Where should I buy my camera?

ruska b · July 2008

I want to get a new point and shoot digital camera. Is there any place recommeded? Places to avoid? What is B&H like? Thanks.

whatchuwant · July 2008

I like B&H (except how they treat women...not crazy about that part. Like, yea, you'll take my money, but you won't look me in the eye...)
But, they run a smooth business and you won't feel forced to buy. They have so many customers, so they're not really under pressure to sell sell sell.

opossumqueen · July 2008

B&H is worth seeing if you've never been. It's a strange little world in there. If you're looking for someone to help you choose a camera, they have lots of folks to help you decide but, like most stores, they'll try to add on all kinds of accessories you may not want

If you know what you want, J&R's can be just fine and possibly an easier trip from Brooklyn. If you need help, I have no idea how knowledgeable the staff will be there. My bf was happy with the help he got in the tv department (he was definitely getting a tv and the salesman still pointed him to a cheaper in-store deal they were having).

Wherever you go, whatever camera you get, I have found that getting one with a rechargeable battery and buying an extra battery is a smart move. Also, spend the extra few bucks on a larger memory card--get at least 2 gigs to make life easier.

whatchuwant · July 2008

OpossumQueen wrote:

If you know what you want, J&R's can be just fine and possibly an easier trip from Brooklyn.

They don't know shit at J&R...definately know what you want before you go. And then they'll pressure you to buy the extended warrantee....

bullyboy · July 2008

I prefer B&H to J&R.

modsquad · July 2008

Whatchuwant, did you go to J & R's actual camera store or upstairs where the printer, scanners and some cameras are? I can't vouch for all salespeople in the camera store but the ones I've dealt with are pretty good. The camera store is ground level walking toward the Brooklyn Bridge.

mamalink · July 2008

if you know what you want, I recommend checking BizRate. I've bought 2 cameras now and a few other things through Beach Camera (low prices, fast shipping and good return policy). However, that's if you don't need to touch and feel it and you know what you want.

B&H is worth seeing once, but it's a zoo sometimes. I had to pick up a lens for a friend in Spain (it was about $300 cheaper on a $1000 item than he could have bought it locally). First I called to make sure they had it in stock. Stand on one line to get a ticket printed. Stand on another line to pay. Stand on another line to pick up item. Annoying as hell.

Don't forget that they are closed Friday afternoons and all day Saturday.

whatchuwant · July 2008

modsquad wrote: Whatchuwant, did you go to J & R's actual camera store or upstairs where the printer, scanners and some cameras are? I can't vouch for all salespeople in the camera store but the ones I've dealt with are pretty good. The camera store is ground level walking toward the Brooklyn Bridge.

Oh wait! I'm a dumb ass. :oops: Sorry! I was thinking of Circuit City...they suck.
J&R- I went there on my hunt for a video camera few years back (main ground floor). Didn't buy as I was still checking prices. B&H was cheaper so I went with them.

Sales guys at J&R were fine (meh)- not as good as B&H though.

Me need to finish my coffay.

doctorj · July 2008

If you know what you want, B&H will generally give you the best deal in the entire country*. If you want to buy from a local shop, B&H is definitely the place.

* if you are one of those naughty people who doesn't report NY sales tax each year on items imported to NY, and if the shipping is less than the tax, and you don't mind the risk of not having a local bricks-and-mortar place to go for RTMs, then it is sometimes possible on more expensive items to save a few bucks by buying from an ebay-type store outside tristate. Online, there are also options like 'factory-refurbished' and "ex-customer display" which sell at a significant discount, and which I've had good success with.

alafairnadia · July 2008

I'd go to B&H to figure out what you want. then figure out where to get it for the best price. you can often get a deal at best buy or circuit city on the same camera in some random color (dark blue, for instance) that they couldn't get rid of. also, best buy had a deal on 2 gig cards for my camera for like $10 so I kinda cleaned up there. but B&H know everything about all of the cameras.

ruska b · July 2008

thanks everybody!

poppy13 · July 2008

B&H is totally worth the visit. I had an Aussie visit me and he spend HOURS there. Fun place to find toys.

My advice is test it out at B&H and J&R and the like... then buy it online cheaper

brooke lynn knight · July 2008

Amazon.

Srsly.

ruska b · July 2008

Is Amazon a good place to buy electronics? It seems like the consensus is to do my research at B&H and buy online. Next question: good online retailers? Thanks everyone!

neo-social · July 2008

amazon = yes (good return policy)

Beach Camera. Loves them. Good pricing, fast shipments

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/home.aspx

caaahyoko · July 2008

doctorj wrote:

* if you are one of those naughty people who doesn't report NY sales tax each year on items imported to NY, and if the shipping is less than the tax, and you don't mind the risk of not having a local bricks-and-mortar place to go for RTMs, then it is sometimes possible on more expensive items to save a few bucks by buying from an ebay-type store outside tristate. Online, there are also options like 'factory-refurbished' and "ex-customer display" which sell at a significant discount, and which I've had good success with.

Oh, I used to love that trick with Amazon. I am so disappointed they now automatically add NY sales tax. But there are still plenty of other online retailers out there

Where should I buy my camera?

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