Nikon Rumors Forum

where there’s smoke there’s forum fire

1. 

   ted2001
   

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   I live in the SF Bay Area and prefer buying locally as a matter of conscience. But... I just priced the DR-6 right angle finder at local stores and it was priced at 246, 239 and 265 (closest store). Add almost 9% sales tax for a price of at least $260.00.

   Adorama or B&H have it for $200.00, with express shipping (2/3 days) available for less than $20.00. Since my purchase does not constitute an emergency, I'll buy from them.

   It's no wonder local stores are going out of business. The prices on the D300s are the same, but the "rip-off" pricing on the small stuff (like DR-6) keeps me away entirely.

   Posted 3 years ago #
2. 

   Gentoo
   

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   Off topic but where in the bay area are you?

   Posted 3 years ago #
3. 

   ted2001
   

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   Redwood City

   Posted 3 years ago #
4. 

   Gentoo
   

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   ok just curious. I never get to San Mateo County when I go back home.

   Anyway, I don't know if this was in response to my other thread about asking the family owned shops for info. I ask and look at stuff but unfortunately, I never buy from them as they are more expensive. When I bought my D300 I went to a local place to look at it and hold it. I fell in love with it but came home and ordered it from Amazon. Those places are where you want to go to get information however as they are usually very knowledgeable, at least in my experience.

   Posted 3 years ago #
5. 

   Henry Nikon Fan
   

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   You are absolutely correct. I live in Southern California and there is a small chain here named Samys Camera. There pricing on items other than items sold at full retail, such as new releases can vary from salesperson to salesperson and from store to store. I think they sales staff is on commission and they seem to be able to control the exact price within a margin.

   I typically mention to them the B&H pricing and sometimes they try to get close to it. They also do not have a good return policy, only for store credit only. I just bought a monopod and wanted to exchange it for a heavier model which was out of stock so I was willing to accept the store credit. The manager throughly inspected the one I was returning and basically accused me of buying it to use for a day or so and then return it. He stated that since it did not appear to be used, he would not charge me a 10% restocking fee to cover a rental cost. This is totally uncalled for. I have decided not to purchase much of anything from them in the future.

   I will mainly purchase from B&H or Adorama both of which have no problems with legitimate returns when necessary not the mention there far better prices low shipping cost and no sales tax. I travel to New York once a year and have been to both stores and they are very reputable and would highly recommend them to anyone who is not familiar with them.

   Posted 3 years ago #
6. 

   Gentoo
   

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   I totally understand that situation Henry. I've heard of Sammy's, I think we may have one somewhere in San Diego but I know they're further up in Orange County. I've had similar issues with other chains when buying other electronics. I only wish Newegg.com had better pricing on Nikon Cameras and for whatever reason they don't carry Nikon lenses. Their service however is unmatched anywhere!

   Posted 3 years ago #
7. 

   ShannonFryDesigns
   

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   I agree... sorry to butt in, I'm new.

   But my story is that I wanted to buy the D80 for a backup, my local store (still 1.5 hrs away, rural oklahoma), as much as I love them priced the D80, used, body only at over $500. On national camera exchange, I found a fully refurbished demo, warranty and all for $429.

   I hate it, especially for the small town guy, but I couldn't pass it up.

   Kind of sad huh?

   Posted 3 years ago #
8. 

   ted2001
   

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   It even seems that the national sources are diminishing. Now, it's Adorama or B&H. Years ago, you could find a half dozen in the back of magazines competing for our business.

   B&H and Adorama used to be the best (and I think still are), but Cambridge Camera Exchange and many others drove the prices down. It seems that fair trade laws are back. Does anyone know of a US price on a D300s other than $1,799?

   btw if you mention Adorama or B&H to the local stores regarding pricing, they get abusive.

   Posted 3 years ago #
9. 

   Gentoo
   

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   ShannonFryDesigns

   don't say sorry. Just jump right in to our community. Welcome aboard! :)

   Posted 3 years ago #
10. 

    Henry Nikon Fan
    

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    Other local camera stores here in Southern California do not carry much inventory and when you ask for an item they state that they can order it for you and have it in a few days. Of course at a higher price with sales tax. At this point you are again back at B&H or Adorama online with the same time results for much less cost.

    When I go into a local store and find that they are not much help I will mention B&H and Adorama and yes, they do get irritated. They need to understand that is what they are up against.

    Posted 3 years ago #
11. 

    Willis
    

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    I know what you guys mean. The sales tax advantage makes it really unfair for the local guys. Even big chains like Costco cant be competitive. There just isn't a good reason to buy locally unless you like to handle the product before you buy. With bodies I usually go check them out at best buy first (I don't feel bad about not buying it from them. They get their pound of flesh from me). For lenses I've learned to trust the reviews I read on the net.

    At least in the bay area you have plenty of options. In austin, its pretty much precision camera or bust.

    Posted 3 years ago #
12. 

    HelenOster
    

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    Just a note to say thank you for all the recommendations for shopping at Adorama Camera.

    However, if you ever have a query or concern regarding a product or an order from Adorama Camera - or AdoramaPix - please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

    Sincerely

    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

    helen.oster@adoramacamera.com
    http://www.adorama.com

    Posted 3 years ago #
13. 

    ted2001
    

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    Thanks Helen, Al Lefko has always provided excellent help for me at Adorama. Why I keep going back!

    Posted 3 years ago #
14. 

    NSXType-R
    

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    I understand what you guys are saying, but if you ever want to service an old camera, those independent camera stores might come in handy, no?

    I haven't serviced any of my cameras, which is why I'm asking.

    And I'm also not sure how far back Nikon keeps spare parts for film cameras and stuff.

