kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Is it just my local store or does Best Buy want "out" of the camera business?

Maybe it IS just my local store (Simi Valley, CA). I was just in there today and there were literally only THREE cameras on display, a Sony A6000 and two entry-level Canon DSLRs. Not a single camera from any other manufacture, even the digital camcorders were nowhere to be seen. A few bags, a few tripods, that was pretty much it.

Compared to the store closest to my work (Woodland Hills, CA), where they have literally the complete current production line of Nikon, Canon and Sony, from pocket point-and-shoots to the highest-end DSLRs, plus the full lineup of lenses for all three. For Nikon, just to name one, everything from the 50mm f1.8G all the way to the "Holy Trinity" and even the 200-500 is on display.

So, maybe, it's a regional thing. Maybe my town isn't as affluent as where the other store is located. But, MY store, at least, looks like it isn't interested in selling cameras anymore. I have two independent camera stores near me. One closer to my work, but I don't get a good "vibe" when I'm in there, and the other store, which is about a half-hour drive in the opposite direction, but where they really know me and appreciate my being there. Fewer and fewer independent stores are still around. Many disappeared because of the "big box" stores, but even some of those, like MY Best Buy, are phasing it out.

Sad.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Best Buy isn’t a camera store. It’s a general merchandise store that has some cameras for sale.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

In my area, Best Buy is moving to a "central fulfillment" model. Specialty and higher cost items can be purchased on line or at any store, and picked up at the fulfillment center store. That store also allows walk-in shopping, but does not have most products on display. Yoi have to already know what you want when you shop there. This started during the pandemic restrictions and is so far still in place.

gwilliams6

A few years ago I was one of the pro photographers hired and paid by Best Buys to launch bigger camera departments in some of the bigger Best Buy stores in each geographical region of the USA. For the first couple of weeks I and fellow pros around the country taught some in-store photo classes and introduced the new bigger photo departments. Then we were thanked and that was it.

Best Buys had their own store camera sales department staffers, some decent photographers on their own. IMHO, I think it never took off across the country like Best Buys had hoped. And Best Buys own store revenues have shrunk as more people shop online, and/or even at big-box discount warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club for electronics and cameras.

You hardly ever find a dedicated and truly knowledgeable photo salesperson in any of the Best Buys photo departments nowadays, as their remaining employees are asked to sell in all departments as staffing has been cut.

Also Best Buys has gotten something of a troubling reputation with its photo sales. Stories from Best Buys photo customers across the USA talk of decent sales pricing, but then horror stories about obtaining returns and refunds, with huge restocking fees charged.

One example: a fellow Facebook friend of mine wanted to buy a Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM to cover soccer games of her kids. The version one of that lens, though very good, is six years old in optical design and focus motors. I recommended she wait as the version two of that 70-200mm f2.8 GM was just about to be released and was going to be much sharper and much faster focusing with dual linear motors.

She went ahead and bought the version one and within ten days the new, much better version two was out . She had not even used the version one copy yet, and tried to return it to her Best Buys, only seeking a refund or store credit so she could buy the newer version two 70-200mm f2.8 GM from them, which was a bit more costly . Best Buys told her they would only take it back with a 20% restocking fee, just outrageous. That lens is a $2000 USD lens, so they wanted her to lose $400. So she just kept the lens.

I guess if you price compare with other local camera stores and dealers like B&H, Adorama, Robert's Camera, Allen's Camera and the same photo gear item at Best Buys is cheaper, then buy there, but dont expect the same kind of service after the sale of the best reputable camera dealers. And dont expect to return the item without a huge restocking fee.

BTW in over five decades as a photographer, I have never had to pay a restocking fee when making a return of undamaged /unused gear within the listed return period.

Cheers and best to you.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I don't shop at my local Best Buy, I make the 30 minute drive to south of the state line. I live not too far from the PA DE state line and the Talleyville DE store is my go to Best Buy. Delaware has no sales tax and that Best Buy has an excellent camera department.

Iron Sight Loc: Utah

On line shopping is growing more everyday.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Yes, but now that the states that collect sales tax are now collecting from online sales, retail stores in states without sales tax are looking pretty good. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, brick and mortar shopping facilities are making a bit of a comeback.
As I said, I live near Delaware and DE has no sales tax, and the Best Buy is about a mile from the state line, and they have a nice camera department. I'll be going there soon to pick up a new lens.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I went to bestbuy.com and checked their Nikon offerings, D850, D7500, D6, Z50, Z7II, lenses too, and that was just Nikon. Looks like they are loaded with camera's. NO problem, you should check out their web site.
Maybe they are going to like B&H.
Besides, if they offered camera's in the store, they would have to have folks who knew camera's. Maybe they are cutting back on inventory and staff and gone to regional sales instead.
BOTTOM LINE, YOU CAN STILL GET CAMERA'S FROM BEST BUY. ISN'T THAT GREAT.

Red6

The Best Buy stores close to me do not carry many cameras, maybe a dozen or fewer at a time. I assumed that Best Buy was watching and following the general trend of cell phones taking over much of the photography by consumers. They certainly offer a huge selection of cell phones. I think they have conceded the market for more serious photography equipment to Amazon and other online stores such as B&H.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm from NJ but have dealt with woodlandhills for years. I met the owner, Farah, at a telescope trade show years ago. What a great store and customer service that can't be beat.
My telescope club members have bought a lot of scopes and optics from them. I have bought all my camera from them for years.
Can't go wrong with woodland hills. Tell Farah, Mike from NJ Sent you

tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois

I think it's just Best Buy as a whole. The kids they have working in the camera department have little to no knowledge of cameras, or anything about photography for that matter. I wish I had a dedicated camera store that wasn't 50 miles from home, but I think those days are over.

Canisdirus

Camera sales are way down...shelf space is a premium for these all in one electronic box stores...which are also disappearing.

It's just business as usual.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

In nj you pay tax if the company has a brick and motor place on the state. If you buy out of state they sometimes call it a user tax. They seem to crack down on not charging sales tax

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

My local Best Buy is an excellent place to buy large appliances. Cameras...not so much

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

Very interesting discussion. My wife and I are looking to buy a new toaster oven with air fryer, etc. I stopped by Bed, Bath and Beyond store here in the Palm Springs area for a look at what is available. I learned that they have a very limited selection on display. I was further told that the two brands that are considered by many as the best brands are Cuisinart and Breville (that they do not stock on display) are available to purchase. I could order it sight unseen and have it sent to me. Any questions I had about either line could not be answered. That struck me as a strange way for a cross country chain store with the apparent reputation that they have. Perhaps their "largest competitor" Amazon has all the brands of ovens that we may be considering in their well executed web sight. What's more their refund warranty and shipping policy is well know by everyone to be near flawless. It's no wonder that media has picked Bed, Bath and Beyond as one nation wide store to go out of business. I prefer to buy my new oven locally . . . but am having a difficult time finding anyone that has it in stock. Even our local Walmart does not have the two makes previously mentioned on display other than just one model of one of the makes. Where has the good old fashioned USA business management gone?