B&H v. Cameraworld v. ?

[Monica Vallejo]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called "new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service, etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Edward25352]

Monica -

I had a really great experience with B&H - friendly, efficient and the camera arrived here in 2 days as paid for ( I've had trouble with electronics coming from NYC in the past ).

Last year I ordered a point and shoot from Camera World - very nice people. It was a good experience.

As for B&H and the occasional grey market item .... do you think so ? I ordered from them just because I have always thought that they had a good reputation.

Edward Azuar
San Francisco
[email protected]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Jeff Farris]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z.
B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc.
Thanks,
Monica

My experience with B&H is that you only get greymarket if you order greymarket.
They offer both greymarket and US warranty products in almost everything they
sell. Just bought some stuff from Cameraworld. It shipped promptly,
completely, and as promised. It seems to me that you have narrowed it down to
the right two, and you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Count Macula]

Monica -

B&H's reputation for grey-market goods was true years ago. Up through the early 1990's, professional photographers I employed would shun the company for that reason. When ordering items by phone back then, they would not lie when asked if the item was USA warranty or grey-market, but neither would they volunteer the information. Their first quoted price would be 10-15% lower than the nearest competition, which would be the grey-market goods, and then when you asked for the USA item, they would be the same price as all the other vendors out there.

IMO, however, B&H has made a dramatic change in this policy. I have ordered a couple of items per year from them, and it has all been USA warranty, without my asking for it. Their prices are always competitive - sometimes slightly above or below the competition. The salespeople I have spoken to are very knowledgeable in their particular categories.

The most stringent test of a mail-order photography outfit is used equipment. I have purchased three Ektagraphic carousel projectors from B&H over the past four years. In each case, the salesperson honestly described the condition of the unit, and when the projector arrived, the grade they had awarded the the unit (I believe it was a 1 through 10 scale) was the same grade I would have given.

I just ordered the TTL cable and 3030 bracket from B&H on 8/30 - they arrived today, with English markings, and in timely fashion. I have no experience with Camera World, but I don't think you need to have any trepidation about dealing with B&H (I have no relatives, friends, or paymasters in the company). I prefer doing 'net orders with outfits that have a brick-and-mortar location, and firms don't get any more reputable than B&H, IMO.

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[GC]

I may be the only one that has less than perfect experience with B&H. I orders 3 items, 2 shipped, and one was back ordered. The problem is there is no warning or heads up for the back order item. No response to the email inquiry, no response to the email that cancel the order. When I finally reach them over the phone, I was told they got the email and the order has been canceled. For a company so highly praised, I was less than impressed.

I've purchased quite a few things from cameraworld, good experience with purchase and returns. IMO, unless you return something with a store, you can't really tell how bad they are. After dealing with some of these online stores, I would say cameraworld is a pleasent surprise. Only problem is, you do pay extra for the service.

I've had good luck with Buy.com, but I never have to return anything there. So I'm actually interested in hearing other's problems. In general, I think they have good price, I shop there and willingly pay for sales tax. I am still looking for that store with good prices out of CA, Onvia maybe another shop that I'll go to, other than that, I'm all ears.

In case you haven't, please make sure you check the many review sites. BTW, buydig seems to be consistantly cheap. I did order there and I had major problems with a return order. However, they did ship in time and it was a brand new unit. Just cross your finger and hope you don't have to deal with their customer disservice department.

gordon

I had a really great experience with B&H - friendly, efficient and the
camera arrived here in 2 days as paid for ( I've had trouble with
electronics coming from NYC in the past ).

Last year I ordered a point and shoot from Camera World - very nice
people. It was a good experience.

As for B&H and the occasional grey market item .... do you think so ?
I ordered from them just because I have always thought that they had a
good reputation.

Edward Azuar
San Francisco
[email protected]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Jim O]

I had good success with State Street Direct (sponsor of this site) and they are price competitive. If you want to review all of the potential resellers try http://www.pricegrabber.com/ and you can see price and ratings.

 

[James Gorom]

Monica...

I have ordered from all three of the companies you question. In terms of safety and reliability...all three have been solid for me (with one exception detailed below).

I have ordered a flash unit and lens from Cameraworld...and being from NY myself I saved the 8% sales tax. Very good service and prices for what I purchased.

From Buy.com I purchased my C2020, some lens, software and memory cards...also saving the 8% sales tax. But I did have one problem with Buy.com (outlined below).

From B&H I purchsed a lens and some filters and smaller accessories.

All three are reliable and from time to time have some excellent prices. The ONLY problem I have ever had was with a Buy.com purchase about six months ago. I purchased another camera from them which was an underwater Canon. The Buy.com site had me confused as the the exact model I was ordering so I called them and just like you said the customer service personel are "clueless" and not too helpful. I ordered the underwater camera thinking it was the exact model I wanted...when it came it was not. It was a water resistant model not the underwater model. Buy.com's site is horrible at times for both finding items and getting a proper description of the item you are looking at.

Anyway...I made arrangements to return the item...and since I had called their Customer support unit (to get more info on the product before I ordered it) They promised to mail me a return postage RA. After almost a month of waiting for their return postage mailer...I returned it with me paying the postage. Buy.com's policy on return items requires that they be returned within a month!!!

It was only after I returned the item to them (about 3 weeks after they got the camera back in their possession)...that they then sent me the Return Postage label. That was EXTREMELY insulting to me...especially since a letter was enclosed with the returned camera asking them to reimburse me for the return postage they had promised to pay by sending me the return postage mailer. I ate the expense of returning the item they promised to pay for...this has left a bad taste in my mouth from Buy.com and now I look elsewhere. I looked at what I had spent theire in the past year...close to $2,000. Since that time I have ordered probably around $1,600 worth of items online...none from them.

Hope this helps you decide.

On another note...If it were me ...I would take the Olympus 2100...over the 3030. But that's only my opinion. The 2020 and 2100 can print out up to 8 x 10's on par (very little noticable difference) with the 3030. If your not going to print out anything bigger than that...why get a 3030. The 2100 lens capacity is simply incredible. I have over $600 tied up in lens for my 2020...the 2100 with it's lens system covers all bases for under $1,000.00.

Best Regards,

JGorom

 

[Barry Carter]

Last year I bought a C2000Z from bhphoto. A month ago, I bought a C3030Z form cameraworld. Never had any problem with either. My perference is Cameraworld, as West Coast seems a tad more people conscience than NY. Also, I don't waste my time "worrying" about every little thing that could happen; that is why I stay with retailers that have a track record, rather than buying from these cut throat E-tailers. As a result, I don't have to put up with package seal, re-taped boxes, poorly packaged items, and I don't ever buy warranties! FWIW

Ciao...Barry

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Darrell Spreen]

Hi,

I've bought both expensive and inexpensive items from B&H and Cameraworld

for years and have nothing but praise for both. I noticed recently that B&H bills

you at once for special order items, even though the wait can be a month - I guess
that's fair, but not as customer-friendly as most other stores.

I currently have an item on order from Adorama and can't even get them to
confirm that they will meet their advertised price (the on-line price was higher
than their magazine price) - it may turn out okay, but their service attitude is
a notch or two below the others.

Darrell

 

[freeda]

I purchased my 3030z from State Atreet Direct. Talked to several very knowledgable people who were very helpful. Had intended to get a CP990 but after some really good info, changed my mind as the 3030 better suits my needs.

I'm sorry to hear bad things about buy.com as my experience has been very good. When I had to return something, they e-mailed my the shipping labed for UPS. When ordering on line you can track your order on their site.

freeda

I've purchased quite a few things from cameraworld, good experience with
purchase and returns. IMO, unless you return something with a store, you
can't really tell how bad they are. After dealing with some of these
online stores, I would say cameraworld is a pleasent surprise. Only
problem is, you do pay extra for the service.

I've had good luck with Buy.com, but I never have to return anything
there. So I'm actually interested in hearing other's problems. In
general, I think they have good price, I shop there and willingly pay
for sales tax. I am still looking for that store with good prices out of
CA, Onvia maybe another shop that I'll go to, other than that, I'm all
ears.

In case you haven't, please make sure you check the many review sites.
BTW, buydig seems to be consistantly cheap. I did order there and I had
major problems with a return order. However, they did ship in time and
it was a brand new unit. Just cross your finger and hope you don't have
to deal with their customer disservice department.

gordon

I had a really great experience with B&H - friendly, efficient and the
camera arrived here in 2 days as paid for ( I've had trouble with
electronics coming from NYC in the past ).

Last year I ordered a point and shoot from Camera World - very nice
people. It was a good experience.

As for B&H and the occasional grey market item .... do you think so ?
I ordered from them just because I have always thought that they had a
good reputation.

Edward Azuar
San Francisco
[email protected]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Mike Feldman]

Try http://www.menstoys.com for your camera. I got a great price.

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[junk1]

I got my Oly 3000 from http://www.buydig.com for only $628 2 weeks ago. It arrived to NYS from NJ in 2 days via ground shipping. They also had the best 3030 price (check http://www.pricewatch.com for best prices). No NYS tax since buydig.com is in NJ. they are owned by the same people that own Beach Camera, but I and a friend both had GREAT luck with them.

 

[Monica Vallejo]

Thanks to everyone for the input - after considering it a bit more I went with Cameraworld. I'm hoping everything turns out ok because I can't wait to get this camera!!! I'm sure I'll be posting with many more questions soon

Monica

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Digital Don]

Monica wrote:
Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

Dear Monica,

I can only relate my experience. Your mileage may vary...

I decided to purchase a particular digital camera on December 23 last year. I contacted Cameraworld who had it in stock and available for next day shipping. I ordered the camera which arrived the next day, Christmas Eve!

Obviously I was pleased with their service (and the product). I just placed a 'pre-order' for another camera recently from them. I assume their service will be equally good this time around

Sincerely,

Digital Don

 

[min]

Hi,

regarding the return policy, did you know that you can print out a return lable (UPS shipping) from their website, once you cancel your items, you can either print the return lable off their website, or ask them to mail you one.

I returned two items to them, and every time I just simply printed the prepaid UPS lable off their website, and dropped the package at some UPS locations. Strangely enough, every time about three weeks or one month, after I returned my item and got my replacement, they always sent me another prepaid UPS lable, of course I didn't need it at all.

I would say that their return prepaid UPS lable printing off the computer is the easiest way to return an item. I don't know when they started that feature, but it definitely is a welcome service. I haven't found the same from any other mail order companies. I mail order a lot, about $2000 to $3000 a year, and would probably more next year. One thing I don't like buy.com is they charges me sale tax (I am in boston, MA, I don't understand why they do that, it seems they have operation in MA). Recently I ordered a lot from Onvia. They have a good service and shipping isalways free.
Min

Anyway...I made arrangements to return the item...and since I had called
their Customer support unit (to get more info on the product before I
ordered it) They promised to mail me a return postage RA. After almost
a month of waiting for their return postage mailer...I returned it with
me paying the postage. Buy.com's policy on return items requires that
they be returned within a month!!!

It was only after I returned the item to them (about 3 weeks after they
got the camera back in their possession)...that they then sent me the
Return Postage label. That was EXTREMELY insulting to me...especially
since a letter was enclosed with the returned camera asking them to
reimburse me for the return postage they had promised to pay by sending
me the return postage mailer. I ate the expense of returning the item
they promised to pay for...this has left a bad taste in my mouth from
Buy.com and now I look elsewhere. I looked at what I had spent theire
in the past year...close to $2,000. Since that time I have ordered
probably around $1,600 worth of items online...none from them.

Hope this helps you decide.

On another note...If it were me ...I would take the Olympus 2100...over
the 3030. But that's only my opinion. The 2020 and 2100 can print out
up to 8 x 10's on par (very little noticable difference) with the 3030.
If your not going to print out anything bigger than that...why get a
3030. The 2100 lens capacity is simply incredible. I have over $600
tied up in lens for my 2020...the 2100 with it's lens system covers all
bases for under $1,000.00.

Best Regards,

JGorom

 

[JamesM]

If you are purchasing a major piece of equipment, purchase it from someone who at least knows what they are selling.

B&H is the best - no questions asked. Adorama is also very good. Do they sell grey market items? Ofcourse. Will they sell YOU an grey market item if you don't ask for it? NO. They are REPUTABLE companies with EXCELLENT return policies.

When you are blowing 1 or 2 grand on a camera, it pays to buy from someone who may actually help you in the purchase. The guys at B&H have always been very thoughtful and have given me money saving options many times. Don't nickel and dime. It will only cost you in the end.

If anyone says anything bad about B&H, I question if they ever shopped there. They will take anything back (within 2 weeks?) as long as it is in the condition that they sold it to you. Not a lot to ask. It is the closest thing to a "miracle on 34th street" that I have ever been to.

Adorama, I am not QUITE as thrilled about. They seem more interested in the sale then the guys at B&H, but when I have had to return things, they have taken it back no quesitons asked.

