JimBaxter Loc: Oklahoma

Hi everyone I have found a site online that is selling DSLR,s and Lens for very low prices,its called Lots To Save.It is in New York and sells most makes of cameras and Lens.I would like to know if anyone here has heard of this store and anyone who has bought through them.I phoned the store today and asked if all the the cameras and lens are new and made in USA and are not grey boxed or international models,I asked if they had a Canon or Nikon etc warrenty.He told me yes,so I looked at reviews and all said they were 5 out of 5 or 4 out of 5, I read earlier reviews and they were not very good,so if anyone can tell what this store is like I would be gratefull before I buy anything....Thank you

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Are there any cameras or lenses made in the USA today in 2020?

If the equipment has a manufacturer's warranty valid in the USA, it will be sold by an authorized seller at a price set by the manufacturer and consistent with all other authorized sellers. Each manufacturer's authorized sellers are listed on their websites for your verification.

If you want to pay less, then you do so at your own risk. The equipment is all made in the same factories and tested in the same manner. They should last as long as any other piece of equipment, whether sold by an authorized seller or grey market. It's when (if) you ever have a problem that you discover whether that lower price was worth the relatively low potential risk.

The 'buying experience' may also be a problem. An authorized seller will have all the original equipment at the standard price. Not a bait-n-switch of the body, but not the strap or maybe a missing battery charger that suddenly has to be paid for as 'extras'.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

You are 100 percent correct. Well stated.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Buy from authorized dealers like Adorama, Amazon, B&H, Cameta, Costco, Crutchfield, Hunt's, KEH, Robert's, and probably some others. An authorized dealer will be approved by the manufacturer, so it will be reputable, and the prices will be just about the same from one seller to another.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Why ask here?

All you have to do is look at the mfgr's site of the gear you are interested in buying and see if they are on the list of authorized retailers:

https://cdn-6.nikon-cdn.com/where-to-buy/nikon_img_auth_dealers.pdf

http://downloads.canon.com/dealer/canon-ad-02-18-2020.pdf

The top two camera companies do not list Lotstosave as being part of their authorized dealer network, so I would just buy from a recognized, legitimate retailer. The lists are extensive so you shouldn't have any trouble finding what you want.

Buying gray market is a false economy. It's cheap up front, but a)there is no factory warranty, b)you will take a hit when you sell it if you can sell it, c)you may not be getting the real deal, aka fake camera/lens, d)you may be charged for things that come automatically with the camera (lens caps, batteries, charger, etc), e)the buying experience may be horrible - as in they may try to hard sell you on the "upgrade" packages, extended warranties, etc, f)if you have an issue with shipping, product being delivered broken, product not new (repackaged), etc you will likely be out of luck.

There are more reasons to buy from established legit retailers - this is just a sampling of what could, and often does, go wrong. Oh, and those reviews - no one is THAT good.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Sometimes Adorama, Amazon, B&H, Cameta, Costco, Crutchfield, Hunt's, KEH, Robert's, and other reputable vendors will include "free" items like a Memory Card, Camera Bag, and a Lens Care Kit to entice you to purchase from them. The prices on Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. will be the same. The "bait & switch" bunch or the "open box" guys with missing chargers, cables, software, or batteries are just not worth your time or effort. All of our best wishes on your photography journey.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Never heard of it. Wouldn't jump on it ....

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Others have explained the grey market issue but you also seem confused about where USA warrantied cameras are made. It's not in the USA. There is little if any camera and lens manufacturing in the USA and none by the major companies, such as Canon and Nikon. Much of it is made in Japan and most of the rest in other Asian countries, except probably European brands. The quality is all the same. The difference is the warranty and price.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

With so many reputable dealers it is not easy for me to understand how to go somewhere to buy. A warranty is not a valid warranty till it is honored in this country. Cameras and lenses made for other countries are not different than cameras and lenses we use here the only difference is the warranty. A gray market product should perform fine but if something happens the distributor and a majority of the authorized stations will not perform work on the specific camera or lens and you are left alone.

I prefer to pay a little more but have peace of mind.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Remember what your Grandma said, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't".
If you want to save some real money AND support an honest business go to KEH and buy EX rated stuff. Their rating system is very, VERY conservative. They have a great help staff, ship very quickly, and have a 180 warranty on everything except stuff rated As-Is. There are other good used camera outlets, KEH just happens to be the one I have experience with.

Rick

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

I find that this forum is a good place to buy used gear...most folks are honest and fair. You might post a WTB in the classifieds and see if what you want is available. Ask for images, history of where it was purchased and check to see if this is a grey market item. I also find used stuff on FredMiranda. I have also had good success with Roberts and KEH...but you pay a little more. Use PayPal services purchase and you can return the item if it isn't as described. Good luck!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

It would help to know who you are referring to. There are two exceptional camera stores in NYC. One is B&H and the other is Adorama. They are authorized dealer known throughout the USA.

Barn Owl

Why waste the time and searching for "deals" when you have B&H, KEH, and Adorama?

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

They are gray market. Gray market purchases confront you with a choice: Do I purchase the product and risk it failing and can't get it repaired and save some money (sometimes a substantial amount) OR do I buy from an authorized dealer with a US warranty?

I regularly buy gray market equipment. I have not had any of the equipment fail me (even outside of the warranty period). I considered my options, took the risk, and am happy with my decisions. But I knew the possibilities when I made an informed decision.

KLambar Loc: New Jersey

Looking on their website avoid as they are offering add'l warranties for lenses. They are not showing what warranty lens comes with. Ex: some of Tamron lenses come with 6 year warranties already (see Amazon).