NYC Camera Merchants

F350Lawman · Dec 10, 2003

How ya' doing, Doc? Giving that tractor some snow workouts? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's going to rain here the next few days but the weekend may bring some more snow. I wish it would all freeze, the darn mud is giving me fits and is hard to wallow through.

As far as the camera shopping goes I sympathize with BIGGUN, it's a real minefield. These guys make the proverbial "used car salesman" look like a boy scout! You're better of buying a "Rolex" on the street than cameras from some of these clowns. I learned this the hard way from hauling my rear down to stores and almost being taken. This lead to several interesting "conversations" between myself and the merchants...or should I say crooks /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Also on a professional level I worked in an area loaded with electronics/camera stores. We were constantly called to these places for customer disputes and I witnessed many of the scams. These guys were difficult to get anywhere with even with a gun and a badge /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif so the average shopper was hopelessly removed from his or her $$$$

Docsknotinn · Dec 10, 2003

Yeah I sure remember shopping. The last time I did it the internet was just beginning. I did not even own a computer then. Seems like ancient history but it was only 7 years ago /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Now if I could just get used to those self check out lanes /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif No work outs on the snow, we dont have any ! lol, nope not a flake. Last weekend I tried to dig some stumps and wound up with a giant hole in the ground after digging about 10 yards of dirt. Its easy to loose a 2210 in a hole that size /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Thats what I will be burning tops in this winter. We start logging/cutting/ burning this Friday. I can smell the smoke already . Blech, Burning conifers stink !

Chuck52 · Dec 11, 2003

A follow-up on my order to Hi-Tech Camera. Just got an e-mail requesting that I call because the shipping address and billing address don't match. In the confirmation to my order, it gives my correct shipping address and under billing address says "same". Hmmmmm. AH! Perhaps it is because my middle initial is used on my credit card and there wasn't a separate place for it in their order form, so I left it off. Bet that's the hang-up!

Chuck

centex · Dec 11, 2003

I have not bought any camera equipment for a while but I used to buy a lot of equipment from a couple of the NYC camera stores and never had any problems with them. I did a lot of travelling to Japan at the time and found that you could get better prices on most Japanese cameras and electronics from the discounters in NYC than from the big camera and electronic stores in Japan. The notable exception was Nikon cameras and equipment. At the time there was a company that had the exclusive import rights for Nikon and they gouged you on the price since most of the professional photographers used Nikon then. I found that in Japan Nikon and Canon cameras and lens cost the same but in the US Nikon cost almost twice what Canon cost so I got really good deals on Nikon in Japan whereas I could almost always get the Canon equipment for less by mail order from NYC.

The last NYC company that I dealt with was B&H Photo. Their prices are not the best but they were always reputable and good to deal with. Since we have a really good local camera store here I started buying from them. I like having the convience of a local dealer where I can get good service buy they won't be around if no one buys from them. I no longer buy anything remotely that I can get locally from locally owned businesses and I don't mean Walmart - I never go there for anything and never will.

herbenus · Dec 11, 2003

Reading all these posts is making me nervous since I just ordered a Minolta G500 which should be here tomorrow. I saved over $100 plus tax vs Best Buy and shipping was free. I read a lot of reviews including one site that had ratings of online vendors. I used one with a good rating even though it was a little higher. I'm guessing grey market is okay if the camera works right. Ten years ago, before digital and internet, I bought mail order from a NYC store. It probably was grey market. Camera worked great and I saved several hundred dollars.

Docsknotinn · Dec 11, 2003

I wouldnt be nervous. a hundred bucks is a big chunk of change. Odds of any of this stuff needing repair is pretty darn slim. Even if it is a grey Market camera ( no Warranty ) chances are a simple repair will be under $100 any how. So the worse you can probably do is break even. I'm betting you saved a hundred bucks and will get a great camera.

dmccarty · Dec 11, 2003

Centex,

Thanks for mentioning B&H Photo. Its the NYC store that I use
if I really have no other choice from my local guy. For the life
of me I could not remember B&H's name.

Later,
Dan

PitbullMidwest · Dec 11, 2003

I bought a Sharp video camera through a NYC store, showed up a week past due, missing the lense cover and it had a small almost unnoticable sticker on the bottom that stated "Factory Refurbished". I called them to complain, no where in their ads did it state they where selling refurbs and was curtly asked " why do you think the price was so good?" then they hung up, so I decided to return it for refund, they refused delivery.

The camera operates fine and carry's the full factory warrenty so I ended up keeping it after discussing it with Sharp. 2 months after buying it the battery was dead, replacement cost ? about $50 which is about the difference in purchase price.

I'll never buy from a NYC camera shop again. Let the buyer beware.

JASTN70D · Dec 11, 2003

One thing everyone should be aware of is if you purchase with a CC and they pull that you could dispute it and get a full refund from the CC company. Even if the store will not take it back. And the best thing is the CC company will not reimburse the store so they start to cleanup up the practices or go out of business. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

F350Lawman · Dec 11, 2003

I'll never buy from a NYC camera shop again. Let the buyer beware.

I understand your anger. There are MANY bad NYC camera stores but there are also probably the best camera stores in the world in NYC. It's a litle unfair to lump them all together. 2 stores mentioned in this thread, B&H and FocusCamera have probably outfitted more professional photographers than 99.9% of the camera stores in the country. If you asked professional photographers to name a camera store of the top of their head I'll bet B&H wins hands down.