Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I'm in Minneapolis this weekend & while killing time at the mega mall I wandered into the camera section at Best Buy. I was surprised at what I saw. Last week they unveiled a new display of higher end Canon & Nikon cameras and lenses including Nikon D810 & Canon 7D mkII. There were several Canon "L" lenses plus some Sigma lenses including the 150 - 500. The sales people aren't any more knowledgeable than at any other Best Buy though, and I can't say if the prices are any better since I haven't priced any of that equipment. The gal I talked to there said it was a first for them.

Walt

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Just went online and found the same thing minutes before I read your post. I've got Precision Camera here in Austin and of course, there's B&H, Adorama, KEH and others that are more dedicated to all things photography. Nice to know that if you need a Sigma 150-500 in a pinch, you're never further away than the next Best Buy...

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I think this is something they're just trying out at this one location for now.

Walt

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Best Buys in Miami for some time have displayed the newest and expensive gear-the D810, D750, the Df, 24-70 mm lens etc. and Canon 5 and 7D, L lenses etc; but the bodies often are displayed open with no lens attached, inviting dust. Strange.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Likewise the ones in the Los Angeles area - my guess is Best Buy is trying to make themselves seem more knowledgeable but carrying high end gear - the thinking being that the average consumer not looking to spend $4K on a camera body would still buy their entry level model at that store over Target, say, where all they offer are the lower end bodies. This is known as the halo effect.

Of course, it's rare to find a worker at Best Buy (or any big box store) who has a clue as to what the products are all about, so if you already know precisely what you're looking for and don't have access to a "real" camera store (where the staff is well acquainted with the gear) then at least with Best Buy you can return things easily or at least handle them rather than make guesses and then mail order the product.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Then they can sell sensor cleaning kits

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

When I was thinking about buying the Df, I went to Best Buy to see if I could put my hands on one and the guy told me "No, that's an expensive camera, we don't carry any of the high end cameras in store." He said they "might" have them online, but he didn't know. They didn't have any full frame bodies in house at all.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

So, did you buy the Df?
I think it is a beautiful machine.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I did, and I absolutely love it. It's exactly what I've been waiting for ever since I got back into the hobby.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

I agree with f8lee. If you want to really talk to someone who has better knowledge of what you are looking for and actually give better support to a local business look up in your phone book where a local camera store is. They will most likely be able to help you better when you explain to them what your interests are.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I wrote to Best Buy over a year ago criticizing them for sorta being in the camera business but not really. They usually keep good stock in their shipping facility in Dallas but not in the stores. With many moms and pops going out of business their business plan was not too good in my opinion. I would think that someone in their organization would recognize an opportunity when they saw one. They did write me back and said they would pass my letter up the chain. I hope they are altering their plan a little.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

The saleskid told me if they have my particular body on display that if there's any lens I'd like to check out, he would mount the lens for me to try out right there. I didn't because it would have just given me a huge case of G.A.S.

Walt

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

It also ads to the number of refurb units that will be available in a few months. I'm sure that nobody in BestBuy has a clue how to use a sensor cleaning kit, and they probably send floor models back to Canon or Nikon for refurb before selling them.

Wait 6 months or after the Christmas season and then let's see how they handle this issue. Might be a good way to buy top end gear at discount prices. But would you buy it after Walmartians have handled it without a factory refurb? Not I, even if they do discount the item and their "Open Box" prices are not that much lower than retail.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Best Buy has sold upper level cameras for several years.. The problem is that they have no-one (or very few) people in their stores that know anything about them. When I was looking at lenses I happened to see a Nikon D800e in the Clearwater Best Buy so I asked the camera department manager about it. He stated that it was a nice camera but he couldn't see any difference between it and buying a D5100 and spending the extra money on FX lenses because they were both FX camera. I asked him if he was sure, so to prove his point he put an FX lens on a D5100. And said, "See!!! it fits and focuses and everything." I asked him how long he had been the camera department manager and he said that he was promoted 2 years ago from TV's.
While I do buy some things from Best Buy, I will never EVER depend on an employee to tell may anything about it. I do all of my research elsewhere. About the only things I purchase there are things that I know I can get repaired at other venues (Nikon Support) or things like cabling, movies, etc. The Geek Squad is a joke. They spent 4 hours trying to set up Wi-Fi at my son-in-law's house and when I went over, there was no security on his Wi-Fi. I moved the router to get better coverage (moved it upstairs center of the house and got it out from behind the tv on the outside wall in the living room, and now they have secure Wi-Fi all over the house and front and back yards.)
Another reason that Best Buy has been closing stores and consolidating.