Is Broadway photo full of @#*%

[Guest]

I went to Broadway Photo's website to verify the very low prices mentioned in their ad in DV Magazine. The magazine ad clearly shows a Canon XL2 brand new for $3699. Their web site shows their price as $3995 for the same camera. Are these guys reputable or are they full of shit?

In the fine print of the magazine ad it says" All our merchandise is brand new and factory fresh." And that all items are covered by USA, International or Broadway Photo warranty.

Can they be trusted?

[MattC]

No

[Edit: ok that was too brief. I haven't had the best experiences with them nor have others that I know. Based on the disclaimer you posted, the price and my knowledge of what they've done in the past, I would assume that they are selling you a grey market camera and providing their own warranty. If you're comfortable with that, then I guess you're fine. But I wouldn't want to be you if there was a problem with the camera.]

[nullphonic]

There are more ratings around like this...

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1995.html

Their ratings are generally not good.

[dakotapod]

Broadway is one of (if not THE) worst on the planet. Maybe the universe

[Guest]

Wow,

According to that link, on a scale of 1 to 10 they're a .07

That has got to be the lowest rating a store has ever received in the history of retail. Thanks for the tip. I knew there had to be something up with these guys.

[Thinketernity]

My suggestion is buy from an authorized dealer.

[TC]

I'll second eternity's suggestion. When spending that much money on a camera, it's best to go with an authorized dealer. Actually it's always best to go with an authorized dealer, but I digress...

[Benny1414]

Is Beach Camera an authorized retailer? They seem to rate very highly based on reviews, but how can you tell who is an authorized Panasonic dealer? Would anyone recommend them?

[Barry_Green]

Beach is not an authorized reseller. They make it hard to verify because they hide their zipcode, but once you find it and verify it on the Panasonic website you can tell that no, they're not authorized.

[Benny1414]

What are the advantages of an authorized dealer? Is the warrenty only valid if purchased from one? Or is it simply running the risk of not getting the exact camera you ordered (bait and switch type stuff)? Because Beach has tons of good feedback from all different products. Could these be forged reviews?

[Neil Rowe]

..do yourself a favor and just buy from an authorized reseller. one of the perks is getting the magic bullet movie looks software with your purchase. of course you should also get full panasonic support, and reliable service and warranty work, and peace of mind.

[Barry_Green]

All what IAL said. When you buy from an authorized dealer, you get the actual product you expect, with a full manufacturer's warranty and everything that comes in the box.

If you buy from a non-authorized reseller, it's not really any different than buying something off some guy from the back of a van in a parking lot somewhere. You may or may not get what you expect, it may or may not include everything in the box, it may be used or a customer-returned unit, it may not even be a US model of the camera, it might be imported from Malaysia or Korea or somewhere else. It probably won't have a warranty, it definitely won't have direct manufacturer support...

The only people who can buy cameras directly from Panasonic are authorized dealers. Everyone else (like Beach, buydig, profeel, etc) have to get their cameras somewhere else... either from importing from another country, or buying under-the-table from an authorized dealer who's willing to violate his contract, etc.

As for Beach's reviews being forged, I doubt that. Buydig and Beach both have pretty good reputations, even though they're not authorized dealers, so I'm sure they're good stores with good customer support... they just haven't entered into a dealer contract with Panasonic (for whatever reason).

[vamshi]

hi everybody

well well authorized dealers cheat with high prices, while unauthorized dealers with risk

viewing this where to buy...canon xl2

authorized dealers .....charge 4999/-
unauthorized dealers ....charge 3000/-

difference is 2000/-

in my view unauthorized dealers are best.
since if anything goes wrong...you can pay 1000/- more and get a new camera again....

a poor suggestion regarding authorized dealers and unauthorized dealers...

equation

unauthorized dealers / authorized = customers(looser)
supporters + customers = authorized dealers(gainers)

all the blames to canon.....coz they have given chance to choose the price by the authorised dealers... well this camera is not for inde film makers...its for dependent film makers.

no fireworks please....

vamshi

[dakotapod]

Just having a price on a web page saying you can get something for a ridiculously low price does not mean you will get it. The mark up on this stuff is not so high you can play with the price by 2 grand. People want to believe what they see sooooo bad they wont use common sense. I would LOVE to go grab a pair of DVXs for 4 grand - (seriously - I want to!) Doesn't mean I can. :'(

