Best online store to buy at

[Andrea Griffa]

Hi guys
It would be interesting making a list of the most used and safe online stores where you bought or you know someone who bought and he is satisfied.
Surfing for the web, I found many lowcost sites as Camerakings, Bestpriceelctronics, Fumfie and so on, but I found many awful reviews.
Now it's up to you to enhance this list.

First of all: Amazon.com

 

[DRMabe]

I buy a lot from BH Photo

 

[David Wolfson]

I second DRMabe, Andrea. BHPhotoVideo has everything at reasonable, if not always rock-bottom prices, a great website, and efficient, fair processing.

As you say, another is Amazon, IMO. Their own store is usually pretty good with price and efficient with service. In order to stay an Amazon affiliate you also have to be pretty straightforward and honest, so they're usually quite good, too.

In each case they're very reasonable about returning stuff when you want or need to do that.

 

[chadvia]

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?18983-Buy-From-These-Companies!

 

[Wes Carter]

Ones I have dealt with that are reliable and honest:
KEH Camera Brokers (My favorite place to buy used gear)
Adorama
Roberts Distributing
Cameta Camera

 

[Dave Rennie]

I've had excellent luck with: Amazon.com (everything); BestBuy.com (electronics); and Adorama.com (photographic). In the case of Amazon orders that are fulfilled by a separate seller other than Amazon itself, I check that seller's rating, reviews, etc., before ordering. The same would go for Ebay.

Hope this helps!

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I have noticed recently that walmart is starting to get into the realm of reasonably priced photo gear online. I used to not even bother as their prices were always higher than BH or Adorama and a few other online retailers, however, recently I've seen their prices drop drastically on camera equipment:

Canon 10-22mm:
Walmart $709 - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Canon-EF-S-10-22mm-f3.5-4.5-USM-Ultra-Wide-Angle-Zoom-Lens/10401113
B&H - $820 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351542-USA/Canon_9518A002_EF_S_10_22mm_f_3_5_4_5_USM.html

Canon 100mm 2.8L
Walmart - $879 - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=15258226&findingMethod=rr
B&H - $996 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647011-USA/Canon_3554B002_EF_100mm_f_2_8L_Macro.html

Canon 16-35 2.8L
Walmart - $1419 - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Canon-EF-16-35mm-f-2.8L-II-USM-Ultra-Wide-Angle-Zoom-Lens/10930650
B&H - $1614 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486708-USA/Canon_1910B002AA_EF_16_35mm_f_2_8L_II.html

 

[Kevin Almloff]

Another one that I have used for years without problems is http://newegg.com. They seem to have a more technical customer base in my experience as I find more relevant reviews there.

 

[DRMabe]

+1 for newegg. Haven't bought any photography gear from them, but have bought PC components, HDMI cables, etc.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

One of the best resources out there for checking to see if an online store is legit or not is: http://www.resellerratings.com

In the orange search box, type in the name of the store and check em' out!

Bryan

 

[Jason Foster]

I have noticed recently that walmart is starting to get into the realm of reasonably priced photo gear online. I used to not even bother as their prices were always higher than BH or Adorama and a few other online retailers, however, recently I've seen their prices drop drastically on camera equipment:

Canon 10-22mm:
Walmart $709 - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Canon-EF-S-10-22mm-f3.5-4.5-USM-Ultra-Wide-Angle-Zoom-Lens/10401113
B&H - $820 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351542-USA/Canon_9518A002_EF_S_10_22mm_f_3_5_4_5_USM.html

Canon 100mm 2.8L
Walmart - $879 - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=15258226&findingMethod=rr
B&H - $996 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647011-USA/Canon_3554B002_EF_100mm_f_2_8L_Macro.html

Canon 16-35 2.8L
Walmart - $1419 - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Canon-EF-16-35mm-f-2.8L-II-USM-Ultra-Wide-Angle-Zoom-Lens/10930650
B&H - $1614 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486708-USA/Canon_1910B002AA_EF_16_35mm_f_2_8L_II.html

Some of the price differences are significant. But one detractor from Walmart, unlike B&H their extended warrants are nothing more than the factory warranty. There is no 'accident' part to the coverage and that can be a huge difference considering the conditions we shoot in. Sure, neither will cover me if the camera does into the surge while I'm shooting, but if I drop the camera, B&H's plan covers me, Walmarts doesn't. If I'm buying a $1500 to $2500 camera...(or the expensive lenses pointed out) I want as much coverage as I can get.

 

[Andrea Griffa]

Resuming:


Amazon.com
BHPhotoVideo
KEH Camera Brokers
Adorama
Roberts Distributing
Cameta Camera
BestBuy.com
http://newegg.com
http://buydig.com

 

[Wes Carter]

Some the price difference are significant. But one detractor from Walmart, unlike B&H their extended warrants are nothing more than the factory warranty. There is no 'accident' part to the coverage and that can be a huge difference considering the conditions we shoot in. Sure, neither will cover me if the camera does into the surge while I'm shooting, but if I drop the camera, B&H's plan covers me, Walmarts doesn't. If I'm buying a $1500 to $2500 camera...(or the expensive lenses pointed out) I want as much coverage as I can get.

I never buy store warranties. I've been dealing with Squaretrade since about 2004 or 2005. Their warranties are much cheaper than in-store warranties plus you can get an ADH (Accidental Damage from Handling) policy for about 50-60% more. I have dealt with them twice for warranty claims. It really is just as simple as sending them a copy of your receipt with the damaged item, or you can fax or email your receipt for them to keep on file. If you sell your item before the warranty has expired, you can transfer it to the new owner or get a refund that is basically prorated for the time you have left.

I had a Toshiba Gigabeat MP4 player that died after 2 1/2 years. I paid $159 for it new, but after 2 1/2 years it was selling for around $25-30 on Ebay. Squaretrade cut me a check for $139 to replace it with no hassle. I had a Cannon Sure Shot that the autofocus stopped working on. They had me send it to a Cannon repair facility and it was sent back fully functional after 2 weeks, and it still works two years later.

 

[Jason Foster]

I never buy store warranties. I've been dealing with Squaretrade since about 2004 or 2005. Their warranties are much cheaper than in-store warranties plus you can get an ADH (Accidental Damage from Handling) policy for about 50-60% more. I have dealt with them twice for warranty claims. It really is just as simple as sending them a copy of your receipt with the damaged item, or you can fax or email your receipt for them to keep on file. If you sell your item before the warranty has expired, you can transfer it to the new owner or get a refund that is basically prorated for the time you have left.

I had a Toshiba Gigabeat MP4 player that died after 2 1/2 years. I paid $159 for it new, but after 2 1/2 years it was selling for around $25-30 on Ebay. Squaretrade cut me a check for $139 to replace it with no hassle. I had a Cannon Sure Shot that the autofocus stopped working on. They had me send it to a Cannon repair facility and it was sent back fully functional after 2 weeks, and it still works two years later.

Generally, I don't buy store warranties either. Just did a cursory check compared to B&H's coverage and they do beat them on price, but only by $50. ($197 vs $244). I like giving B&H the business and dealing with them. I've just seen too many pros stick with them to change. But I will look at squaretrade for some other stuff....thanks for posting the link.

 

[John Wetter]

We already have a thread for this... http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?18983-Buy-From-These-Companies!