brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

I went into a camera store to look and came out with a new camera $150 cheaper than B & H. It is only a matter of time until the IRS starts tracking on line purchases. Now they only ask if you made any.

BebuLamar

I found local stores do not charge higher than places like B&H any more. When I bought my Nikon Df my local store charged me $2729 while B&H price was/and still is $2746. Small difference but still the local store didn't charger more. I paid the tax but the store has nothing to do with that.

Buckeye Loc: Dayton, OH.

I worked for Cord Camera from 2005 until they went out of business in 2014. Cord bought Pete's Photo World in 2005. Pete continued to work for us as an assistant manager until the end. We got a lot of traffic in the stores from people REALLY interested in buying an XXX camera. They would play touchy feely, ask a million questions and get opinions and an education. A week or so later they would come back in with their brand new XXX camera bought online wanting us to explain it to them. Almost all the camera manufacturers control pricing so regardless where you buy it the price is going to be very close to the same.. B&H was always 3 to 5 cents cheaper than we were but often had freed shipping and no tax. This is why the brick and mortar stores are going away.

Cape Codder Loc: Cape Cod

Whenever possible I buy from the local store (Orleans Camera on Cape Cod MA) which stocks Canon products. I love them. they take time to explain, have classes, showcase the work of local photographers, and process prints for you in all sorts of formats. They also help with their printing machines if there is a tricky photo I want printed. If they don't carry what I want, I buy over the phone from Hunt's (mentioned before) on this thread. They are polite, professional, and informative.

As for Best Buy, well there is the old aphorism about not saying anything if one can't say anything nice.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I thought Nikon controlled the prices of their gear. At least at the low end, which is why B&H offers extra goodies. Doesn't Nikon care about the upper end? Encountering such a high mark-up, wonder what the store's response would be if asked why they want an extra bonus? Sounds like either they don't want to survive, or they think we don't know what other places charge...

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Good on the phone, too! I've called plenty of times to make sure I was making a good choice, or to understand something about a product.

genesampson

Bought my D750 with lens through B&H. Great service and free shipping with no tax. Look at both body alone and with the 24-120 lens. I needed the lens as my D90 lens was for DX. Be sure to consider this as buying the lens later is expensive. If you get to NYC put B&H on your tour list. It's like a big boys candy store.

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Hello Chico. I have had a very good history since I became serious about getting better equipment a few years ago, by frequenting my local camera shop, Southeastern Camera in Raleigh NC. I was looking to upgrade my camera to a full frame, and the people there are all experienced photographers, thus able to give good advice on the options. You can handle the equipment, see how you like the controls setup, etc. I went in thinking I would continue on with Nikon, but wound up with a used Canon 5D. They let you bring it outside and take some shots, help you understand how things work, etc. As to price, I checked on line each time I bought from them, and they have never failed to meet or beat the price I could find at B&H or Adorama. I think in your case it depends on your local camera shop and how you feel about them. I should add that the place I go will clean the sensor on your camera indefinitely, without cost, if you have bought it from them. And also, if they get to know you, it is like you have local people with experience to advise you on many photographic issues. Good luck with your decision!

MikeC

I believe in buying locally also. However when you're retired and on a fixed income like I am, I look to save money and usually buy most of my gear from B&H Camera in NYC, don't pay sales tax or trans. Quite a saving there not counting excellent pricing. After retiring and still paying property taxes for 46 years, I'll take every break I can get!

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I would have to plead Guilty to purchasing a great number of items from Amazon. I love the company, and they have treated me well.

That said, I would always purchase my camera equipment from my preferred local dealer, Schiller's Camera here in St. Louis. And it was from them that I've purchased my Canon 5DII, and three L series lenses. Only once did I present to them a print out of a dealer offering a lower price and they matched it. I should also point out that one of the L lenses was used, purchased from them. While they had one in the used department, he asked me to wait and he would call when they had the same lens but in "perfect condition". That wait was less than one week. He told me I could use it for one week and return it for full refund if not satisfied. Also, after 7 days, but up to 30 days, I could return it for full store credit. I not only think we should support our local (long standing) camera stores, but we should enjoy the customer service we cannot find at any other kind of seller.

