Where do you buy?

[nativescrapper]

I have been looking at a couple of cameras and have narrowed it down to two. They are both Canon. Can you point me in a direction of a good company to buy from online?
I should just ask ...what site do you go to...to buy your camera and camera accessories?
TIA

[hguenthe]

I use B&H Photo (bhphotovideo.com), Canoga (canogacamera), or Newegg (newegg.com). B&H Photo is my first choice but check the other two for prices as well and depends on who has availability and if I am in a hurry or have some time to wait for delivery.

[katrinak]

B&H would be my choice too but I always check against Amazon as well.

[Starlite9711]

Whatever you do DONT buy from betterphoto.com or ANY site that the prices seem UNreal low. If it seems too good to be true google the name of the site, you may find a TON of horror stories. Just an FYI.
Stick with the ones that have been mentioned here!

[dugarner]

B&H has amazing customer service. I hear recommendations for them all the time. Abe's of Maine is reputable, as well.

[bluelemur01]

I almost always buy at B&H Photo in New York. I order over the internet, but they are a "bricks & mortar" store. Photogs use that designation to let you know that they have a "real" store you can walk into, as opposed to some businesses that sell ONLY over the internet and can be kind of shady.

Anyway, B&H is just about the biggest, most trusted store in the photo business. They are professional, safe, and usually have the best prices.

B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders

Other stores I trust are Adorama Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera and locally, Tempe Camera Tempe Camera - Buy, Rent and Repair Photography Equipment

I think it's great to support local photography stores like Tempe Camera, but then again I also like to save $$ and B&H often has a better price on what I need, at least the big items.

Good luck!
Jennifer

[bluelemur01]

I've also had good success buying from Cameta Camera. Digital Camera Store | Cameras for Sale

Like another poster mentioned, be sure to google your prospective store to find customer reviews. You'll see right away if the place you're contemplating is a rip-off joint or seems to commonly scam people.

I'd google something like "Cameta Camera Reviews" or "Cameta Camera Good Service?" or "Cameta Camera Bad Service?" or things like that, of course using the actual name of the store I'm checking out.

Some people prefer buying equipment at Ritz/Wolf Camera, because they offer really good (if expensive) 100% coverage warranties for extra $$. Suppsedly you could drop your camera in a clutz move or run it over with your own car the day before the warranty expires, and they will replace it for free, no questions asked. Now I have not TESTED this, but that's how a Ritz rep explained it to me. It SORT OF sounds to good to be true, but maybe they really will do it. Their prices may be a bit higher though, at least the base price.

Good luck and how exciting that you're getting a new camera!
J

[muddygirl]

Even I buy my camera gear from BHphoto and video and i'm in Austraila!!

[LauraBean]

I have bought from Costco, Amazon, and B&H. No complaints!

[kchris]

I've bought from Cameta Camera through Amazon. They had the best price at the time.

[1gr8muggle]

I've had great experiences with B&H and Canoga Camera. They are both very helpful on the phone, too!

[KerryMac]

I've bought several items, including my most recent camera body, from Calumetphoto.com.
They have a great store in Chicago and several other locations. Not sure how their prices compare, but their service is super.

[hendon]

I've brought camera gear from B&H and they were very well priced and fast (and I'm in New Zealand).

[lima]

Ditto what everyone has said about B&H and checking prices on Amazon. Very helpful salespeople at B&H!

[susiecw]

I've had really good luck with Adorama. I purchased my Jill-E bag from them earlier this year, and just purchased a lens from them. Cheryl, if you're planning a trip to the valley soon, I also like Tempe Camera. Just a suggestion....search all the threads here at DD on which lenses everyone loves and which ones they use all the time. There are many past threads here in this forum that will give you good advice on bodies and lenses...which ones the DD ladies are happy with and which they were disappointed with. They are worth re-reading. Let us know what "baby" you end up with. Susie

[katrinak]

I just have to throw out there that in my experience Ritz has THE WORST customer service I've experienced in a camera store!

[AllynD]

Another vote for B&H. I actually bought an extended warranty (something I almost never do) along with my little Nikon S10 when I bought it at B&H. My husband dropped my little camera in April, killing it dead. The warranty was from Mack Camera, and they made it all good-- they actually sent it to Nikon for the repair.

I also bought our new big screen TV from Abe's of Maine and was worried because the price seemed too good-- but they turned out to be just fine (although they are in New Jersey, NOT Maine).

[audrey77]

Amazon (amazon as the seller) or B&H!

[dugarner]

I second not using Ritz. I bought my camera from them to establish a relationship in a store, and they were generally non-helpful (I had a nightmare experience trying to find a lens THEY were supposed to sell me!) and then boom, the chain declared bankruptcy, and just like that, half their stores close. Pain in the tail!

