Best place to buy camera accessories

spillway · 02-16-2007, 11:34 AM

I was just doing a little lunchtime shopping. I went to Amazon.com and put four small things
in my basket (polorizing and UV lens protecor, wireless remote, and a couple NP-400 batteries).
The shipping came to almost 26 dollars! The problem is that Amazon didn't
carry any of trhe stuff. Some came from Andromda, something was from Shutterbug,
and something else was from another place.

I picked standard shipping for everything, but an 80 dollar order should not
cost 25 dollars to ship.

I went to B&H Photo, but each item was a few dollars more, so it washed away any
shipping savings.

Where do you go for camera accessories? I have not had a very good experience with
my local camera store.

Thanks for any advice.

*jfdavis58* · 02-16-2007, 12:54 PM

Amazon is a network of stores and warehouses; oh, the stories I could tell! Shipping is a nightmare! A lot of Amazon photo items come from Adorama. Adorama is generally a good company-they will occasionally call a customer and pitch a hard sell, then declare an item out-of-stock if the customer balks at up sizing the original order. Returns run the gamut of good to bad.

I got my NP-400 batteries from B&H, same with the wireless remote. The filters might be better priced at Filter Connection.

B&H almost always has the good price but where they excel is in the process. They have it if you see it, you get it if you order and pay and it's delivered as requested. Returns, when necessary are almost as easy. They don't call you and pitch a hard sell, they don't split an order unless it's impossible to fill from their main location. They are extremely efficient.

The Filter Connection is more of a mom and pop operation, but very professional. Oddly, their stock is under constant turnover, so items are new, new , new. They have honored a sale price on an upgraded item a couple of time. Later their site showed the upgraded item costing more than the item originally ordered.

racinsince55 · 02-16-2007, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by spillway

I was just doing a little lunchtime shopping. I went to Amazon.com and put four small things
in my basket (polorizing and UV lens protecor, wireless remote, and a couple NP-400 batteries).
The shipping came to almost 26 dollars! The problem is that Amazon didn't
carry any of trhe stuff. Some came from Andromda, something was from Shutterbug,
and something else was from another place.

I picked standard shipping for everything, but an 80 dollar order should not
cost 25 dollars to ship.

I went to B&H Photo, but each item was a few dollars more, so it washed away any
shipping savings.

Where do you go for camera accessories? I have not had a very good experience with
my local camera store.

Thanks for any advice.

Beach Camera if often less expensive than B & H and I've had good service from them.

However, most everything I purchase comes from B & H. If their website says it's in stock, it is. This is not true with some of the other mail order houses. Plus, B & H Carries the most complete and diverse selection of accessories.

Conclusion: Buy from B & H.

**-=JoN=-** · 02-16-2007, 06:54 PM

pay a little extra and get from a trusted source. b and h, adorama, calumet and the like will be of better service, thats where the extra cost go.

just read some of the horror stories from places taht might be cheaper. you might end up losing your money....

*roy* · 02-17-2007, 07:31 PM

i go here for filters and such. i highly recommend them.
CameraGear.com - Official Site

spillway · 02-20-2007, 03:58 PM

Thanks, I will give B&H a try. It just bugged me that I was payoing about
$5 shipping per item from Amazon.

Rolly · 02-20-2007, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by spillway

Thanks,........It just bugged me that I was payoing about
$5 shipping per item from Amazon.

That's one of the ways they make their money.

gorfmai · 02-22-2007, 01:27 PM

If you're going to go with mail order, go with B&H. They're the best, and they're on the level. If it's something you have lots of questions about, or need a demo, go to your local camera store, the added cost you may pay will be worth being able to pick thier brains...

mysterick · 03-05-2007, 08:14 PM

B&H is very good on the phone answering questions.

*WMBP* · 03-05-2007, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by spillway

I went to Amazon.com and put four small things in my basket (polorizing and UV lens protecor, wireless remote, and a couple NP-400 batteries). The shipping came to almost 26 dollars! The problem is that Amazon didn't carry any of trhe stuff. .... Where do you go for camera accessories? I have not had a very good experience with my local camera store.

I have not had many bad experiences with Amazon. Not sure how I got this status, but I'm a "prime" member. I may have paid $25 or something for that. I usually get second day shipping for free, overnight for a very small fee ($3). I often buy from Amazon rather than B&H or Adorama because the shipping is cheaper for me. But B&H and Adorama are very good, too.

I stop into our local Wolf Camera store fairly frequently, but they simply carry so much less merchandise, that I don't buy there as often as I would.

I am interested in the lowest REASONABLE price. I generally stick to the most respected online merchants even if they're price is a few dollars more than somebody else's.

Will

spillway · 03-07-2007, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by WMBP

I have not had many bad experiences with Amazon. Not sure how I got this status, but I'm a "prime" member. I may have paid $25 or something for that. I usually get second day shipping for free, overnight for a very small fee ($3). I often buy from Amazon rather than B&H or Adorama because the shipping is cheaper for me. But B&H and Adorama are very good, too.

I stop into our local Wolf Camera store fairly frequently, but they simply carry so much less merchandise, that I don't buy there as often as I would.

I am interested in the lowest REASONABLE price. I generally stick to the most respected online merchants even if they're price is a few dollars more than somebody else's.

Will

Hi Will,

I'm a Prime Amazon member also, but every photo accessory that I wanted came up 'Item not eligible for Amazon Prime' because it actually ships from
47 St Photo, or Adorama, or J&R, etc. They each get a shipping fee. So,
my four or five inexpensive items came with a whopping shipping fee.

*WMBP* · 03-07-2007, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by spillway

Hi Will,

I'm a Prime Amazon member also, but every photo accessory that I wanted came up 'Item not eligible for Amazon Prime' because it actually ships from
47 St Photo, or Adorama, or J&R, etc. They each get a shipping fee. So,
my four or five inexpensive items came with a whopping shipping fee.

Ah, that's true. Generally speaking, the items I've purchased from Amazon (cameras, lenses, filters, bags, etc.) have all come directly from Amazon's own inventory and thus qualified for the free or cheap shipping. If Amazon says it's coming from Adorama or whoever, I go there and order from them directly. Guess we're in agreement, then.

Will