gwilliams6 wrote:
I know you live in Pa. but dont you have any friends living in nearby Delaware or New Jersey? Maybe you dont, then save your tax by shopping in Delaware, but dont get hot about it fella. I lived and worked in the PA/DE/NJ area for 39 years from 1979 to 2018, before moving to Texas.
I have been in this business for over 50 years as a pro, and Allen's (in business since the late 70's) has a history of getting me the gear I need, when I need it. Even Best Buys doesn't have everything people want at the exact time folks want it.. Many UHHers have written about delays on ordered gear from Best Buys. They are subject to the same supply chain issues and new gear delays as any camera dealer. Best Buys does not get preference over other camera gear dealers. It is great if you hit Best Buys exactly at the time they had some stock of what you wanted.
Even though I was one of the pros hired by Best Buys to help launch their bigger camera departments across the country, the Best Buys in-store camera experience is not what it used to be, and varies greatly from store to store, with some stores closed for good. .
I am happy for you that their online option works so much better and you save money in Delaware. Most UHHers dont have that Delaware option that you have. But many UHHers do have the option of shopping online or by phone with Allen's, and having them ship the gear out of state. And IMHO there is no substitute for the personal attention and customer service I get at Allens all the time.
Cheers and best to you.
I know you live in Pa. but dont you have any frien... (
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Don't get hot about what? You're the one pushing Allen's Camera like it's the only place worth buying from. If Allen's was a short drive from my home, no toll roads, (I'd take the PA Turnpike to get there), didn't charge me PA sales tax, and I didn't have to leave my dogs in the car while picking up my purchase, (I rarely go anywhere without my dogs), then maybe I too would be a loyal Allen's Camera customer. I've been watching Jared Polin on YouTube for years and he's had nothing but good things to say about his former employer. If I was concerned about customer service, there are camera stores much closer to me than Allen's that will happily customer serve me and collect the PA sales tax on my purchases, just like Allen's. I know Allen's also has excellent inventory, but guess what; when I was looking to buy an R7, not long after they hit the street, Allen's didn't have any, and ironically neither did Canon's online retail. But, guess who did? The Best Buy store on Concord Pike in Talleyville, Delaware.
There are at least two Best Buy's that are closer to me than the one I shop at in north Delaware. But I'm not talking about those stores, or any other Best Buy. I've been in other Best Buy stores and none of them had as nice a camera department as the Talleyville store. They recently remodeled that store, and I went inside because I was picking up a 65 inch Sony TV and had to measure the box to make sure it would fit in my car (SUV), and it did, barely. I saved over $100 on sales tax by buying the TV south of the border. If I added up all the money I've saved over the years from buying at that store, that 65 inch Sony was free. I'm pretty sure I can't say the same about Allen's. As for your 50 years of experience, I bought my first 35mm camera in 1971, a Konica T2. My second camera, also bought in 1971 was a used but in great condition, Graflex Speed Graphic with a polaroid back. I got a Minolta SR-T 102 in 1973. My 1st Canon was an AT-1 followed by an AE-1 then an A-1. I still have them. My 1st digital camera was a Sony Mavica CD-300, still have it and it still works. My 1st DSLR was a Canon 10D I bought in the fall of 2003. About a year later I got the 20D. I kept upgrading every time Canon came out with a new XXD model, with the exception of the 77D. I still have all my XXD cameras, up to the 90D, and they all work. I also have a 5DSr and a 5D mk IV. There are also a few Nikon DSLR's in the collection, D7200, D500, D850, and plenty of Nikkor, Sigma Sport and Contemporary, and Tamron SP lenses, and several black and light grey Canon EF lenses with that sexy Canon crimson band. I also have an R5 and two R7's. I really like my R7's. I also just picked up 2 new RF lenses from my favorite Best Buy in Delaware, an RF 800 and an RF 100-500L. I saved over $200 on sales tax on just those 2 lenses, and it took me just over an hour to drive to the store, pick up the lenses and drive home, with my 2 dogs in the car. They are very spoiled Coton de Tulear's.
I'm not endorsing Best Buy or telling anyone where to buy their gear. I've simply had pretty good luck with one particular store in Delaware, that just happens to be a Best Buy that's relatively close to my home. Another thing, Concord Pike in DE is US highway 202 and I live only a few miles from US 202, so getting there is real easy. Like I said, about 25 minutes one way. Allen's Camera is located in a rather densely packed part of Bucks County. I know, I have family in the Levittown area. Anyway, it's been nice chatting. Have a happy and healthy 2023...