Help me with Best Buy (Page 3): Is this an SLR camera that was on display? I would be hesitant if that's the case. There's been many times I've seen an SLR camera, with body cap off...

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

Is this an SLR camera that was on display? I would be hesitant if that's the case. There's been many times I've seen an SLR camera, with body cap off, just sitting there on display in the store. With fingerprints on the mirror, and exposed to all the dust, people touching and poking in the mirror box, and what not.

deberry Loc: Spartanburg, SC

Yes they do ship open box items. Bought open box TV on line. When TV arrived....broken screen. Do not have open box items shipped. Go to store and purchase, walk out. Shipping to rough for some items...cameras/TVs.
Took back to Best Buy. Got refund for TV. Went to Costco. Walked out with TV.

Peanut-the-cat Loc: Bradenton, Florida, USA

tnturk wrote:

Yesterday I saw a camera body on line from Best Buy. It is a body only and pick up at store. It is an open box item. Unfortunately the camera is over 100 miles away. I called only to be told the do not ship open box items. Any thoughts?

They want you to come into the store to see what else you might buy.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

tnturk wrote:

Yesterday I saw a camera body on line from Best Buy. It is a body only and pick up at store. It is an open box item. Unfortunately the camera is over 100 miles away. I called only to be told the do not ship open box items. Any thoughts?

Drive there, then on the way home take photos with the camera.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

DirtFarmer wrote:

While it is true that gas is cheap these days, the price of gas is only a small portion of the cost of operating your car. I haven't kept up with the amount per mile that you can deduct from your taxes for business use, but it passed $0.50/mile several years ago. So if the store is 100 miles away you have to consider that a 200 mile round trip will result in an actual cost around $100. Of course that depends on the car you're driving.

So would you save more than $100 by buying that item?

I seriously doubt a 200 mile round trip would cost $100. At 20 mpg with current gas prices it’s less than $20 in gas. The only way that trip costs $100 is if you stop for surf & turf on the way.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

tnturk wrote:

Yesterday I saw a camera body on line from Best Buy. It is a body only and pick up at store. It is an open box item. Unfortunately the camera is over 100 miles away. I called only to be told the do not ship open box items. Any thoughts?

The 100 miles will be about 4 hours of time to drive. Most cars can do that distance for around $20 (a Prius Prime can do it for about $7). How much money are you going to save is you only other factor. If your savings on the product is $10, I would forget it. If your savings are $60, the worth of your time becomes ~$10 per hour and probably worth it. Savings of a $100 or more, go get it.

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

SuperflyTNT wrote:

I seriously doubt a 200 mile round trip would cost $100. At 20 mpg with current gas prices it’s less than $20 in gas. The only way that trip costs $100 is if you stop for surf & turf on the way.

The real, hidden, cost per mile includes much more than just the price of gas. If it did not the IRS would never, ever, allow $.575 per mile as a deduction. How much you may save depends on the discount from new you are getting. As far as the 4 hour round trip drive, that depends on what you think your time is worth and how much you enjoy sitting behind the wheel.

Do what you want to do. It is your money and your time.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

tnturk wrote:

Yesterday I saw a camera body on line from Best Buy. It is a body only and pick up at store. It is an open box item. Unfortunately the camera is over 100 miles away. I called only to be told the do not ship open box items. Any thoughts?

You don't want an open box item from BB. It's been handled by God knows who and the lens has been on and off who knows how many times so a lot of debris is inside the mirror box and probably all over the sensor. You'll have to have the sensor cleaned before you even use it.

mgshn

Would you mind sharing the camera and the price they are asking? That would probably be useful input for people suggesting you spend 3-4 hours of your time and about $100 in car milage costs.

Rick Garside

Do you have any friends near that store who would be willing to go in and get it, then ship to you?

PhotosBySteve

Best Buy is rarely the best for photo gear.
There are a few reputable online stores. Eg; B&H, Adorama and others.
IMHO, Beat Buy is horrible to deal with, especially when it comes to returns.

pdsilen Loc: Roswell, New Mexico

tnturk wrote:

Yesterday I saw a camera body on line from Best Buy. It is a body only and pick up at store. It is an open box item. Unfortunately the camera is over 100 miles away. I called only to be told the do not ship open box items. Any thoughts?

On occasion while out in the field I've had to buy equipment at Best Buy. Their sales reps are beyond reproach. And they are very knowledgeable. To do business with them is well worth the drive.

russraman Loc: New York City

Sounds like a good excuse for a road trip!

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Just hope that it is not one of display cameras that I have seen sitting on the shelf with the mirror up and the sensor exposed

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Is it possible for you to inquire of someone on this forum who is nearby the possessing BB to do the deal for you and ship to you?