LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

That’s been my experience. When there’s a price differential, the higher price is usually due to accessories, delivery options, or “special order” status. I never worry about VAT/sales tax, because my state doesn’t have one....

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

The truth is the situation is self perpetuating. Most big-box stores sell few high end cameras, so they don't want to inventory them, and photography oriented salespeople don't want to work there. That leads to a circle wherein each situation discourages the other.
Additionally, in most of the country we're in a situation where we get free shipping from a choice of several camera stores and Amazon, often no sales tax, and the camera gets there faster than if the unlikely small store were to order it for us.

I envy those of you who have a suitable Best Buy or rare well-stocked camera store nearby.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I liv within walking distance of a pro brick and mortar store. That’s both good and bad, if you get my drift....

al13

I purchased a lens recently from Bestbuy and they matched the B&H’s price. It was a Nikon 80 to 300 FX lens which surprised me that they had it in stock. They also offer camera classes during the week by people who seem to know specific camera manufacturers. We only have one camera store in my area and it’s a good 45 minute drive where the Bestbuy is a 10 minute drive. And, the camera store does not match prices.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

You also have to remember that K-Mart bought out Sears back in the Clinton era while K-Mart was in bankruptcy. It was approved for a couple of reasons. 1. The president didn't want K-Mart to close putting all of those employees in unemployment. And, K-Mart had a partial financier that was fairly big in junk bonds. Sears and K-Mart have been flirting with going out of business ever since. Check the HUGE number of store closings. Yes, Wamart/Sam's has closed some stores but theirs were mainly older non-profitable stores that had new larger Walmarts and Sam's in the same general area. Best Buy, Sears and to a lesser degree K-mart and Target have not been as affected by internet purchases, partially because of convenience and partially because of inventory. Best Buy, Sears and some others are having to compete (almost) directly with the internet for sales. You will also notice that many local retail stores have been reducing locations... Staples, Office Max, Barnes and Noble, Modell's, JC Penny just to name a few.
How many people/customers do you think go into a Best Buy and look at merchandice then go online and buy the same thing for considerably cheaper? Even stores like Bass Pro and their major superstore competiton have mergered or Bass Pro has bought them out.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

that is definitely true of non-grey market Nikon. Nikon's policy is that you can either purchase it at retail from us or from one of our dealers and they (the dealers) are not allowed to discount. (Best Buy is an authorized Nikon dealer). However, Adorama, B&H and other stored get around the "non-discounting" by adding non-Nikon (or Canon or whatever) items to the bundle and heavily discounting the bundle. For instance, I purchased (back a few years ago) a Nikon D7100 body (had the lenses) and it came with a Ruggard camera back pack, lens cleaning wipes, a Watson battery (in addition to the Nikon battery in the original package) and several other items including free shipping, for about $25-50 over the Nikon authorized price. Buying the stuff separately would have probably cost me an additional $150-$300 dollars. Was it stuff that I needed? Well some was and others were just good to have. The Watson version of the Nikon battery was only good for about 2/3rds of the shots the Nikon battery did, but it made a good backup battery until it refused to charge.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I always thought Nikon fixed their USA prices. Both camera and lenses. Regardless of which store sells them?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I shop at a local brick and mortar that sells a lot of gear from high end to budget. If I recall I’ve purchased four digital cameras and maybe six lenses over the past 8 years. The prices have always been the same: if I see a price drop online on some gear I’ve been looking at, I’ll go there and it’s the same. FWIW, the only time I buy online is when I buy something they don’t carry, such as my StackShot, and the Flashpoint flash I bought. Adorama is my “go to”for used & things I cannot find locally.

I think where you might see a difference is when things included from the reputable places are left out at the cheap deal,places. Accessories added may also be used as an enticement, such as: “ buy from us and well include a lens- cleaning kit”

LRayhill

My son is looking at their Canon 7d mark ii. I don't know anything about this camera. He is an outdoorsman and photographs wildlife. Is this a good choice for him? Thanks

PH CIB

Yes the Canon 7d Mark II and its Nikon counterpart the D500 both crop sensor cameras would be great for an outdoorsman and wildlife photographer,,,the Canon 7d Mark II should be due for a new model from Canon in the near future just guessing but Canon and Nikon have a great lens selection for what he wants to do...

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

Our Best Buy here in the Albany New York area also has a well equipped photo section with at least three knowledge people, one who specializes in Canon, another In Nikon and a third in Sony. When my favorite local camera store could not get me a Canon 5D IV before the discount expired, I was able to get it at Best Buy and by getting their credit card I also got over $300 bonus on the card, which I paid off in cash the same day I bought the camera. If you go there and you are a Canon person ask for Monday.
Bud

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

I was in my local BB and they shrunk the camera department way down. The glass case is gone and only a few beginner's cameras on display. I did not bother with a salesperson since they had nothing I was interested in.

taco40

Sounds like improve everywhere has struck again.

see the story and video: https://improveverywhere.com/2006/04/23/best-buy/

10MPlayer Loc: California

Best Buy would be fine if not for the clowns trying to sell you U-Verse.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

This is how it is in my area, as well. Our closest Best Buy, one would presume that they were phasing out their camera department altogether. Only a few Canon, Nikon and Sony models on display, and nothing high-end. A few “kit” lenses on display. The point-and-shoot section? 75% of the pedestals have nothing on them.

This afternoon we went to the next closest Best Buy, about 20 minutes away, and they had EVERYTHING. Full line of both Canon and Nikon (up to the D810) and all the high-end lenses, many in a display case, but some on the display bodies to play with inducing the 24-70 f2.8, 24-120 and 16-80, among others.

So, yes, that seems to be correct that Best Buy is choosing select markets for their photo departments. Some fully stocked, some only barely. Guess we’re not considered affluent enough of an area to be worthy of the higher-end stuff.