Digital SLRs and their on-line prices

[Kaiser]

Well, I finally want to upgrade my photo equipment with a Canon EOS 30D body. So I checked the prices on-line and I was stunned by the price differnce that I see: $330 - $1500 (http://www.shopcartusa.com/P_Canon_EOS_30D_1234B004/PT_Y/?ic_campID=98). All that for the same product?

What's the catch? Why would one play $1500 for the body if one can get it for less than a quarter of that somewhere else?

Kai

 

[homebrewer_99]

How much they charge is in proportion to how much they pay.

As an example, you can buy 1 for 500 and sell for 600 or buy 100 for 200 and sell for 300. The more the store buys for less the lower they can sell and still make the same amount of mark-up but at a lower end price for the customer.

 

[sirsloop]

I think those two places in the 300s are a scam. You get what you pay for... and a brand new 30D body IS NOT going to cost 300 dollars unless its on sale 70% off. Call them up and place the order with an amex card of you really feel the need to... if you get screwed amex will do chargebacks no questions asked.

don't say I didnt warn you

You are better off going with B&H, Adorama, etc etc.

-JD
www.tallmanphoto.com

 

[brewman !]

I bought a Nikon D50 online last spring. It went very well and I saved $250. I recommend using eBay. Watch out for the scamming NY based camera shops.

There is lots of info at www.dpreview.com on buying cameras online.

 

[Blender]

Check on the ratings of each store at Reseller Ratings. You should get some good feedback on people that bought from some of these stores. Here is review of usaphotonation. http://www.resellerratings.com/store/USA_Photo_Nation

 

[Kaiser]

Thank's guys that was very helpful.

To good to be true I guess . I had a similar experience when I bought my camcorder from such a place. Though it was still cheaper then buying from the big ones. Now the question is, what is the lowest price that is not a scam?

Blender, I'll check-out the reseller ratings for this to get an idea.

Kai

 

[McCall St. Brewer]

If you're looking to buy used, ebay tends to be pretty good for camera gear. The people who sell cameras tend to be pretty honest.

As for online, checking the resellers ratings is always a good thing to do.

An unscientific listing of reliable online camera stores:

1. B & H

2. Beach Camera/Buydig.com

3. Adorama

4. Cameta Camera/Cameta Auctions

I'm sure there are more, but these places seem to have good reps, particularly B & H.

Lastly, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 

[brewman !]

Reseller ratings lie ! There have been some posts on dpreview about that. Some are legit, some aren't.