Before You Buy in Digital Imaging http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r7157292 en Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:11:52 EDT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:11:52 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7167240 Doctor Dan :
said by Hayward See Profile:
said by MacGyver See Profile:
Hmm, after the first call I think I would have turned elsewhere. I'd rather buy locally and spend a couple of extra bucks - warranty issues are much easier.

Is 1 to 200 extra bucks just few?... that is what it really boils down to... and so far no tax (vs local) though if you aren't careful shipping can be excessive.

That depends on the dollar value you assign to your time. Sure, you may save $100 bucks by dealing with "NoNameCameraOutlet.com," but if there's a problem with your order, you'll spend a good bit of effort and energy trying to correct the situation. Remember, you'll never get that time you wasted back again.

- Dan
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This message has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit your brain.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7167240 Thu, 19 Jun 2003 13:10:40 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7164074 Hayward :
said by MacGyver See Profile:
Hmm, after the first call I think I would have turned elsewhere. I'd rather buy locally and spend a couple of extra bucks - warranty issues are much easier.

Is 1 to 200 extra bucks just few?... that is what it really boils down to... and so far no tax (vs local) though if you aren't careful shipping can be excessive.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West) ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7164074 Thu, 19 Jun 2003 02:37:55 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7163326 ShinyTop8 : My paragraph 5 addressed that issue specifically. And attention to the ratings in resellerratings will also alert the buyer to the practice.
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We are governed by a plethora of constitutional morons.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7163326 Thu, 19 Jun 2003 00:24:54 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7163293 AlgoAsi :
said by MacGyver See Profile:
Hmm, after the first call I think I would have turned elsewhere. I'd rather buy locally and spend a couple of extra bucks - warranty issues are much easier.


guess I didn't make myself clear. I called seven DIFFERENT dealers and got the same run around. In my case buying locally is not an option. And I saved quite a bit more than a few bucks.Lots of people buy online, I'd just like to see them warned against this tactic.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7163293 Thu, 19 Jun 2003 00:19:49 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7162213 MacGyver : Hmm, after the first call I think I would have turned elsewhere. I'd rather buy locally and spend a couple of extra bucks - warranty issues are much easier.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7162213 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 22:17:48 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7161636 AlgoAsi : It would also be nice to see a warning to buyers somewhere about the latest in online camera sales scams. This involves lowballing the price on the camera, but only if you buy expensive accessory packs. When I bought my dsc-f717 on line, I started from the lowest online price (572.00) and began making calls. The first SEVEN calls went like this:

me: Is the 717 in stock?
knowledgeable sales person: sure is, what accessory packages would you like to add to your purchase?
me: none, I just want the camera and the accessories included in the original box from Sony, with the US Warranty, of course.
KSP: ok, let me double check on availability (pause, comes back on the line) umm, the camera is currently out of stock and won't be available for 3 to 5 weeks...

on the EIGHTH call I finally got somebody who would sell me just the camera and guarantee shipping in 24 hours. Final price was 689 including shipping, still a good hundred bucks under Sony's price, but the procedure took 2 hours worth of calls and BS. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7161636 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 21:26:20 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7160015 MacGyver :
said by ShinyTop8 See Profile:
Actually not. You cannot decide on media, power, or filters until you know which camera.
Finally, somebody who understands! So many people get trapped into thinking that they MUST get a camera with a certain type of memory card, certain type of batteries, etc, that they end up limiting their options to the point where they purchase the wrong camera.

Some people will end up endlessly arguing for one type of battery, lens, memory card, when there really isn't much operational difference between them.

And for those people that wish to argue, please start a new thread.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7160015 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 18:41:08 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7159329 Hayward :
said by ShinyTop8 See Profile:
My 602 takes Compact Flash,
And don't forget SM too as well as Microdrive in the CF slot)
quote:
Also, in my case, I needed a filter tube to protect the extending tube I have. A must buy. I cannot tell you how many times I have banged the tube going thru doors with the camera around my neck.


