Buying from an Online Store
The Internet makes it easy to compare prices at a variety of stores. A number of sites can show you a range of prices for a particular camera — but buyer beware. A low price is not the only reason for buying from one store over another. Check the reputation of the dealer by searching the Internet. You can do this by looking up the name of the company in newsgroups by searching for “[company name] complaints,” for example.
Manufacturers often designate various reputable stores as authorized dealers or sellers. These stores must meet the highest standards of the industry. It is generally a good idea to buy from an authorized dealer even if it costs a bit more. A quick search for “digital camera [brand name] authorized dealer” should bring up a number of such sellers on the Internet. However, always double check at their Web site that they are, in fact, authorized sellers.
Never buy from a company that only has a Web site and an e-mail address. These stores can be quite unreliable. Make sure the store has a phone number and a physical address, not just a post office box. Be sure to call before placing an order and make sure that a salesperson at the store answers, not an answering service.
Electronic stores have gotten a bad reputation in the past for being less than honest about the merchandise they offer. Make sure the item will be shipped in a sealed box exactly as it came from the manufacturer.
Order over the phone if an item is expensive or urgent. With an online order no one is accountable if there is a glitch. When you make a phone order, you can get the name of the salesperson, verify that the item is in stock, and ask about the return policy.
After making sure that you are buying from an authorized dealer and that the store has a good reputation, there is still more work to do. A listed low price should only be the start of your search for the best deal. Shipping and handling can add considerably to the cost. Handling is a vague category that retailers use to tack on an extra charge. Bear in mind that if you have to return the item, shipping and handling generally will not be refunded.
Also, some stores that have very low prices may not have the item in stock. There are horror stories on the Internet of buyers who paid for a camera but then had to wait weeks before it was delivered.
If you are in a hurry, some stores will ship via overnight or two-day air for the same price as ground shipping. Fast low-cost shipping could be another consideration in your decision of which store to buy from. Always check the handling price in addition to shipping. Some retailers charge almost nothing for handling while others charge a lot.
An online dealer may not be the best choice with all the potential problems, delays in delivery, and additional shipping costs plus return-problem headaches. Perhaps the best reason for using an Internet seller is that it gives you the option of buying a camera you cannot find locally. Virtually any camera that is available for sale can be found on the Internet, along with cameras that are no longer being made.
