Mr Cheap-Cameras.com or Friendly Fred's pricey local camera shop?

[Words]

Completely agree Medieval... Bought my 100-400 in my local shop yesterday (price the same as Warehouse Express, and less than was on the box). Was able to test out various bags as well while I was there and find what I needed to lug it all around. Didn't want to wait around for the full invoice with serials all nicely printed out for me, so they popped it in the post and it was here this morning. Lovely!

[Interpreter]

Originally Posted by Words

Completely agree Medieval... Bought my 100-400 in my local shop yesterday (price the same as Warehouse Express, and less than was on the box). Was able to test out various bags as well while I was there and find what I needed to lug it all around. Didn't want to wait around for the full invoice with serials all nicely printed out for me, so they popped it in the post and it was here this morning. Lovely!

And that is the sort of service you should get. It generates repeat customer sales and loyalty. With the box shifters, it all depends on who deals with your order.

[Gill Catton]

I think it also depends on the amounts involved, I'm happy to pay more for meat and veg general hardware and stuff if it supports local business, but when it comes to several hundreds such loyalty within me wears very thin!!

I think I have bought equipment through the company using focus optics a few times - I like to support them if I can, but then the extra cost doesn't come from me!!

If I was richer I'd support the physical shops as I do prefer to try before I buy and I'm rubbish at returning things in the post so having a shop I can go to if the thing breaks is a definate bonus for me

[Interpreter]

Like other people, in the past, when I have upgraded my photographic equipment, instead of part exchanging my old gear I have kept it. I have been toying with the idea of buying a 1Ds mklll, after all it is tax deductable! This time I decided to put my old kit in for part exchange. Anyway, I contacted a retailer on the internet and asked for a quote for my old equipment in part exchange for the new Canon. The equipment offered was as follows:-
One ETRS and one ETRSi with 40mm, 75mm and 250mm prime lenses, a 2 times extender, a metered prism finder, a waist level finder, two magazines and a variety of lens and body caps. There were two cased filters, a rapid wind grip and a 35mm focusing screen. There was a complete Fuji S7000, boxed with a soft case and a new soft case. A Canon 350D, almost unused with a BG-E3 grip and 2 spare batteries. The short zoom kit lens and a Sigma 70-300 APO Macro lens. All boxed and mint. To finish things off, there was a complete MS2 kit in a fitted case. The company concerned offered me £710, but would need to see the equipment before finalising the offer. They offered me the 1Ds mklll, when available, for £5999:99p, which is Canon's RSP.

Another company on the internet are offering the same camera for £600 less than the RSP and that is with no part exchange.

The moral of this story is:- Don't let your initial enthusiasm for a new camera get in the way of common sense and do not part with any equipment before trying ALL of the dealers. Once the new cameras are actually on sale, the price of last years model may come down to a bargain price.

It does make me wonder what the true value of used equipment is.

[glsammy]

I've long since regarded that all used equipment is worth nothing, that way if I do manage to sell it I'm chuffed.
One area where auctions sites have been a real asset to me is computer parts. I used to get nothing for these, but now it's different. Some people will pay way more than I'd normally expect for bits, and it's also true for camera gear.
I'm certain if you listed just part of that kit on any auction site you'd return far more than their piffling little offer.