Get the best deal on a digitial camera!

Digital Camera Prices – How to REALLY Get the Ideal Deal \n

When dealing with digital camera prices, avoid your natural tendency of \’buy low, sell high.\’ What do we mean? \n

Lets say youre interested in purchasing a Canon digital SLR. Once youre sure you have identified your best camera, you search the internet and photography magazines for the best price. In this example, the \’retail\’ price for the Canon body is $700 (remember – SLRs are only the camera body, which can be mated to a variety of individually bought lenses). \n

After checking a variety of sources for discounted digital camera prices, you determine the best prices for this specific Canon digital SLR runs between $570-$590. What do you do? \n

I buy it from the place selling it for $570, of course! \n

Not so fast. If you have only purchased from traditional retail outlets, you need to familiarize yourself with some on-line buying strategies… \n

* Shipping prices vary significantly depending upon who you purchase it from. \n

* Tax may or might not be charged. \n

* Therefore, when purchasing ANYTHING on the web (i.e., from a non-retail outlet), only consider the entire cost of digital camera + tax + shipping. \n

* So, lets reevaluate the first point again. The Canon digital SLR body alone may range between $570-$590, but when figuring out true digital camera prices, use the formula above. \n

Now, we discover that the real total cost for your Canon (Nikon, Fuji, or whatever) ranges between $587 – $629. Now, were getting somewhere. \n

* Do you run out and order from the $587 place? If you say \’yes,\’ youve made a rookie internet purchasing mistake. \n

I know, I know. Youre chomping at the bit. You know what you want, you found the \’best\’ price (you think), you\’ve your credit card in hand… why shouldnt you buy now? Because youre using \’retail store\’ mentality to buy on the web. \n

When looking for the best digital camera prices on the internet, there are new considerations that only experience (or, http://best-family-photography-tips.com/) can teach you. Here are the most important points: \n

* Is the Canon in stock? There\’s often a mysterious correlation between the cheapest prices and product unavailability. You dont want to order your digital camera and then have it sit on backorder for 6 weeks, do you? \n

* Does your Nikon come with a USA warranty or is it whats called \’grey goods?\’ You want to verify its a USA warranty, unless you dont mind having to service it internationally. \n

* What is the customer service level of the seller? You can find out by checking up on them before you buy at http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_summary.php/form_keyword=/sort=1/form_keyword2=/. Personally, I wont buy from anyone who doesnt have at least a 4 out of 5 star rating AND plenty of history. \n

* The last \’test\’ I use before purchasing at the best total digital camera prices is my gut. I\’ve walked away from deals after speaking with certain order entry people. Lets face it, if youre older than 25, you start to develop of sense of who NOT TO BELIEVE when they say \’trust me.\’ \n

* Finally, always order with a credit card because if something goes wrong, the credit card company can be your greatest friend. \n

OK. Youve done it! Youre about to congratulate yourself on uncovering the best digital camera prices, from the ideal vendor, with great delivery, etc. Theres just one more thing to be aware of… \n

The Insidious \’Package Deal\’ Sales Technique \n

Heres how this approach goes. Using the same example figures above for our wonderful Canon digital SLR, you found a vendor who is willing to sell you the Canon body + tax + shipping for the fantastic price of $515 (remember, the true range you had previously determined was $587 – $629). \n

In the land of ideal digital camera prices, this is known as \’winning the lotto.\’ So, what do you do? You jump on it of course! But, heres how the end of this telephone order typically goes… \n

(Seller) Congratulations. You just got a great deal. And, would you believe that we have a super-saver package on this Canon which includes the EF 28-200mm lens for an unbelievable package price of $1,000. (That puts the cost of this lens at $485, when you can buy it anywhere for $360, but you dont know that. Maybe thats what they meant by \’unbelievable.\’) \n

(You) Well, I already have 6 lenses, so I dont need anymore. \n

(Seller) No problem. You do know how these new digital SLRs eat up memory. We\’ve a 2GB memory card that we currently have a promotion on. Its normally $460 (really $220) that theyre allowing us to sell for only $375 with the purchase of a camera. \n

(You) [Since you do know youll need memory, and havent had time yet to see what a good price for accessories of digital camera prices are, you might agree. Instead, however, you let the seller know that youre holding off on memory right now.] \n

(Seller) [Knowing its his last chance...] Ok, then. Lets just pick out a solid camera bag so at least your camera will be secure. (His point is valid, but what hes going to try to sell you is a $120 camera bag that you can buy anywhere for $49.95.) \n

(You) I already have 3 bags, so Ill pass. How soon can I anticipate delivery on my Canon? \n

(Seller) Let me check the computer. Oh, I cant believe this… while we were on the phone, the last 3 Canons were sold, so we dont have any more. But, Ill be happy to take your order and ship yours as soon as it comes in (read as \’never\’). \n

Of course, the actual phone conversation may be slightly different, substituting extended warranties and batteries for camera bag and memory, but you get the picture. \n

Bottom line, when looking for the best digital camera prices, consider all the costs and buy from someone you can trust. \n

Article courtesy of http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com, where you can learn numerous additional photography tips. \n

Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.
\n\nDigital Camera