Posted by Steve Bunn on January 1, 2008 at 8:13 PM
I went to Best Buy this Saturday and I noticed they are now selling the Canon 5D. I indicated my surprise to a sales person and jokingly asked if they had a 1Ds Mark III. Obviously, they didn't have any on hand, but they said they could special order it. I never thought Best Buy would sell this type of photo equipment, less alone stock a camera like the 5D. I don't think I'd ever buy a camera from Best Buy, but it was interesting nonetheless.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 1, 2008 at 8:42 PM
I don't think I'd ever buy a camera from Best Buy...
Why not? If they have a decent price, I wouldn't hesitate. I noticed a few months ago they had the 5D w/24-105 for a pretty good price. Not that I need another one. I just hope they carry whatever the 5D-II is when it finally makes it to market.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 1, 2008 at 8:52 PM
A friend of a friend works for Tech for Less. About a month ago they got 5Ds in for a much reduced price. Unfortunately they sold the last one by the time I heard about it. But it does sound like Canon trying to unload stock before the next release.
Posted by Steve Bunn on January 2, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Todd, my reservations have nothing to do with Best Buy itself. It's more based upon the fact that I'd have to pay local sales tax, whereas I've had good luck purchasing from B&H which doesn't charge sales tax, which is significant for these levels of cameras.
Best Buy is becoming an eclectic mix of entry level to prosumer level of gear. They bought out Magnolia Hi Fi from Seattle (where I used to live and where I bought my first home theater equipment). As a result, they carry entry level Vienna Acoustics speakers, which are outstanding for the money. While I'm planning on buying larger Vienna Acoustic speakers than they are allowed to distribute, they are a surprising place to look for better gear as well. Unfortunately for me, I'm a bit of an audiophile, so there is some competition of my finances. Fortunately, I'm smart enough to put more of the money into photography first.
Posted by Jody Grigg on January 2, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Join the Best Buy Reward club for free and you will get money back cash coupons when you buy stuff. I do! Plus they have some type of price matching that I remember too. Its normally hard to beat in my opinion for a lot of stuff.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on January 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Once advantage of purchasing more expensive camera gear at Best Buy is that you can wait for their no interest for a year promotions and not have to plop down all that money at once. I wish they'd carry the 1Ds MK3!!
Posted by Scott Parsons on January 2, 2008 at 7:56 PM
And no mention of specialty stores. How low we have fallen.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 2, 2008 at 9:04 PM
I was in a local specialty camera store last week. I had a nice talk with the salesman about all the latest gear. I mentioned to him I was planning on getting a new DSLR soon. Then I asked him the question I already knew the answer to. "So what are the chances of you guys matching prices with reputable online stores like B&H?"
His immediate response was "Sorry, but we just can't do that." So although I would like to support my local store, I just can't get myself to pay hundreds of dollars more. I am sure some people still do buy from the boutique camera stores. For now I limit those purchases to smaller items where the difference is dollars vs. hundreds.
I do have a friend who owns a boutitque sporting goods store. She will match legitmate online prices if someone asks her to.
Discussion
7 repliesWhy not? If they have a decent price, I wouldn't hesitate. I noticed a few months ago they had the 5D w/24-105 for a pretty good price. Not that I need another one. I just hope they carry whatever the 5D-II is when it finally makes it to market.
Best Buy is becoming an eclectic mix of entry level to prosumer level of gear. They bought out Magnolia Hi Fi from Seattle (where I used to live and where I bought my first home theater equipment). As a result, they carry entry level Vienna Acoustics speakers, which are outstanding for the money. While I'm planning on buying larger Vienna Acoustic speakers than they are allowed to distribute, they are a surprising place to look for better gear as well. Unfortunately for me, I'm a bit of an audiophile, so there is some competition of my finances. Fortunately, I'm smart enough to put more of the money into photography first.
His immediate response was "Sorry, but we just can't do that." So although I would like to support my local store, I just can't get myself to pay hundreds of dollars more. I am sure some people still do buy from the boutique camera stores. For now I limit those purchases to smaller items where the difference is dollars vs. hundreds.
I do have a friend who owns a boutitque sporting goods store. She will match legitmate online prices if someone asks her to.