Also, their website is not affiliated with their brick and mortar stores, so you'll get a runaround, general confusion, and frustration trying to order, especially if you're wanting to coordinate with a local store.

I'd go with Adorama, B&H, or some of the other trusted sites mentioned here. The low-price internet places sound good, and I did successfully buy a camera from one of them for a really low price, but they are known for their deceptive practices, hard sells, and endless "oh, that item is backordered---unless you order the $300 service plan" spiels. I just happened to pick the one that isn't quite as predatory or dishonest as the majority of them are, but I'd never go that route again just to save $100 on a camera.

[hguenthe]

Originally Posted by katrinak

I just have to throw out there that in my experience Ritz has THE WORST customer service I've experienced in a camera store!

Haven't had horrible customer service to keep me from stepping in the store in a pinch but also haven't had good customer service from them. Originally bought my camera from them but that was before I knew any better.

I also am leary of letting them touch my camera now! I had a filter that screwed on slightly crooked and got stuck. They cracked my lens trying to get it off and never said a word. Just handed it back to me and said they couldn't get it off.

[anke]

B&H and amazon for me also! I have use JR also and have had good experiences.

[amcmillian]

I too am looking to purchase a new camera, it will be my first dslr and I think I have settled on the Rebel XSi. I hate to hear that people haven't had good luck with Ritz and I didn't realize that the web site is not affiliated with the store as I found this deal or what I think may be a deal... Canon EOS Rebel XSi Digital SLR Camera Outfit w/ EF-S 18-55mm / 55-250mm Two-Lens Outfit (Silver) for $849 and no sales tax. Can someone tell if they think that is a deal or not. Could I find this price for that package elsewhere? I will check B&H, does anyone know if they charge sales tax? I think this may be a special deal for Ritz for Father's Day. Any thoughts on what I should do, cause if I go Ritz I only have today to make up my mind.

[hguenthe]

I haven't been charged sales tax by B&H but I think it depends on what state you are in. I believe typically they only have to charge you sales tax if you live in the same state as they operate in as their legal entity address.

[hguenthe]

Angela, B&H has the same Camera with 2 lens kit for $849 as well with free shipping and no sales tax if you live outside of NY State.

Canon | EOS Rebel XSi (a.k.a. 450D) SLR Digital Camera Kit | B&H

[sweetpeony]

You guys are the best - so generous with your suggestions!

[amcmillian]

Thanks Heather I do live outside of NY. I went to the site and it looks like they are not accepting online orders until tonight and 9:45pm, I hope that price is still available and that I have the guts to go ahead and make the purchase. It always takes me a long time to make up my mind especially for a large purchase in these times. I almost feel guilty for wanting it, but I've had my eye on it for months! We'll see tonight!

By the way Cheryl, I didn't mean to hijack your post :-)

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by amcmillian

Could I find this price for that package elsewhere? I will check B&H, does anyone know if they charge sales tax? I think this may be a special deal for Ritz for Father's Day. Any thoughts on what I should do, cause if I go Ritz I only have today to make up my mind.

Angela,

Is that deal with Ritz in the store? When I bought my camera from a Ritz brick and mortar store, they had the Sony A200 with the kit lens and the telephoto for an additional $49, and I could only get that deal in the store, not online. So when the store was sold out of the lens, and they refused to try to help me find one, I was on my own with my receipt and a phone, calling Ritz stores all over the mid-Atlantic and southeast to find that lens. It was confusing and frustrating.

If you can get a better deal, I'd check just so you can go somewhere else. Here in Louisiana we pay internet sales tax on many websites now. I don't know the regulations, or what each individual business does. So as Heather said, you might want to check. For me, with local sales tax at over 10%, if I can avoid sales tax, I do. It added $70 to the cost of my camera!

The ONLY benefit (as long as your store isn't closing soon) is that you get 18 free camera/photography class coupons with a camera purchase at Ritz, so if you're interested in that, it might make it worth it. You just have to weigh all your options.

Sarah

[amcmillian]

Thanks for the additional info Sarah! I have to go out in a little bit so I will stop by the store, those classes just might be worth the 5% sales tax.

[nativescrapper]

Originally Posted by amcmillian

By the way Cheryl, I didn't mean to hijack your post :-)

Dont worry about it Angela,
Thank You ladies for all the info!!! You guys are always amazing in answering questions!!! A big Thank You!!!
Now off to check the site out!! Thanks again!

[ShaylaSharp]

Online, try adorama or b&h, never had a problem with either. Better still, if you have a local camera store with great customer service then it might be worth the few extra $ to have someone local who can help you out if there's a problem.