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Micah00

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I had ordered a camera from CCICamera about 2 weeks ago and I called to check on it. It was the Fuji S602 and was listed for $505. When I called they said it hadn't shipped because @ that price it was an international camera with no warranty and the menu on the camera and instructions were in japanese and had tried to contact me to see if I still wanted it(but never sent me an e-mail) Then sooo nicely offered to upgrade it to a USA model w\warranty for $599. I said no and he tells me he will give me a deal and let me have it for $590. WOW! a whole nine bucks after I have expected to already have the camera a week ago I told him to shove it up his a#%. Anyway who knows of a reasonable priced online supplier that doesn't employ practices like the above mentioned or put it on back order if you don't buy $400 worth of accessories. I had tried the link where Sharkky bought his Monoltia but it says unknown zone.
 

NKT

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I think in today's market the buyer should beware, more so than ever. If you are thinking of buying a camera online, *make sure* what you're getting is a genuine USA product, in order to receive the full U.S. manufacturer's warranty and support. Oftentimes companies will sell "grey market" goods, that is, stuff that's shipped into the US (usually at a cheaper price), but most manufacturer's will not honor the full warranty on these items. The more reputable sites will indicate their grey market items vs. US items, so if you're willing to forego the benefits of US products in order to save money, then at least you know what you're getting into.

What some other "shady" dealers will also do is price the item ridiculously low, but then force you to buy a whole slew of other accessories at ridiculously marked-up prices. If you don't, they'll say that the camera is not in stock. So, be careful!

As far as camera goods go, the most reliable sources are usually the largest stores, such as BHphoto, adorama, Ritzcamera, Samys, etc. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always check retailer reviews before purchasing from someone (many sites such as pricegrabber.com show user reviews for each retailer). Caveat emptor, and happy hunting! :)
 

mkirda

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Micah00":3iskdz79 said:
I had ordered a camera from CCICamera about 2 weeks ago and I called to check on it.

Welcome to the wonderful, wacky, zany world of NYC camera mail order...

Switch and bait is the norm. Cameras are normally priced below cost, then you are required to buy crap you don't want, and pay outrageous shipping fees. Or the order is just charged and never shipped...

I've had all of these happen to me. Multiple times.

I also joined Photo.net and learned about these tactics. And I learned that there are alternatives.

Virtually *all* of my camera mail order business now goes to B&H Photo and/or Adorama. Their prices are virtually identical. Their service is very good. Things ship when they are supposed to most of the time. And nothing has been misrepresented in my experience.

www.bhphoto.com or www.adorama.com

Micah, save yourself the headache and try these guys out.

Regards.
Mike Kirda
 
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Anonymous

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Yeah, I got my feet wet in camera mail-order around Christmas when I was upgrading to my current system. (Why is it that so many camera mail-order places are in NYC, anyway??)

Anyway, went first to cameratopia.com and got the royal runaround. They wouldn't answer emails, shuffled me around on the phone and 'conveniently' lost the connection during holds and transfers, would never give me a direct answer as to why my order hadn't shipped for nearly four weeks, etc.

Ended up going to www.directsource.com and only paid about $20 more, but got fantastic service. The guy just shot the shyte with me for about a half hour because his shift was almost over, then gave me a great deal on some lenses and filters (yeah yeah yeah, add-in sales, but he did give me some good discounts), and the whole order shipped about 3 hours after I placed it (verified via UPS tracking).
 
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Anonymous

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Micah00":21e8s4ey said:
I had tried the link where Sharkky bought his Monoltia but it says unknown zone.

Sorry, didn't see this bit at first. Just to check, I went back to my links and checked the urls. Turns out it's www.directsource.us , not .com. My bad, sorry!

If you go to that site though, it says it's under construction. How weird, because the direct link to my camera's page still works. Here's that full url: http://www.directsource.us/shop/Product ... MINOLTADM7

Cheers,
John
 

wade1

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Tristatecamera is another fairly good place in NYC. At least IME its been better than most of the other pop-up, rip you off places. I'd agree with B&H though, they get great prices on things that you know are real.

Wade
 

wetworx101

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I bought my cams through PCmall.com. I have a buddy there. Call them and ask for Tom Sheldon at their Milwaukee Location, and know this as well, just because they dont advertise the lowest price, does not mean they wont compete, they just dont list it. I ended up with my cameras for hundreds less from Tom, and to my door next day for NORMAL shipping fees, not inflated. Tom is a roomate of mine from college, but he willling to hook up anyone I refer...tell him EBOLA sent ya...
 

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