Why is there such a range of prices for the same Canon EOS 5D SR camera.
May 31, 2016 11:40:54 #
Boentgru wrote:
Could you be comparing "grey market" items (those imported directly from the source country, without the manufacturer's marketing and support) and those imported and sold by the brand's normal U.S. sales and marketing?
Correct. They sell Grey Market - No US Warranty. I'd rather buy from an authorized Canon dealer and pay the going price with a full warranty, thank you very much.
May 31, 2016 12:24:22 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Why?
Because B&H is a real store that's been in business continuously for many years and has many satisfied customer reviews, offering to sell you a real item with a USA warranty and all the stuff that the manufacturer includes in the package, at the minimum price the manufacturer will allow an authorized dealer to offer...
While the other is a scammer who will pull all sorts of bait & switch tricks to rip you off.
"Gray market" is not necessarily a bad thing... reputable sellers (including B&H, Adorama) offer quite legitimate gray market items... which sometimes can save you a bit but usually means no warranty.
Basic rule of thumb for U.S. camera shoppers... Any time you see a price offered that's significantly less than B&H, Adorama, Amazon (i.e. the highest volume, fully established and reliable sellers in the country) you should be very, very suspicious and check out that seller thoroughly.
A simple Google search of "digitaloutlets.net" found lots of info. They are way beyond just "gray market".... well into the "buyer beware" or "run away fast as you can, screaming loudly and hiding your credit card" territory! Actual quotes:
"worst online retailer I've ever dealt with"
"we lost more than $9000 trying to buy from this seller"
"DO NOT BUY FROM... False advertising. Price baiting."
Better Business Bureau gives them an F due to 43 complaints on file, failure to respond to 30 complaints, false advertising, and more.
"STAY AWAY FROM THIS SELLER"
"Waiting for my refund"
There are hundreds more similar comments online.
Whois shows the Digitaloutlets.net website is "owned" by Perfect Privacy LLC.... That's a "firewall" company that allows website owners to hide their personal info from online searchers.... often for legitimate privacy concerns... but also sometimes used by unscrupulous websites to hide behind, so that you can't find out where they are or who they are and make it more difficult for you to sue them when they rip you off.
So, the old adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" couldn't apply more than it does today and in this sort of circumstance.
It's up to you.... pay the going price from a reputable company that's been in business for decades and has tens of thousands of positive reviews... and will go to great lengths to get you exactly what you want and order at the best fair price they can offer.
Or, roll the dice to try to save some money, giving your credit card number to a company that will tell you that you need to call them to confirm the order... then tell you "the $1000 cheaper item you ordered is the European version of the camera and only works in France, if you want it to work in the US they have that too, but it costs $1100 more"... "need batteries and charger? $350 more".... "want a warranty? $650 more".... then wait 3 weeks and hope they actually deliver something.... then, if something actually does arrive, hold your breath opening the box in hopes it's actually what you ordered... likely it won't be, so be prepared for numerous calls and emails trying to get a refund... which, if they ever do send something, will probably be a check that bounces.
Have fun shopping!
Because B&H is a real store that's been in business continuously for many years and has many satisfied customer reviews, offering to sell you a real item with a USA warranty and all the stuff that the manufacturer includes in the package, at the minimum price the manufacturer will allow an authorized dealer to offer...
While the other is a scammer who will pull all sorts of bait & switch tricks to rip you off.
"Gray market" is not necessarily a bad thing... reputable sellers (including B&H, Adorama) offer quite legitimate gray market items... which sometimes can save you a bit but usually means no warranty.
Basic rule of thumb for U.S. camera shoppers... Any time you see a price offered that's significantly less than B&H, Adorama, Amazon (i.e. the highest volume, fully established and reliable sellers in the country) you should be very, very suspicious and check out that seller thoroughly.
A simple Google search of "digitaloutlets.net" found lots of info. They are way beyond just "gray market".... well into the "buyer beware" or "run away fast as you can, screaming loudly and hiding your credit card" territory! Actual quotes:
"worst online retailer I've ever dealt with"
"we lost more than $9000 trying to buy from this seller"
"DO NOT BUY FROM... False advertising. Price baiting."
Better Business Bureau gives them an F due to 43 complaints on file, failure to respond to 30 complaints, false advertising, and more.
"STAY AWAY FROM THIS SELLER"
"Waiting for my refund"
There are hundreds more similar comments online.
Whois shows the Digitaloutlets.net website is "owned" by Perfect Privacy LLC.... That's a "firewall" company that allows website owners to hide their personal info from online searchers.... often for legitimate privacy concerns... but also sometimes used by unscrupulous websites to hide behind, so that you can't find out where they are or who they are and make it more difficult for you to sue them when they rip you off.
So, the old adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" couldn't apply more than it does today and in this sort of circumstance.
It's up to you.... pay the going price from a reputable company that's been in business for decades and has tens of thousands of positive reviews... and will go to great lengths to get you exactly what you want and order at the best fair price they can offer.
Or, roll the dice to try to save some money, giving your credit card number to a company that will tell you that you need to call them to confirm the order... then tell you "the $1000 cheaper item you ordered is the European version of the camera and only works in France, if you want it to work in the US they have that too, but it costs $1100 more"... "need batteries and charger? $350 more".... "want a warranty? $650 more".... then wait 3 weeks and hope they actually deliver something.... then, if something actually does arrive, hold your breath opening the box in hopes it's actually what you ordered... likely it won't be, so be prepared for numerous calls and emails trying to get a refund... which, if they ever do send something, will probably be a check that bounces.
Have fun shopping!
May 31, 2016 12:29:47 #
jerryc41 wrote:
And when you get there, you will get the same runaround, only in person. "Oh, see that customer leaving the store? He just bought the last one." "Would you like the battery with that?" "The owner's manual is an extra-cost option." These scam artists have been doing business a long time, and they know how to deal with their marks.
Amazingly I called several of those already and none is willing to sell the camera to me in person.
May 31, 2016 13:10:51 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Amazingly I called several of those already and none is willing to sell the camera to me in person.
Cuz then you'd be able to pick them out of a lineup!
May 31, 2016 13:19:13 #
Jun 11, 2016 00:30:15 #
Dun1
Loc: Atlanta, GA
Digital Outlets may be $1,000 cheaper because it's a grey market camera.
If you want to check seller ratings on line,
Check to local Better Business Bureau for customer complaints
Day in day out year in year out Adorama and B&H sell cameras, at the prices listed on their website, no low price and then the gotya happens with a phone call following a purchase, "Did you want the battery pack with that camera?" "We are only able to sell that camera with the camera protection package", Adorama do not bill your charge card unless the item is shipped and in-stock, no matter how low the price may be if the camera is not or does not become in-stock buying an out of stock item is a useless gesture especially if the item is never in stock at any price.
If you want to check seller ratings on line,
Check to local Better Business Bureau for customer complaints
Day in day out year in year out Adorama and B&H sell cameras, at the prices listed on their website, no low price and then the gotya happens with a phone call following a purchase, "Did you want the battery pack with that camera?" "We are only able to sell that camera with the camera protection package", Adorama do not bill your charge card unless the item is shipped and in-stock, no matter how low the price may be if the camera is not or does not become in-stock buying an out of stock item is a useless gesture especially if the item is never in stock at any price.
Jun 11, 2016 02:36:08 #
It's not the grey market that scares me with Canon because they generally will offer servicing, it's the seller I'd be most leery about. That is, if they even send you a camera after you pay them.
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