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Best/Worst online camera retailers?

post #1 of 32
6/20/06 at 9:52am
Thread Starter 
Just wondering if we could exchange information on how we've fared with various online camera sites.

I've had decent luck with B&H but other sites have lower prices. What do people think of:
  • Adorama
  • Beach Camera
  • Broadway
  • Unique Photo
  • Abe's of Maine
  • etc, etc.
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post #2 of 32
6/20/06 at 5:44pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Check out this website:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1995.html

That link will take you to the rating for Broadway. You can search on the others as well. Good information.
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post #3 of 32
6/21/06 at 5:56am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Based on the resellerrating comments, Broadway appears to be one of the many New York-based ripoff dealers. I ran into a similar type company (can't remember the name) when I attempted to buy a Canon PowerShot G2 a few years ago. I placed the order, then received an email stating that I had to call them to "confirm my order". Well, that turned into a conversation stating that the lower price was for a grey market camera with no warranty, no battery, etc. and I would have to pay extra for a camera with a U.S. warranty. The warning flags went off, so I cancelled the order and bought the camera from B&H.

There are many similar accounts from others on the photography forums. I cannot believe that these types of companies are allowed to stay in business.

Anyway, I can personally vouch for B&H Photo. I've used them numerous times, and the service is always first rate. Supposedly, Adorama and Beach Camera are also legitimate businesses with good service, although I have no personal experience with them.
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post #4 of 32
6/21/06 at 6:00pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I know a few people who've ordered from B&H and they've had excellent experiences. I just bought a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 350D today. I ended up going through Amazon.com as they were as cheap as B&H.
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post #5 of 32
6/21/06 at 6:32pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Quote:
I just bought a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 350D today.

I'm sure you'll enjoy that camera, Bryan. I bought the same model a few months ago and have been very pleased. Now, get ready to spend even more money on lenses. This hobby can be as expensive as home theater.
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post #6 of 32
6/21/06 at 8:21pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Quote:
This hobby can be as expensive as home theater.
Or more so if you discover L lenses and like 'em long and lean...
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post #7 of 32
6/21/06 at 9:34pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I've ordered from Adorama a couple of times and it went without a hitch.
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post #8 of 32
6/22/06 at 10:15am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

B&H is probably the best by a fair margin although their prices are rarely the best -- often, it's competitive enough though. If you're ever in NYC, I recommend making a trip to the B&H store itself.

Never actually bought from Adorama, but seems ok enough -- one of these days I'll finally get around to ordering some prints from them. Beach Camera (and their alter ego BuyDig.com) is pretty decent also. Abe's of Maine might be a notch behind, but should be ok also although I did not find my one in-store experience to be all that reassuring about their business operation even though service was hassle-free and friendly -- I had to make an emergency purchase of a Nikon D50 before heading off for vacation.

Definitely avoid Broadway's online operation although the store in Manhattan didn't seem bad to me when I visited it several years ago. Never heard of Unique Photo.
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post #9 of 32
6/22/06 at 12:42pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

John,

I've ordered a Canon G-6 from Beach and there were zero problems. I've also used Dbuys and had the same experience.

Dbuys from what I understand is also under various names. Their prices fluctuate under different names, so I'd suggest watching the item you are purchasing for a week or so to get a feel for pricing.

B&H in my experience is probably the best vendor on the net if you are pensive about purchasing high dollar camera items online. However, their prices with the items I've purchased were higher. There are always exceptions to the rule!

The "L" lenses can break the bank for most folks!
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post #10 of 32
6/22/06 at 1:54pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Quote:
Now, get ready to spend even more money on lenses.

I hear you. I bought just the camera body and then bought the Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS. That was about as much as the camera.

Quote:
Or more so if you discover L lenses

I won't be dropping any coin on the L lenses. They are fantastic, but too much for me to justify.

I'm just getting back to SLRs. I had a Minolta Film SLR up until about 5 years ago when I went digital and bought the Sony DSC F-717. Great camera, but now that DSLRs are getting reasonably priced, I decided to jump. Also, I'll be in Yellowstone this year and really wanted a nice camera to get some great shots.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack....
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post #11 of 32
6/22/06 at 2:18pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

The Canon 17-40 f/4L and 70-200 f/4L are not terribly expensive -- not much more than that 17-85 IS. Those two L lenses have been quite popular although recent releases of wide-zooms both Canon and 3rd parties have been eroding some of that popularity for the 17-40L. The 70-200 f/4L is popular mainly due to its much more luggable size/weight vs the various 70-200 f/2.8 zooms although it doesn't sport the IS that certain other Canon telezooms offer.