AT BEST you will be forced to buy 80 bucks worth of useless accessories for $1500 >:(

In a few hours I could make a web page that looks official and real selling a DVX400c for $2200 - and I would get orders - :-[

I'm sorry - Nobody, never, not even once, nor will they ever, pick up a new XL2 for $3000.00 - Period :(

[david_kuznicki]

**authorized dealers .....charge 4999/-
unauthorized dealers ....charge 3000/-

difference is 2000/-

in my view unauthorized dealers are best.**

Good luck. If you actually believe that these places can sell cameras at those prices and make any sort of profit, then I encourage you to go for it. Let's be honest here-- I'm not betting that either B&H or EVS jacks up the cost by 2 grand over wholesale.

When you're done fighting with the company because the camera is either damaged, grey market or 'out of stock,' and you're done fighting with your credit card company to stop the transaction, and you're done praying that nothing goes wrong with the camera (because you'll be paying out of pocket for it), let me know.

I'll pat you on the back at that point & congratulate you for the fine deal that you got.

Do people ever learn?

David.

[vamshi]

hi david,

Alright, what the hell authorized dealers are doing? increasing the price. yes i tell you one example when canon showed the camocorder in expo. they revealed the price as 4999/- i accept it, while your authorized dealers made their price as 6400/- , 5500/- etc., what is it ? its not a cheat boss.? talk reality, if you are really want to help the people who wants to buy canon.. encourage to buy it for less.
Justify why authorized dealers are increasing the price. One more example in asia the ntsc xl2 sells for 4200 us $ while here it sells for 4999/- to 4600/- .. if you have money go and spend it with " AUTHORIZED DEALERS" . got it ..dont encourage authorized dealers to rip of your pockets.

i know so many people are going to get angry on my decesions. well that is my nature....exactly opposite is your nature.

cheers david

vamshi

[dakotapod]

vamshi -You're killing me! :P

Nobody says you have to pay more for a camera then you can get it for. ::)

We are saying YOU WONT GET IT at those prices. - the deals you keep quoting are not real.

With all due respect... How many times a week to you get suckered in? Why so stubborn ???

[vamshi]

hi dakota..
you called me stubborn. " ITS SHOWS YOUR PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER" well about sucking thing...well i am happy somebody is sucking me. Dont challenge me i brought the CANON XL2 FOR 4050/- DOLLARS. if you want it ill help you to buy , where to buy...

I DONT PERSONALLY ENCOURAGE NO BODY WHO WANTS CANON XL2 TO SPEND MORE THAN 4000/- DOLLARS.


thanx

[dakotapod]

Nice! - Good luck with your new camera - This just got old :P

[TC]

Nice! - Good luck with your new camera - This just got old *:P
;D

[dvpixl]

if broadway is such a shady place then why the hell is it on every page of reputable magazines such as DV and other places?

who do they pay to do that?

[TC]

If you've got the cash, you can take out an ad in damn near any magazine.

[david_kuznicki]

hi dakota..
you called me *stubborn. *" ITS SHOWS YOUR PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER" well about sucking thing...well i am happy somebody is sucking me.

Whatever that means...

To be honest with you, it makes absolutely no difference to myself, or anyone on this board where you choose to buy your camera from.

Just trying to be helpful. If you don't like the answers, don't ask.

Enjoy the camera. Let us know when/if it arrives.

David.

[Benny1414]

This thread has gotten out of control. Since I am the one who originally asked about authorized vs. unauthorized dealers, I wanted to thank everyone for their input. I have decided to go with EVS (thanks to David for mentioning them, they seemed to be the cheapest authorized dealer by far). They are authorized for Panasonics and only $200 more than Beach, which is where I had been looking. Seems worth the 200$ to avoid the uncertainty. I do have a follow up question about tripods, but I will post it in a new thread to keep this one on topic. Again, thanks all.

[hillcity]

When I was considering the XL2, i called broadway, and they also admitted after much pulling of teeth, that their price was for the BODY ONLY...The guy was really cocky too...I had every suspicion that it was grey market.

[nullphonic]

Hey Benny1414, don't forget to mention the DVXUser.com discount with EVS (I think it's like $100.00 or so)

[david_kuznicki]

Yup... talk to Rush over there. He's an exceptionally nice guy & will give you a great deal!

As I've said in other threads-- EVS is the only reason I don't go through B&H any longer. They are THAT good!

David.