HelenOster Loc: New York

Really appreciate the feedback - which I made sure to copy over to the Adorama store manager to share with his team.

cneajna Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I replied once to this thread touting Adorama - I still do. Ron V. has treated me with the most excellent care when I encountered a problem with a flash unit.
I have also purchased online from B&H (not recently), Amazon and Best Buy. If you know what you want and don't need help, Amazon is ok, but they are often not the cheapest. The ONLY place I had a problem was Best Buy.
Someone mentioned bricks and mortar stores and purchasing there. I purchased a small point-and-shoot online from BB and arranged an in-store pick up. Within the 30 day limit, it dropped in price and I went in to get the difference refunded - BUT - when I was in the store for the credit, the sales clerk in Customer Service stole my card info and used it to buy a $200 BB gift card. Fortunately I keep a close eye on that account and caught it before it was finalized (it was covered either way, but was glad I caught it quickly). For that reason I won't buy from BB online or in the store with my card anymore.
Amazon charges sales tax on any purchases from and fulfilled by them. That can get pretty pricey and add a lot to the cost - especially if you're on a budget like me. So, because all the great experiences I've had with Adorama, I still stand by my original recommendation and say they are absolutely the best. I do a lot of research before I buy anything, not just camera equipment, and I weigh all the angles (price, additional add-ons, shipping, etc - plus personal experience, if any). I haven't found anyone who can beat Adorama. (and no one is paying me to say that, nor do I work there) :)

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

Hi Cneajna,

Firstly, sorry to hear about your bad experience. I hope you did complain to BB and got the rogue sales person punished. If not, there is always the possibility that he or she may get hired by Amazon or Adorama, down the road! <scary thought!>

However, anyone with your experience would naturally become wary of BB for future purchases. TARGET, recently, had a huge confidentiality breach here during their early days in eastern Canada and lost credit cards info of many customers. Everyone kept running away from Target and some still are, after several months! :-(

By the way, I personally would not call warehouses like Costco and BB or Futureshop as brick and mortar stores (although technically speaking they are!) but rather stores like Henry's or Black's (US franchise names might be different) which are more dedicated photo stores and likely to have salespeople who are likely to be interested and knowledgeable about photo goods. Now, even that is not a given and some of those folks might be seen a few months later selling used-cars, I am afraid!

Caveat emptor shall always apply and thank god for so many photoforums where lot of information and advice does have value and is offered for FREE!

Best of Luck!

cneajna Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Yes, I did complain to the store manager. This happened over the holidays and the phony charge did not occur till Jan... maybe the sales person thought it would get lost in holiday shopping - too bad for him. Thank goodness I keep track of my purchases and don't make many using my card. It was a local store so I don't see the person driving to NY or WA for a job. One thing I did learn - NEVER EVER let a sales person take your card out of your sight. I also have a feeling whoever he was, he is no longer working there.

I'm not saying I would never buy from BB - I just won't ever do an online store pickup again. Besides I've found Adorama has a much larger selection than BB and is far more knowledgeable. (I was in BB recently to look at mirrorless cameras - they don't even stock them - at least not at mine.)

As for warehouse stores like Costco (which we don't have) or Sam's (which we do), I have purchased camera stuff there. However, ours doesn't seem to have anyone who knows much about cameras there either. Evidenced by the fact that I called the store asking them which models Canon they had in stock, the sales clerk told me they only had one... when I was at the store a couple days later, I noticed they had two different models and they were right next to one another on display. Go figure. :)

But yes, definitely caveat emptor.... which reminds me, a couple people mentioned Abe's of Maine... I was initially tempted by a camera they offered for sale which I'd been researching... the price sounded "too good to be true".... and upon further investigation, I discovered the reason it was so "good" is because it was "gray market". Thank goodness I figured it out before I tried ordering. I admit I was reluctant since I'd never ordered from Abe's before - so perhaps that was a good thing. :)

Thanks for your kind words!

