Purchasing a Canon

<p>The other day I was watching a photographer shooting with a Canon EOS-1D X. I asked about the camera and its cost. He told me that he purchased it at 42nd Street Camera; he said that it was way less costly there than in most other stores. Does anyone know why there is such a great price differential?</p>

<p>Well, it's certainly a grey market import if they are selling it cheap because authorized Canon US dealers can't advertise it for a lower price than Canon permit. They can sell it for less, but they can't advertise it.</p>

<p>So if you can actually get it for a lower advertised price, you don't mind getting a non-USA camera and you can avoid their exorbitant charges for accessories (e.g. 16GB slow CF card for only $160, ludicrously expensive 3rd party batteries etc.), you might save some money. Don't know how much grief they give you on returns, however even if they make it easy they have a 20% plus shipping costs restocking fee on returned items for example. So if you return your $6000 camera it will cost you $1200 + shipping (both ways).</p>

<p>... and the other factor:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>less costly there than in most other stores</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Which other stores? He might have been referring to local brick-and-mortar stores. </p>

<p>Most people here purchase from retailers like B&H and Adorama, but there are also a few smaller mail-order sources that are very favorably competitive. And then there are a number of rather shady dealers, mostly located in Brooklyn for some reason, that will promise cameras very cheaply but will rip you off with overpriced crap accessories or ultimately won't come through with a camera for you (depending on whether you resist their overpriced crap accessories).</p>

<p>Amazon is now another great source, BTW.</p>

<p>What Sarah said, plus KEH should be mentioned among the the top list of super reliable retailers. If you find a new photo item anywhere significantly cheaper than at B&H, Adorama, KEH and Amazon, chances are there is something fishy about this deal!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>What Sarah said, plus KEH should be mentioned among the the top list of super reliable retailers.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I agree, and I'd also add Calumet.</p>

<p>42nd Street Photo is fine, but there are other NYC stores that are known for their bait/switch tactics.</p>

<p>Canon was selling refurb 1D X's on their website just a couple days ago for $5400, so better prices than B&H are possible. You do have to be careful of who you're buying from though... </p>

<p>I was trying not to mention names but as long as its come up - I was comparing B&H, Adorama, and 42nd St. From my old experience 42nd St. was a reliable store. Have things changed?</p>

<p>List of Canon USA <strong>authorized</strong> dealers as of Aug. 1, 2013:<br /> http://www.usa.canon.com/CUSA/assets/app/pdf/dealer/CanonAuthorizedDealers.pdf</p>

<p>42nd Street Photo is <strong>not</strong> on the list.</p>

<p>42nd Street has been around a long time, and has decent ratings at http://www.resellerratings.com/store/42nd_Street_Photo<br>

If they aren't an authorized dealer, they could be selling grey market cameras - so long as you know what you're getting.</p>

<p>I purchased my 7D at 42nd Street for $1375 in 2010. That was considerably less than anywhere else at the time. It came with USA warranty and registration. Was a good deal at the time.</p>

<p>I purchased a 17-85/4-5.6 from 42nd Street photo in 2006 for ~$250 which was less than anywhere else at the time. They insisted on calling me to try to do a hard upsell before they would ship, then they shipped a Sig 17-70 instead. When I called, they told me I had told them to change the order on the phone. After getting (literally) yelled at by their rep on the phone, I told them I was sending it back, and If I didn't receive a full refund, they could take it up with the CC people. I did get a full refund. At the time, they had 'great' 'reseller ratings' (which apparently takes one person about a day behind the computer to do).</p>

<p>Of course, if <em>real</em> people actually have good experiences, then things have changed - or it's a different company - though the website looks disturbingly similar (complete with overpriced accesories ;-) ). Can't say for certain, as<em> I'll</em> not give them my CC information ever again. ;-)</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>'great' 'reseller ratings' (which apparently takes one person about a day behind the computer to do).</p>

</blockquote>

<p>My experience in following the resellerratings site over some years is that they are very good at catching "phoney" ratings. <br>

There is certainly truth to the idea that many otherwise good NYC stores (I have not encountered this with either B&H or Adorama) do have a "hard sell" approach. I just sorta figured it was the difference between my sleepy little town and the big city. :|</p>