bugguy Loc: midwest

I cast my vote for purchasing from the local camera store (maybe we can make them great again), pun intended. I do support my local camera store whenever I can. Full disclosure my first experience with them was not pleasant. I did feel talked down to and felt they thought I was going to handle the equipment, ask questions and then purchase online, which is exactly what I did because of their attitude. Eventually I did return to one of their sister locations and developed a relationship with several of the employees. I'm old school and prefer people interaction. My first experience with the super online site that's praised here everyday was no that great either. I called to ask questions concerning the Tammy 70-200 2.8 vs the Sony and whom ever I spoke to that day was not helpful or interested at all. Since then though I have made a couple of small purchases online with them and have been happy with that service. I suggest any/every one at least try your local store before going online and as far as pricing I've found Dodd's Camera stores to be very competitive to everyone. I was very happy with the trade in value they gave me on my Canon equipment when I made the switch to Sony. I purchased a used 85mm 1.4 lens from them at a very reasonable price that one of the employees had set aside for me because we had established a relationship and he knew I would luv it. And someone wrote that local stores don't give 30 day trial periods, Dodds does, on their new and used equipment.

richardsaccount

Dodd Camera originally started in Cleveland. They have been in business over 100years. They have a main "Professional Store" in downtown Cleveland.
There are several branches in the Greater Cleveland area. One is conveniently, about two miles from where I live. They also have a Columbus Oh. store and a
rental store in Chicago. I have purchased my last three cameras from them. Price wise they are competitive. Most of these manufacturers seem to have a fair
trade type of pricing. When the cameras are discounted they seem to be company sale prices. I don't know if they sell refurbished cameras or any gray market.
One advantage for buying local is that a store such as Dodd Camera will let you try and handle the equipment. They are there to answer your question face to
face. I would give them a shot. When you buy local you are supporting members of your community.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Before we retired, my wife had a small local shop, and I had a small closet remodeling and distribution company. I am all in favor of supporting the local businesses, but generally they can't match the prices at the big box stores, but if they can get the price down to where the difference isn't really significant, why not support the local guy? He probably will also have knowledge about the products he sells & advice if you have a problem. Have you ever tried to get technical info from a big box store where their best answer is reference to a website? My only caution for photographic equipment would be to make sure what you are getting is comparable, ie. not grey market or out of production leftovers (unless that is what you wanted), and if your instinct about the sales person or manager isn't 99.94% positive, go elsewhere.

That said, I realize there isn't much of an option for those who live relatively far from a large, independent camera retailer (as I do) so the choice is between an Internet purchase or a store perhaps 100+ miles away that isn't going to get to know you as a customer anyway and probably is the only one; that's not much of a choice.

The reason so many small retail shops are disappearing is two fold: (1) most people what to pay as little as possible for an item, and don't think about after sale service, support and advice until they need it and it's not available because the small guy closed up shop and/or retired. (2) Too many customers go into the shop to see the equipment, handle it (even if the shop has to take it out of the box), then tell the sales person that "it looks good, but I want to think about it", and after getting all his/her questions answered, goes to the mall and buys from the big chain.

If they bought their ongoing requirements--photo paper, ink, mats, frames, filters, even lenses, etc.--from the local shop, they might survive, but most need the day-to-day sales more than the big items. Without the sales of the smaller $$ continuing items, the cash flow dries up and......

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I am lucky in that there is a fine pro shop about an hour away from me, just a bit closer than NYC. Although I have purchased many things from B&H and Adorama, I do prefer to buy locally whenever possible. I have Allen's camera in Levittown PA who has good prices, great support and superb stock of pro gear. They are near Philadelphia and I can't recommend enough. There is also a very good store right in my area but they do not carry much of the higher end gear. I shop there as well. Best of luck.

brookie

For me, there is a clear distinction between purchasing photo equipment on line and other merchandise, such as books, clothing, etc., on line.

For this discussion, I'll stick to photo equipment.

For minor pieces, when a brick and mortar store is convenient, I go there; but not for major equipment. So, all of my cameras and lenses over the last 10 years or so have come mostly from B&H, Adorama, KEH, and Amazon. Why? Price. Reliability. Service. Honesty. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Ethically, I evolved into this position: I never take up a salesperson's time and never handle equipment, unless I'm in the store to purchase that equipment and then only because I need it at that very moment. (A rare occurrence.)

Prior to reaching this ethical bargain with myself, I had spoken with salespeople, handled equipment, and told them what I was willing to pay. Occasionally, this worked out, but more often the salesperson displayed annoyance or hostility and could not meet my bottom line.

I miss talking photography and equipment face-to-face. On the other hand--using B&H as an example--I "meet" helpful, knowledgeable people who are generous with their time and don't push to make a sale. In addition, they take returns without a hassle.

In preparation for purchasing equipment, I read about product and communicate with fellow photographers on line. This usually leads me to make buying decisions that are right for me. And when I misstep, as already noted, B&H and others accept returns.

One final point: I've used Nikon bodies and lenses (DSLR) exclusively for 15+ years, so purchasing new equipment is probably less demanding a task than it is for someone who works in multiple systems.

Thanks for listening.