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Safe online camera/photography stores Sticky?

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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
It seems like every day there are more and more threads asking whether or not a site is safe or not. This thread will help answer those questions.

Safe places to buy gear online
http://www.bhphoto.com
http://www.evsonline.com
http://www.adorama.com
http://www.abelcine.com
http://www.willoughbys.com

and there are more

Also, if you ever have any question about a stores legitimacy, check out http://www.resellerratings.com

Here are a few link that show pictures of these "cheap" online stores that have incredibly low prices on their gear. This is where you might be sending your money...

http://www.panix.com/~donwiss/pictures/BrooklynStores
http://donwiss.com/pictures/ManhattanStores/
http://donwiss.com/pictures/OtherStores/


Hopefully this thread can help clear up questions that anyone may have about buying online.


IF IT LOOKS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, THEN IT USUALLY IS!
Aug 26 2008 12:13PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
us1camera.com shipped my hv20 quick, and low priced. good store in my opinion
Aug 26 2008 12:21PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
Also, another thing to be aware of is whether or not the store you buy from is an authorized dealer for the brand of equipment you are purchasing. It is not a good idea to buy from a non authorized dealer. A lot of the time, buying from a non authorized dealer means that you do not get the manufacturer warranty among other things. BUY FROM AUTHORIZED DEALERS ONLY. You may save a couple bucks buying from a non authorized dealer, but it can come back to bite you later down the road.
Aug 26 2008 12:27PM
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Bangor
Posts: 9599 - Karma: 129
The two stores you need to know are:

http://bhphotovideo.com
(you gave the wrong link)

and

http://keh.com
(for used equipment)



Seriously, there are no other stores worth dealing with. B&H is the MOST reputable for a reason.

KEH is easily the best place to look for used gear, although B&H sometimes has some decent stuff.

Adorama isn't bad either, but I just prefer B&H.


There's a LOT of other online stores out there which are basically scams. Don't screw around with them.
Aug 26 2008 10:05PM
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SmoothLikeButter
Posts: 399 - Karma: 16
i will have to second http://http://www.abelcine.com/store/home.php
Aug 27 2008 9:09AM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
http://www.tech4less.com

mad legit ordered my panasonic pv-gs500 from there. cheap & new.
Aug 27 2008 10:37AM
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kfilenda
Posts: 509 - Karma: 72
bhphoto.com will just redirect you to bhphotovideo.com
Aug 27 2008 10:49AM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
Thing is, after a lot of research, i found my camera for 300 dollars less at another store other then bhvideo. Also, being an NY resident, NY taxes would've ripped me a new asshole. So Therefore i checked into other websites throughly and had a smooth transaction, at a fraction of the price
Aug 27 2008 11:14AM
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Bangor
Posts: 9599 - Karma: 129
hmmmn, no shit. i didn't know that.


and ^ yeah taxes will get you if you live in NY, but I'd rather pay that and get the best service around then wonder....



Also, I might be a little biased, because I really don't buy big ticket items from B&H, which would definitely plunder your wallet in taxes; I get almost everything I own used.

I've bought two cameras and almost every lens I own used from KEH or people on Craigslist, and one on Ebay. B&H is usually for smaller items like film, lightstands, stuff like that, at least for me.
Aug 27 2008 11:44AM
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DavidStewart
Posts: 247 - Karma: 416
B&H is by far the most legit, worth dealing with someone good for the money your likely to be spending.
Aug 27 2008 3:16PM
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