Ready to buy...but which online store??

[disneyfan551]

I'm ready to buy a Pentax W30 for my cruise next month (so I don't have to lug my D50 around the beach... ), and I'm at a loss! I started to order yesterday, but I don't know where to order from! So many of the stores seem to post their own ratings/reviews, just to bump up their positive ratings, so I am afraid to rely on them. And I've heard horror stories of gray market products, or people receiving cameras that are not new....what in the world do I do? If you have heard good, or bad!, things about an online store, I'd love to hear! I need to get this camera soon, so I can test it out, before my trip!

Thanks!!

 

[JR6ooo4]

try B&H photo or adorama. I have never had problems with either.

Best buy will price match a real store like B&H.

try www.resellerratings.com for reviews, but you have to watch out for fake reviews there as well.

Mikeee

 

[Jeanne B]

I've purchased cameras and supplies from amazon, beachcamera, buydig and B&H. And as previously mentioned already, Adorama is another one that's often recommended.

I'm sure there are a couple of others that I'm not thinking of but be sure you're aware of the return policy prior to purchasing since it can vary from store to store.

 

[Code]

My simple rule after having a bad experience with a discount camera e-tailer:

If it looks too good to be true, run screaming.

 

[jann1033]

i've bought from j&r, adorama, b&h, beach, buydig and never had a problem with any...i like buydig probably best due to good prices, free shipping and fast service... as long as you don't order Fri or sat am( they close alot those days). didn't notice your location but for me(OH ) it doesn't pay to pay for 2 day since it usually gets here in 2 days from NY anyway( unless fed ex loses it like they have before)

 

[JR6ooo4]

one scam is to take the order and then call right back and say you can not have that price unless you buy extra batteries (at double the price) etc...
If you do not fall for buyin extra batteries and memory cards and camera cases then suddenly your camera is back ordered. For an unknown amount of time...

Mikeeee

 

[disneyfan551]

one scam is to take the order and then call right back and say you can not have that price unless you buy extra batteries (at double the price) etc...
If you do not fall for buyin extra batteries and memory cards and camera cases then suddenly your camera is back ordered. For an unknown amount of time...

Mikeeee

OMG! That's horrible!! Can you share which retailer that was? I don't have time to waste, since I'm down to 30 days till DCL!

Thanks SOOOO much for all the replies! I knew I could count on my fellow DISer's! Would love to hear more recommendations!

 

[JR6ooo4]

OMG! That's horrible!! Can you share which retailer that was? I don't have time to waste, since I'm down to 30 days till DCL!

Thanks SOOOO much for all the replies! I knew I could count on my fellow DISer's! Would love to hear more recommendations!

It has never happened to me, but I have heard the story many times, here and on other photo boards. Use whichever credit card you have that has the best consumer protection policy. Like if you pay and your camera never shows up, they will reemburse you.

If I do a price search, like on www.pricegrabber.com , I never take the lowest price unless it is a store I know. I often pay $20-30 more just for the confidence.

and if the prices are somewhat close I do not mind paying the local taxes. They go to my schools and police and roads... Especialy when I can get the item today by shopping local!!!

Mikeeee

 

[disneyfan551]

It has never happened to me, but I have heard the story many times, here and on other photo boards. Use whichever credit card you have that has the best consumer protection policy. Like if you pay and your camera never shows up, they will reemburse you.

If I do a price search, like on www.pricegrabber.com , I never take the lowest price unless it is a store I know. I often pay $20-30 more just for the confidence.

and if the prices are somewhat close I do not mind paying the local taxes. They go to my schools and police and roads... Especialy when I can get the item today by shopping local!!!

Mikeeee

My problem is that I've read positive things on many of the stores on pricegrabber, but I've never made notes as to which were actually problem stores. I'm willing to pay more, and I want to make sure my camera is new! I have checked at Best Buy, Costco, Sam's Club, Ritz, Walmart, and none of them have the camera. I'd much rather buy it local if I could, but I've had no luck!

Thanks again for your comments, I really DO appreciate it!

 

[webshark3]

double vote for amazon, beachcamera, buydig and B&H.

FYI, about the scammers:
1) If the price is too low to be true. It's a bait & swtich, scam, or upsell.
2) Those low prices are because they sell you the camera only. Want the battery? $100. Want the USB cable? $50. Want the manual? $50. And if you don't take the upsells, then they'll tell you it's "out of stock".

Since the bait & switch is a grey area and often not illegal, these places are too numerous to count. Always check www.resellerratings.com and photo forums.

Also, a thing I've found. Non bait & switch stores always have a "included accessories" section that shows everything that comes in the box. The scammers will list the "camera" and nothing else. It not a sure thing, but it's a clue as to who they are. And stay way from sites that want money orders or cash only...

 

[disneyfan551]

Excellent points. I hadn't thought to verify every item that comes with it. I looked on dpreview yesterday, but didn't see any info. on store recommendations. I looked in the Pentax forum, and the Open forum. Are there other sites I could check?

Any reviews on 17th St.? Buydig was one of the ones I was leaning towards, and they had one of the lowest prices. But, I read a few bad reviews, along with several that were obviously their "self promotions". I will definitely have to check the resellerratings site, I hadn't heard of that before today.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[webshark3]

Just post on dpreview if you have a questions on any one seller.

Otherwise, Buydig has 1116 reviews, and a very high overall rating. When you do that much busniess, don't worry about a few bad reviews. Everyone will have them. I'd be more worried about a site that has only 60 reviews, and all positive.

FYI, Buydig and Beach are one in the same. Both part of "Worldwide Distributors". Many companies have multiple online portals.

As far as 17th Ave, be careful. There is ONE 17th Ave store that is excellent, and many scam sites that use variations of the 17th Ave photo name. I never ordered from them, but I think this is the one you want:

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/17th_Street_Photo
http://www.17photo.com

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=4738597&q=17th+ave+photo&qf=m

 

[Groucho]

For cameras, almost without exception, Beach/buydig will have the lowest price right off the bat - combine that with free shipping, no tax for most of us, and very fast shipping, and what more do you need? I'll generally buy from Beach any time they have something in stock that I want.