MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Been dealing with them for years. The only difference between them and the stores in NYC is that you will pay sales tax. The good news is that you have 90 days to return, never a hassle. Go for it,

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I bought my D5100 at C.....O. It's genuine, and it was the best price around. Had better lenses than the Other Box store that starts with a B.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Apparently Canon & Nikon did something right, because they are out selling Leica what, about 10,000 to 1?

Eurolux Loc: NYC

Purchased Nikon 5300 kit at "C". No problems. Great return policy, if needed. No question that all articles there are authentic.

It is possible that the prices aren't the absolute cheapest, but from what I've seen their pricing is hard to beat.

The big "C" is a good place to start your kit with. They also sell SD cards and other electronics at good prices. Building your collection after the initial purchase is not as easy. For that, places like Adorama and B&H will be far better.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

I have purchased camera from them their customer service is second to none and they throw in a card and case!

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

The thing about buying cameras and computers from Costco is their return policy. You can use the camera for 90 days and return it with no questions asked. No New York camera store will give you more than 30 days. It's worth paying the sales tax. As with anything you buy at a big box store, you should know what you want to buy before go in.

Kuzano

Electronics (camera's computer's and such) generally have a shorter stated return policy, such as 14 days for simply returning out of "buyer remorse". Costco generally tends to be very forgiving on that and even moreso on problems that occur with the merchandise. This is consistent with most BB store purchasing. In my experience, over many years, Costco tends to be more forgiving than most other stores in favor of the customer.

Except for the help factor before the sale, I'd be more inclined to Big Box store, rather than driving 125 miles to the nearest dedicated camera store. Know what you want, and do your own research for a good experience.

I know many who would post here and say "Go feel one in your hands" if available.

In my town that would mean putting up a Craigslist ad that says, "Hey, I want a specific camera. I'll give you five bucks if I can come and feel yours". :shock:

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Bought my Nikon D5200 from same BB Store & was very pleased. Have also bought a couple of point & shoots from same store w/same result.
I buy ALL my other equipment from either B&H or MT Shooter (a trusted member here). Cautionary word - C____O & B_'s have the kits. If you want/need different lenses for your body, my advice would be to research what you want/need and buy from one of the ABC's of the camera shops - (Adorama, B&H, Cameta, Camera Cottage (MTShooter's shop).

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

When buying tech equipment and camera's you can see the frustation in trying to make a good decision at Best Buy. Or in Costco (which has the best return system) expect to have researched and picked out what you wan't to buy. Where I near Philadelphia their are very few camera stores where you can get good advice. A friend asked me about a camera for his daughter
who is a sharp gal who travels for business. I recommended the a6000 with a better lens then the kit. They picked a Nikon because she felt more comfortable with the grip. Today with the internet you can make very informed decisions in being technology by spending some time looking at the options and
the expert opinions. Then go to big box and pick up the camera.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Costco is well known to have decent deals, but be aware that authorized dealers are pretty much forced to sell things at the MSRP. Often what Costco and some of the other big-box stores do, I have seen, is make up kits or packages that do not have quite the exact same lens as the regular package you see elsewhere. So you save money by getting less expensive kit lenses. Just check it out first.

Checking out this kit on the Costco website I see that the only description of the lenses is "two premium lenses" - which could be anything! There is no photo of the lenses up close, and I could find nothing describing even what brand they are. So - caveat emptor.

ecommons

My D7000 came from a Big Box Store (Same initials as BB). Don't expect the clerk to know which end of the camera to look through, but you can get great deals over the retail camera stores, (of which our city no longer has.)
It boils down to price and service. If you want service and advice, you pay retail. If you can't get service go for price.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

That is one store that I would never worry about dealing with as their products are always of good quality, in my experience. And their return policy is pretty lenient and fair.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

The only problem with C---O and S--s, is that neither of them have anything other than Some entry level cameras in boxes. I don't know if you can "HANDLE" them before purchase, either. Those stores don't have OTHER lenses, or much else, regarding photography. And you will never find a knowledgeable sales-person. I have, over the years, purchased gobs of STUFF from both B&H and Adorama, with never a SURPRIZE. And with excellant costumer service, not to mention Damned good SAVINGS. Not to mention K.E.H. for used stuff. Ebay has fabulous "built-in" fool-proof returns and safe-bet policys and procedures. Goog luck out there.!!

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Semper Fi Marine, But I think that Canon and Nikon simply had to sell their great cameras at reasonable PRICES, to leave leica in the dust.. Leica is just rediculous for pricing, and certainly their quality is there, but these days, many cameras are too close in quality for leica to be so absurdly exspensive. Spend your money as you wish, but my EGO does not require "leica owner-ship.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Wapusk,
The two Box stores, Costco and Sam’s Club, provide good products for the investment. You should not have any worries with returns within the policy dates and a store receipt. Five years ago, I purchased my Canon EOS 1000D from Sam’s Club and have not had any operational problems.
I did find out later there were hidden issues with the kit I did purchase; the 1000D was manufactured for European sales. This did not prevent the camera from functioning on American electricity.

There is a reason why the Big Box stores can sell kits at lower price than other large outlets; they can acquire overstock products form much slower markets (Europe). There is nothing functionally wrong with the products, and the in store returns policy is rock solid. However, if you need factory support on a function, or technique you may be out of luck. The in store employees know nothing about your problem (they only know cell phone cameras). Factory support only knows the model numbers, how those numbers relate to geographical areas. The result: Factory reply in web site support, you model is not covered for USA support. Telephone Support, after 30 – 60 minute wait, sorry, we cannot help you with an out of market product.

If you can relate your ‘out of market’ product to the USA market product model there is support; search Google.

I am not saying, stay away; I am saying be informed before the purchase.

Michael G