You have been reading about the release of your prized DSLR in photography magazines and web sites for months. Now that it is finally available, how can you make sure you are getting the best deal online? Follow these simple suggestions, and you will be snapping pictures of your friends and family in the click of a shutter:
Go Gray
If you can stomach the extra risk (like not having warrantee coverage in your country) then you can save a significant amount of money by purchasing a gray market camera. Typically, these cameras are manufactured in Asia, and were not intended for direct retail sale in Europe or the U. S. Of course, the less expensive the purchase, the less risk you will be taking if the camera needs repair or fails completely.
You may have to read the fine print to learn that a camera is gray market. The key words are “new in box” or NIB combined with no warrantee or “as is”.
Caution When Handling
There was a time when many eBay sellers made the bulk of their profit with shipping and handling fees. Although this has been greatly reduced, make sure that when you find the best price for your camera, these fees do not place the total price back out of competition.
Does it Have to Be New?
I know that there is nothing like the thrill of opening a new box. But if you want to save 10% or more versus the competition, consider purchasing a reconditioned or “open box” camera. Typically, the camera is perfect, but the photographer did not like the results or operation. The camera will work like new, and comes with the same warrantee as the factory-fresh unit.
You Don’t Even Have to Clip
With a little research, you may be able to do even better than the lowest online camera price. By using Amazon coupons or free shipping codes, you can often save more by buying through Amazon.com than identical cameras found at specialty camera shops or online sites of major retailers. And you will not lose these coupons on the way to the store!
When you put these simple suggestions to use, you will have a picture-perfect camera deal in the bag.
