Originally Posted by BurtonOsborn5 I want to buy a new digital camera, including high picture quality with lots of memory.Can anyone give me some advice?

If you are purchasing from a vendor that has not been recommended to you, check the customer feedback and ratings at www.resellerratings.com, before you part with your cc details!

You might find some useful advice here, from the Adorama Learning Center: http://www.adorama.com/alc/category/Digital-SLRs

I wanted to buy a Canon S95 for someone, so I went to Amazon where I have Amazon Prime and do plenty of my shopping. I was in a rush, and just one-clicked my way to an order for this person (had already bought something else, so the address was on file). I never paid attention to the price, figuring how bad can it be, it's just a P&S? Well, turns out my order was from "Quality Photo" one of Don Wiss' infamous Brooklyn ripoff artists:



Turns out they gouged me $80 of retail, saying "Dear Customer,
We paid very high for this product since it was very hard to get, and this is the reason why you paid $479, because no one besides us had it on amazon, but i can not do any refunds."

So kids, don't rush it, check it!

I always wonder how scamers like this can stay in business. I always thought it was because of the not too bright, and the ignorant.

Now I see how even someone with extensive knowledge can be had.

It seems that the camera went to someone as a gift so trying to send it back would probably be out of the question, but can you not complain / write to Amazon? While the money may be gone I would think amazon would not want to keep this scammer on there list.

Sam

Originally Posted by Sam but can you not complain / write to Amazon? While the money may be gone I would think amazon would not want to keep this scammer on there list. Sam

Oh I have, believe me. And we spend uh, $millions at Amazon :)

I wonder why Amazon allows shoddy vendors like that in on their marketplace. I was about to buy my nephew a scooter from Amazon (which was selling something from another seller) and then looked at all the reviews. All those scooters broke apart.

Originally Posted by Moogle Pepper I wonder why Amazon allows shoddy vendors like that in on their marketplace. I was about to buy my nephew a scooter from Amazon (which was selling something from another seller) and then looked at all the reviews. All those scooters broke apart.

This guy has plenty of pos feedback on Amazon. I'm amazed. The vendor just called me, trying to tell me, sorry, he paid $100 over wholesale price because it was 'hard to get'.

That sounds like a pile of BS too.

Originally Posted by Andy This guy has plenty of pos feedback on Amazon. I'm amazed. The vendor just called me, trying to tell me, sorry, he paid $100 over wholesale price because it was 'hard to get'.

heck he could have taken the subway to B&H and bought one for less!

My experience is to google any establishment that you are thinking about buying from. This will give you the best chance of not getting ripped off. But I would say 75% are total scam artists!!!!!!

Be very leery of forum sales....do not use PayPal gifting...why: 1 - it is against PayPal policy (and you the buyer could lose YOUR privileges just like the seller as you are part of them ripping off PayPal for their fees), 2: you have nothing to stand on if you get ripped off on your purchase, PayPal will not help you out and may suspend or revoke your privilages completely..... ... it is a good idea to use PayPal to make payments as that at least gives someone to listen to your complaint.....do not purchase on forums that only allow positive feedback, other forum members need to know that you were ripped.

Originally Posted by Constantine My experience is to google any establishment that you are thinking about buying from. This will give you the best chance of not getting ripped off. But I would say 75% are total scam artists!!!!!!

A good place to start (after resellerratings.com, of course) is this guy's blog, - he's my personal hero - http://www.thoughts-of-dave.blogspot.com/

He's like the Zorro of the downtrodden photographer!!

I am new to photography and appreciate your tips on getting a good deal. Thanks.

Originally Posted by jbradstr I am new to photography and appreciate your tips on getting a good deal. Thanks.

What product are you looking for? Do you mind buying used gear? How about refurbished?

Cameras are neither rare nor poorly distributed. Therefore, pricing is extremely consistent from one vendor to another. Given the fairly high expense of most DSLR systems, you should focus on the reputation of the vendor vs the price. A price that is significantly lower than other vendors should be seen as a warning, not an opportunity.

"Getting a deal" is synonymous with getting ripped off. Check the major vendors, (B&H, Adorama, Amazon, etc) and figure your 'normal' price from there. Prices much higher AND much lower are likely rip-offs, either way.

Buy from the vendor that offers the return, warranty and service flexibility that you desire.

Another plug for trusted vendors with good feedback. I have bought from a number of local and NY big guys all with good results. Just received a lightly used Canon 1D mk III I found on ebay after watching a number of auctions. This one was from Adorama with a "Buy it Now" price that was at the upper end, but had a "Best Offer" button so what the heck, throw them a reasonable offer. They accepted my fair offer and 5 days later it is in my hands. After realizing I just bought a camera I re-read the ad and realized they didn't go into detail about what was included (battery, charger, software?). The rip-off places like Andy stumbled into are famous for charging extra for what should normally come with the camera ("oh, you want tires with that new car?).

