Best online Camera store

Looking for opinions on online retailers for photo equipment. I am looking at a camera at B&H Photo it is about $60.00 cheaper there than all the others. I read reviews and some people claim they sell returned goods as "new" items. I am also concerned about getting a refurbished one instead of new as the ad doesn't state on my particular item if it is new or refurbished. Thanks

 

For Canon brand, canonpricewatch.com is your best friend.

 

So what is it you're looking at? I've never had an issue with B&H.

 

I am looking at the nikon p900 to take with me when we go bicycling. B&H has it for $539.00 (add to cart price) comes with an 8 gig card and free express shipping. Everyone else wants $596.00 without the free card.

 

B&H is good. I have gotten most of my stuff from there.

 

B&H or Adorama are both reputable sites.

 

I've bought a lot of stuff from B&H and never seen anything like that come in that has any question about it being new in original packaging.

I haven't ordered a lot from Adorama but everything that I've received has also been in the same quality as B&H.

 

Here's what you have to watch out for when buying cameras. The factory warranty only applies if you buy it from an authorized dealer. You almost always will find a cheaper price from an unauthorized dealer (aka black market camera) and then you need to buy third party warranty insurance if you want any protection. I recently bought my teenage daughter a Nikon D3300 from 42nd St Photo. They aren't authorized to sell Nikon so I bought a warranty with the camera which covers accidental damage as well. To be honest, the camera and warranty wound up costing about the same as the camera from an authorized seller, however, Nikon doesn't cover accidental damage. The least expensive online store I found for the camera I bough was Abe's of Maine. I've heard of them but found in strange that they are located in Lindhurst, NJ...

 

B&H is a authorized Nikon dealer.

 

I've also had good luck with B&H. I find it hard to believe they would be passing refurbished off as new.

 

Well I think several of you have mentioned B&H as reputable. I think I will go with them and count it a blessing that they can sell the camera I want significantly cheaper than the others. And thanks to Vssman for mentioning 42 street photo as I was considering them but now I have scratched them off of my list. T4daddy I read several reviews online and people were saying BH passed refurbed and returned as new. Thats why I posted this thread to get some good honest opinions and I appreciate the answers.

 

Many years ago, back when I used film, I would purchase from B&H. Never had an issue.

 

Abe's of Maine's History

 

You better check manufacturers website to verify where you buy from is "factory authorized" and many of the online dealers sell Japanese models, that are NOT warrantied in the USA.

 

well I hadn't considered that so I went to the bh site and indeed the camera I want is 60 bucks cheaper (imported) as opposed to the other identical package that isn't imported. I copied this from the site

items marked "Imported" are imported and/or distributed by other entities and are warranted by B&H Photo-Video. "Imported" products do not qualify for manufacturers rebate programs.There is no difference in the item itself.

For IMP items only, B&H provides a warranty identical to the provisions and limitations of the manufacturer's warranty for such items, with the exception of the time period, which is equal to the term of the manufacturer's warranty or one (1) year, whichever is less.* Your dated B&H sales receipt is all you need to obtain warranty coverage from B&H for a "grey market" product purchased from us.

Should you experience a problem with a product sold with a USA warranty, it can be sent to any of the manufacturer's authorized service facilities for servicing (and some even to any worldwide authorized service facility depending on the brand). A "direct import" or grey market item would have to be returned to B&H if it required in-warranty service.

For film cameras, lenses and speedlights, a product with a US-warranty should be reciprocally warranted by the manufacturer's service centers worldwide. B&H Photo-Video does not sell any "grey market" still-digital cameras at this time.

A resident of the USA may wish to make the buying decision based on price since the cost of shipping to a US service center or to B&H should be about equal. A non-USA resident should consider the cost of returning a product to B&H in New York for servicing as opposed to the cost of taking the product to a local warranty service center.

correct me if I am wrong but this tells me that if I buy an item listed as imported if it needs warranty repair it has to be returned to BH. If it does not say imported I can take it anywhere for warranty. I wonder how much longer the process would take if it was sent back to BH.

 

If it's imported, it usually has to be sent to the country of origin for warranty repair, which will cost a fortune. I'd look into that "return to B&H" more if you chose the import. The import models often have some differences in features and functions also,which may or may not be ideal. You'll often find that is doesn't cost that much more to just buy from a local dealer by the time all is said and done. Plus, the online retailers will hound you about crap "you need" that they mark way up in price.