Where to buy online

[THaNaToZ]

I think I've narrowed it down to 1 of 3 DSLR that I want to purchase but I'm curious to know where people purchase their products online? I've gone into the store and checked them out but probably can find online cheaper and have even seen a few bundles like at Fumfie.com and Rakuten.com
Outside of newegg and direct from canon or nikon, I'm looking for options. Open to refurbished.

[PhotomanJohn]

B&H Photo and Adorama Camera are both in New York City, been around for years and are very well respected.

John

[Andrew76]

If my local store won't match price, I only use B+H, or Adorama.

[Manfred M]

I'm with Andrew on this one. I've bought from both of these retailers and they are amongst the most reputable camera stores in the US; with both an online and bricks & mortar presence.

I understand that both Canon and Nikon are forcing minimum selling prices on the dealer network, so you might not find a lot of price difference out there. It is possible that some of the big box (Best Buy or Costco) or Amazon might have some bundles that are less expensive.

[DanK]

I understand that both Canon and Nikon are forcing minimum selling prices on the dealer network, so you might not find a lot of price difference out there.

Not true of Canon. I don't know anything about Nikon. AFAIK, Canon is enforcing minimum advertised prices, not minimum selling prices. Online, you sometimes have to add the item to your cart to see the actual selling prices.

[rpcrowe]

The big companies such as Canikon contractually prevent their sellers from advertising Canikon items below certain prices...

Some sellers have a way to get around this by not posting the price until you have the item in your shopping cart. Of course, you can opt out of purchasing the item if the price doesn't suit you...

Other legitimate companies such as Adorama and B&H will often throw other items such as memory cards and cases along with extended warranties into a package as a way of getting around the minimum advertised pricing contract with Canikon. These ads are legitimate and are not to be confused with the "kit" sale from some retailers who package junk items along with the cameras/lenses...

As far as Internet sales: I will only buy my Canon items from Adorama, B&H (both based in New York City) and from the Canon Store...

I also only buy major equipment such as lenses and bodies as Canon refurbished items. I have had wonderful luck buying my cameras/lenses this way. I would suspect (but don't know) that Nikon refurbished items are also as reliable)...

Sometimes one or another of the above three retailers have the best price. Often the bottom line price differential is because Adorama and/or B&H will often ship free and do not charge state sales tax unless you are a resident of New York. Canon charges a shipping fee and will also collect state sales tax...

At one time Adorama was a better source of Canon refurbished equipment than was Canon itself because, in addition to free shipping and no sales tax collection, Adorama offered a warranty extending what was then a 90-day Canon warranty on refurbished gear to a full year Adorama warranty. Canon now offers a full-year on Canon Factory Refurbished gear. (BTW: I have never needed any service on any Canon refurb gear that I purchased: 4-cameras and 1-lens).

One thing I will say is that there are a lot of unscrupulous merchants haunting the corridors of the Internet! If you find any prices significantly below those quoted by Adorama or B&H, I would suspect that the ad was fraudulent. The Brooklyn, New York, merchants are particularly dishonest when it comes to Internet sales and frequently do bait and switch advertising and or try to sell the accessories which Canikon packages with the camera at extra cost which drives the price of the item up drastically! These retailers are often storefront operations and switch names and locations with the frequency that I change my socks...

Here's how it happened to me! Once, when I was innocent in the ways of the Internet, I purchased my first DSLR from one of these scam merchants. I used a credit card but, never received the item. Calling the retailer, I was transferred to a salesman who tried to sell me things like battery and charger which were part of the Canon items supplied with the camera. I cancelled my order and took the matter up with my credit card company. The scammer threatened to ruin my credit and I countered by reporting the operation to the Brooklyn, New York, District Attorney Fraud Division. (The Better Business Bureau is usually useless in these affairs) The credit card company found in my favor and the charge was cancelled and the scammer never tried to interfere with my credit rating. I did learn from that episode...

I am sure that there are some honest Brooklyn Internet merchants; just as I am sure that a flight of winged pigs just passed over my roof

[THaNaToZ]

Adorama is fast...I ordered my canon 70d (with the printer package) sunday afternoon and did the free 7-9 day shipping and its already out for delivery today...Should be waiting for me when I get home.
I hope I don't have canon rebate hell for that printer that I've read about but damn that was quick.
I'm going to have weeks to play with it before my trip and before my intro DSLR class.

[Shadowman]

The next big sale period for cameras will probably be around May/June for graduation/Mother's/Fathers day, although I would think Mardi Gras would inspire new photography purchases.

[tclune]

I have bought from B&H, Adorama, and Amazon for new stuff and B&H, Adorama, and KEH for used/refurb. The only one I find at all "iffy" is Amazon. They seem to pack photo gear the same way they pack books. While they are good about returns, I'd rather get the shipment intact to begin with. FWIW

[RustBeltRaw]

I use B&H for new purchases, B&H or Canon for refubished gear, and KEH or Roberts Camera's eBay store for used gear. No problems with any of them. B&H, in particular, has a ludicrously generous return policy and highly knowledgeable staff. So does Roberts when it comes to used stuff, though the fact that I know one of their repair techs personally may sway my opinion a little.

[gretarsk]

I only have experience with B&H, but that experience was great. I purchased from their online store last autumn. I placed my order on a Sunday evening, it was dispatched on Monday morning, via UPS, and arrived Wednesday afternoon. It only took two days and we're talking New York - Reykjavik, Iceland!

[mknittle]

The next big sale period for cameras will probably be around May/June for graduation/Mother's/Fathers day, although I would think Mardi Gras would inspire new photography purchases.

Don't for get tax return season.

[stronics]

As said many times here, B&H or Adorama, first class companys.
David