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

*Grey Market* often is a term used these days for shoddy products, but I think was originally used for genuine products (Made by Nikon vs Made for Nikon ;-)) which did not have warranty coverage in USA. However, many of these do have valid international warranties, so of lesser concern for products imported from US stores! However, certainly more hassles if something does break down and given the complexity of modern products and lower QA/QC (cost-cutting in order to remain afloat in a fiercely competitive market place), why tempt Lady Fate...? :-)

cneajna Loc: Port Angeles, WA

The products I saw at Abe's said "Imported" which meant no US warranty. So, not a good idea unless you're a gambler. :)

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

Or ... as I mentioned, if you don't live in USA! 8-)
You would be surprised how huge some of the mark-ups are less than a few hundred miles north of the US border! :roll:

cneajna Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Actually I probably wouldn't. :) I was on Guam last Christmas and found a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5KK - on sale just slightly over $400 PLUS a $100 instant rebate. I snatched it up faster than you can say "Oh Canada". :) No sales tax either. So double good. :)

HelenOster Loc: New York

I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify the position re the "grey market", at least as far as Adorama is concerned.

"Grey market" refers to products imported directly into the US, rather than through the manufacturer's authorized agents / distributors. It is perfectly legal to directly import & sell these products in the US; the term "grey market" was coined by manufacturer's authorized distributors who wanted to discourage consumers from buying these (less costly) goods.

With no factory authorized middle-man involved in the import of these products, costs are lower, so the price is lower to our customers. Many items which are in short supply or not imported at all by the manufacturer's authorized distributors are available in direct import.

Any of our products which are being sold as such will be clearly marked, and you are more than welcome to contact me directly should you have any concerns regarding a specific listing.

There is no difference in the actual products. Occasionally manufacturers will name them differently for example the Olympus USA Digital Stylus Cameras are called Olympus MJU Cameras in Europe
On direct import products purchased from Adorama, we offer the same level of warranty as the USA warranted products carry, for a period of one year. The only difference is that you would need to ship it to Adorama for warranty service.

For, I think, about the past 10 years, the policy of Canon USA has been to honor their warranty for any unit sold though an authorized Canon reseller, whether it has been imported by an authorized agent or is direct import.
All the customer requires is original receipt to verify the reseller and the date of sale – apparently you don't need the warranty card - and even if you do have the warranty card, you will still have to provide the receipt.

Some consumers believe that the only practical reason to buy a USA warranted lens is if you think you may require warranty service outside the USA.

Equipment classified as USA, purchased from an authorized dealer in the United States, will be eligible for Canon warranty service (almost) anywhere in the world. "USA" equipment is specifically categorized for distribution and sale in the United States through the network of Canon dealers.
They will service any Canon item with a fee if it is otherwise not under warranty, but Nikon USA will not service a direct import item at all, whether the customer is willing to pay or not.

BTW, I understand that this company is a Nikon authorized repair center, and WILL service all Nikon units, including direct import:
http://www.nikoncamerarepair.com

and that this guy also repairs and services Nikon lenses:

Rick J Riggins
1939 S. Quebec Wy. #203
Denver, CO 80231
WWW.DiscountCameraRepair.com
303-669-0945



I hope this helps.

If you have any further queries regarding any aspect of Adorama Camera, or AdoramaPix, please do not hesitate to contact me directly: helen@adorama.com



Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen@adorama.com
www.adorama.com

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

My understanding is that Nikon won't repair grey market equipment.

HelenOster Loc: New York

Correct - but as you will see above, I've given links to two people that will.

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

Many automobiles and cameras are sold with different model numbers in USA and Canada (to keep this warranty handling separate by the manufacturers) and in some cases (cars notably) the models have some different features as well or options.

Aside from these legit products (regardless of warranty red tape), the marketplace has many alternative products such as batteries and remote controls and others. All of these are significantly cheaper and most work well. Some, are cutely labelled as "Made for Nikon" for instance, giving the impression that those were manufactured for or to the order and specs of Nikon, but really only mean, "Made for Nikon products"!

Since cameras and more notably laptops have all kinds of verification codes built in the software, they can detect the alternative accessories and either report their nagging error flags (Lenovo laptops for instance) or do stuff that is more nasty, operationally!

OH give me pencil and paper, a shoebox, needle and a sheet of thin tissue paper for making the screen! <SIGH>!

NOT...! :lol:

cneajna Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Hmm.... I've never had a problem using non OEM batteries or accessories that attach to the camera electronically (remote shutter release for example). Not one... and I own multiple cameras.

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

Count your blessings and touch wood! <Kidding!>

cneajna Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I guess it's a good thing I'm not superstitious?? :)