Online Retailers

[Pookie007]

Has anyone ever used an online reseller to purchase a plasma display? The model I want is not available at my local stores and the up charge to special order is outrageous.

[Blindamood]

Not plasma, but I did buy a 32" lcd via an online retailer (6th Ave. Electronics). No problems whatsoever. Got a much better price than buying locally, for sure.

[Eric_C]

I've thought about doing it several times but the local BB will match whatever price I bring them.

Check around and see if someone will match the price. If you find a smart retailer they'd rather make something than nothing.

[aud19]

Yeah I don't like buying electronics online unless it's a VERY reputable web site...much easier to deal with a local store if there's any problems IMO

[Brandon B]

I used TVAuthoriy to buy a HDILA TV, but they are local in L.A> so I had the option of driving the unit back if there were issues.

BB

[David Meek]

Also, make sure that the manufacturer recognizes the online dealer, or if they even allow online sales. If not, it's a gray-market item and your warranty will be void. Been there, done that (through a "group buy" on another forum several years back) and in the long run it was a VERY bad decision.

[Chris D]

Yup, that's pretty key.

[Blindamood]

Also, make sure that the manufacturer recognizes the online dealer, or if they even allow online sales.

Yup, definitely. Forgot to mention that in my post. I always check with the manufacturer to make sure the dealer is authorized prior to making a purchase.

[Lex]

There are real bad places to buy electronics, whether cameras or audio/video gear. Be very careful.

A quick tour of this site is very informative.

http://www.donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/

this post is on resellerratings.com, a few A/V ones are mixed in here-

TO ALL BUYERS BEWARE OF THESE CRIMINALS OF NEW YORK. THESE GUYS HAVE MANY WEBSITES MOST OF THEM LISTED BELOW. NEVER EVER BUY FROM THESE WEBSITES. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THESE ALL WEBSITES LISTED BELOW ARE OWNED BY ONE PERSON OR ONE FAMILY. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO HUNT MORE WEBSITES OF THESE CROOKS YOU CAN FIND ALL THEIR WEBSITES FROM WWW.STREETPRICES.COM, WWW.PRICESCAN.COM, WWW.PRICERUNNER.COM, WWW.EVERYPRICE.COM AND ETC. IF YOU GO TO WWW.PRICERUNNER.COM THEY HAVE ALREADY PUT OBSERVATION LIST FOR THESE WEBSITES WARNING THE BUYERS DO NOT BUY FROM THESE WEBSITES. THESE GUYS ALWAYS OPEN NEW WEBSITES. SOMEONE PLEASE GET A GOOD LAWYER AND SUSPEND ALL THESE WEBSITES AND THESE CRIMINALS FRAUD WILL BE BROKE FOR LONG TIME. MOST OF THESE FRAUD PUT A TESTIMONIALS ON THEIR WEBSITE BY WRITING GOOD WORDS WORDS FROM CUSTOMER HAHAHAHAHA. THEN ALL OF US MAKE A BIG PARTY TO CELEBRATE.

https://WWW.BYWAYHOTO.COM

WWW.REGALPHOTO.COM
WWW.INFINITIPHOTO.COM,
WWW.JANDKCAMERAS.COM,
WWW.EXPRESSCAMERAS.COM,
WWW.ROYALCAMERAS.COM,
WWW.CCICAMERACITY.COM,
WWW.GENIUSCAMERAS.COM,
WWW.THECAMERAPROS.COM, ----
WWW.PREFERREDPHOTO.COM,
WWW.RADIOACTIVEDEALS.COM,
WWW.PRICERITEPHOTO.COM,
WWW.INOAX.COM,
http://store.tcscamera.com,
http://www.thecamerassource.com,
http://www.usaphotonation.com,
http://www.americanintimates.com,
http://www.expresscameras.com,
http://www.priceritephoto.com,
http://www.dealznet.com,
http://www.hypeaudio.com,
http://www.idealav.com,
http://store.yahoo.com/lgdsuperstore,
http://www.bestchoicedigital.com,

http://www.wawadigital.com

http://www.bwayphoto.com,
http://www.rainbowtronics.com,

http://www.dbuys.com

http://www.american-deals.com,
http://www.pricesrite.com

http://www.fotoconnection.com

http://www.stop4camera.com,
http://www.century21electronics.com,
http://www.mpsuperstore.com,
http://www.clickfordigital.com,
http://www.prestigecamera.com,
http://www.datavis.com,
http://www.pcrush.com,
http://www.century21electronics.com,
http://www.prestigecamera.com,

