Best place to buy your gear?

[MiiLovely]

So after finally deciding on what dslr camera I want, I am having troubles deciding on where I should purches it from. I wanted to buy it from a local electronic store (futurshop, Blacks' photography etc) so I can have a waranty with it, incase something where to happen, or there was a malfunction etc. But I also am considering buying it from Ebay because it is cheaper but I dont want to have to worry about what I would have to do if it breaks or there is a malfunction and shipping it back to the seller or something. What do you guys think? Put the extra money in to get it from a local store with the warranty or for less money on Ebay?

 

[480sparky43 43]

I always vote the local brick-n-mortar store.

When I buy my (new) gear there, they tell me NOT to register it with the manufacturer. By doing so, if I have a problem, I take the item back and they just give me a new one. THEY then deal with the manufacturer. They have done this more than once with me. If I buy a new lens or body, and it craps out after a couple weeks, I can't cotton to the notion of having it boxed up, shipped to the manufacturer, then some tech looks at it, emails me a report, I decide which option I like, they do that, send me the gear (or replacement) back... the whole process taking a month or so.

I can't speak for ALL camera stores, but this type of customer service is what I value.

 

[MiiLovely]

Thank you! Ive never heard of Brick n Mortar, I live in canada (probaby should have mentioned that lol) But I will see if they have a store in the area !

 

[SCraig]

Brick and mortar just means a physical building as opposed to a "Cyber" building on the internet. When buying from someone on the internet you sometimes don't know whether they have an actual storefront or are just selling out of the basement of their home.

We only have one full-service camera store left here. When I bought my D90 body I tried to get it there. Their price was $250 more than at B&H plus I would have had to pay 10% sales tax. Despite that, when I bought my D7000 body I tried them again but they didn't have them, didn't know when they would get them, and didn't seem real interested in trying to find out. So, once again, I ordered it.

Most of what I purchase comes from B&H PHoto Video or Adorama. They are both absolutely first-rate businesses and I have never had anything but good results with them. I don't know if they ship to Canada though.

 

[cgipson1]

Sparky... you are lucky to have that kind of store and customer service. IF there was one like that nearby, I would support it totally! However.. most of the stores around here seem more like that Scott describes, so Adorama and B&H get most of my business also.

 

[pixmedic1 1]

We get most of our gear from colonial photo and hobby in orlando. They are certainly NOT the cheapest, but the staff is very knowledgeable and its nice to actually have something in your hand before you buy it.

 

[MiiLovely]

I am not sure if they ship to canada but I will check right now Also thats another thing I am worried about. I mean I dont know how they are taking care of these cameras if I ordered them online from ebay and I think thats why I am hesitant, I dont want to get it to find out that it has broken in the shipping proses and have to return it as soon as I get it.

 

[chuasam]

You're in Ontario...try Vistek or Henry's.

 

[MiiLovely]

Ive looked at Henry's and they are more expensive then Futurshop and Best buy lol I didnt know Visket was in ontario though ! Will have to check that one out.

 

[dxqcanada2 1]

Vistek is a single store in Toronto.
They tend to be pro oriented (or they did when they started).

 

[MiiLovely]

Thank you! I live about 2 hours from Toronto and I just checked online and its the same price as if I would have bought it on Ebay which is great I am still hesitant about buying something online but it makes me feel better that there is a store in toronto that I could physically go to if I get it and have an issue with the camera.

 

[dxqcanada2 1]

You should also consider some additional services that Henry's may offer, like Trade Ups, and additional Warranties ... if you are considering the future of your equipment (not sure if Vistek offers those things, you should check)

If you buy off eBay ... be aware of Warranties as they may be only valid particular countries ... and sometimes the Seller does not disclose a very accurate description of the product, so you should look over their selling history/feedback.

Where are you located ?

 

[MiiLovely]

that is true, I am looking over Vitek's warranty right now. I dont think I am going to get anything off Ebay, the only person selling it at a decent price has a 99.6% satisfactory rating (which is great) but they give no information about the product if it breaks or does not work properly when the customer recives it.

 

[dxqcanada2 1]

Most eBay sellers will refund your money, except the shipping ... so you will lose out on 2x the shipping.

 

[MiiLovely]

Yeah, and I dont have a lot of money so I dont want to loss any of it (plus most ebay sellers will only return your money if something happens within 90 days.) Vitek has a 3 year warranty and it covers a lo. I really think I am going to order from them! (and since I live in canada its free shipping lol) so thank you sooo much for telling me about this place!