Can't find anyone to give my money to..

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/25/2005 09:04:46 AM · #1

I tried fairly hard this weekend to find a suitable company that would be worthy of taking my money in exchange for a Canon EOS-20D. I'm going out of town this weekend so I wanted to be sure I'd have it by Friday this week. I first went to a few stores I knew had good reputations (BHPhotoVideo, NewEgg). BH is closed for like two weeks (no clue why) and NewEgg is out of stock until May. I went through a few sites on PriceGrabber and cross-checked them on //www.resellerratings.com only to find the few suitable stores were all closed until Tuesday (ibuydigital, abesofmaine, and 1 other). CostCo actually has it for the cheapest I've seen 1399 (1299 after rebate), but they don't have it at my local store and they want $100 for shiping + tax.

So it's down to three stores right now.

Circuit City 1-800-843-2489 ($1,520.27)
Dell 1-800-915-3355 ($1,441.81)
ButterflyPhoto 1-800-339-9960 ($1,358.80)

I'm going to call Butterfly Photo at 9:30 AM and see if they can guarantee it by Friday with their express shipping.

I'm actually thinking maybe I just shouldn't make this purchase in haste.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

04/25/2005 09:06:51 AM · #2

Try Central Camera - //www.centralcamera.com - I have bought from them in the past with good results...

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/25/2005 09:07:22 AM · #3

Originally posted by langdon:

I'm actually thinking maybe I just shouldn't make this purchase in haste.

Now you're thinking! Just try to make sure they have a 10- or 30-day return policy.

notonline

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/25/2005 09:09:32 AM · #4

//www.photocreative.com/store/product.cfm?product_id=390

altho its canadian prices but they have EVERYTHING in stock.

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/25/2005 09:17:04 AM · #5

Noooooooooo!

Don't do it!

Get a Nikon instead :)

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/25/2005 09:19:40 AM · #6

Originally posted by colda:

Get a Nikon instead :)

Do they make a fast & affordable Nikon? =P

Nelzie

Canon EOS-30D

04/25/2005 09:25:13 AM · #7

What about any local camera shops? If you make a purchase at a local shop the money spent will circulate in the local economy roughly 7 times, before moving out of the local economy.

I am not exactly sure where that number comes from, but it does make some sense. The tax money goes towards paying for things like local government services, state government services, schools. The money spent directly on the item goes to the local business owner, the local employees, who then go out and buy things in the neighborhood, like food and other services, which only spreads that money out further and again adds to the state and local government coffers.

It just feeds the local economy and helps pay for schools, roads and helps keep your neighbors employed.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

04/25/2005 09:26:29 AM · #8

i've heard very scary things about Dell ... check the dpreview forums on that ... they all pretty much hate dell. nothing ever ships when it's supposed to.

to be fair, i have no personal experience with them

:)

wkmen

Olympus SP-570 UZ

04/25/2005 09:35:27 AM · #9

I've also had very good service from Adorama, 17th Street Photo, and J&R Music World. However, if B&H is closed for religious reasons, you may run into similar problems at these stores, too.
Adorama
17th Street Photo
J&R
Good Luck!

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/25/2005 09:37:22 AM · #10

Originally posted by langdon:

Originally posted by colda:
Get a Nikon instead :)

Do they make a fast & affordable Nikon? =P

Hey, what do you want such a good camera for anyway? you can't justify having the time to use it - get back to your coding!

;)

Shannon

Nikon Coolpix 5700

04/25/2005 09:38:56 AM · #11

I bought my camera through Butterflyphoto and was very happy with them, I don't remember how long it took exactly, but shipping was rather fast.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

04/25/2005 09:43:43 AM · #12

Consider buying from a local camera store, it may fit your current position better than usual. Pros- get it right away, no shipping costs, and easier to return if necessary. Cons- paying sales tax, price may be higher. You won't regret choosing the 20D (I'd bet money on that) and if having it for your trip is a high priority (it would be more me) the higher price for immediate posession may be a good tradeoff. Many of the NYC stores, like B&H, were shut down for a few days in honor of Passover, so they may not be able to ship as fast as they normally do.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/25/2005 10:02:49 AM · #13

Originally posted by wkmen:

I was surprised to see that Adorama got pretty pathetic ratings on resellerratings.com. I thought they were more in line with B&H.

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

04/25/2005 10:06:58 AM · #14

Harmony Computers has the 20D for $1399 with a $100 mail-in rebate. i've ordered a couple of things from them without any problems.

Harmony Computers--Canon 20D

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

04/25/2005 10:10:19 AM · #15

Originally posted by Shannon:

I bought my camera through Butterflyphoto and was very happy with them, I don't remember how long it took exactly, but shipping was rather fast.

Ditto, I bought from butterfly twice now and both times they upgraded my shipping for free and it got it in just a few days.

cghubbell

Nikon D300

04/25/2005 10:13:59 AM · #16

Originally posted by langdon:

Do they make a fast & affordable Nikon? =P

In fact, yes :) The D70 is very affordable and quite fast, but you probably knew that... 3fps raw, and a 1/500 flash sync speed. That's pretty darn fast for the price point. The d1x is more expensive, but faster.

I'd be nervous depending on an unfamiliar camera for a big trip. There was a pretty significant learning curve between my old digicam and the dSLR, although even in full auto the D70 did a pretty impressive job while I learned the ropes.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/25/2005 10:31:04 AM · #17

L,
Here's another good option: Badger Graphic Sales

They have the 20D for $1349, and they have a marvelous reputation. They sell mostly pro gear, and are very knowledgeable. I'm betting they can help you out :-)

chuck50124

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

04/25/2005 10:56:47 AM · #18

17th street photo is very reputable. //www.17photo.com

I wouldnt suggest them if I hadnt bought from them.

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/25/2005 10:57:18 AM · #19

Originally posted by wkmen:

I've also had very good service from Adorama, 17th Street Photo, and J&R Music World.

Well since ButterflyPhoto wasn't answering their phones and 17th Street picks up immediately, I just placed my order with 17th Street. And since the price on their 50mm f/1.8 II was excellent, I went ahead and got it too.

Originally posted by cghubbell:

The D70 is very affordable and quite fast, but you probably knew that...

I'd be nervous depending on an unfamiliar camera for a big trip. There was a pretty significant learning curve between my old digicam and the dSLR, although even in full auto the D70 did a pretty impressive job while I learned the ropes.

The D70 isn't AS fast though! :) Plus drew has a Canon so we can trader lenses and what not. And as for depending on it for a big trip, it's more like I'll have a trip to practice with it... It'll be better than walking around my house and taking pics of candles. :) Plus I've used drew's a good bit and shoot only in manual on my Olympus, so I think I'm ready.

Thanks for all your feedback!

muckpond

Nikon D200

04/25/2005 11:00:10 AM · #20

BH closes for a little spring break every year. I got caught when I ordered something through them last year.

FWIW, I found the 20D at our new Fry's Electronics store this weekend -- in stock in the store and on display. If you have one of those near you, you could check there and possibly get it right away.

I do give a thumbs up to the D70 (obviously), but the ability to trade lenses with peeps is a strong pull. That's part of the reason I went with Nikon in the first place.

muckpond

Nikon D200

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/25/2005 11:03:03 AM · #21

I just checked -- no Fry's in your area.

But the cam is at Circuit City and they are showing a price of $1339.99 after a $100 rebate. I haven't priced it out anywhere else, but there are a couple of Circuit City stores near you.

I've had good luck with CC for other stuff -- never bought photo equipment from them, though.

muckpond

Nikon D200

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/25/2005 11:05:46 AM · #22

Originally posted by cghubbell:

I'd be nervous depending on an unfamiliar camera for a big trip. There was a pretty significant learning curve between my old digicam and the dSLR, although even in full auto the D70 did a pretty impressive job while I learned the ropes.

I bought my D70 the day before I got on the plane to shoot a professional tennis tournament in Miami.

You can imagine how embarrassed I was when I started getting an error message after swapping lenses and had to GET OUT THE MANUAL while in the photog pit in front of like 3,500 people.

But, I figured it out and got to keep on shooting. BTFM (bring the f'in manual), I guess....