buying from 42nd street photo: I am in the market for buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens. While I was reading a post the link for 42nd st photo appeared. I checked out the...

mpelikan Loc: denver, colorado

I am in the market for buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens. While I was reading a post the link for 42nd st photo appeared. I checked out the website and they have this lens priced quite a bit lower than most camera shops. They are not listed with the BBB. I am wondering has anyone purchased from this store, is it a scam, are there hidden costs with their products. Just curious. thanks, Mary

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Check resellerratings.com

and do a Search here at UHH

WYp8riot Loc: Wyoming

I believe I have through their ebay store if I remember correctly. See how much they have one listed on ebay.

Dave R. Loc: PNW

RMM is correct. Check the site recommended. I have a foggy memory of them not being a very good dealer to do business with but others may have a different story. You simply can't go wrong with B&H or Adorama.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mpelikan wrote:

I am in the market for buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens. While I was reading a post the link for 42nd st photo appeared. I checked out the website and they have this lens priced quite a bit lower than most camera shops. They are not listed with the BBB. I am wondering has anyone purchased from this store, is it a scam, are there hidden costs with their products. Just curious. thanks, Mary

They are NOT an "Authorized Reseller" for any products. If you are lucky enough to get the lens, you can be assured it will be a grey market import and have no USA warranty. Not worth the savings OR the hassle.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

mpelikan wrote:

I am in the market for buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens. While I was reading a post the link for 42nd st photo appeared. I checked out the website and they have this lens priced quite a bit lower than most camera shops. They are not listed with the BBB. I am wondering has anyone purchased from this store, is it a scam, are there hidden costs with their products. Just curious. thanks, Mary

There is another thread on here somewheres that asked the same question and got quite a few responses. It boiled down to: "Deal with them at your own risk". People I know whom I trust have warned me that they have a rather sketchy history.

A. J. Loc: PA. USA

mpelikan wrote:

I am in the market for buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens. While I was reading a post the link for 42nd st photo appeared. I checked out the website and they have this lens priced quite a bit lower than most camera shops. They are not listed with the BBB. I am wondering has anyone purchased from this store, is it a scam, are there hidden costs with their products. Just curious. thanks, Mary

They may call you and try to get you to buy more; or make sure of the brand advertised is the brand they are sending you.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

mpelikan wrote:

I am in the market for buying a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens. While I was reading a post the link for 42nd st photo appeared. I checked out the website and they have this lens priced quite a bit lower than most camera shops. They are not listed with the BBB. I am wondering has anyone purchased from this store, is it a scam, are there hidden costs with their products. Just curious. thanks, Mary

Virtual tour:

http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?q=&layer=c&z=17&sll=40.749331,-73.984118&cid=13137636020165952848&panoid=YEQi_BlNIyUNWIDnDv4XSA&cbp=13,193.34535608598995,,0,0&cbll=40.749331,-73.984118

Per BBB, 49 complaints in three years, all resolved; not a bad record.

CO

Watch out for grey market items. You won't get a US warranty. It could be that the owner's manual won't be in English.

pball Loc: Waterford, MI

I have purchased several items from 42nd st photo over the last few years. I just bought a Sony RX100 last month. They have always delivered the correct product with full US warranty in a reasonable time. They will call you and try to sell you batteries and memory cards which I have always declined to buy. I would buy from them again. They always seem to have the best prices and I have never had a problem with them.

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

I'm looking at a 24-70 2.8 as well; the Tamron is about $1,000 less expensive and has OS, the Canon does not have IS. Also, the Tamron's warranty is much longer.

Makaipi Loc: Lexington, South Carolina

If it's the same guys, I remember going into the the store on the street! Can't believe those guys are st I'll around. Watch out! The reason why you get low prices are that the supporting equipment , I.e. The AC adapter, USB cord, instructions. Maybe even the lens itself may be missing. Different equipment altogether in the box with a picture of what you are supposed to have on the outside of said box. These guys were a class act! Hope I'm wrong! Caveat emptor!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Makaipi wrote:

If it's the same guys, I remember going into the the store on the street! Can't believe those guys are st I'll around. Watch out! The reason why you get low prices are that the supporting equipment , I.e. The AC adapter, USB cord, instructions. Maybe even the lens itself may be missing. Different equipment altogether in the box with a picture of what you are supposed to have on the outside of said box. These guys were a class act! Hope I'm wrong! Caveat emptor!

Those sound like the guys on just about every street corner camera store along Jefferson Street at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. You can walk out with a $1500 lens for $250, but try to take it back when you find it's a $50 knockoff with a plastic barrel with two uncoated elements and hand-lettered markings. "But is same thing, made in secret plant in Vladivostok; all lenses from China really made there!"

CA_CanonUser Loc: Friendswood, TX

BEWARE: The lens they are selling is not the current lens, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens. They are selling the original version which sold for about $1400 new when it was the current model. So 42nd street is selling two year old models for a little more than they sold for when they were current.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

From what I've heard they are pretty good if you KNOW what you're looking for but they will take advantage of ones ignorance.