Maljo
Well-known member
Roberts in Indy. Love the people and the store.
Are you loyal to a camera store?
- Thread starter RichF
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I’ve bought most of my stuff from Robert’s in Indianapolis. Anymore, I just try to find the best deal to be honest.
NikonshooterRTFan
New member
As I don't have a local store in my area, I'm not really loyal to the out of state mail order shops. I exclusively use the smaller tax free shops over B&H / Adorama, which saves me a ton of $$. I am partial to Precision Camera in TX since they threw in a free 256GB memory card when I bought my Z9, but I've bought stuff from 3-4 other shops as well. Wolf Camera was the last thing we had and it's been gone for about 4 years now. Customer service for the mail order shops isn't something I generally deal with. I order online and never talk to anyone so it usually comes down to price.
It's nice to have a local shop--support yours! I'm glad Nikon does.
It's nice to have a local shop--support yours! I'm glad Nikon does.
Sadly we don't have a decent camera store that carries what I typically am in search of in the Denver area (at least not one that I've been all that enamored with). I've had more fortunate luck in other parts of the country where I've lived so if a store is good I give that store all my business. A small savings is not going to sway me to shop them in that situation. As has been mentioned, buy/support local when at all possible.
That said, when necessary, I feel strongly about buying from reputable online sources that I feel run a good business. When buying new, I will always see if a direct from manufacturer purchase is possible and take that route first. If that isn't (or just looks shady), chances are I'm going with B&H.
If I'm buying used, I'll support KEH or MPB.
B&H has been around since the early/mid 70s and KEH since late 70s. IMO that says a lot.
That said, when necessary, I feel strongly about buying from reputable online sources that I feel run a good business. When buying new, I will always see if a direct from manufacturer purchase is possible and take that route first. If that isn't (or just looks shady), chances are I'm going with B&H.
If I'm buying used, I'll support KEH or MPB.
B&H has been around since the early/mid 70s and KEH since late 70s. IMO that says a lot.
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Have you tried Mike’s Camera? Five locations in Colorado. I can’t get everything I need there, but buy there when I can.
Allen's is my go to shop. Yes, I've made other at other stores but my major purchase have been at Allen's Camera. They're approximately 1.5 hours from my house. My first visit I was impressed with their shop and knowledge. Also, when they say an item is in excellent condition you can bet it is.
Have you tried Mike’s Camera? Five locations in Colorado. I can’t get everything I need there, but buy there when I can.
I'll echo this about Mike's Camera. We have 4 stores of this family owned business between Sacramento and the Bay Area in California. They have very helpful staff, comped a rental when I decided to buy a lens, and host events with the manufacturers seasonally. They have classes I haven't tried yet. As a "newbie" ( not to taking pictures, but yes to being serious about it), they have helped me a lot.
Another Bay Area store I really like is Looking Glass Photo in Berkeley. Woman owned, good photographers behind the sales desk, good classes.
I try to buy from these two stores when they have what I'm after, but sometimes have to buy from B&H ( also good). I'm buying used as well, and prefer this forum or from the 2 stores I listed. I may try MPB in addition to the used section of b&h in the future.
Perhaps surprisingly I have never been to allen's or B&H. Rather order on-line or via the phone.
Doug Herr
Well-known member
Mike's Sacramento location is my go-to store. Good to hear Looking Glass is still around, it was my favorite when I lived in the east Bay area 30+ years ago.
realspeed
Well-known member
I have no loyality to any particular camera shop here in the UK. Price fixing is the norm so it doesn't really matter who one goes to. I do have a fairly local store but on average their prices if not the same as others are a lttle more expensive. Grey imports are usually a bit cheape,r maybe less or no warranty but same product. I and have bought from these without any problems. So for repairs no problems either and insurance covers anyway. I generally look up here to see who chargers what .
