Camera dealers vs Electronic Stores

[Liz]

I've noticed that when people return cameras, lenses, etc. to places like Best Buy and Circuit City they usually seem to get a replacement vs a repair (when they purchase the extended warranty).

I noticed the electronic stores now have the new Canon XTi and offer a 3 year extended warranty for $99. The camera stores don't have this model in yet.

My question is - do the electronic stores first try to repair the equipment first? BB used to repair cameras and had a bad reputation because the techs weren't properly trained. I doubt if they could even attempt to fix a digital. Just my opinion.

If they replace the equipment, it would IMO be worth the $99.

Liz

[Liz]

I clarified their extended warranty policy. It's $99 for 4 years beginning the date of purchase. What I'm hesitant about is the process. If you bring the camera in for repair, they first check it out in their store - and repair it there if it isn't "serious" - then they will ship it out to a "BB hired company." If they can't fix it, they will replace it.

I know of a few people who brought theirs in and got an immediate replacement. However, it depends on the store, and the manager.

If you don't buy their ext warranty, you have to pay a 15% restocking fee if you even open the box. A few years ago, I returned a p&s the day after purchase due a loose door that automatically closed over the lens. The manger determined it was not loose and wanted to charge me the 15% restocking fee. He wouldn't even listen to me. I took it to another BB - and they immediately returned my full purchase price. It's obvious it depends 100% on the manager - no questions asked.

For me personally, it might be a waste of $99, but if I got the ext warranty, I would still use Canon for the 1st year under their warranty. Then, if the camera needed repair after that I would take it to Canon (45 min away from me) for a free estimate. If it turns out to be an expensive repair, I would take it to BB to get a replacement. For a smaller repair, I would still use Canon.

My only concern about not buying the ext warranty is their restocking fee. If there is a defect, or a problem, they may decide otherwise.

I am seriously considering this camera. Selling my XT which is in like-new condition - plus the $450 from a lens I just sold would more than cover the cost.

I would like to get it now, but not sure BB is my best buy so to speak. The camera stores have no stock yet. B&H said "soon."

Any thoughts? Input?

Liz

[TenOx]

Hey Liz,

If B+H and 17photo don't have it stock now, I would consider waiting.
BB, phooey!

Seldom do they have good deals, are not renowned for standing behind
what they sell, etc. I did buy a 32" lcd there. Told them about a web-
price for $500US less than they had it for, and they MATCHED the price.
I then felt obligated to buy it. And threw in the 4 year warrantee for $150.
That was so an exceptional deal and occasion.

/..

[Liz]

Thanks.......I am leaning toward waiting. But it's tempting to get it when it's a couple of miles away.

Liz

[another view]

I probably wouldn't buy a camera at Best Buy but really haven't had a bad experience there personally. Prices are a bit on the high side and there's no advantage with product support (I probably know more about the camera then they do) but I can get it right now if I really want to.

I bought an MP3 player from them last year and it was a piece of junk. They had a 30-day no questions asked return so I took them up on it. No problems there, but you do have to be within 30 days and I'm guessing not one day over it.

[Liz]

I probably wouldn't buy a camera at Best Buy but really haven't had a bad experience there personally. Prices are a bit on the high side and there's no advantage with product support (I probably know more about the camera then they do) but I can get it right now if I really want to.

I bought an MP3 player from them last year and it was a piece of junk. They had a 30-day no questions asked return so I took them up on it. No problems there, but you do have to be within 30 days and I'm guessing not one day over it.

For digital the return policy is 14 days and it has to be defective - by their determination. Otherwise they charge a 15% restocking feel. B&H will let you return the camera and only want to know if it's defective. No restocking fee. They just want it returned in the same shape you got it - with box, papers, etc. I've never had a problem there. However, they don't know when they're getting it. There is talk about September 8th. This may be the beginning of Photokina.

Thanks for the input Steve.

Maria

[Ronnoco]

My perception of Best Buy is definitely not positive. They do not hire or even give opportunities to workers with disabilities. Their product lines are extremely limited. For example Hewlett Packard supplies all their printers. Much of their pricing is based on rebates but Staples handles rebates in a much more reliable manner for the customer than Best Buy. Some of their suppliers such as Belkin, prevent unhappy customers from returning merchandise to Best Buy, without their approval and number. Opened packages at an advertised and supposed reduced price have been run through the cashier at the regular price. Needless to say, the technical expertise of their sales staff seems somewhat limited too, in comparison with camera stores.

