Where did you buy

Strobe Media

Strobe Media

Well-known member
I'm going to be purchasing my 7D this week when paypal decides to stop being Nazi's and release the money from my HMC150 sale.

As of right now I'm torn between B&H, or an ebay seller from Brooklyn I've heard many people say they've bought from with no problems, and for $200 cheaper than B&H.
 
only reason I'm hesitant to buy from Best Buy is, to my knowledge, they only sell it as a kit and i have no use for the kit lens, or the 6% sales tax in Pennsylvania.
 
i can't seem to find one anywhere within 2 states of PA from someone asking less than what it is brand new...
 
i got my 7D body kit from ebay. Authorized dealer of course. extra batt ,2 memory cards,canon backpack, and some other acces. for the same price b&h charge just for the body
 
I did extensive research on the Brooklyn sellers on ebay, and the reason they're able to sell at a reduced rate is that they're what is called a "gray-market" camera. Essentially, that means that it's the same camera that's built for a different area (different country/region). The camera is pretty much the same - perhaps some moderately lesser build quality. BUT (and here's the catch) the warranty on the camera is only honored in the region which it was created for.

So, if you buy from the Brooklyn seller - and the camera is a gray market camera intended for Hong Kong use - it has to be sent back to Hong Kong or that region for repair. And it's not easy tracking down that information through the sellers.

I ended up going with B&H just for the peace of mind. Google 'gray market cameras.' There are a few videos and articles explaining how it works. Go with whichever you want, but that's how they sell them for such reduced rates.
 
stcraw4d said:
I ended up going with B&H just for the peace of mind. Google 'gray market cameras.' There are a few videos and articles explaining how it works. Go with whichever you want, but that's how they sell them for such reduced rates.
Click to expand...

Ironically, B&H does sell gray market products at lower prices, though not cameras yet. The difference with B&H is that items needing repair are sent to them.
 
I am actually planning on putting my 7d and all the gear I bought up for sell tomorrow as I have not used it at all yet and it's been sitting in the box. What is a fair price for the body? I figured for a cam that's been out for 5 months I was planning on asking 1600, as a kit around 1850ish, factor in tax and you are saving around 200. I also selling a 580 ex ii, 430 ex ii, both brand new, 580 has the stoffen attachment, a 50mm 1.8 and the 10-22 efs canon wide lens. I though i would start making short movies and doing photography but my interests have changed and I need to get rid of it all asap.
 
Last edited:
Jordan_Sopinsky said:
Ironically, B&H does sell gray market products at lower prices, though not cameras yet. The difference with B&H is that items needing repair are sent to them.
Click to expand...

I guess that would simplify the return/repair process if you at least know where to send it. Warranties aside, I'm not sure exactly how the products differ in regards to build/quality/etc.
 
stcraw4d said:
I guess that would simplify the return/repair process if you at least know where to send it. Warranties aside, I'm not sure exactly how the products differ in regards to build/quality/etc.
Click to expand...

No difference in build quality as far as I know. I bought a grey market DVX in 05 and my AD still uses it every day.
 
I second Cameta they have good prices on kits or just the body and they are an authorized dealer. They also have a physical store which always gives me extra peace of mind.
 
I got mine from Amazon. I've had two camera with minor issues, and they've sent me two new 7D's over night, without me even sending my defective one back first.

Since im in California, I paid no tax, and got free shipping.
 
It is my understanding that "grey market" merchadise is cheaper because the national or regional distributor has been cut out of the supply chain. This eliminates one of the distributors major costs - national advertising. There is no difference in product quality levels.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top