Silverman Loc: Michigan

I have been in Photography at different levels, except Pro, for almost 30 years now, and I have purchased 95% of my equipment at B&H Photo, never had an issue with quality, prices have been very competitive with other online stores, depending on the product, but I guess from my positive past experiences, I just feel comfortable with B&H, so unless an item is totally outrageously priced, which I have not seen happen as yet, I will continue to shop B&H,until they really disappoint me for some reason.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

B&H, Adorama, Amazon for new; KEH for used, Nikon for refurb.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I've been using B&H for decades. I especially like the fact that I don't pay sales tax on larger items. It seems whenever I use Amazon, I pay sales tax. I have never had an issue returning something to B&H. There are no camera stores around where I live, so sometimes I don't end up liking the item I have purchased. The shipping cost is a small price to pay. I do use Amazon for many other things not photographic.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I agree whole heartedly. And local (if you can find one) for emergency or things needed immediately. (Yes, I know that the local dealers are hard pressed to compete with the large mail order, but why should I pay higher prices PLUS locals sales taxes for something I can get in 3-4 days at significantly lower prices, with add on's, no sales tax, and free shipping?) I will support buying locally to a certain degree but if it is the difference in $100 then I will wait on the brown truck. 7% sales tax plus a higher retail price and no extras is a significant extra to have to endure. It could be the cost of an extra lens, battery pack, filter, or memory cards. I understand the situation and feel sorry for the store owners but my money is hard earned too. Tiger Direct used to have several stores in the southern part of the country (in addition to their mail order) and they closed all but 2 of their retail locations to return to mail order. Having said that, while Tiger Direct does have some good deals, like every company, you have to watch what you purchase and be aware of value. They, like many competitors, sell some very good stuff and also some very bad stuff that seems good until you get it. There are several other mail order stores I also deal with for computer stuff. I also deal (a lot) with Newegg and some with Fry's. HH Gregg is an appliance store that happens to sell some other things but their people don't know the market or the product and are straight commission. I would buy from BestBuy before them and I really dislike Best Buy.

Budgiehawk

That warranty matters to me too. Question: why does the warranty depend on where the equipment is purchased? Is the equipment of lesser quality in Europe or Asia or is it just in order to sell the same stuff at a higher price here in the USA?

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

When you are buying from Amazon, often you are actually buying from Adorama. I don't like Adorama for their return policy and much higher prices than BH. BH does not charge taxes and on a big ticket item, that is hundreds of dollars in savings. So while Amazon has a better price, I check BH and find that no tax is make BH better. BUT, got to love Amazon's return and replacment policy which if the prices are equal or even slightly more at Amazon, the uncertainty of the product make Amazon my choice.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

I personally would not give up B&H for Amazon if I had a choice, not even to save money.
With B&H, I know what I am getting and B&H will stand behind their sales.

Example: I ordered a Promote GPS unit for my Nikon D300 for $99.99 from B&H. It was shipped in a flat mailer and was broken when I received it.
I called and another was shipped, the same way and again it was broken. I sent photos upon the managers request and B&H agreed it should never
have been shipped this way. A third was shipped in a box which I received in perfect condition. B&H sent me a prepaid mail for me to return the two
broken items AND refunded my money for the one I have now with a sorry for the inconvenience email stating they had changed their shipping policy
for small items. Now I did not expect a refund but B&H customer service is next to none, all the time. I have been buying from B&H for 6 years now.
B&H stands behind every sale and goes above and beyond what they have to for customer satisfaction.


If you can live with used then KEH is the best in my opinion. When KEH states "Like New" this is exactly what you get
for a price substantially less than new.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I don't have any "local suppliers" so B&H wins hands down over Amazon.com for equipment and OEM printer ink, and I don't pay Sales Tax or freight (if the purchase is over $50 and I make sure it is).

When I'm buying hardware that I'm not familiar with, I like the option of talking with someone who knows the product(s) as opposed to someone who is just reading the same advertising brochure that I've already read. My printer paper comes from Red River.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Same here!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I buy from all the major sellers, but Amazon is excellent for returns. I can go online, tell them I want to return an item, and then print the label. Depending on the reason, I'll either wait for UPS to pick it up, or bring it to a UPS drop box or store.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

B & H for sure. Shang

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

B and H for me. The thing that I like about B & H is that they offer the most information about their products. I also like Amazon, however, while their prices rival B & H they do not offer as much information about their products. I also attempt to shop Adorama, however again they do not offer as much product information as B & H and I find Adorama's web site more difficult to navigate.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Adorama sells on Amazon!

I had an Amazon gift card. I wanted an camera accessory. Amazon showed that Adorama was the seller and the shipper. I could have saved a few bucks buying from B&H or Adorama direct, but I got to use the gift card.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Most of us don't live in Vietnam so it's going to be different for you. But I go to B&H, Adorama, Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, and Sammy's (local store)

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I shop around. B&H, Adorama, KEH, Beach Camera, Amazon and a short list of other "trusted" vendors. Sometimes you'll find a little better deal one place or another.

Any unknown vendor advertising significantly lower prices, I'm immediately suspicious and do further research before considering them.

If you are in China and looking on Amazon, good chance is that it's already a more "local" source for you.

The Tokina 11-16/2.8 II has been superseded by the new Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f2.8 (which is reportedly solves some of the flare issues common with the earlier lens), so it's possible you found a clearance price on the old lens, from someone with it overstocked or even who bought up a bunch that were being clearanced.