kelown

This site is great and has helped me to choose the right bridge camera to buy and has already saved me money. One day, with this site's help, I will graduate to a DSLR. One last stupid question: I have read/heard that March is time to save money when buying a camera---true? Also, assuming no price difference, is one better off buying from a good camera store than from Amazon or some other internet option?

Thanks,

Larry

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

As far as a place to buy, I always recommend B&H in New York city. Great service and tremendous selection. As to whether it's cheaper to buy in March, I've never heard that. It is cheaper to buy current models whenever there is a new model coming out. Prices fall quite a bit. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Tim

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I mabe wrong but I don't think there is a good month to buy any camera. It depends when a manufacturer is comming out with their new models, when that happens, the older models usually comes down in price. If you know what your looking for, online is a good place to price cameras. You can get a really good deal on used or refurbished ones.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Kelown. Don't know of a good time to buy.
But if all is equal, do buy from a local retailer. That's what keeps'm there for when we need them. Yes you will pay sales tax(how teachers get paid) and you may pay a little extra. But when you need brick and mortar help, they will be there for you. If you will save tons, or just hate dealing face to face, that's what the Hog is for, oh, and the Internet.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I buy from a local store - at times may be a bit more than B&H but when I go in the store I can talk to peiople that I've talked to previously. We get to know each other. I can hold "it" in my hand and ask for demonstration, instruction. I can rent to try or buy and return if I want more than a day or to "test". Have bought from B&H and Adorama, will again, but first choice is the store I go to for the reasons I noted.

Oxygen Loc: Houston, Texas

Amazon is much higher than other online stores,just compare the same equipment to Amazon and you will easily see a not a slight difference but a significant difference.
I am very pleased with Adorama for the quality of their used products and the shipping, I normally received the products in three days using standard shipment.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

In retailing, there are certain times of the year when different items are less expensive. I've never heard of that applyng to DSLRs, though. If you Google "best time of year to buy," I bet you'll get suggestions. I know that winter is a good time to buy a car, for example.

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/bargainshopping/tp/Best_Time_To_Buy_Everything.htm

Kirk Lanier Loc: Arkansas

It is good to wait until prices drop on a newly released product. Prices are always higher for the first several months.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

I buy from a local camera store as often as possible . Yes they might be higher in price but I have always tried to buy from local merchants when ever possible. They are the ones who employ locally and contribute to tax base which by-the-way helps to pay for schools. I look at paying a slightly higher price as helping to contribute to the local community.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

You are in hiding so I (we) have no idea what good local camera store you might be referring to. If they are good and staffed with photographers then by all means assuming their prices are in line. Otherwise I agree with the post suggesting B&H. Perhaps the best online retailer of ANY product. Wonderful website, customer service, value and a great no questions asked return policy. IMO they can't be beat.

jim charron Loc: Ontario Canada

best time to buy is last minute/seconds of ebay purchase time. :thumbup: :mrgreen:

washy Loc: Dorset UK

A good time to buy would be when the dollar is strong against the Japanese yen so that the currency you are using buys more than when it is weak. In other words when the imports cost less, as much of the equipment we all buy comes from Japan or somewhere similiar Korea etc also if it used equipment look at ebay but only with seconds to go on the auction of the item your after . If you miss one it will be like a London bus, another will be along shortly. I was bidding on a couple of Sony cybershots the other day, setting my self a limit of £20 (its only for a little point & shoot to keep in a pocket). I missed one by £1 one evening the next evening I managed to get one for £11 inc p and p. If you know what you want and you limit yourself to the price you want to pay some bargains on ebay can be had. Regards

joedqcb Loc: Maspeth, Queens, NY

It depends where you purchase your next camera. When I started shopping around for my first dslr I was going to B&H or Adorama, especially since I live in NYC. But I found out that Feb.-Mar. are the best months for shopping for a dslr. So I checked out the big electronic stores and found Best Buy had a better offer. When I got there I found out they were having a special sale (only shown in their flyer). I ended up getting a Nikon d3100 kit and a 55-300mm telephoto lens for the same price as the other places were giving with a smaller telephoto. Hope this helps.

jaddottart Loc: Florida

I had a friend in New Jersey and when people came into his camera store and asked if he could fix or show them how to use a camera his first question was where did you buy it.
so,if you can purchase a camera cheaper do it,Beach camera is another great place,Also join a camera Club.Usually people in the club are very knowledgeable..

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

I called "marketing" for both Canon and Nikon. Their answers were very similar....

Starting with Nikon, they said, "Every month is a good month to buy a Nikon. It is our goal to achieve a new model replacement, EVERY MONTH, in P&S, entry level DSLR, Midrange DSlr, Pro DSLR and Full Frame advanced hobbyist and Full Frame Pro. We're not sure what we are going to do with our entry level Full Frame D600, and may drop that category if we can't get the oil off the D__n Sensors".

I then called Canon and they said, "Whatever Nikon said, although we are not having "quite as much trouble" with our low price (cheap) entry level 6D Full Frame, and may continue pursuit of an entry level Full Frame category. Wait and See? Heaven knows we've got the price up where we should be able to squeeze a little quality in. Have you seen the prices of the Nikon D600 rocketing downward..... no money for a fix in that move? We're (Canon) trying to figure out their (Nikon) plan for that model FF."

Everybody else, even though some of them have better cameras in certain categories than Nikon and Canon are waiting to see what the "Big Two" do, and letting CaNikon spend the lions share of Marketing (Well, after Fujifilm) in the industry, with development, and improvement funds coming in a close second.

Neither of them recognize a "best month". They have the same "Nut" to crack (raise) every month of the year. (Marketing, R&D, CEO and Upper Management perks and bonuses, embezzlement and finally, employee salaries)

Every Month!!!! Buy, Buy, Buy :thumbup: