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gerryr

gerryr

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Billings, MT, USA.
Has anyone ever dealt with Express Cameras or Best Price Cameras? I'm in the market for a Nikon 18-200 VR zoom lens and these two places both list it for less than $600. B&H lists it for $750 and they're out of stock anyway. I know there are many slippery camera sellers on the net and the reviews for both of these look a bit too gushy.
 
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Gerry,
I haven't dealt with either myself, but I think my step son recently bought a Nikon camera body from Express Camera... if they are in Florida, it's possible same company. He uses a Nikon D50 and D80 in his travels.. he's trucker by profession, but a damned good photogpher by advocation... he bought his lenses from Wolf or Ritz (think one and same now, but don't quote me).. next time I talk to him, will ask about Express for you.
 
Don't!!! Reseller Ratings has both rated less than 1/10.

B & H, Adorama, Buydig.com, and Keh.com are the only sites I would trust. Both at rated higher than 9/10.

Jason
 
I second Frank's warning. If it seems too good to be true, it's probably grey market and any repairs or warranty items are all yours. I bought a Nikon "point -n-shoot 5MP camera a couple years ago and was thrilled, until it stopped working and any service was going to cost more than the camera did. Now a fairly loyal Ritz customer and never a problem with them.
 
B&H and Adorama are reliable, I have bought from both with no problems. There are many other online sellers, but a lot a not kosher.
I just had a problem with "The Camera Professionals" and want to warn all of you. When I ordered, it showed the camera is in stock, I got an confirmation e-mail and even had to call them to confirm my credit card and again was told the camera is in stock, picked and will ship the same day. Well, two days later I get a camera, but its not the one I bought and paid for - it was a model about half the price of the ordered one and it was a re-conditioned one, too. So I called immediately and was told the camera is out of stock and i should keep what I got!! Hell no!! Finally after speaking with some kind of imbecile (who was telling me that I have to pay myself for shipping it back etc), I got the super on the phone. She told the camera is out of stock and supposed to be back in a few weeks, but she agreed that it was their mistake and she would send me a shipping label to ship it back. Well, this came a week later and I shipped the camera back asap. They have it now back, but my money was not credited, yet - may take 3-5 business days. I surely will check every day my credit card. While this all really pissed me off, I called again and had friends calling for the camera I wanted, and we were told, that it is in stock, weird. There are many reviews for these dealers, but a lot are fake. I did some research and came up with the following web site:
http://www.sheddingsomelight.com/buy-cameras/list/dealers-allstarfam.html
Whenever one will buy something over the net, please check here, it may help you avoid some trouble.


Also, make sure that the camera comes with everything that is listed at the camera makers info.

Some years back, when I decided to buy a Canon Digital Rebel, I found a source on the net that nearly sold the camera a third cheaper than any store. I finally decided to order via internet, and was asked to call in to confirm your credit card number (this always should raise your attention). When I did so, I was told that I only ordered the camera and lens for this price. The battery and the charger were extra and together (with the shipping cost) it was just a tad under a local store that eventually got my business (as another store got it yesterday for the camera I wanted from the Camera Pros - a bit more, but I brought it home right away and it has everything, its new and has proper warranty)
 
Gray market cameras do not come with a warranty. They may tell you they do but in my experiences the camera manufacturers will not fix a Gray market camera without charging you. B&H sells Gray market products but they tell you. Also B&H is typically the lowest price you are going to find anywhere.

I would not trust buying from either of the two companies you listed. They will take your oder and really try to pressure you to buy something else and if you don't they will delay shipping until you either cancel the order or they feel like sending it to you.
 
After buying and using cameras since I was about 15, now 62, and having worked as a professional photographer, I do know a bit about warranties and understand completely the difference between Nikon USA and gray market. I've dealt several times with B&H and like their service, but $150 is still $150. I know there are some very sleazy people selling cameras on the net and won't deal with any of them. I've sent both of these places an email asking if the lens is Nikon USA or import, although they claim it has a USA warranty. So far no response from either, so I suspect that they just doing some false advertising.
 
Careful,

one of the scams is that USA warranty is not equal to Manufacturer's USA Warranty. Some shady companies will "supply their own" warranty.

GK
 
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