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03/12/2005 07:22:06 PM · #1 |
| I am finally upgrading from my Olympus C-740 to a Nikon D70 (yeay!) and was wondering where I should buy the camera. I have been looking anywhere from a local professional camera shop to Best Buy and Ebay. It seems like you get a lot more accessories and extra lenses through Ebay but am I really getting a good deal and is it safe? (I've only made smaller purchases through Ebay in the past...). Where do I get the best - but still reliable - deal? |
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03/12/2005 07:25:45 PM · #2 |
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03/12/2005 07:27:42 PM · #3 |
there are quite a few other good online stores...
here is the link to bizrate with comparison prices and store reviews...
//www.bizrate.com/digitalcameras/pid11422192/compareprices__sfsk--5.html
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03/12/2005 07:34:11 PM · #4 |
| Congrats. I just upgraded from a C-700 to a D70. The consensus around here seems to be B&H or Adorama. I chose to support my local independent camera shop. I have done business with them many times before and trust them. All of the local retail stores had the D70 for exactly the same price so I passed on Best Buy and the other big stores. You can probably get a better price from B&H or Adorama. You're gonna love that D70. |
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03/12/2005 07:34:13 PM · #5 |
Izabelle,
try www.onecall.com
I'll be honest, I havent purchased from them yet, but I found them from ad's they are running in Pop Photo. The prices on the website are good and even more importantly - they have great feedback ratings on Pricegrabber.com If you arent familiar its a similar feedback system to ebay, so if you are screwing with people you can't hide that fact there.
If you check the feedback (on pricegrabber) on the two large NY shops - Adorama and B&H its not quite as good. While they are both very knowlegeable and have lots of products, they do dabble in the high pressure sales and bait and switch games, although nothing like their cousins in Brooklyn (Abes, etc) who are all absolute scam artists.
I would give onecall a shot. An added bonus is they are open on Saturdays.
Let me know - Im getting close to pulling the trigger on a 20D |
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03/12/2005 07:35:00 PM · #6 |
| Just be careful where you buy from. If it seems like a price that blows everyone else away, then you'll probably never see the camera after ordering it. They will only send it if you buy a lot of marked-up accessories with it. I'm not saying they all work that way, but it's well documented that many discount houses (NY) do business this way. B&H, always has a decent price and they are proven reliable. It's a jungle out there. |
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03/12/2005 08:16:07 PM · #7 |
I would go for the larger online presence like B&H and Ritz Camera. I have dealt with both with very good luck in terms of price and service. Bought my D-70 from Ritz Online and two lenes and some other stuff from B&H. No problems.
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03/12/2005 08:18:05 PM · #8 |
Buydig and onecall have it cheap and are reputable.
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03/12/2005 08:30:22 PM · #9 |
Let me share a little story about excellent customer service...
Back on December 8, 2004, "Santa" bought me a rebel for Christmas at our local CompUSA store. There were better internet deals, but Santa wanted to see a human and hear all about the different cameras before deciding what to buy for me. He decided on the rebel and a 2-year replace/repair warranty. Of course, I couldn't wait until Christmas so I began using it immediately. Then, as I rock along and all is happy with my camera world, in February, they announce the Rebel XT. Figures. That's just my luck. On a whim, I emailed the manager of the store last week, and asked him what the possibilities were of me bringing the rebel back and "trading up" for the XT. To my dismay and delight, he said "Sure!" So yesterday, I took my baby back to CompUSA and received a full (100%) refund in the form of in-store credit for it, and now am waiting anxiously for the arrival of the XT's so I can purchase one from them. I am cameraless for a week or two, but it's worth it to me. All said, I think that I will be out about $20.00 for the XT when in arrives.
I say that because I think it helps on occasion to have a human to deal with. Internet sales can be fabulous, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it takes some good old-fashioned face-to-face contact to make a sale and a customer for life. I know I won't forget them doing this for me and I'll be happy to take my business back to them in the future. :o)
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03/12/2005 08:33:03 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
... To my dismay and delight, he said "Sure!" So yesterday, I took my baby back to CompUSA and received a full (100%) refund in the form of in-store credit for it, and now am waiting anxiously for the arrival of the XT's so I can purchase one from them. I am cameraless for a week or two, but it's worth it to me. All said, I think that I will be out about $20.00 for the XT when in arrives. .. :o) |
OMG, what's next Laurie, a 1Ds Mark II? LOL ;o)
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03/12/2005 09:23:31 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by doctornick:
Originally posted by laurielblack:
... To my dismay and delight, he said "Sure!" So yesterday, I took my baby back to CompUSA and received a full (100%) refund in the form of in-store credit for it, and now am waiting anxiously for the arrival of the XT's so I can purchase one from them. I am cameraless for a week or two, but it's worth it to me. All said, I think that I will be out about $20.00 for the XT when in arrives. .. :o) |
OMG, what's next Laurie, a 1Ds Mark II? LOL ;o) |
Why not? That's my next camera. (after I sell a print or two to pay for it)
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03/12/2005 09:25:03 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by nsbca7:
Why not? That's my next camera. (after I sell a print or two to pay for it) |
...because I'd have to sell a print or two (thousand) AND my firstborn to be able to get one! ;o) LOL
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03/12/2005 09:26:23 PM · #13 |
Check Buy Dig
Bought a camera from them last week. I was told would be here on Friday and got it a day early. Real good prices too.
Before you buy from anybody check this out Reseller Ratings
Make sure they have a good rating.
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03/12/2005 11:17:35 PM · #14 |
It's available here from Adorama, via Amazon, for $1149.95 (with kit lens). Adorama is highly reputable (probably as reputable as B&H), but I like buying this way because in the unlikely event that I *do* have a problem I can't resolve through Adorama, I have the benefit of Amazon's A-to-z guarantee as well.
-Terry
Message edited by author 2005-03-12 23:53:53.
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03/12/2005 11:24:06 PM · #15 |
I have had good luck purchasing from VideoDirect and from NewEgg...they are both reliable and will never hassle you if you need to return items. Bought one camera from NewEgg and one from VDirect..lenses are shipped relatively fast from VDirect and well packed.
Message edited by author 2005-03-12 23:24:57. |
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03/12/2005 11:30:09 PM · #16 |
| As an owner of a D70 look around your town. Try and find an authorized Nikon dealer. Price shop and pay attention to what kind of photographers use the shop you are interested in. Just don't jump at the first deal you find, I found comfort in buying at a store that I can go back to and not have to deal with mailing. |
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03/12/2005 11:40:18 PM · #17 |
You might want to check out Techbargains.com before buying, since they always list the cheapest places to buy electronics and accessories. They also list excellent local sales in addition to online ones since, as Laurie has shown, there can be many benefits from buying locally. Happy shopping and good luck with your new camera!
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03/13/2005 12:54:54 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
..... I think it helps on occasion to have a human to deal with. Internet sales can be fabulous, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it takes some good old-fashioned face-to-face contact to make a sale and a customer for life. I know I won't forget them doing this for me and I'll be happy to take my business back to them in the future. :o) |
Although I deal with B&H on occasion Laurie's story reflects the reason why I bought my D-70 from Ritzcamera.com. They have a policy that internet sales can be returned to their brick and mortar stores (of which we have one locally) but still honored the no shipping / no sales tax and internet pricing. Seemed the best of both worlds.
With that said I don't use the local Ritz often as they're sales staff don't seem very knowledgable. I use another local shop (Ken's Camera) to buy all my supplies and get advice.
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03/13/2005 01:00:20 AM · #19 |
| Got my D70 at buydig.com about 2 months ago. Their pricing is always competitive, the shipping was fast and there were no problems. |
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03/13/2005 08:10:50 PM · #20 |
| Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. The temptation was just too hard to resist when I stopped by at Best Buy this afternoon ("just to look") so I ended up walking out with my new D70. I'm so happy - and so intimitated at the same time! This is my first digital SLR camera so I have a lot of learning to do. Can't wait for the batteries to charge so I can start playing!! :) |
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03/13/2005 08:20:35 PM · #21 |
Might want to put the camera in your profile now. Good luck with the new camera.
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03/13/2005 08:22:45 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by izabelle:
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. The temptation was just too hard to resist when I stopped by at Best Buy this afternoon ("just to look") so I ended up walking out with my new D70. I'm so happy - and so intimitated at the same time! This is my first digital SLR camera so I have a lot of learning to do. Can't wait for the batteries to charge so I can start playing!! :) |
I'd hate to see what I would be capable of if I were ever to walk into B&H with $20,000 in my pocket. That would not be a wise thing for me to do.
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03/13/2005 08:52:03 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by izabelle:
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. The temptation was just too hard to resist when I stopped by at Best Buy this afternoon ("just to look") so I ended up walking out with my new D70. I'm so happy - and so intimitated at the same time! This is my first digital SLR camera so I have a lot of learning to do. Can't wait for the batteries to charge so I can start playing!! :) |
Welcome to the DSLR Club(and the D70 Club). What kind of lenses did you get?
....and don't forget to post your maiden efforts. |
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03/13/2005 09:56:06 PM · #24 |
Thanks Paw,
It came with the Nikor 18-70mm lens. I already started shooting every little silly thing around the house as it's night and I can't go outside. Sigh. Can't wait to try it "for real". |
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