Online Camera Store Help

[Gorjus]

I've decided to supplement my digital slrs with a point and shoot and have chosen my camera. The cost is $350 retail, but online there are some for $270.

Now, I have purchased cameras and such online before and haven't had a problem because I made sure I picked a brand new USA warranty camera and not an import warranty, but laws seem to have changed and I can't remember who I used in the past. How am I to be sure I am not getting a grey market or refurbished camera?

Does anyone have any experience with

Prestige Camera: Import Model. Comes with Prestige Camera Warranty - 90 Days Labor, 1 Year Parts

Broadway Photo: This item is brand new, comes complete with all manufacturers supplied accessories & carries a one year limited warranty.
Import Model. Comes with Broadway Photo Warranty - 90 Days Labor, 1 Year Parts

Digital Nerds: 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor U.S.A. Limited Warranty

 

[PhotoDave219]

I usually stick with B&H, Samys out of LA or Roberts.

A friend got a good deal out of broadway but i've never delt with them or the other 2.

 

[KeithVH]

Stay away from most of them. See http://www.photo.net/neighbor/subcategory-index?id=2 for details about each store. Photo.net in general is probably one of the best places for photographic information on the web.

That being said, the usual story goes like this (A) purchase online (B) get call from dealer confirming order AND VERY HARD SELL on overpriced accessories {things like the manual and factory-included battery} (C) you say no, I just want what I bought (D) camera all of a sudden is not in stock for the near future even though your card has been charged.

Stick with B&H, NewEgg, BuyDig, Adorama or Beach Camera. The usual rule of "if it's too good to be true" with a price that undercuts everything else you've seen always applies here.

Also look at ResellerRatings to help you find a good dealer and a good price.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

I've decided to supplement my digital slrs with a point and shoot and have chosen my camera. The cost is $350 retail, but online there are some for $270.

Now, I have purchased cameras and such online before and haven't had a problem because I made sure I picked a brand new USA warranty camera and not an import warranty, but laws seem to have changed and I can't remember who I used in the past. How am I to be sure I am not getting a grey market or refurbished camera?

Does anyone have any experience with

Prestige Camera: Import Model. Comes with Prestige Camera Warranty - 90 Days Labor, 1 Year Parts

Broadway Photo: This item is brand new, comes complete with all manufacturers supplied accessories & carries a one year limited warranty.
Import Model. Comes with Broadway Photo Warranty - 90 Days Labor, 1 Year Parts

Digital Nerds: 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor U.S.A. Limited Warranty

Stop hold the phone... don't use Broadway or Prestige.... They have a bad rep with the New York City BBB. Not to mention Broadway actually operates under other names: A&M Photo World
Camera Addict
Cameratopia
Digital Liquidators LLC
Ghu, LLC
Preferred Photo
Prestige Camera
Regal Camera
Tronicity
Wild Digital LLC



Are the other known allias names of Broadway.




Digital Nerds is also an allias of another shady camera outfit. Its really part of Starlight Cameras... also under the following fronts:
Accessories Land
I.N.S. Digital World
Stargate Photo Inc.
The Camera Whiz
The Digital Expo
The Digital Nerds
Wawa Digital



I would stick with B&H or Adorama... They tend to get reasonable prices and are at least considered satisfactory by the BBB.

 

[maelstrom]

I've had good luck with Beach Camera.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Stop hold the phone... don't use Broadway or Prestige.... They have a bad rep with the New York City BBB. Not to mention Broadway actually operates under other names: A&M Photo World

(Major League Schnipped)

.... and Just outa curiosity, however did you find such wonderfuly, useful information?

 

[Deadmanwalking]

.... and Just outa curiosity, however did you find such wonderfuly, useful information?

New York City BBB has an online cite.

http://www.newyork.bbb.org/reports/businessreports.aspx?pid=44


I got familiar with it when I was scamed some years back by one of those glorious camera stores. I have now learned to scan it constantaly when I see one of these "great" deals froma store that I haven't heard of. 99.9% of the time its just a new name for a bad company.... I mean if your a respectable business do you need to operate under half a dozen other names?

 

[PhotoDave219]

New York City BBB has an online cite.

http://www.newyork.bbb.org/reports/businessreports.aspx?pid=44


I got familiar with it when I was scamed some years back by one of those glorious camera stores. I have now learned to scan it constantaly when I see one of these "great" deals froma store that I haven't heard of. 99.9% of the time its just a new name for a bad company.... I mean if your a respectable business do you need to operate under half a dozen other names?

Thats a very good point... Thanks for the site.

 

[TAC]

Just remember that in most states the BBB is just a volunteer "agency" that not connected to any state government office. All they do is compile statistics on companies in their respective state. If you have a problem with a company, you can call that state's BBB, and file a complaint. What they will do is send you a type of form letter that you fill out, and basically "tell your side of the story." Then they will contact the company in question, and attempt to resolve the conflict. They have absolutely no authority to compel the company you have a dispute with to comply. IE: they have no teeth.

A better alternative is to contact your state attorney general's fraud office (or threaten to the company you are having a dispute with that you are going to call ) and file a formal complaint. The AG has teeth, and can force a company to comply.

Also, if the dispute is less than $500 (varies), and the company is out of state, you can file in small claims court in your county. It doesn't take an attorney to do so. In fact, they usually discourage you from hiring an attorney. More than likely, the company will not be sending an attorney or any representative in their behalf. You go to court, explain your case, and most likely will be awarded a judgment in your behalf. And I believe the company will also get paperwork indicating a judgment against them. If that doesn't dislodge anything from the company, you can forward a copy of the paperwork to your state attorney general's office and the state BBB where the company does business.

