear display. Then he took out his CF card, his lens, and battery. He put stuff back in the box. He ran the credit card, and I was out the door feeling like that sales guy had really done a decent job.

---Bob Gross---

I bought a Nifty Fifty today, most online stores have it around $70, I paid $79 + Tax, a little more then I would have paid for the Lens + Shipping, it was definatly worth it to me.

If its close, go Local, if its not, buy Online. Support local business whenever possible, aslong as its reasonable.

-Johnny

I work too hard for my money to buy local just because it is the "right thing to do".....folks. I have purchased probably 6 cameras over the last 3 years and ALL of them have been online due to the significant difference in price.

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned in this thread either is the fact that can also save some significant money on sales tax buying online. Combine free shipping - which I have gotten several times - with no sales tax and you have got a windfall of savings in a lot of cases.

RickC - was it Idaho Camera that you bought your D60 from locally? And if so - what store?

<<I work too hard for my money to buy local just because it is the "right thing to do".>>

Then it is hoped that you did not enter your local store, consume a lot of the sales guy's time asking questions and debating with yourself about any of those purchases and asking him pros and cons, then ask him to open up product boxes so that you could play with the items, and then finally walk out the door and place your order on the web!!! To do otherwise is immoral.

For those who advise to buy local because you believe they will treat you better if there is a problem or what not think again. I used to feel this way until the last month. I bought a DVD burner from the local Circuit City. 35 days after purchase it quit burning. No problem I think, I'll just take it back and exchange it for another one. They claimed that since it had been longer that 30 days I would have to send it back to manufacturer. They would not budge even after talking to the manager. I could have received this type of customer service online.

I purchased a hard drive from CompUSA that failed two weeks after purchase well within their 21 day return time frame. I had all the manuals, original box etc... Unfortunately they claimed that since I had cut off the UPC code for rebate purposes they could not exchange the faulty drive and I'd have to send it back to the manufacturer. Needless to say I was more than a little pi**ed off. I demanded to speak to the manager and after explaining to him the problem and the fact I had to purchase a $70 software program to rescue the photos off of the corrupted drive he agreed to exchange the drive.

I also had a similar experience with my Epson P-2000 and Kits Camera. The moral of the story. Go ahead and buy online. It is cheaper, no tax, and basically the same customer "service."