Purchase options: I have been considering a lens purchase and there are many options. My question is: 1) Is it better to purchase from manufacturer (Canon)? 2) Purchase from Amazon? 3)...

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

I have been considering a lens purchase and there are many options.

My question is:
1) Is it better to purchase from manufacturer (Canon)?
2) Purchase from Amazon?
3) Purchase from B&H?
4) From local Best Buy?

I live in Sacramento, CA

The prices are the same and I am wonder what advantage there might be.

Thanks for your input,
Jim

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I purchase from Canon or B&H for support and integrity. I don't like guessing if my vendor will support me in the event there are problems.

Bill_de Loc: US

#1 B&H - fast shipping, great support, great return policy {Authorized Dear}
#2 Amazon - but make sure you are buying from Amazon and not a vendor. {Authorized Dear}
#3 Manufacturer - only because shipping may be slower.

Skip Best Buy. According to their website they have a 15% restocking fee if you return the camera.

Check your credit card for perks. My Amazon Visa gives 5% cash back to Prime members on Amazon purchases. No limit.

B&H often gives a B&H gift card rebate from 1% to 4%

--

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Bill_de wrote:

#1 B&H - fast shipping, great support, great r... (show quote)

Thanks,
Jim

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

BlueMorel wrote:

I purchase from Canon or B&H for support and integrity. I don't like guessing if my vendor will support me in the event there are problems.

Thanks for quick response!

wetreed

Bill_de wrote:

#1 B&H - fast shipping, great support, great r... (show quote)

Best Buy offers no interest for one year or two depending on how much you spent. To avoid restocking fees make sure you know what you want. I have never been disappointed buying from the manufacturer.

aikiboy

B & H. Used them for years, never a problem, great return policy and support.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

You all seem in agreement.
Thanks,
Jim

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

junglejim1949 wrote:

I have been considering a lens purchase and there are many options.

My question is:
1) Is it better to purchase from manufacturer (Canon)?
2) Purchase from Amazon?
3) Purchase from B&H?
4) From local Best Buy?

I live in Sacramento, CA

The prices are the same and I am wonder what advantage there might be.

Thanks for your input,
Jim

Jim, I have a bridge I can let you steal for a song. It's a great deal IF you have infinite knowledge about bridges. Canon makes the lenses they sell. Every merchant has a price, even if they have no idea what it represents.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

junglejim1949 wrote:

I have been considering a lens purchase and there are many options.

My question is:
1) Is it better to purchase from manufacturer (Canon)?
2) Purchase from Amazon?
3) Purchase from B&H?
4) From local Best Buy?

I live in Sacramento, CA

The prices are the same and I am wonder what advantage there might be.

Thanks for your input,
Jim

No bad choices there (although the objection to BB is valid...). But I also recommend Mike's Camera, right there in Sac. An excellent local dealer is a good choice if they'll price match. Great people at the West Sac store on J Street, knowledgeable and helpful.

My general choice is to buy local if it's price competitive and the dealer is good. Mike's is very good.

Andy

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

junglejim1949 wrote:

I have been considering a lens purchase and there are many options.

My question is:
1) Is it better to purchase from manufacturer (Canon)?
2) Purchase from Amazon?
3) Purchase from B&H?
4) From local Best Buy?

I live in Sacramento, CA

The prices are the same and I am wonder what advantage there might be.

Thanks for your input,
Jim

If the prices are the same, all are decent options. The one you have not mentioned, if you have a local camera shop, check them out. If we do not support our local brick and mortar stores, they will be gone soon.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

junglejim1949 wrote:

I have been considering a lens purchase and there are many options.

My question is:
1) Is it better to purchase from manufacturer (Canon)?
2) Purchase from Amazon?
3) Purchase from B&H?
4) From local Best Buy?

I live in Sacramento, CA

The prices are the same and I am wonder what advantage there might be.

Thanks for your input,
Jim

If there is a local store near you, and the price is about the same, buy from them. It's a benefit to have dealings with locals, assuming they are a reliable outfit. Mike's camera. Looks like it might be worth a look

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Since Canon sets the lens price, I'd buy from the retailer that offers the best extended warranty and free shipping. If you can, buy from a local retailer. Canon doesn't really care if you buy from them or one of their authorized retailers, they make pretty much the same amount of money either way.
Or, if you are like me and have faith in Canon product, buy from a reputable grey market retailer. Yes, there are reputable grey market retailers, usually located outside the USA. Their product is the same as Canon USA authorized retailer but without USA warranty cost. I have never, and I mean never, had a Canon product fail inside the warranty period. In fact I've only had one Canon lens fail, a lens I bought from outside the USA. It was many years after any warranty would have expired. I had the lens repaired by Canon service in New Jersey. They never asked if the lens was originally purchased in the USA, they just fixed it.

Selene03

I have had excellent luck buying refurbished lenses from Canon at very good prices, especially when the lenses are on sale. They have a one year guarantee. Otherwise, I don't see an advantage buying directly from Canon. My next thought would be the local retailer. I just discovered a wonderful close to local store I didn't know existed. It was fun to figure out what I really wanted/needed after conversations with the great guy who was there. I haven't had that experience with any retailer in probably 20+ years. That being said, I have purchased most of my gear from B&H over the years and have never had any issues with them, though I have been using them less since they switched to FEDEX for shipping and don't allow redirecting to a FEDEX store unless maybe you pay more for the shipping. Their packaging lately has also been atrocious (though maybe that is Fedex too). I sometimes use Best Buy if I want something right away and they have it in stock. Their return policy is terrible but what I have gotten from them has been fine.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Selene03 wrote:

I have had excellent luck buying refurbished lense... (show quote)

Thank, I too have had problems with FEDEX they are more like FEDUP!