Best Buy for Memory Cards

ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
edited February 14, 2011 in Accessories
I know to stay away from ebay and amazon, but I have a Best Buy gift card... since it's not enough to buy a new tv, I was thinking about getting some cards.... You'd think they're safe, they probably get them straight from the manufacturer?

They are ok for SDs but their CF prices are horrible... Sandisk Extreme 8GB for $180?!? :huh Adorama has it for $110 less!

So can I get SDs safely here? I'm pretty sure it's yes, but I wanted to see what other think.
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Comments

  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited February 5, 2011
    One can get stung buying cards from anyone. With that said, If you buy from ebay, flea market, etc there are no returns. If you purchase from Best Buy and there is a problem, you can always return it.

    With that said, I've spent a lot of money at Best Buy on various electronics over the years without problems.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2011
    Aside from the very bloated prices on their cards BB should be no prob.........online I really like New Egg, and I use Transcend cards....Check the online BB prices, if cheaper than your local store ask for price match.....Or sell the BB gift card so you can buy from whom you want......I have started telling friends and relatives to no longer get me store gift cards...get me a Visa Gift card, so I can use it anywhere.....
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2011
    Why do you avoid Amazon? Just curious, since I find their service to be like magic. They get packages to my door before other retailers can get it out their door.
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  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2011
    They actually have ok prices on some Kingston SDs, but yes I would normally buy from Adorama or Newegg. They have free shipping on these, so buying online actualy saves me a few cents (taxes).
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2011
    DavidTO wrote: »
    Why do you avoid Amazon? Just curious, since I find their service to be like magic. They get packages to my door before other retailers can get it out their door.

    I like Amazon normally, but I don't get memory from them. Since they allow 3rd party sellers, they could have fake cards.
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    I like Amazon normally, but I don't get memory from them. Since they allow 3rd party sellers, they could have fake cards.

    Ah. Thanks!
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  • denisegoldbergdenisegoldberg Administrators Posts: 14,373 moderator
    edited February 5, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    I like Amazon normally, but I don't get memory from them. Since they allow 3rd party sellers, they could have fake cards.
    But you know before you click the buy button if it's sold directly from Amazon or from 3rd party sellers. I wouldn't stay away from Amazon simply because they allow 3rd party sellers - just choose items that are sold by Amazon.

    --- Denise
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  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2011
    True. I've thought of that, but just didn't want to take the risk, if there is one. I've always liked Adorama's prices, so that's where I get most of my cards. Newegg has good prices as well.
  • HelenOsterHelenOster Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    .......I would normally buy from Adorama or.....

    Thank you! Appreciate your feedback and your business!!
    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
    http://twitter.com/HelenOster
    Helen@adorama.com
    www.adorama.com
  • Matthew SavilleMatthew Saville Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 3,352 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2011
    If they're an authorized dealer and you buy cards with a lifetime warranty, you should be good to go... :-)

    =Matt=
    “My first thought is always of light.” – Galen Rowell
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  • AaronJAndersonAaronJAnderson Registered Users Posts: 28 Big grins
    edited February 7, 2011
    I'd buy the ones you need from Newegg and save the BB card for another time. I just bought 2 class 6, 8gb sandisk cards for 13 dollars each on newegg. Similar cards were over 50 dollars EACH at BB.
  • JustinThymeJustinThyme Registered Users Posts: 112 Major grins
    edited February 10, 2011
    BB does have absolutely the worst pirces and in the stores anyhow are always several steps behind the latest technology.
    I always get mine from Adorama, or B&H. I would get them from newegg but I llive in NJ about 15 minutes from the distribution center so I get banged with sales tax putting their price above the other two.
    Canon CPS Gold Member
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 10, 2011
    Yes, but I have this gift card to use... 2 free kingston 4gbs isn't that bad, I think they're class 6. I know, it's no Extreme Pro, but when they're free...

    btw Justin I love your signature, but unfortunately it'll only be there 5 more days.ne_nau.gif
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited February 10, 2011
    NewEgg!