Here is where the honest and trusted vendor to our community comes in. Not only did it come with everything originally sold with it when new, in an original box, there was also an extra battery! Positive feedback left on ebay and add to it here. Not that you shouldn't verify exactly what you are buying, but the results are definitely more likely to be positive with a company like Adorama.

Thanks again for a great transaction and new-to-me camera Adorama

My experience is that vendors fall into three categories: the reputable (e.g. B&H), the low-ballers, and the scammers. Here are the differences:

1. Reputable: they charge a fair price and include everything you'd expect in the box. Their prices do not increase during shortages (e.g. the virtual non-existence of the Canon 1D4 this past year) or during frenzies for a new product. Their prices are not the lowest either, but you'll get exactly what you expect to get and they will make it right if there is a problem. I buy from these guys now.

2. Low-ballers: They sort of sell you what you expect, but there is that inevitable phone call after the order to sell you accessories you may or may not need--batteries, filters, etc. In many cases, these accessories are overpriced or much fancier than you need. And in some of these cases they should come with the original package (e.g. batteries) but don't, so the overall price is the same or more than the reputable guys. I made the mistake of buying my 5D2 from 47th Street Photo, for a couple hundred less that the reputable price, but was convinced on that phone call to buy an additional 2200mA/h battery. What the hell, I thought, I'll need it. Turns out that it was some cheap knockoff--nothing close to 2200mA/h--and was more trouble than it was worth. Of course, I had to listen to them try to sell me a lot of other crap I didn't need--and didn't buy--but I did manage to get the 5D2 for a hundred or so less that B&H. However, I have never ordered again from these guys.

3. Scammers: No telling what, if anything, you will get from these guys. Don't even think about sending your CC information their way! The clues are: ridiculously low prices, few reviews (and bipolar reviews), and a cheesy web page. They come and go, and I am sure make most of their sales on naive customers who want P&S or their first dSLR.

I limit my purchases to a few reputable companies, and have never been dissatisfied. If you have the patience, it might be worth buying from the low-ballers, as will enough persistence you might get a better price, but you'll go through some frustration in the process. Not worth it IMHO.

Originally Posted by Photogbiker ..... Just received a lightly used Canon 1D mk III I found on ebay after watching a number of auctions. This one was from Adorama with a "Buy it Now" price that was at the upper end, but had a "Best Offer" button so what the heck, throw them a reasonable offer...... Here is where the honest and trusted vendor to our community comes in. Not only did it come with everything originally sold with it when new, in an original box, there was also an extra battery! .....the results are definitely more likely to be positive with a company like Adorama. Thanks again for a great transaction and new-to-me camera Adorama

And thank YOU - for leaving such fabulous feedback, and for your Adorama order.

BTW if you ever need advice or after-sales support with an order from Adorama, I'm right here: Helen@adorama.com

B&H ftw 10/10 times.

Originally Posted by Andy stay awayundefined try b&h, they are the best. don't go there or call friday afternoons or on saturday, they are observant and are closed on the sabbath.

Agree. You cannot go wrong with B&H or Adorama. Well respected in the community and if you have a problem, they'll have a shipping label ready for you to print and return.


__________________________________________________ ___
Chuck Dee - AKA Chris
"A good photograph is knowing where to stand." -Ansel Adams
www.bellissimofoto.com

Had my "PriceRite" experience with "Best Price Camera" - (coincidently, they were also in NY). When the order was finally canceled, the credit card I'd used started showing up with wierd, unauthorized charges all over the internet, in less than 12 hours. Fortunately the credit card company caught it the first day and blocked purchases on the card.

Then later, learned the hard way not to automatically trust other sellers listed on Amazon (unless the item is coming from Amazon directly). Bought a brand new camera that way, a few years back after determining the retailer didn't have negative feedback on various sites. Happy as a clam with the camera, for almost a year. THEN took it to Nikon for service while it was under "warranty".

Turns out that great camera had been part of a pallet stolen off of a shipping dock prior to my purchase. Became a total nightmare, although fortunately it didn't take long for law enforcement and Nikon to determine that *I* wasn't the thief. The camera however became evidence and I never got it back; thankfully, my homeowner's insurance paid. The retailer (who had had a legit biz license) had rabbited. Last update from the detective involved was that the FBI and Port Authority were involved, and the investigation had progresed to Europe at that point.

I now buy new only from a Nikon AUTHROIZED dealer. If I do buy used, I want to see a sales receipt from an authorized dealer, or a service receipt from Nikon, or something similar.