-JM

 

[elrkj]

I buy all my stuff from http://www.adorama.com

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer?
I hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and
higher prices but am concerned about grey market products,
difficult return policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and
getting something called "new" that is actually something someone
else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net
I'm still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good
options but there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some
grey market stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for
customer service, etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had
a nightmarish customer service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get
lucky and get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable
amount of time and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[elrkj]

How about http://www.adorama.com they are one of the best

B&H's reputation for grey-market goods was true years ago. Up
through the early 1990's, professional photographers I employed
would shun the company for that reason. When ordering items by
phone back then, they would not lie when asked if the item was USA
warranty or grey-market, but neither would they volunteer the
information. Their first quoted price would be 10-15% lower than
the nearest competition, which would be the grey-market goods, and
then when you asked for the USA item, they would be the same price
as all the other vendors out there.

IMO, however, B&H has made a dramatic change in this policy. I have
ordered a couple of items per year from them, and it has all been
USA warranty, without my asking for it. Their prices are always
competitive - sometimes slightly above or below the competition.
The salespeople I have spoken to are very knowledgeable in their
particular categories.

The most stringent test of a mail-order photography outfit is used
equipment. I have purchased three Ektagraphic carousel projectors
from B&H over the past four years. In each case, the salesperson
honestly described the condition of the unit, and when the
projector arrived, the grade they had awarded the the unit (I
believe it was a 1 through 10 scale) was the same grade I would
have given.

I just ordered the TTL cable and 3030 bracket from B&H on 8/30 -
they arrived today, with English markings, and in timely fashion. I
have no experience with Camera World, but I don't think you need to
have any trepidation about dealing with B&H (I have no relatives,
friends, or paymasters in the company). I prefer doing 'net orders
with outfits that have a brick-and-mortar location, and firms don't
get any more reputable than B&H, IMO.

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Richard Adamo]

I purchased my C3000z from cameraworld. Everything came as promised and I have been very pleased with the purchase.
RA

I'm sorry to hear bad things about buy.com as my experience has
been very good. When I had to return something, they e-mailed my
the shipping labed for UPS. When ordering on line you can track
your order on their site.

freeda

I've purchased quite a few things from cameraworld, good experience with
purchase and returns. IMO, unless you return something with a store, you
can't really tell how bad they are. After dealing with some of these
online stores, I would say cameraworld is a pleasent surprise. Only
problem is, you do pay extra for the service.

I've had good luck with Buy.com, but I never have to return anything
there. So I'm actually interested in hearing other's problems. In
general, I think they have good price, I shop there and willingly pay
for sales tax. I am still looking for that store with good prices out of
CA, Onvia maybe another shop that I'll go to, other than that, I'm all
ears.

In case you haven't, please make sure you check the many review sites.
BTW, buydig seems to be consistantly cheap. I did order there and I had
major problems with a return order. However, they did ship in time and
it was a brand new unit. Just cross your finger and hope you don't have
to deal with their customer disservice department.

gordon

I had a really great experience with B&H - friendly, efficient and the
camera arrived here in 2 days as paid for ( I've had trouble with
electronics coming from NYC in the past ).

Last year I ordered a point and shoot from Camera World - very nice
people. It was a good experience.

As for B&H and the occasional grey market item .... do you think so ?
I ordered from them just because I have always thought that they had a
good reputation.

Edward Azuar
San Francisco
[email protected]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer? I
hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and higher
prices but am concerned about grey market products, difficult return
policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and getting something called
"new" that is actually something someone else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net I'm
still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good options but
there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some grey market
stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for customer service,
etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had a nightmarish customer
service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get lucky and
get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable amount of time
and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

 

[Sam Keech]

I've lurked in this forum for awhile and having done my research on
cameras I'm ready to buy the C3030z. The problem is which retailer?
I hesitate to buy from a local store because of state sales tax and
higher prices but am concerned about grey market products,
difficult return policies (and problems like stuck pixels), and
getting something called "new" that is actually something someone
else had returned.

After looking at resellerratings.com and the feedback on photo.net
I'm still undecided. B&H and Cameraworld both seem like good
options but there is bad feedback on both companies. B&H sells some
grey market stuff, Cameraworld seems to have long wait times for
customer service, etc. I almost ordered from Buy.com and then had
a nightmarish customer service call with them and canceled.

All in all it seems like any retailer is a chance- I might get
lucky and get what I ordered in good condition within a reasonable
amount of time and then I might not...

Any advice and tales of recent experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Monica

Monica,

I have done business with B&H Photo over the past 5-6 years and have been very pleasd with the results. They are very courteous, will usually tell you within a day of when you will receive your shipment, and have always sent me exactly what I requested. If they are selling grey market equipment, it is advertised that way. However, I have only purchased 35mm photographic equipment from them and do not know if the digicam world is different. I would hope not.

Sam