For myself, I've been fighting the urge to drop the $$$ on Nikon's own "L level" pro lenses for the past 2 years. Still resisting their 70-200 f/2.8 VR though I almost bought it on a couple occasions -- the D200 (from my wife) plus some carbon fiber legs helped reduce that urge over winter, but it's probably just a matter of time before I can no longer resist.
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post #12 of 32
6/23/06 at 10:48pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I wouldn't touch a single one of them except B&H and Unique. At least Unique used to be a legit stockhouse, but I have to wonder about them anymore. I thought they were gone, so they may have actually been bought up by someone new.

In the end, the only ones I would deal with are B&H and OneCall, which you didn't mention. OneCall often has the best price of any legit retailer, and they definitely are legit.

Ones like Adorama, Abe's and Beach have been pulling their little scams for decades. You may end up fine, and you may not.
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post #13 of 32
6/24/06 at 7:12pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

If my local shop can't get something for me, I shop B&H. I've found them to be very reliable. Whenever I'm in NYC, I make it a point to get lost in their store for a couple of hours.

Back in the late 70's and early 80's, Abe's was actually in Maine, a half hour drive down the coast at Old Orchard Beach. I didn't do business with them then, as they were strictly a tourist shop. I wonder why they claim an affiliation with Maine after all these years away.

-Scott
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post #14 of 32
6/24/06 at 8:14pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Quote:
I wonder why they claim an affiliation with Maine after all these years away.

I always just figured it was because Maine gives them a more down-home, honest sounding ring to their name. Many people expect to get ripped off by a New York outfit, but Maine doesn't have that negative bias.
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post #15 of 32
6/26/06 at 9:07pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I deal with Beaches retail store from time to time, they are fairly strange but I've gotten good deals from them and never a hassle.

Sam
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post #16 of 32
7/2/06 at 5:47am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

B&H and J&R are the two best I have dealt with, hands down.

Stay away from BEACH and ABES OF MAINE. Everything I have
read about them on the Internet points to them being rip-off artists.

It's the old addage of if the prices seem too good to be true....
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post #17 of 32
7/2/06 at 6:23pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I had forgotten about J&R, who seems OK. They just never seem to be all that competitive on price.
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post #18 of 32
7/3/06 at 2:21pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I had a good experience with Buydig.com, they had a great price, and when I had second thoughts a couple hours after ordering, I tried to call and cancel the order, but it had shipped already! They told me to just refuse shipment and they would refund my order, I don't think they mentioned any restocking fee. In the end, I kept the camera though.
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post #19 of 32
7/3/06 at 4:27pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

BuyDig.com = Beach.

I really don't think Beach should be considered scam artists nor Abe's of Maine. They are probably just small businesses that can't really compare to B&H in terms of good service and such and might be a bit more prone to making errors. I've seen plenty of forum posters (mainly over on dpreview.com) have good results buying from Beach/BuyDig.com and have seen zero actual scams involving them, and I've bought a few items from them myself. I haven't seen as many comments on Abe's (and have only bought 1 item, a Nikon D50, from them myself as noted earlier), but customer ratings over on pricegrabber.com look fine to me. Yeah, I've seen some posts suggesting that Abe's might not be very honest, but I have yet to see any substantiated or verifiable first-hand reports about problems buying from them.

And personally, I'd sooner order from Beach/BuyDig.com than J&R.

_Man_
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post #20 of 32
7/24/06 at 12:59pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

What would be the best B&M in the NYC area? Can they compete pricewise with online legit retailers? I realize they are often the same stores (B&H, J&R), just wondering if there is anything to gain by going to the actual store. Hard to imagine, with 8.25% NY tax.

--
H
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post #21 of 32
7/24/06 at 1:28pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Holadem,

The two BEST B&M retailers in NYC are J&R and B&H

I don't think they pricematch, but their prices are pretty
comperable to everyone else who is a legitimate retailer.

