Best Online Camera Shop?

[oftpiste]

I've finally figured out what I want. Unfortunately (and rather unbelieveably) no shops in Seattle seem to stock it. First preference is to buy locally at the best price possible so if there's a problem I know who to talk to, at least for starters, but it increasingly appears that's not to be.

Fry's Electronics here has it at a decent price, but everyone says their customer service and return policies suck ass.

There are lots of online sites advertising it, but ALL of them have shitty reviews. Upselling, bad return policies, slow shipping, greymarket products etc.

Who's had a good experience with an online camera retailer that wasn't price-gouging? Better yet, anyone got a connection to a Panasonic rep who could hook me up?

Thanks.
OP

[Summit]

The best is B&H www.bhphoto.com

Period

[TeleHoar]

Always check out any online seller here:
http://www.resellerratings.com/

[oftpiste]

Always check out any online seller here:
http://www.resellerratings.com/

Yeah, that's where I found all the horrendous reviews of these joints' service.

BH looks pretty good....
Is it worth it to pay extra for their extra batteries and memory cards or is it better to find my own?

[bklyn]

Lost my long helpful post. Check out http://adorama.com/
Their customer service is superior to B&H, IMO and experience.

Both stores are far above the cut rate "camera and photo" scammers, so you can't go wrong ordering from either place. If you plan to order this week, both stores are closed for Shavuot - a holiday when they are not allowed to work. Your order probably will not ship until Friday.

[MeatPuppet]

Lost my long helpful post. Check out http://adorama.com/
Their customer service is superior to B&H, IMO and experience.



That would be my experience as well.

[El Chupacabra]

If you don't need advice from the vendor, just a good price and reputable background (i.e. not gray market shadiness), I've bought several cameras through Dell. They ship fast and cheap, constantly run promotions, and you can usually buy an ebay coupon code for 15-20% off also.

(Note: my stuff from Dell has just been point-n-shoot. If you need high end lenses, etc., they don't have it.)

[oftpiste]

Thanks all. Adorama is out of stock on my item unfortunately. Any group wisdom on the aftermarket warranty for $49.95? The camera has a 90 day labor/1 year parts and I believe I get double that by using my CC.

[brice618]

I've used cameta camera. Its an ebay dealer, and have had no problems with them.

[cj001f]

www.keh.com for used equipment

[japollner]

Ive used www.beachcamera.com before with awesome results.

[Summit]

I've used Adorama and Beach Camera with success too.


www.keh.com for used equipment

agreed

[Tippster]

B&H will never sell you any "Gray Market" gear without a warranty (their own - see post below) They also have the benny of being a huge Brick & Mortar store as well, meaning they're almost never "out of stock." I have not had remotely the same CS problems that Bklyn mentioned, but shit happens, especially in a family owned store like that.

Cameta is my favorite eBay camera dealer - I "shop" their store before looking in the general listings. I bought two Canon P&S camera kits from them and have been very happy.

I keep wanting to check out Keh, but am afraid to do so (my 40yo Leica could use a new lens..... $$$$$)

[MeatPuppet]

B&H will never sell you any "Gray Market" gear, which is of utmost importance if you need to warranty anything.


I may be misunderstanding something. Isn't the imported gear they sell considered "Grey Market"?

[Tippster]

I should have written "Without any kind of warranty."

What kind of warranty is available?

Any "grey market" item B&H Photo-Video sells includes a B&H warranty, which covers the same particulars the USA warranty would cover for a period of one year. The only difference is that you would ship the item to B&H for service. Your original B&H Photo-Video product invoice is all that is required.


Why offer "Direct Import"?

Direct Import, or grey market items often cost less than comparable US imports. There are also items sold at B&H that are not brought into the US through normal distribution channels.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=getpage&Q=GreyMarketStatic.jsp

[MeatPuppet]

I should have written "Without any kind of warranty."

Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.