Buying New Camera from Local dealer vs Adorama, Amazon, or B&H? I am going to add a Nikon D750 and am wondering about your experiences buying from a local photo shop vs the on-line...

Chico 1948 Loc: Cincinnati

I am going to add a Nikon D750 and am wondering about your experiences buying from a local photo shop vs the on-line retailers. I would imagine price will be an issue and difference. Other than that, isn't supporting a local shop in the interest of the photographer? I would appreciate a discussion and advice. Thank you in advance. I find the UHH most informative and entertaing at times. As a sort of new photographer this site has been very helpful.

Pete

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Check the prices and origin of what you purchase. The information is something else.

Local shop are too few and far between to recommend w/o knowing your location. All are not equal.

Chico 1948 Loc: Cincinnati

Good point, sorry should have mentioned location and name of shop. Dodd Camera in Cincinnati Ohio. But also in general given individuals experiences.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

your local dealer is not going to give you a 30 day money back guarantee like BnH will

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Chico 1948 wrote:

I am going to add a Nikon D750 and am wondering about your experiences buying from a local photo shop vs the on-line retailers. I would imagine price will be an issue and difference. Other than that, isn't supporting a local shop in the interest of the photographer? I would appreciate a discussion and advice. Thank you in advance. I find the UHH most informative and entertaing at times. As a sort of new photographer this site has been very helpful.

Pete

One problem is that so many camera shops are going out of business every day. You could buy something today and the store closed tomorrow. Even stores that have been around for many years are closing. Follow up service is not a given.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

It costs me taxes, but I prefer to shop at my local camera shop, Arlington Camera in Arlington, TX. It's a professional camera shop with a rental department, as well. I've bought all my Nikon gear from the same salesman, who knows Nikon equipment and is available should I have a question, which I did. It's been awhile, but as I recall, I was getting vastly different exposures when using different metering methods. He had me check to see if my exposure compensation had been reset to 0 and it had not, and that solved my problem. So....if supporting your local camera shop also means availability to good camera advice....then by all means support your local camera shop. If your local camera shop is just a franchise where salespeople come and go and their knowledge is questionable....then go with the B&H or one of the others where you might save sales tax.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Chico 1948 wrote:

Good point, sorry should have mentioned location and name of shop. Dodd Camera in Cincinnati Ohio. But also in general given individuals experiences.

Dodd's Camera is still in Cincy? Haven't heard of them for several years. Whatever became of Pete's Photo World? They were big supporters of Frank Wood's Big Bang, ie. the EBN fireworks. Labor Day weekend was always a great photo-op for the folks in the trip-state area. One of the best ops I ever saw was the Conservancy in Eden Park at Easter. That place was so popular it was almost impossible to get near it. Went one year and got turned away by the police. Went to the City View Tavern instead. Aways thought the view from the City View was spectacular, river, city, ex-ways, Mae West, bridges, etc. Porkopolis! What a city it is. "Vaz You Ever In Cincinnati?" is great reading about Cincy in the 19th century. Sunken' Lunken was also a good spot for shooting. Glad to hear the Dodd organization is still kicking.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You never stated your location. I sometimes go to Best Buy Store to look at a camera to get a feel for it. I've bought 3 cameras from them in the past years. One as a gift. Costco is an option too. Many good local camera shops are closing, due to competition from larger stores that are convenient to visit, and online orders. Some Camera Shop closures have been mentioned on this forum. You can buy a brand new Nikon D750 for $1800 from B&H, and sometimes a refurbished D750 for $1600. Good luck.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Chico 1948 wrote:

I am going to add a Nikon D750 and am wondering about your experiences buying from a local photo shop vs the on-line retailers. I would imagine price will be an issue and difference. Other than that, isn't supporting a local shop in the interest of the photographer? I would appreciate a discussion and advice. Thank you in advance. I find the UHH most informative and entertaing at times. As a sort of new photographer this site has been very helpful. Pete

Jeez Pete, support your local schools??....., unheard of!
Pete, welcome to the Hog!
But feeding the big BOX stores is the new American way.
Prices on Cameras are fixed by the manufacturer. But you will pay taxes.
Not to mention, you'll have to push away from the computer and actually have to go face a live person, in person, what a novelty!
By all means, buy local!
SS

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

I buy all of my major equipment from National Camera in Minnesota. I may pay more but they have been supportive over the years. I do get a 30-day return policy. I have made a commitment to myself that if there is any chance I will buy it elsewhere, I will do all of the internet checking and price comparing before I walk into the store. Once I walk into the store I have committed to buying it from them if I buy it at all. I find it dishonest to check the item out at a brick and mortar store and then buy it cheaper elsewhere online.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

There is an assumption that 'on-line' is always cheaper ...it isn't always.
Your warranty will be with the manufacturer not the local shop so matters little where you buy.(So long as it isn't grey market)
If YOU and the shop owner know the 'market price' then you have a bargaining position....extra goods, memory, used equipment thrown in (online you just have a cost figure).
How much advice do you need in the future? How much kit do you want to trade in the future?
Do the homework, think what's fair and then I would first ask in the store.... You can shop online from the pavement using your cell phone if you are getting no-where with the store owner/manager
Have fun

Chico 1948 Loc: Cincinnati

Thanx for the reply, yes Dodds is still here. Pete's was bought out by Dodds national I believe, bought my D7000 from Pete's. Eden Park, City View Tavern, all great places to shoot and drink. Cincy is in a renaissance.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Dodd is a dealer with several Ohio locations as well as Chicago. They have an A+ reputation. I absolutely agree that supporting our few remaining "local" dealers makes great sense for a whole lot of reasons. Buy the camera today!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Jim_In_Plymouth wrote:

I buy all of my major equipment from National Came... (show quote)

And after they buy it from online or elsewhere, they will bring their camera to a local camera shop, and request a free tutorial on it. Giving only "thanks" as they walk out.

BebuLamar

In Dallas the dealers gave me lower price than Adorama and B&H. I do have to pay 8.25% tax and if I buy online I could get away with the tax although by law I believe I still have to pay the tax. In my case I rather buy locally. I don't want to buy a camera before I could see it in person. Checking the camera out at local store then buy online simply isn't fair in my opinion.