I'd definately go mailorder if you are outside NY in order to
save taxes.
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post #22 of 32
7/25/06 at 6:20am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I have to agree, the B&H shop in New York is fantastic.

When I was visiting NY a few years back, I promised myself that I would not go to B&H because I did not want to spend money. I deliberately didn't find out where it was.

Well, we went up the Empire State Building, and lo and behold the back of the ticket was a coupon for 10% off at B&H, "just two blocks away".

I broke down and went there. It was great. Someone asked if they could help me find something. I knew if they had what I asked for I'd probably buy it, so I asked for the then-new SMCP-67 75mm f2.8AL for Pentax 67, which as far as I knew was only available in Japan at the time.

Of course, they had it. I went from spending no money to spending $750 (minus 10%, of course).
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post #23 of 32
7/26/06 at 6:14am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I ordered my Sony H1 from Abe's of Maine a little over a year ago. I won't go into too much detail, but as usual they emailed me saying that I need to call to verify my 3 digit security code on the CC (I know for sure I entered it and entered it correctly on the order form).

I called and the guy immediately tries selling me options. I just kept saying no to every offer. I told him that I already have a case, memory stick, rechargables and wasn't interested in anything else. He then went on to tell me that my warranty is void if I don't buy a UV filter! What a liar.

I left a poor review at Pricegrabber, which they apparently check often. I received a call a little over a week later. A lady asked why I was unhappy, so I explained to her why. I was honest. She apologized and said if I change my review she'll send me a complimentary gift for the cam.

Long story short I changed my review (explained what happened in detail in the review... didn't say they were flawless or anything) and received a 3 piece filter kit a few days later.
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post #24 of 32
7/26/06 at 6:17am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Let this be known because it is the thing legends are made of....

Abe's of Maine is one of the biggest rip-off mail-order places
on the Internet. Their prices are always "too good to be true"
and there is a reason why it is.
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post #25 of 32
7/26/06 at 6:32am

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I won't argue that, Ronald. I've never been 'had,' but I've been close enough to feeling like I may get the shaft that I'm now willing to pay more and know I'm getting the product and the service.
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post #26 of 32
7/26/06 at 2:42pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I ordered a point & shoot from BuyDig.com once and they sent me 2 cameras, the one I ordered and the model under it. Didn't charge me for the second one, but after 5 phone calls and several e-mails I still couldn't get them to take it back. Weird...

We buy from Beach and Abes at work sometimes, but only by purchase order and only via phone. Never had a problem that I know of, and always get a better price by phone.
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post #27 of 32
8/1/06 at 8:04pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

Quote:
She apologized and said if I change my review she'll send me a complimentary gift for the cam.

Ron is right, Abe's and Beach will both get away with whatever they can. The fact they offered a bribe to change negative feedback only makes it worse. They have both been pulling whatever they can for decades. I know of this personally dating back to the 70s.
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post #28 of 32
8/12/06 at 11:42pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I like J&R as well I just picked up my new Canon A620 from them for 219.99 plus 5 bucks shipping. This happened to be the lowest price around the net currently for one that wasnt refurbed. Most likely I will order from them again.
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post #29 of 32
8/14/06 at 12:21pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I've ordered a number of times from J&R. Their posted pricing isn't always the best but they will price match and often will give you a better price if you just ask. If they don't, I hang up and call again and talk with a different sales person. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. The are very reputable though. I had to return a defective camera once and it was no problem at all.
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post #30 of 32
8/25/06 at 9:22pm

Re: Best/Worst online camera retailers?

I'd have to say some of your approved places to buy scare me to death Paul.

I'd stick with BHPhoto.com, Bergerbrothers.com, Robertsimaging.com, jandr.com will probably be ok, adorama if you must (not my fav)

Be careful of the New Jersey, NY photo "mafia" as I call them. Many many fly by night operations operating under several store"fronts", and I use the name store liberally. Also beware of ebay sellers with cheapest prices, grey market goods prevail, and US warranties may not be honored.

www.Nikonguide.com is a place I started to help with the Nikon end of questions like this. It's free of commercial interests, no ads or anything. I personally came real close to getting burned by a now X ebay outfit out of NJ. they went by einstein.com or einsteinphoto.com I forget. They are out, probably operating under a new name now.
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