http://www.stargatephoto.com

IF ANYONE IS PLANNING TO GET A LAWYER AND HUNT DOWN THIS CRIMINALS I MADE IT EASY FOR YOU TO SUSPEND ALL THESE WEBSITES. IF YOU SUSPEND ALL THESE WEBSITES THESE GUYS WILL BE TRAPPED FOR LONG TIME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION I WILL WORK WITHWHOEVER IS PLANING TO GET LAWYERS SO WE ALL TOGETHER RISE UP AGAINST THIS EVILS. IF YOU FIND MORE OF THEIR WEBSITES PLEASE SEARCH FOR ELECTORNICS OR CANON DIGITAL REBEL XT ON THESE SITES WWW.STREETPRICES.COM,, WWW.PRICESCAN.COM, WWW.EVERYPRICE.COM, WWW.PRICERUNNER.COM IT IS VERY EASY TO FIND THEIR WEBSITES. THESE CRIMINALS CONTROL MOST OF THE ELECTRONICS

[Dean McManis]

This is interesting information. Thanks.

As far as online ordering goes, I've had good luck through Buy.com, Amazon.com over the last few years. I just bought a 37" LCD display through Tigerdirect.com and it was delivered early and works fine. So I'd buy through them again.

[Pookie007]

I have been checking ratings for the online sites. I also have verified with the manufacturer site that they are a legit dealer. I have had great luck ordering my camera stuff from B&H for the past 15 years. I use to order from them prior to internet shopping. I just wanted to hear any really positive experience or negatives from doing this. From the sounds of things, if I do my homework, I shouldn't have problems. Regardless, I will use my Visa for the protection they provide.

[peterS]

pioneer lists there authorized dealers on there website

[Lex]

B & H is a very solid company. Recommended.

Adorama isn't bad, but they may not sell AV gear.

J and R is ok, www.jandr.com

I'm getting good reports on www.buydig.com (stands for buydigital) But I am not sure they own the domain buydigital.com, they may very well not, I haven't looked.

They seem pretty responsive, and like a good company so far.

But I'll be very very cautious before buying from any new company.

I had bought from a camera seller on ebay once called einsteinproducts.com. they delivered a tri-pod, I bought off ebay, but then I ordered a head from their site, and they like failed to communicate with me at all, started getting all sorts of negative feedback online, next thing you know, they were gone. I did through my own persistence get my complete order, but it was touch and go for a while there.

[Snap]

When it comes to AV gear I would not buy anything unless the following are met.

1. Authorized E-Store.
2. The item is not expensive and if I get ripped off or it breaks not to big of a loss.
3. It is a reputable Store. IE B&H Photo, Parts Plus, Crutchfield ECT.

I definatly would not buy a TV or something like that unless it was from a company that I could go into a branch and talk to some one. IE BB, CC, Sears etc.

There are just to many problems that can happen.

I know that a lot of people say, I got this a week ago and it was awesome. I save 2 million from buying it at the local AV store. 99% of the time it is 2-6 months down the road that problems rear their ugly head. Now what?

I know.... there are that 10% that is going to say... "Snap I have had my 42 inch plasma that I have had for years, off of ebay bla bla bla. But it is not the norm.

I just had to help some one out that got an HTR off of ebay. Power seller, all the stars, 99% positive feed back...... some of the features of the receiver do not work. Yammy said that it was a "Grey Market" unit and no warranty will be given!

So that is 250 down the drain.

Just use caution out there on the web. Lots of people out there trying to make a buck. I always ask myself this question as well...... If it seems to good of a deal it more than likely is.

[Lex]

I'd also use these barometers to slide scale decisions to buy local vs online.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Tend to local" ----------------"Tend to e-tail or either is ok"
-----------------------------------------------------------
HEAVIER items ---------------- lighter items Shipping heavy items is a real DRAG

MORE $$$ items---------------less $ items How much will it hurt me if they don't deliver or they deliver me a DOA piece?
Tear up more often -----------More rock solid reliable.
More moving parts -----------Less moving parts

If any 3 out of 4 of the local reasons hold true, you'd be wise to consider local. TVs for example, tend to be heavy, can cost a lot, and are sometimes known to tear up more. (dead pixels, blown bulbs, busted screens, etc...)