HeyYou Loc: SE Michigan

Doesn't a frequent poster here (MTShooter ?) own a photo shop in Montana ?

I support local independent businesses whenever i can - even if it costs more. There are no camera stores left in my town. The nearest one (15 miles) doesn't carry my camera and lens line (Pentax) - otherwise i would gladly buy there.
I try to avoid the big box stores. I prefer to buy from B&H and Adorama than Best Buy etc for some reason…

I have had EXCELLENT experiences at B&H and Adorama. On visits to NYC, i have had wonderful unpressured attentive service. On the phone - ditto. In customer service - they write the book !

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I would love to buy gear locally. The key problem is that as the variety of things we are offered to buy soars, it become impossible for local stores to carry the inventory. Costco solves it by having good prices on a few "special packages". Even using a Best Buy 10 minutes away doesn't solve the problem as their inventory is unpredictable. They don't have the three cameras that I'm currently interested in.

Internet stores like Amazon, Zappos, LLBean, B&H, Adorama have found ways of providing a combination of customer support and home shopping convenience.

Internet shopping is here to stay! There are several nearby retail spaces available. When I try to imagine what should go into those places, I can't think of anything. One is a corner location that was a Hollywood Video. There are a dozen Redboxes withing 5 minutes to go with Netflix.

Everything I buy at B&H comes with a 9.8% discount because they don't charge sales tax. Their inventory, customer support and knowledge is exceptional.

For rapid delivery of things that are hard to find, like printer ink, Amazon works the best for me. They also have excellent customer service.

Sandie

You could use Hunts Photo online. They are local here and do online business as well, very reputable and you can see if you can get a better deal by calling them. They are NOT fly by nights! Also there is a local place here called Newtonville Camera in Newtonville(part of Newton, MA) and speak with them about what you want to buy and what the prices are you can buy it for and maybe they can 1) beat the price and 2) again very reputable owned by one family.
Best of luck!

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

There is a family-owned store in Boise, Id, that has been here for three generations. They are not sure that it will survive to be passed on one more time. The chief problem is that people come to the store to shop for a camera, get a demo from a sales clerk, go through all the pre-purchase nonsense, then say "thanks" and buy online.
I don't have any more money than the next guy, but I'm willing to pay a few bucks more to support the local economy. I think it is especially unfair to take advantage of the store's overhead expense only to walk away and buy online.
That said, if they don't have the item I need, it's B&H for me.

MontanaTrace

Thanks for your comments. There is no State Sales Tax where I live. So, shipping is an issue but is most often free.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've read business articles that say Best Buy is having the same problem and they may go out of business because of it.

MontanaTrace

I won't do that but a good sales assistant will sell the advantages of having personal, face to face and being able to walk out with the camera and if need be, walk back in with it. You sell the product AND the service.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Have not used or heard much about "Greentoe", but they advertise a price savings of up to 17%. Apparently you make an offer for a particular product and they either accept or reject your offer. If you are going the discount route, suggest always asking about grey market and what's in the box.
Sometimes Cameta will deal a little.

Grammieb1 Loc: New Orleans

I bought my 5Dlll locally, but the store has been closed down since then. Bab

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

I have bought several camera and lenses on ebay with, issues sith one exception and in that case the buyer protection program refunded my money. If you closly at a seller's feedback, you can avoid problem. Over the last few weeks I have purchased around $ 2K in lenses and a camera with no problems.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Internet shopping is very easy, very convenient, and great for research on something.
That said... two of my items in my "bag" I know come from smaller Brick and Mortars, even though via the Internet. Partly because the item was available, and mostly because I want the sale to go to them. (My small way of trying to help small business)
A lot of the rest came through the Amazon Marketplace where a supplier is and has what I'm browsing for. Often those are smaller businesses reaching out over Amazon's vastness, I believe.

But not always the case (Internet shopping). Two IPads have been bought by me for the wife. Both shipped directly from mainland China. :?
The accessories came from somewhere here on mainland USA, (made off-shore, likely China).
But Apple fancies themselves as factory shippers, I guess.
If/When she gets anything else Apple, I'm going to take her directly to the Apple Store here. At least we will be getting the product handed to us by a local employed there. :shock:

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I just ordered my new Canon EOS 7D Mark II, from a company on EBay. I used my paypal account, and the camera will be in my hand tomorrow. I will not pay any sales tax, no excise tax, import duty, nor any shipping for 2 day service. Or, I could have gone 28 miles, shopped at a local camera shop, paid $180.00 in sales tax, time, gas, and aggravation of driving on the crowded interstate highway, then find the place has a 7D Classic, and the clerk gave me wrong information. I'll just wait until the big Brown Truck (UPS) shows up on my door step, and the driver hands me my new camera. UPS will deliver to your door too. If after inspection, you can send it back. No need for anger, tantrum, nothing, nada. A great shopping experience. By the way, Canon products are priced by Canon, and cannot be reduced by the seller. So, sellers can add items to the package, like a bag, battery, memory cards etc. Only Canon can reduce the price of the camera, or allow a Canon distributor to reduce the price. Look on the site: Canonpricewatch.com, that site will explain MAT prices to you.

B

thecook Loc: Ft. Wayne, IN

I find that Roberts in Indianapolis, IN is quite reasonable. Sometimes they have refurbish cameras that you might be looking for at a great discount

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I just purchased a Sigma 150-600 from them and service and price were excellent.

Jessie Loc: SW Texas

I agree wholeheartedly, have had same excellent service, Jessie :thumbup: