super low camera prices online? Seems sketchy, what's wrong here?

[MelissaHaws]

So I've noticed when shopping around for the best prices online for camera's that there is a handful of stores that are always selling cameras at far less than other stores. For instance, the 60d is going for $900 most everywhere, but then it's only $500 here Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)
or only only $770 here http://www.ibuysonline.com/products...ml?gdftrk=gdfV23382_a_7c1224_a_7c4635_a_7c517 . Are these just good sales and deals or is something wrong with this picture? I am not experienced with buying camera equipment online so I'm a little worried about getting ripped off.

 

[o hey tyler]

You should be worried about getting ripped off.

Photographers buy from mostly 3 reputable dealers that I can think of off the top of my head: Adorama, B&H, and KEH (KEH is all used). I would never ever consider buying a camera that discounted below retail unless I planned on repairing it.

 

[Derrel]

Web sites that offer prices like that are scam artist sites. There is a WELL-KNOWN modus operandi. 1) Low price quoted. 2)You order, they Call you, or you call them to order and 3) Salesman tacks on extras, like the battery, a warranty, the neck strap, all as "extras". If you balk, the product will suddenly be OUT OF STOCK...they will try and up-sell you all sorts of stuff.

Trust me...NO DEALER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD can deliver a Canon d-slr at $400 UNDER retail list price. Not on a $899 item.

THis same, exact scam has been going on since the 1960's. Seriously. If you DO place an order with one of these low-ballers, you WILL BE, I promise you, ripped off, well and truly, six ways to Sunday.

 

[Overread]

^^ +1 to what Derrel said - if you jump through all their marketing salesman hoops you might get a camera; which might have all the normal contents, but you'll have paid as much if not far more than a leading trusted retailer.

Stick to the trusted sites - Amazon, B&H, Adorama, KeH. If you want a "deal" try Ebay or independant sellers on Amazon - though always check the ratings on the dealer. Make sure they've got a high 95%+ rating and that its on fullfilling 100-1000s of recent products.

 

[Dao]

pcgamesi.com information

Domain name: pcgamesi.com

Registrant Contact:

orlin mladenov ()

Fax:
simeon veliki12
Rousse, Rousse 7000
BG

Administrative Contact:

orlin mladenov ([email protected])
+359.883484378
Fax: +1.5555555555
simeon veliki12
Rousse, Rousse 7000
BG

Technical Contact:

orlin mladenov ([email protected])
+359.883484378
Fax: +1.5555555555
simeon veliki12
Rousse, Rousse 7000
BG

Status: Locked

Name Servers:
ns2771.hostgator.com
ns2772.hostgator.com



Based on the above information, I will not even want to visit that site.

 

[Dao]

Also, the other online retailer has 7.98/10 6 months rating in reselerratings.com. So not too bad.

Ibuysonline.com Reviews - ibuysonline.com Ratings at ResellerRatings



I find the postal address from their site and search it at google maps. And it seems like that is a residential address. So I will not buy from them as well.

 

[Jeff92]

You cant always trust resellerratings. Some companies offer credits if you post a 5 star review. I can't think of one right now though but I have seen it. Maybe 42nd st photo was the one I am thinking off. The best reviews you will find are unsolicited ones from real people on forums. I personally would only order something as expensive as a camera from a canon authorized dealer (found on their website). That is unless I am buying used. In that case the ebay seller needs a decent amount of feedback with at least like 97%+ rate. Even then it would have to be a good deal. I wouldn't waste my time though with ones listed several hundred under retail. Its the bait and switch and will cause a lot of frustration. I shopped for two months before I got my t2i and out if luck I got a great deal through amazon. If you can get the camera with some deep lens discounts in a bundle like i did, do it and sell the lens or lenses off you don't need. They sell pretty easy if you don't mind the time it may take. I got my t2i kit with kit lens and a 55-250 lens for 600 after I sold a 70-300 for 350 dollars that I paid around 200 for.

 

[MelissaHaws]

Thanks for the help guys. My gut said no, but it was just tempting. I'll stay with the camera store in my city or one of those site's you listed. I am new to this forum and feel so grateful for all the help I've gotten the last few days. What a great group of people!

 

[JonathanNYC]

all said and done, i got my 60D from BJs (like costco/sams club) for $1199 with $100.00 off Manf instant rebate) with the canon bag, an extra battery and the 18-135mm lens. (and a 4 gb card)

Could i have bought a used one? yes. but if you want peace of mind, you'll do it right.

Amazon.com is your best bet for new and low price. good luck!

 

[bratkinson]

I bought my 60D, new, early this past December from one of the so-so sounded-like-a-scam dealer sites for about $100 below what 'real' dealers were selling it for. I of course, Googled them and checked reseller ratings, etc. Dubious, to be sure. But the recent reviews were positive (all the same day or two in the last 2 months, a little fishy, if you ask me), AND, I had to dig and dig, but they did have a real business address in NYC. Since I'm in Massachusetts, I could always drive there if I had a problem.

So, I pulled the trigger. And, just like the reviews indicated, I got an email to call them the next day. And, as the reviews indicated, got the usual high-pressure sales...get the 8 hr battery instead of 1 hr that comes with it, get a strap, get a memory card, flash, case, etc. I turned them all down. I then waited about two WEEKS before I finally got a 'shipped' email and it arrived 2 days after that. As purchased, it was a USA warrantied, complete, retail, Canon 60D, new, in box, etc. It was obviously part of a kit, that the lens had been sold separately, as the lens info on the box had a piece of white tape over it.

I lucked out.

My business now goes to B&H. Order by 4, get it next day in MA. As Holiday Inn used to advertise...the best surprise is NO surprise!