    Kingston Green cards are so damn cheap and let you do video on the 5DMkII so you KNOW they are fast, even though they aren't rated at 5,000,000x or whatever the "hot" speed is now. I think last purchase was $90 for a 32GB card
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • OverfocusedOverfocused Registered Users Posts: 1,068 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2011
    @Thatcanonguy

    Adorama does business on ebay and you can get %3 off with rebate with any buy it now paid via paypal if you go through mrrebates.com. That's enough to buy a good memory card for free with a camera!

    http://stores.ebay.com/Adorama-Camera

    %90 of my photo equipment has been purchased from Ebay. Usually the best price is there, and along side the %3 rebate it beats the retail websites of the same companies that sell the stuff on ebay.

    Pick a good seller with a good reputation and things should go smoothly. Oh yeah, and bestbuy does suck. Very.

    Oh, how much is the gift card for?
    www.overfocused.com
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2011
    << I like Amazon normally, but I don't get memory from them. Since they allow 3rd party sellers, they could have fake cards.>>

    Well, in your own words, they 'could have' implies there are also sellers of genuine cards too.

    Pick your (3rd party) supplier, check their feedback, ensure they're selling full retail packs, and check the authenticity of the product when it arrives via the routes offered by the manufacturers - usually email / freephone.

    I've bought my last 3 (SD)cards from the same 3rd party seller with zero problems - and better prices than fleabay.

    pp
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  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2011
    JimK, I like my 8GB Kingston green one too. Pretty fast, and yes it was cheap.

    Overfocused, that rebate is nice, I'll try that if I buy a big-ticket item there soon. I knew Adorama had an ebay store, but I thought their prices were higher there (maybe just for some things). The GC is for $25. I was gonna get two Kingston 4GB 133x class 6 SDs there... $13 each, free shipping.
    puzzledpaul wrote:
    Well, in your own words, they 'could have' implies there are also sellers of genuine cards too.

    Pick your (3rd party) supplier, check their feedback, ensure they're selling full retail packs, and check the authenticity of the product when it arrives via the routes offered by the manufacturers - usually email / freephone.

    I've bought my last 3 (SD)cards from the same 3rd party seller with zero problems - and better prices than fleabay.

    pp

    Yep, I'm sure there are plenty good ones, as well as Amazon themselves. I usually avoid them, more to play it safe/avoid any hassle than anything else. But if Amazon has a better price than others, I'd do it. I just generally go with other places.


    Note that I'm not really looking to buy memory cards, I'm looking to use my giftcard to get some free stuff (photo-wise). Believe me, I do my research when I need a mem card. I have an excel table with different Sandisk, Lexar, and Kingston (I should add Transcend) cards and speeds, with the prices from different stores. This has shown me quite a few things, one being Kingston usually is the cheapest. I guess that's to be expected, but like I said I'm totally happy with my Kingston 8GB 133x.
  • WachelWachel Registered Users Posts: 448 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    I'm a die hard Amazon fan. Never had an issue. Bought my 7D, 70-200 2.8 IS II, 17-55 2.8, both of my Canon flashes from them...and TONS of other stuff. Can't beat the shipping to Alaska and the service.

    To the original post...Best Buy memory will be fine. If you have an iphone get the "Redlaser" app and you can price match right in the store!
    Michael

    <Insert some profound quote here to try and seem like a deep thinker>

    Michael Wachel Photography

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  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    JimK, I like my 8GB Kingston green one too. Pretty fast, and yes it was cheap.

    , but like I said I'm totally happy with my Kingston 8GB 133x.

    How much was it??

    I put Kingston on my not to buy list because I could not them to be recognized in my cameras...Glad they work great for you........thumb.gifthumbthumb.gif
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • WachelWachel Registered Users Posts: 448 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    Art Scott wrote: »
    How much was it??

