There is risk in buying online, before online, there was mail order (usually from New York or LA). Like that article says, just be careful and use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, likely it isn't true. Over the years, I have bought thousands and thousands of dollars in equipment, both by mail order, and, more recently, online. I have yet to be dissatisfied with my purchases.
The article didn't say anything about it, but lately the scam artists have been asking people to pay via wire transfer (i.e. Western Union). Anyone who insists you pay via this method is scamming you. They will tell you to put the transfer in someone else's name and once you receive the item, you call W.U. and change the name to theirs so they can pick up the money. Sounds safe, right? Wrong! All they need is the transfer number to get the money in CASH. By the time you try to do anything about it, they are long gone.
Personally, I can't afford to buy locally. When I bought my G5, I saved over $300 by purchasing online. When I recently purchased a Canon flash, I saved over $80 just on the flash. If I restricted myself to the local camera store, I would be unable to afford it. Frankly, I don't know how they stay in business. I'd love to buy there if their prices were reasonable and the service was better.
|
