Dealers VS Resellers

What is the difference between dealers and resellers? I have been pricing

Nikon and Canon DSLRs and the resellers are less expensive. Are there

warrantee issues? Any other issues?

 

Thanks

 

Bob

Whatever you do, don't buy before checking out any potential suppliers on www.resellerratings.com. Dealers, resellers, it's all the same; they want your money, most by providing quality products and services but way too many by scamming you.

To my knowledge "reseller" is just a cutesy term Apple coined to refer to the dealers/stores that sell Apple computers, iPods and phones. I suppose it could be a distinction intended to refer to a store operated by someone other than the manufacturer. (Such as Best Buy vs the Apple Store.) If there is any distinction between a reseller and regular store/dealer beyond that I am not aware of it. I've heard at least one car dealer refer to themselves as a reseller (either Mercedes or Lexus, I believe) but have only recently heard it used to refer to camera dealers. Personally, about the only place I buy new photographic equipment from is www.bhphotovideo.com -- they're the largest national photo supply house with the best selection and best prices. Ebay is the de facto marketplace for used equipment, but when I see anybody other than an established dealer selling new equipment on-line it sets off my red flags.

Craig: B&H is the world's largest photo store, but as for the lowest prices, check around.

<b>"...To my knowledge "reseller" is just a cutesy term Apple coined to refer to the dealers/stores that sell Apple computers, iPods and phones...."</b>

<p>

The term "reseller" is a very common term in many different industries and has been around for many years. It generally is a term that manufacturers use to distinguish between end users and those customers that will "resell" the product.

<p>

In essence - all dealers are resellers.

Dealers are officially connected to the manufacturer, usually have direct sales and support channels.

Resellers get their products through other channels, usually wholesale (or for the shady ones, stolen property or illegally imported stuff aka smuggling).

 

As their supply chain usually buys in larger volume they can often offer lower prices, but are slower to get new equipment and may not be able to offer official support and warranty.

With the more shady ones you also run the risk of being sold stolen or otherwise tainted goods.

>>> What is the difference between dealers and resellers? <<<

 

That is an interesting question. It depends on where you are. In the United States of America federal law prohibits a manufacturer from controlling the distribution of their product. Fed law also prevents a manufacturer from charging different prices for the same product, i.e. an authorized dealer does not get product for a lower wholesale price than any other retailer supplied by the same source. So, from a retail consumers point of view there may be very little actual difference between a dealer and a reseller. Lump on top of that the appropriate state law and any remaining difference may totally disappear all together.

 

Also keep in mind there is a hugely significant legal challenge to a basic tenet of law that precludes a manufacturer from fair trading (price fixing) of their product. That challenge will be heard in the US Supreme Court this year. If the Court sides with manufacturers, they will be allowed to control distribution of their product and thus the retail prices, whether or not a warranty is included, etc. Basically, consumers will get screwed up the backside without the benefit of lube.