    Posted 3 years ago #
15. 

    ted2001
    

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    When my old F3hp needed repair, it was an independent repair shop, unaffiliated with any retailed that did the work. When my lenses needed update from AI to AIS, it was done by Nikon.

    A local store (Palo Alto) did repair a Koday projector, although they charged a fortune and were not quick. A projector is pretty hard to ship in contrast to cameras and lenses (other than really big glass).

    Posted 3 years ago #
16. 

    adamz
    

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    I agree that people often go to local shops only to check the products and then order them online, but that's not our (customers) problem. If the local dealers would set their prices reasonably then I would prefer to buy my stuff locally. Unfortunately most of the times, they want to rip us off.
    As for the "tax" advantage, I think it's not fair to compare prices without tax from online dealers to prices with tax from local dealers. If You want to compare prices, than do it on the same level, then add sales tax for Your local dealer and s&h for online orders. In my case if there's no significant difference between online and local prices I always buy locally, as I like to know what I buy, but... I live in other country than most of You US folks.
    If I buy something in US, than I shop at B&H, as it's one of the companies You can trust and most of the times they have really good prices. Or should I say, they never let me down.

    Posted 3 years ago #
17. 

    twistedbutnormal
    

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    I had no problems with supporting the brick and mortor store by me, was a regular cust. You could rent equip, get tech advice,and even if they charged a little extra on cam bodies it was still worth having them close by. Sad to say last month Adrays Camera in Michigan closed their doors after 54 years, they will be missed...

    Posted 3 years ago #
18. 

    ted2001
    

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    Sorry twisted, that's why a lot of people like to support local business. A local bookstore (Kepler's of Menlo Park) got a cash infusion from monied internet investors in order to stay open when they ran out of money a couple of years ago.

    The loss of these retailers represents a form of "hollowing-out" of our country that is very sad to see.

    Posted 3 years ago #
19. 

    Willis
    

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    In the US at least, S&H doesn't cost all that much. Especially on expensive photo gear. Take a $1000 body for instance. If the S&H costs anything, it will probably only be about $15 or so (on Amazon it would be free). Sales tax, on the other hand, would be closer to $80. And that's assuming the prices are the same. That same body would likely cost me about $1100 at my local store.

    Posted 3 years ago #
20. 

    Gentoo
    

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    "If the local dealers would set their prices reasonably then I would prefer to buy my stuff locally. Unfortunately most of the times, they want to rip us off."

    It's not so much that they want to rip us off. The problem is that local places have to pay rent on the property they're on so that drives up their prices. Also they have to pay retail personnel, plus the people who manage them plus those who do the shipping and receiving etc. etc. The online places, not having to deal with the high rents of business park properties and without retail personnel only have to pay those who ship. Warehouses by and large are more cost effective because that's all they have. The retail stores also have warehouses in addition to the store. This means much lower overhead for the online stores which means they pass their savings on to us.

    Posted 3 years ago #
21. 

    adamz
    

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    gentoo - I know how the online stores work, but still most of the time I have the feeling that local stores want to rip us off. I can understand price difference of 1-5%, everything above that is unfair, and certainly where the price difference is around 20% or above. As I said before, I'm eager to get my stuff locally, as I like the "human" touch, but can't agree to pay much more only because someone wants me to. I know that running business is pricey, but still the income should be divided among all customers, and there shouldn't be the same commission on all products, i.e. count 10% commission on d3x and the same 10% commission on d3000 - especially when there is no price difference between getting both of this cameras to their store.

    Posted 3 years ago #
22. 

    Henry Nikon Fan
    

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    In some cases the argument that online stores have less overhead may be correct, but not in the case of B&H Photo. There retail store in New York City is the largest that I have ever seen not to mention the service by eager staff that is provided. They also offer there merchandise for the same prices in there store as well as online.

    It seems to me that B&H has captured the market by providing lower prices, good service and on many items free shipping.

    Also to one of the previous posts, you have to consider the fact that there is no sales tax when ordering out of state vs. buying locally and having to pay the sales tax. In most cases for moderate to large purchases the cost of shipping will be far less than the local sales tax paid.

    Posted 3 years ago #
23. 

    ted2001
    

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    I just ordered the DR-6 from Adorama for 199.95. S&H included.

    The DR-6 locally ($265) would have been over $288.00 with sales tax. I would also have had a 20 mile drive for another $11.00 (at the IRS reimbursement rate of 0.55/mile). Total cost @299.00. They do not take American Express, my credit card of choice. This is a good size store with a lot of people and extensive inventory. Sells to both pro's and local amateurs, mostly the latter. They do offer a great deal of assistance if you need it.

    A SF store had the same DR-6 for $246.00, sales tax ($22.00) and mileage (55 miles = $30.00) for a total of $298.00. This is a warehouse building and sells primarily to professionals. Some help if you don't need it.

    I am always willing to "eat" the cost of mileage, since I like to drive and love this area, but it's the economics of the local merchants that bothers me. As Henry mentioned, B&H maintains significant retail presence and has excellent pricing and takes all credit cards.

    I am willing to pay a premium for buying local, just not a 50% premium!

    Posted 3 years ago #
24. 

    Gentoo
    

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    "Also to one of the previous posts, you have to consider the fact that there is no sales tax when ordering out of state vs. buying locally and having to pay the sales tax. In most cases for moderate to large purchases the cost of shipping will be far less than the local sales tax paid."

    That I'd have to agree with especially in California. Perhaps my example wasn't a very good one because I am speaking from a California point of view and everything is different out here.

    Posted 3 years ago #
25. 

    adamz
    

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    As for B&H - I love this shop, could only wish to have one like that in Europe, and as for the prices, anyway You are very lucky (the ones that live in US) as Your photo gear still cost less. In some extremes it's cheaper for us (europeans) to buy a plane ticket and go to NYC than to buy stuff locally.

    Posted 3 years ago #

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