    I put Kingston on my not to buy list because I could not them to be recognized in my cameras...Glad they work great for you........thumb.gifthumbthumb.gif

    I use the same Kingston 8gb 133x in my 7D and they work great as well. Just FYI.
    Michael

    <Insert some profound quote here to try and seem like a deep thinker>

    Michael Wachel Photography

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  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    I think it cost me just under $25. It has always worked just as well as my Transcend (the 1DII doesn't support UDMA, so it writes to both at about the same speed).
  • OverfocusedOverfocused Registered Users Posts: 1,068 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    JimK, I like my 8GB Kingston green one too. Pretty fast, and yes it was cheap.

    Overfocused, that rebate is nice, I'll try that if I buy a big-ticket item there soon. I knew Adorama had an ebay store, but I thought their prices were higher there (maybe just for some things). The GC is for $25. I was gonna get two Kingston 4GB 133x class 6 SDs there... $13 each, free shipping.



    Yep, I'm sure there are plenty good ones, as well as Amazon themselves. I usually avoid them, more to play it safe/avoid any hassle than anything else. But if Amazon has a better price than others, I'd do it. I just generally go with other places.


    Note that I'm not really looking to buy memory cards, I'm looking to use my giftcard to get some free stuff (photo-wise). Believe me, I do my research when I need a mem card. I have an excel table with different Sandisk, Lexar, and Kingston (I should add Transcend) cards and speeds, with the prices from different stores. This has shown me quite a few things, one being Kingston usually is the cheapest. I guess that's to be expected, but like I said I'm totally happy with my Kingston 8GB 133x.


    Yeah I got $250 off a 5D Mark II when Bing was giving %8 back :)

    4GB 133x is a good card, I'd get them if there's nothing else. I also did hours upon hours of research with the professional high speed memory cards (Including SLC and MLC differences) if you want to know exactly what brand has what inside of those little pieces of plastic rolleyes1.gif
    www.overfocused.com
  • HelenOsterHelenOster Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    ........I knew Adorama had an ebay store, but I thought their prices were higher there (maybe just for some things). ....

    Should be exactly the same price! Email me if you find a price discrepancy & I'll send you a 'thank you'
    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
    http://twitter.com/HelenOster
    Helen@adorama.com
    www.adorama.com
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited February 13, 2011
    Like Art, I have had issues with Kingston CF cards more than once.

    So I only use genuine Transcend, Sandisk, or Lexar cards.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Hmm, I have heard of them being less reliable than other brands sometimes, but Kingston was making RAM long before Sandisk or Lexar or Transcend. I trust them and they work fine for me.

    Helen, I just thought I remembered thinking that once, I'll let you know if I notice any difference in price.
  • W.W. WebsterW.W. Webster Registered Users Posts: 3,204 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    pathfinder wrote: »
    ... I only use genuine Transcend, Sandisk, or Lexar cards.
    How can there be any such thing as a 'genuine' Transcend card when they don't manufacture all their own controllers and flash memory chips according to Rob Galbraith but merely assemble components made by others?

    I use only SanDisk as they do, and they also invented them in the first place!
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  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Does anyone have experience with Hoodman RAW cards? They're supposed to have been on the market for 3 years with 0 failures worldwide. Adorama sells them.
  • OverfocusedOverfocused Registered Users Posts: 1,068 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    Does anyone have experience with Hoodman RAW cards? They're supposed to have been on the market for 3 years with 0 failures worldwide. Adorama sells them.


    They're the best made CF cards in the world, but for price and performance per dollar, Lexar is performs the same and is very durable as well. Lexar uses SLC chips in their pro cards as does Hoodman and Transcend black 300x CF cards.


    Unless you're going to antarctica you may not need Hoodman :P
    www.overfocused.com
  • W.W. WebsterW.W. Webster Registered Users Posts: 3,204 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Overfocused wrote: »
    They're the best made
    What does that mean? ne_nau.gif
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  • JustinThymeJustinThyme Registered Users Posts: 112 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    btw Justin I love your signature, but unfortunately it'll only be there 5 more days.ne_nau.gif

    Read announcement and changed it already!:flush
    Canon CPS Gold Member
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