My experience has been, buy a camera from a camera manufacturer at a camera store with expert sales people. I have never regretted doing so.

Ronnoco

[Liz]

Yes, I'm not surprised at the information you've provided. I just know the results of my trying to find a bargain there - or even a fair price without strings attached (warranty), haven't been good. However, I also think it depends on the staff at the specific store because some people have good experiences. Our stores have a bad reputation to say the least - although it's always very crowded.

I finally purchased the camera at a reputable camera dealer, Norman Camera in Michigan. I've dealt with them before. They're quite a large dealer, but treat people like the old-fashioned Mom & Pop store.

Thanks for taking the time to provide the information.

Liz

My perception of Best Buy is definitely not positive. They do not hire or even give opportunities to workers with disabilities. Their product lines are extremely limited. For example Hewlett Packard supplies all their printers. Much of their pricing is based on rebates but Staples handles rebates in a much more reliable manner for the customer than Best Buy. Some of their suppliers such as Belkin, prevent unhappy customers from returning merchandise to Best Buy, without their approval and number. Opened packages at an advertised and supposed reduced price have been run through the cashier at the regular price. Needless to say, the technical expertise of their sales staff seems somewhat limited too, in comparison with camera stores.

My experience has been, buy a camera from a camera manufacturer at a camera store with expert sales people. I have never regretted doing so.

Ronnoco

[kornphlake]

While we're best buy bashing...

My sister worked there for a christmas season a few years ago, they gave her no training other than how to work the register. She's not really into tech gadgets or electronics so she didn't know what a lot of the products were or what they did, that's not a big deal to me. When you shop at a big store like BB you sacrifice some service for convenience, what really got to me was that if someone asked her about an item they couldn't find on the shelf she was trained to tell customers that they were out of stock of whatever item that was, which in many cases may have been the truth, but if they asked where something that is always in stock like AA batteries are her answer would have "been out of stock." I guess that loosing a sale because the customer can't find an item in the store doesn't cost the company as much as training the employees how to find items in the store.

[zrfraser]

I currently work for a office supply store (Office Depot) and work in the tech depatment. When they hired me they asked me where I wanted to work and I told them I wanted to work around computers and cameras. The manager then asked me what my experise was and if I knew the difference between this and that. Needless to say I got the job. Everyone at our store has their own little niche. Cashiers know how to do their jobs, print center knows how to do theres, tech knows how to do theres. If a tech question arises then the cashier is supposed to page the tech person to take the call or speak with the customer in the store.

However I can vouch for lack of training during the Christmas season. I have worked in retail for about 6 years now. People that get hire don as seasonal simply don't get trained. They get a crash course in how to do things, but they are supposed to lean heavily on veterans of the store. If the compant chooses to keep the employ after the holiday season, then they will recieve the formal training that is needed.

Liz, I say go to your electronics store and infomally quiz the tech guy if he knows what he is talking about. Some customers do this to me all the time, and when they realize that I know my stuff they are happier and will come back and buy from me again, just like with Norman Camera. My store is not the best place to buy DSLR's (we only have one, the XT). but for compacts we have a better selection than Circuit City or the like. Every salesman should build a rapport with everyone of his customers, and thats what I stress when I train employees. By doing this I have customers that ask for me by name, and will only deal with me.

Not all warranties are created equal. Our warranty is pretty different than others. You can purchase a Product Protection Plan from our store for a percentage of what the item costs. For a $300 P&S you will spend about $30 for a plan. However, if something goes wrong with the camera you don't bring it back to our store. Instead you call a 1 800 number, and they send you an overnight box, with packing supplies, and postage paid. You then overnight it to a 3rd party and they will look at it. They will then call you that day and say that they won't be able to fix it. So it turn they send you a gift card for our store that you can buy another camera with, and it doesn't have to be the one you sent in. So this plan is more like an upgrade plan. After 2 years you send the camera back in get your $300 and buy a better camera.

Sorry for the long post, just thought this might help you with your decsion.

Z