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How to Find Cheap Digital Cameras on the Internet
How to Find Cheap Digital Cameras on the Internet
The internet has become the best source for merchandise discounts. Electronics have always done well in online sales and digital cameras are no exception. The widest selection of digital cameras at the best prices can be found online. When first searching for an online store, a person can be overwhelmed and not sure which store to choose. The most reliable and trustworthy online digital camera stores will meet this set of criteria:
- The company website is professional – stay away from disorganized websites with misspelled words.
- The website discloses full contact information – a physical address, phone number, and email address.
- The company is listed with the Better Business Bureau – preferably with an “A” rating.
- An agreeable return policy is provided in writing.
- Legitimate third-party reviewers (Consumer Reports, PC Magazine, etc.) provide positive reviews of the company
It is difficult to go wrong with any company meeting all of the above standards. To help take the guesswork out of it, here are a few of the top online digital camera stores:
Although Amazon is not strictly a camera retailer, they are considered the number one e-commerce site today. Amazon is best used by customers who have a strong idea of their digital camera needs and are trying to narrow down the choices and get the best price. Amazon’s customer reviews are unbiased and provide a full spectrum of pros and cons for each item. Some pictures may be lacking in quality, but item descriptions are the best online with many products featuring a manufacturer’s description complemented by an Amazon description.
Amazon.com was started in 1995 and is based in Seattle, WA. They are a Fortune 500 company with continued prospects well into the future. Customer service is second-to-none but buyers must be aware that Amazon also offers a platform for other sellers that is combined with their own sales. Customers should be aware of whom they are buying products from and that it is not always from Amazon but sometimes from their partners.
Ritz Camera is a recognized leader in camera specialty stores. They operate both brick & mortar and online stores, providing quality products and superior customer service. Ritz Camera employees are knowledgeable about all things camera related, whether they be digital or conventional film cameras. The company offers weekly deals and everyday low prices. They also sell other optical equipment such as binoculars and all electronic peripherals for digital cameras, including printers, memory cards, lenses, and storage solutions.
Ritz Camera Online is owned by Ritz Interactive, a company based in Irvine, CA that was established to handle the online operations of the Ritz name. Advantages of shopping with Ritz Camera are:
- No sales tax.
- Free shipping – ground shipping on orders of $100 or more.
- Guaranteed low price –competitors prices are matched or beaten.
- International shipping.
- Convenient return and exchange policy.
Wolf Camera is also owned by Ritz Interactive. An online merger brought together the Ritz and Wolf companies but they kept their distinct brand images alive. Wolf Camera offers all the same deals as Ritz Camera so it doesn’t matter which one you use, orders are all going to the same central warehouse and headquarters in Irvine, CA.
Norman Camera has been in business since 1957 in Kalamazoo, MI, providing the Midwest with expert photography advice and quality products. They are an authorized dealer for several major camera brands, including Canon, Epson, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, and Panasonic. Norman Camera takes pride in holding onto a small-town philosophy even as they have expanded online to reach customers throughout the U.S.
Although Norman Camera does not offer the best prices on the internet, they make up for it with their customer service and can be recommended for beginners and budding enthusiasts. You can meet each employee virtually on the website so you always have an idea with whom you are speaking. Customer Service is available Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Eastern Time.
Newegg.com is primarily a computer hardware retailer but they deal with electronics of all sorts, including digital cameras. Newegg has the lowest prices on the internet on many products, beating even Amazon. Newegg also ranks right up with Amazon on product descriptions and reviews. Newegg customers are adamant about sharing their experiences to help those who come after them. Digital camera and camcorder products are available in all price ranges and from a variety of brands.
Newegg is among the largest e-commerce companies in the world. They sell over 33,000 different products out of 1 million square feet of warehouse space. Their customer service is ready to help experts and beginners alike with product choice and other needs. Since 2001, Newegg has won several awards for their website and have earned over 12 million registered customers.
Choosing a Digital Camera
Online digital camera shopping does not end with choosing a retailer. The big decision is yet to come: choosing a camera. To make sure you are getting what you need it is best to first talk to friends and family. After that, talk to experts and store employees. Think about how the camera will be used: what types of pictures will be taken and where. Next, think about what size and type of prints will be made from the digital images, if any at all. Set a strict budget and, if possible, test a few at a regular store before committing to buy online.
This entry was posted on Sunday, May 30th, 2010 at 11:21 am and is filed under Cameras. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.