are these camera sites a scam? at DVinfo.net

Nils Hoover · January 9th, 2007, 10:50 PM

I am in no way advertising for these sites, but i see these low prices and i cant help but wonder if they are a scam. i know more research would be needed like calling them and that sort of thing but i cant see how the prices can be this low(i'm looking at the dvx100b in particular).

These are all sites that are advertising with yahoo and google or at least are linked indirectly from some sort of best price site.

http://www.century21electronics.com/...?prodid=352090
http://www.usaphotonation.com/produc...ne=shopcartusa
http://www.ccicameracity.com/agdvx100b.html

there are other sites which have the dvx100b for 1500-2000, but i dont see how people can afford to sell it for less than 2200 which seems to be where the majority of camera stores are selling it for (and on ebay)

Lloyd Coleman · January 9th, 2007, 11:32 PM

Check www.resellerratings.com. You can type in a store name and get ratings and feedback from customers that have used them. The stores you listed all scored below 1 in a 1-10 rating system. Sponsors of this site like B&H Photo scored 9.6 and Zotz scored a perfect 10.

The typical scam is selling a camera at a low price and then selling you the accessories that usually come with the camera (battery, charger, etc) as extras at inflated prices, bringing the total price at or above the price of a reputable dealer. There are also often problems getting your order when promised and getting gray market items.

Benjamin Hill · January 9th, 2007, 11:39 PM

Nils, if something sounds too good to be true it probably is. Another good cliche is "you get what you pay for".

Shopping for video gear online can be very confusing; it can be hard to distinguish legitimate businesses from gray market scammers that have very spiffy websites. Since they all look similar, positive word-of-mouth is the best sign. The businesses that advertise on dvinfo.net are proven to be reliable and competitive, which is why they are endorsed by the working professionals that use this site.

Mark Bournes · January 10th, 2007, 08:22 AM

Nils, yes and no, those sites will seel you the camera for that price, but all you get is the camera. No accessories, you have to call their sales dept, and they will try and sell you all the accessories that should come with the camera for inflated "a la carte" prices. Do yourself a favor and buy it from one of the dvinfo sponsors. You get what you pay for and that includes service.

Boyd Ostroff · January 10th, 2007, 08:44 AM

Here at DVinfo we restrict all "where to buy" discussions to our sponsors: http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/

They make this site possible so please support them. In doing so you will also know that you're buying from the best in the business; places with integrity, great customer service and competitive prices.

January 9th, 2007, 10:50 PM	#1
Nils Hoover Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ithaca ny Posts: 57	are these camera sites a scam? I am in no way advertising for these sites, but i see these low prices and i cant help but wonder if they are a scam. i know more research would be needed like calling them and that sort of thing but i cant see how the prices can be this low(i'm looking at the dvx100b in particular). These are all sites that are advertising with yahoo and google or at least are linked indirectly from some sort of best price site. http://www.century21electronics.com/...?prodid=352090 http://www.usaphotonation.com/produc...ne=shopcartusa http://www.ccicameracity.com/agdvx100b.html there are other sites which have the dvx100b for 1500-2000, but i dont see how people can afford to sell it for less than 2200 which seems to be where the majority of camera stores are selling it for (and on ebay) __________________ http://nils.tv www.vimeo.com/nilz

January 9th, 2007, 11:39 PM	#3
Benjamin Hill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 670	Nils, if something sounds too good to be true it probably is. Another good cliche is "you get what you pay for". Shopping for video gear online can be very confusing; it can be hard to distinguish legitimate businesses from gray market scammers that have very spiffy websites. Since they all look similar, positive word-of-mouth is the best sign. The businesses that advertise on dvinfo.net are proven to be reliable and competitive, which is why they are endorsed by the working professionals that use this site. __________________ youtube.com/benhillmedia linkedin.com/in/benhillmedia

January 10th, 2007, 08:22 AM	#4
Mark Bournes Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 565	Nils, yes and no, those sites will seel you the camera for that price, but all you get is the camera. No accessories, you have to call their sales dept, and they will try and sell you all the accessories that should come with the camera for inflated "a la carte" prices. Do yourself a favor and buy it from one of the dvinfo sponsors. You get what you pay for and that includes service. __________________ Mark www.sharkvp.com

January 9th, 2007, 11:32 PM	#2
Lloyd Coleman Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 256	Check www.resellerratings.com. You can type in a store name and get ratings and feedback from customers that have used them. The stores you listed all scored below 1 in a 1-10 rating system. Sponsors of this site like B&H Photo scored 9.6 and Zotz scored a perfect 10. The typical scam is selling a camera at a low price and then selling you the accessories that usually come with the camera (battery, charger, etc) as extras at inflated prices, bringing the total price at or above the price of a reputable dealer. There are also often problems getting your order when promised and getting gray market items.

January 10th, 2007, 08:44 AM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Here at DVinfo we restrict all "where to buy" discussions to our sponsors: http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/ They make this site possible so please support them. In doing so you will also know that you're buying from the best in the business; places with integrity, great customer service and competitive prices.