From: murad@eng.umd.edu (Ahsun Humayun Murad)
Subject: Experiences with some mail order companies
Originator: murad@filter.eng.umd.edu
Organization: College of Engineering, Maryversity von Uniland, College Park
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 09:21:51 GMT


Considering the amount of useful information I have gained by being a
passive reader, I thought I might contribute something...

In the last couple of years, I have had varying experiences with mail-order
companies. Here are some of them:

B&H: I recently bought a Slik M322 tripod from these guys, and I was quite
happy with the transaction. Correct me if I am wrong, but they seem to be the
biggest mail order photo/video equipment store, and quite well managed too.
I got the tripod even sooner than they told me it. Their phone lines are
frequently busy, so you may have to keep trying a few times (and this is
what prevented me from ordering from them before), but I thought it was worth
it. The thing I liked most about it was that the salesman wasn't pushy, and
did not try any --- Hey, I have this wonderful deal...You will also need this,
Buy this...etc. And finally, I thought their shipping and handling charges were
quite reasonable (13$ less for the M322, compared to Adorama.)

Adorama: I have bought stuff from them twice. The first time, I got a N8008s
and a Sigma lens for a friend. The salesman kept trying to convince me that I
need this, or that. However, I got the camera promptly, and I think that
experience was quite good. The next time, however, I ordered the above tripod.
They said I would get it in 5-7 days, but after waiting for over two weeks, I
called them again only to find out they did not have it in stock. Having lost
my old tripod recently, I was in dire need for the tripod, so I finally
cancelled the order, and reordered with B&H. The other thing that got me
was that they had already charged my credit card, even though I had specifically
asked, and been told that they charged the credit card at shipping. I will
personally try to avoid using Adorama in the future, though not at the cost of
too many dollars.

Vienna Camera Store: Since this store is located in the area, I end up going 
there quite often. I frequently buy small accessories from them from time to
time, and I did buy a Nikkor lens from them a year ago. Some of you will
remember that this store had become a favorite about a year and a half back.
The main reasons were that they had a very-very (note the superlative) helpful
staff, and that their prices were excellent. They also know about this network,
so they will try to be extra nice if you tell them you know too. Though I still
find their service excellent, they have increased their prices a couple of times
since, and now most prices are not quite competitive. Besides, they are smallish,
(compared to B&H or Adorama) and so only carry the most saleable stuff. I think
this is the best 35mm photo equipment store in the DC area.

Camera World of Oregon: I bought a Nikkor lens, and a SB24 from them a year and
a half back. The salesman was very polite, and though at the time, I was very
inexperienced, I did not get conned. However, they took over 4 wks. before they
shipped the stuff, and then only the lens. I had to wait another week before I
got my flash. A friend had a similar experience, and I remember reading something
similar here some time back. My opinion, they may not swindle you, but they do
tend to be sloppy.

Giftime: I guess I was a god-sent for them. Green and all, I was just trying to
start out in photography, a couple of years back. I didn't even know about
gray-market merchandice, and I must say, I was partly at fault. (I wouldn't have
ordered from there otherwise, would I?) Anyway, I was trying to buy a N8008,
and their price was $20 lower than any other place. After I was securely in the
noose  (having given them my credit card no. and all), the guy popped me this
thing about warranty. (I had of course assumed it would be the standard 1yr that
Nikon has.) Very soon he convinced me that without the warranty, he could just
about send me the outer shell of the camera, and I couldn't do a thing.
Naturally, I asked to cancel the order, and naturally, he refused. I ended up
buying a N8008 with the USA warranty for not much less that getting it at a Ritz.
And then he wanted me to be grateful for his even having told me about this
gray-market business.

Hope this helps.

Ahsun Murad

By the way, I am very happy with the Slik M322. At $106 (B&H), I think it is a
very good deal. It is quite sturdy, and comes with a good pan-tilt head. It
adjusts to under 1 ft high for close to ground work, (this is one main reason
for my choice), and at full extension, reaches comfortably to my eye-level. (I'm
5-11.) It does not come with a quich release plate, which can be a pain sometimes.
(I will probably have a tough time in winter, trying to unscrew the nut with
numb fingers.)
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