Repayment? Maybe, maybe not. But maybe at least some satisfaction.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

...
Also, if the dispute is less than $500 (varies), and the company is out of state, you can file in small claims court in your county. It doesn't take an attorney to do so. In fact, they usually discourage you from hiring an attorney. More than likely, the company will not be sending an attorney or any representative in their behalf. You go to court, explain your case, and most likely will be awarded a judgment in your behalf. And I believe the company will also get paperwork indicating a judgment against them. If that doesn't dislodge anything from the company, you can forward a copy of the paperwork to your state attorney general's office and the state BBB where the company does business.

Repayment? Maybe, maybe not. But maybe at least some satisfaction.

Reality is if you win a judgment against an out of state camera store you'll have satisfaction but nothing else. If they wouldn't do the right thing with what they were selling you what make you think they will do the right then and pay a judgement?

Sure you might feel better, but I wouldn't waste my time and money (it costs to file in small claims court) for satisfaction. The best advice is always pay with a credit card and try to check out the company your doing business with first.

 

[Gorjus]

Thank you for all your help with this. I've found more reputable online sites and prices were higher than the scams, but still low enough to be a deal. Now I'm just waiting for shipment of stock to come in.

I'm torn between the Panasonic TZ1 and the Panasonic TZ3. I can get the TZ1 at Best Buy stores for $199 5 mp. I can get the TZ3 online for $270 7 mp. It isn't my pro camera, it is going to be my grab that shot while you can camera and my carry around the parks camera and my backstage camera (not illegal backstage photos, just say...it is the last day for these specific princesses to work together and they all bring their cameras so they can capture the three of them together in their dresses a few seconds before the guests arrive. I capture them with my camera as well); because I am not lugging my DSLR around for 10 hours a day anymore unless I am shooting for poster sized prints.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I'd go for the TZ3.... more up to date technology.

 

[celticdog]

I usually stick with B&H, Samys out of LA or Roberts.

A friend got a good deal out of broadway but i've never delt with them or the other 2.

I agree B&H Photo is a good store. I have been using them for the past several years without any incidents. Good prices and delivery times.

 

[KeithVH]

<SNIP>

I'm torn between the Panasonic TZ1 and the Panasonic TZ3. I can get the TZ1 at Best Buy stores for $199 5 mp. I can get the TZ3 online for $270 7 mp. <SNIP>

You will probably not be happy with the image quality from either. Reliable reviewers have pointed out both cameras reallys suffer from extreme sensor noise, especially the TZ1. And abusive internal proessing that you have little control over.

I'd suggest either a Canon A570IS/A710IS or SD800IS if you want a small point&shoot. The Panasonics usually have more features and are as well-made, but suffer from a poor chip choice and their Venus engine needs a lot of work compared to Canon's DIGIC in-camera s/w.

 

[Gorjus]

You will probably not be happy with the image quality from either. Reliable reviewers have pointed out both cameras reallys suffer from extreme sensor noise, especially the TZ1. And abusive internal proessing that you have little control over.

I'd suggest either a Canon A570IS/A710IS or SD800IS if you want a small point&shoot. The Panasonics usually have more features and are as well-made, but suffer from a poor chip choice and their Venus engine needs a lot of work compared to Canon's DIGIC in-camera s/w.

I appreciate the advice, but the most important thing to me in choosing a point and shoot is size and zoom. For high photo quality, I'll bring my Canon 10D dslr to the parks. I just want something that can capture snapshots, not poster size prints.

If Canon made a pocket point and shoot with a nice optical zoom, I'd be there in a heart beat.

I will go check out those photos though, thanks.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

I appreciate the advice, but the most important thing to me in choosing a point and shoot is size and zoom. For high photo quality, I'll bring my Canon 10D dslr to the parks. I just want something that can capture snapshots, not poster size prints.

If Canon made a pocket point and shoot with a nice optical zoom, I'd be there in a heart beat.

I will go check out those photos though, thanks.

I can't speak of the tz3 but the tz1 has bad lens flare when you zoom beyond 4 times. It affects the contrast so if your getting sucked in by the 10 time optic zoom you may want to take the camera out on a sunny day and make some test shots to make sure Panasonic fixed this issue on the TZ3.

 

[mattjs]

If Canon made a pocket point and shoot with a nice optical zoom, I'd be there in a heart beat.

Maybe take a look at the G7. It's what I've got right now (as my sole camera). Would make a heck of small cam to go with your 10D. It's not "shirt pocket" small, but it's pocketable. I just had it at Disney two weeks ago and had it in my shorts pockets plenty. Decent higher ISO (totally useable up to 400). Unbelievably clean prints. Live histogram. Added the scroll wheel on the back. Great camera. And works great in auto mode when I hand it off to my wife or a stranger to grab a pic of the group. I'm thrilled with it (was coming from a G3). No RAW is what most DSLR users lament about it, but with Adobes new Lightroom and Silkypix, that gap has closed a bit (albeit just a bit). And you're not really gonna find RAW in anything other than a DSLR these days anyway. Plus if you really needed to shoot something in RAW, you got your 10D. I think Luminous Landscape had probably the best all around review on it (Dpreview too but Luminous is a little more real world) -- http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/Canon-G7.shtml[/b] -- All the pics in my Disney 2007 gallery at Flickr where shot with it. Something to keep in mind anyway.

As already mentioned, always, always, always check http://www.resellerratings.com[/b] -- Great site to illustrate the point http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores[/b] -- Not that a storefront tells the whole story but... :ROFLOL:

You can never go wrong with -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com[/b] -- Not the only reputable online retailer, but one of (if not the) best in terms of customer service, and standing by the sale.