Buying Photo Equipment Online

[RyanLilly]

B&H, Local store, and craigslist. I have found the best deals locally on craigslist.

 

[RyanLilly]

If the local shops are within 10% of the on-line price, I buy local.

I don't know about you but I can't stand waiting for things, so buying locally means I get instant gratification.

 

[Mike_E]

If locally is about the same as online plus S&H, I''ll gladly make a drive.

Otherwise, B&H, Adorama and Calumet for new. KEH and e-bay for used. (KEH when I'm seriously wanting it to work! )

 

[JerryPH]

I'll add my thumbs up for B&H, Adorama and Amazon. They've been excellent for me.

Amazon is NOT a dealer. Amazon is a front end for many vendors, some reliable, some not.

Be aware of WHO you are purchasing from when going through Amazon... but also, once you do find out who you are really buying from go direct and check, often prices are even cheaper becuase this is all that Amazon does... provide a centralized place for people to meet vendors. Vendors pay Amazon an amount for every sale they make... so it often pays to cut out the middle man (Amazon), go direct to the vendor and save money.

I do not buy from Amazon... I buy only from reliable vendors... who possibly also sell on Amazon.

 

[Overread19 7]

Amazon must be different in the US to the UK - here amazon does sell a wide range of products direct (amazon is the dealer). Books especaily.
For specialist camera gear though your right it is a front for different vendors though usually your purchases are safe. The other bonus is that you can deal with different shops and yet still only have card details submitted to one single site rather than all over the place (or going through paypal(

 

[JustAnEngineer]

Here in the U.S., Amazon.com sells photo gear directly. Amazon.ca in JerryPH's Canada does not.

 

[Frequent Traveler]

Early on, i bought everything via brick-n-mortar. Howver, since 2004 i've bought ALL my cameras (and most lenses) online. However, i'm freakish-ly careful so use only big-names and otherwise would check resellerratings.com. In order of my buying volume, here is where i usually shop:

1) e-Bay (20 or so cameras 50 or so lenses - BUT i communicate with
the Seller before ANY bidding to see how/if they respond)

2) KEH
3) B&H
4) Adorama

I used Craigslist ONCE and it was for a broken, "free to a good home" film camera. Unless the posted item is nearby (to check it out/see photos), i'm pretty wary....

For accessories (film/camera bags/batteries/filters), i usually shop brick-n-mortar.

 

[TJ K]

Online. I highly recommend amazon.com It seems to be the best place I have dealt with.