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HDEW and Cotswold Cameras both offer 3 year warranty with Johnson's in Glasgow. Cotswold now offer 5 yearts for £99:
Upgrade to 5 year warranty
Upgrade your 3 year warranty on cameras and lenses to a 5 year warranty for only 99 per order Yes that is per order not per item So if you buy a
www.cotswoldcameras.co.uk
That might now also apply to HDEW too.
Panamoz may offer 3 years at least as well.
Yes - a few times after we moved here. Was sadly under-impressed with attitude and service I received on a number of visits (two different stores close to us). I sort of wrote them off.Have you tried Mike’s Camera? Five locations in Colorado. I can’t get everything I need there, but buy there when I can.
I'm loyal to a sales guy at a camera store and in today's world that means I buy by phone (he's 3,000 km away) and pick up at the store they have in my city (the have locations in several cities in Canada). Since moving back to the city I'm in now I have renewed some old relationships at a couple of stores here and when stock issues arise (I'm not pre ordering a Nikon anything ever again LOL) I have purchased from other than my normal go to shop/guy. Peripherals I try to shop down the street but find what I decided on is not carried by or not in stock at my bricks and mortar stores so it's online (and that's usually via B&H -- who doesn't love free shipping, or the manufacturer's site).
When I tried to deal with Panomoz they said they could not provide a VAT invoice.HDEW and Cotswold Cameras both offer 3 year warranty with Johnson's in Glasgow. Cotswold now offer 5 yearts for £99:
Upgrade to 5 year warranty
Upgrade your 3 year warranty on cameras and lenses to a 5 year warranty for only 99 per order Yes that is per order not per item So if you buy a
That might now also apply to HDEW too.
Panamoz may offer 3 years at least as well.
This means under Customs Regulations I should pay the 20% VAT and separate extra tax on a lens when first ordering prior to delivery - which usually makes them more expensive than buying tax paid from a UK shop.
Nope cause closest one is an hour and drivers here all think big truck means the road is mine. B&H has done great for me and I consider the tax savings and quick delivery to be excellent service. Plus the gas and wear and tear. If it were much closer I would think differently.
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I was primarily a B&H buyer when I first started going digital, but in the last 5 years I’ve been using Tempe Camera here in the valley. I still use B&H or Amazon for the minor purchases, but for the major expenditures I’ve worked with David at Tempe Camera (D850, Z9, Z8, plus assorted Z lenses). Great to work with.
That's the one that is an hour away. Good to know though.
I've been going to Allen's for over 20yrs as well, great place still #1 on my list!!!
My "favorite" here in Wisconsin was sold with the old owners retirement after 47 years. The business was sold to a camera shop owner from Michigan. They are due to reopen tomorrow, 9 Jan, under the same name, same address, with some changes. Will Check it out and see what they have to offer. I would be fine if it stays as it was.
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Not so much now. When we lived in Rappahannock County, Virginia, McClanahan’s was a 2 generational brick & motar store located in Warrenton. I learned from the owner that the newest and more sought after items are not readily available to smaller shops. This was based on volume sales as I recall. B&H, Adorama, Robert’s etc would get the hottest new gear first and as demand leveled out the small shops would start getting a few, be it cameras or lenses. This happened with the Z8. When I first heard that it might be produced I called the shop and was put #1 on a waiting list for the yet to be confirmed Z8. Good thing. The store received just one Z8 nearly a year later. After a few months things loosened up and a few more came in. Small shops have had a hard time competing with the larger outlets that have big websites. It’s just the way business is conducted these days. The prices are usually competitive and when possible I like to support the brick & motar stores. It’s nice to walk in and talk with familiar employees, handle an item first and then make a purchase.
Due to re-locating, the closest dealers now are in Richmond or Virginia Beach…and we are 90 minutes away from either. Like others, I’ve dealt with Adorama, B&H and Robert’s. And for the most part service has been excellent.
Due to re-locating, the closest dealers now are in Richmond or Virginia Beach…and we are 90 minutes away from either. Like others, I’ve dealt with Adorama, B&H and Robert’s. And for the most part service has been excellent.