Camera Store vs Best Buy (Page 7): There used to be another way. I'm old enough to remember what was know as Fair Trade Laws. It worked somewhat this way. Most quality products had a...

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

There used to be another way. I'm old enough to remember what was know as Fair Trade Laws. It worked somewhat this way. Most quality products had a fair trade price. This was apparently set by the manufacturer or distributor. Retail stores that bought from these suppliers had to adhere the preset Fair Trade Law. The overall result of this was that everyone sold most things at the same price. Yes there were occasional legitimate advertised sales. Retailers would compete on the basis of the quality of the service that they offered. Large chain stores increased their profit margins by buying in bulk at a "bulk price". This system seemed to work well for everyone. In those days I remember many camera stores in Seattle (where I lived most of my life) and many camera stores made a nice living. Then came discount stores. They would hang propaganda signs in their entry ways in the store promoting the advantage to consumers to push their local politicians to do away with the Fair Trade Laws which they said was the reason for their favorite merchandise higher prices. Well as they say -- "everything that comes around goes around. Personally I would like to see the fair trade laws return.

paccmps

mooselover75 wrote:

Are there any disadvantages to purchasing camera equipment from Best Buy vs a camera store like B&H? I'm really most interested in quality of the products than return policy and customer service. Does Nikon, for example, make a certain model for big box stores and one for dedicated camera stores? Is a d610 purchased from Best Buy going to be the exact same camera as the one I would purchase from B&H?

Possibly better tech support from camera store ! I would think the same camera from both stores - - are some from grey market supplier - - ? I am a B&H person.Was a local dealer customer but all those folks are gone from my home town area!

country Loc: back woods

bunuweld wrote:

I have had the same experience with the Best Buy Geek Squad. Not once, but the two times I dealt with them. At least in my local one, the Geek Squad proved to me not only incompetent, but dishonest as well. Of course, they did not get a third chance from me. As far as buying articles from Best Buy in their original package, probably it is as safe as with any other merchant, but stay away from their Geek Squad!

yes, my experience with geek squad is they are dishonest and shady... stay away from them!!

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

TomballLegend wrote:

At least there was an admission of being "frugal" (cheap). Wonder if next time they need their appendix out, or brain surgery, will they go to their local discount auto mechanic for a quote?

That won't happen, remember we now have obamacare! :)

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

country wrote:

yes, my experience with geek squad is they are dishonest and shady... stay away from them!!

...And incompetent! My friend needed a room to be pre-wired for surround sound and they used a staple gun to secure the speaker-wires on the wall. There were several places where the staple was shot right through the wire itself, grounding (shorting) it out. When they went to turn on the system, it produced quiet... not one sound came through the speakers, of course. Then they immediately blamed the equipment, not their installation! :thumbdown: :|

dragonswing Loc: Pa

MT Shooter wrote:

I highly recommend dealing with a LOCAL camera store, if you have one left in your area. The internet has driven the majority of them out of business, but you will never get the hands-on, face-to-face support anywhere else. You never know what you lost until its gone.

EDIT: Looks like dsmeltz and I were writing the same thing at the same time. :thumbup:

So me of my friends can not understand my logic in waiting to get the Tamron 150-600 lens from my local camera shop (where I have gotten all my equipment). Their only concern is the price. My concern is the service I get. They have always been good to me, answered a zillion questions, hold classes. That to me is worth paying $80 in tax.

Edcase Loc: Savannah GA

I thought this was supposed to be a helpful blog. Not a judgemental one.
$160 can buy a nice lens or it can be poured down the sewer of local NYC government. I would take the former any day.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Edcase wrote:

I thought this was supposed to be a helpful blog. Not a judgemental one.
$160 can buy a nice lens or it can be poured down the sewer of local NYC government. I would take the former any day.

Yet you in turn pass judgement. :roll: :roll:

Maybe some of that tax money goes into the federal coffers that will pay your Social Security. ;)

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Social Security is funded by the FICA tax taken out on your paychecks & the equivalent portion paid by your employer on your behalf, not by State sales taxes

pithydoug wrote:

Yet you in turn pass judgement. :roll: :roll:

Maybe some of that tax money goes into the federal coffers that will pay your Social Security. ;)

HelenOster Loc: New York

precious wrote:

.....I have had much success with Adorama and B&H. The customer service and patient care has been fantastic. I have even had representatives from both stores call me back.....

Always good to read feedback like this - thank you!

Jiminyclicket

A knowledgeable camera salesperson is a rarity at Best Buy. I've gone there several times just to get a hands on and feel of camera products that I'm considering. Either B&H or Adorama are the best way to go when making a choice. When it comes to a specific camera or camera body I usually go with in-depth research, and when I've narrowed it down to two options I download the manuals and compare. Then I have a pretty good idea which suits my needs best and is the best choice. I wouldn't trust a salesperson to make my choice for a minute. A saalesperson may occasionally fill a knowledge hole or two, but by-in-large I do my own research and make my own decisions. I have found that B&H is the best route overall. P.S. Those who knock buyers who avoid sales taxes are just idealistic liberals who want higher taxes, so local, state and federal governments can get their greedy hands on our hard earned cash.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

MT Shooter wrote:

I highly recommend dealing with a LOCAL camera store, if you have one left in your area. The internet has driven the majority of them out of business, but you will never get the hands-on, face-to-face support anywhere else. You never know what you lost until its gone.

EDIT: Looks like dsmeltz and I were writing the same thing at the same time. :thumbup:

i could nt agree with boh your replies more. local camera shops are an invaluable resource - either film or digital.
and worth every extra penny you might spend!

Brandmic Loc: Alabama

Bought my d5100 at local camera store and a year later they are closed. I now buy everything from amazon. Returns are never a problem and a lot of camera items on their site come from reputable online sellers. Had a lens that was beyond the 30 day return period by 15 days and had problems I didn't notice earlier. Contacted amazon and was allowed to return it and they paid shipping both ways. Products from amazon always come with USA warranty. Their customer service is top notch. I've been purchasing from them for over 5 years. Camera equipment always comes shipped in damage proof packaging..

Jiminyclicket

To WJCody I believe the original question was comparing Best Buy to on-lines like B&H or Adorama. I wasn't knocking smaller camera shops that depend on their knowledge to sell the product. When purchasing in a store in high tax cities like NYC it can end up being hundreds more when you are purchasing top of the line products. That is what makes no tax, free shipping on-line companies so tempting. If you want to pay extra taxes have at it, I'd rather keep my hard earned $$$.

pete-m Loc: Casper, WY

haroldross wrote:

As has been already mentioned, the biggest problem with Best Buy is the lack of expertise for the sales people.

I dunno haroldross, every time I go to Best Buy for a particular product it turns out that the salesperson owns the exact same product at his home and can really recommend it. :)

Pete :D