Yeah, now that I have some filters, I am considering always leaving mine on too. Does make the camera more bulky shut down though. I have knocked the extend lens out of whack a couple of times now causing a "zoom error" that fortunately just power cycling/retracting fixed... but that is worrisome.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

[text was edited by author 2003-06-18 17:29:13]]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7159329 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 17:27:54 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158970 Stacy : If this is going to become part of the FAQ you might want to add something about grey market cameras - like make sure the camera comes with the warranty you're paying for.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158970 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 16:56:01 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158700 Psychephylax : Ah, my bad...I actually misread that as "Make a list of things you want."

Which I would put as a number one priority prior to considering buying a camera.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158700 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 16:31:21 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158677 ShinyTop8 : Actually not. You cannot decide on media, power, or filters until you know which camera. My 602 takes Compact Flash, AA's, needs a battery charger since it does not have built in charger, and of course you need to know what size filter. Also, in my case, I needed a filter tube to protect the extending tube I have. A must buy. I cannot tell you how many times I have banged the tube going thru doors with the camera around my neck.
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We are governed by a plethora of constitutional morons.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158677 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 16:29:25 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158017 Psychephylax :
said by ShinyTop8 See Profile:

Summary:

1. Choose your camera
2. Make a list of all you need. Consider media, filters, and power as a minimum.
3. Search for best price from well rated stores.
4. Call and place your orders


I think you meant to do it in : 2,1,3,4 instead of 1,2,3,4 as you have now :)
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Stupidity, like hydrogen, is one of the basic building blocks of the Universe.
I'm re-moo-ing!!!
My Gallery * My Journal]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7158017 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 15:22:32 EDT Re: Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7157839 Hayward : Good advice....

The place I got my Fuji S602 from is no longer in business (at least not online), but didn't have any real problems with them... other than minor delay. Yes they tried the accessory gambit, but didn't do the old, "sorry actually its out of stock" thing on me when I said no. (BTW 3 others DID do that before getting to that one.)

I got it for $527 final cost ($489 price), which is considerably less than I see it going for now on occasional looks.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West) ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7157839 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 15:03:53 EDT Before You Buy http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7157292 ShinyTop8 : A little advice to buyers of digital cameras might be in order and some sort of general advice might be appropriate for a sticky.

One of the major pieces of advice before you buy is be prepared. Use this forum for advice from users and seek out sites that rate digital cameras. Once you have decided on the camera look at forums and reviews to decide what else you need to buy. Make a list. Be sure to consider media, filters (at a minimum this protects your lens), and power (batteries and chargers).

Now take that list and go shopping. In almost every case you will not buy at at local stores as cheaply as on line. But there are other advantages to buying locally and only you can decide how much extra money that is worth to you.

If you buy online it can be real challenging to decide where to buy and whether or not they are a good online place to buy. Use the search features of sites like Pricewatch and Pricegrabber. Ask friend who have bought and ask at forums like this. Then once you have found the stores that sell the cheapest go to Resellerratings.com and look up the seller. Usually you will find the cheapest stores have numerous bad ratings.

Now once you have started reading the ratings you will find that many stores do not want to sell you the camera for the price listed if you do not want to buy accessories from them. Even the stores with low prices who will sell you without the accessories will try to sell you those. So by doing your homework before you call to order you know you want a particular Compact Flash card and you can get it from xyz $30 cheaper than the camera store. You are ready to call and order.

PS-Process your order at least once on line without finalizing it. Why? So you can see their shipping charges. A $20 difference in shipping charges is not uncommon and can determine who is really cheaper.

Summary:

1. Choose your camera
2. Make a list of all you need. Consider media, filters, and power as a minimum.
3. Search for best price from well rated stores.
4. Call and place your orders


Edited to add that some dealers will try to sell cameras made and marketed for countries other than the US. These will also not have a US warranty and the TV mode may not match the US. These are also called Gray Market Cameras. But if you buy from recommended dealers on Resellerratngs you should not have this problem.
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We are governed by a plethora of constitutional morons.
[text was edited by author 2003-06-18 18:22:26]
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7157292 Wed, 18 Jun 2003 14:11:11 EDT