MrGNY Loc: New York

I bought my D7500 from Best Buy last year at a great price. They price match, if you know the sights that are grey you get a screaming deal. They were up front with the 15% restocking fee. No issue to me, they would need to sell as an open box or send back to Nikon. So it’s fair.

Another note, the camera store I deal with said I did better than he could buy it for.

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

I live in the area of Houston, TX. There are two Best Buys in our area. One I try not to enter, they either do not have the item I am interested in or no one knows anything about the item. The other store is a bit further but rarely disappoints. They have a reasonable number of items from what I would call the top three companies. You may bring your own lenses to try a body and the same for testing a lens. One time the salesman let me use one of his lenses because I went there without my gear. The closest brick and mortar shop is downtown Houston almost an hour away.

Being able to put my hands on the camera/lens is very helpful. If I go to Best Buy and they have what I want and I can handle it there, I will buy it there. Not fair to look, handle and then buy online from the other.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

One of my fave sayings (that I'm free to paraphrase per occasion) is that we keep trying to digitize an analog world. Every Best buy is different. Every salesclerk is different. Everyone of us is different. And every experience is different.
I have a Fryes Electronics down the street (Manhattan Beach, CA) from me. They had geeks, techies and nerds when they first opened- now I believe they have clerk wannabes earning retail experience points to get a counter job at MickyD's.
Our big screen died, so we went to Fryes for their sale. Great deal on the price- salesmen had no clue and weren't interested in selling. Half an our later we're off to Best Buy. Very knowledgeable sales woman, very helpful. I (lied) and told her we were on our way to Fryes, and showed her the Fryes ad- she may had said something soft and rude as she smiled. She offered the same deal- and free delivery- and free installation. We didn't act like smarmy aholes, trying to get over. We were polite, had previously Googled the products, knew what we wanted, and why. We bought it.
I have a local bro-in-law who does the "free rental" thing. Big Event this weekend- Sears or Target for clothes. Big Project this weekend- Sears or Harbor Freight for tools. Buy on Friday- return on Monday. And he has no problem lending out out what he borrowed from you- it's not his fault they didn't return it! To him, he's "winning".
Our ID doesn't say which one of us is which one of us- I don't blame the store for the 15% fee.

Frank D

I agree with the rationale for the return policy. It's not the store that is the problem. It's people. If people were honest and only returned items for legitimate reasons (defects etc) then there would be no reason to have a stringent policy.

But now for a slight detour, a reason to buy from BestBuy, their extended warranty. I know, first hand, that they do stand behind their extended warranties. One such instance was with a Nikon D80 that malfunctioned just after the D90 was released. BestBuy took back the D80 and in return offered the new model as a replacement since the D80 was no longer available. And this is just one instance. I can't get on the BestBuy bashing bandwagon.

It's true though,it's getting very difficult to get hands on for products because the the specialty shops are closing. Not an issue if you live in or around NYC and can get to B&H or Adorama, which are great stores.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

Best Buy is clearly a good option for those not near a major urban area with a camera store.

I believe that those of us who have well-stocked camera stores with knowledgeable sales staff should support them. I am an amateur with a prioritized list of wants and limited funds. I research my wants and when my experience converts a want into a need, I like having a fully stocked store and intelligent staff to help me purchase wisely. I am not a professional and I have no supporting corporate account, so I am not a major customer. But I hope he has a enough of those big bankrolls supplemented by users like me to keep his doors open. If not, I will be at Best Buy also.

hcmcdole

I bet the restock fee came about from all the folks who bought large TVs for the Super Bowl and then returned them after the game...

deanfl Loc: Georgia

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to comment on this post. I didn’t expect this much interest in what started as a little heads up on how to be able to handle camera equipment that many just read about and then order by mail, hoping it works out.

Most of us probably have had some experience with Best Buy...mostly good, and some less so.

I also was somewhat surprised to be advised to take a hike...of well over 5 miles....while carrying a full frame camera and lens combo that weighed at least 6 pounds....this is sort of a loose translation.

Happy shooting and shopping to all!

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

beorn80 Loc: Battle Creek, Michigan

with being a above the knee amputee, 5 miles is a eternity, so it's just all relative my friend. happy to hear you are a beast !! where 2-3 blocks for me is a big day. we all are different, God Bless you. don't pity me as I have my life,and at 65 can still drive a golf ball 250,hop in my cart line up the next one,lol! I then can modestly 3 put.lmao! by being a amputee I find myself seeing more on my outings as not focused on putting miles behind me. slow down and look around and I think you will be amazed at what you are missing. before my loss of appendage I too was more balls to the wall, now,,,,,,,,, enuff said and Stayed Blessed HOGS AND HOGETTES!