Looking for advice, please read.

Adam Gold · January 18th, 2009, 11:45 AM

Yes. Check their ratings on the web. Probably the worst-reviewed reseller in history. Stick with B&H.

Ken Ross · January 18th, 2009, 12:02 PM

Thanks Adam. I'm trying to find who I can buy these units from that are out of town so that I can avoid the big tax hit. B&H is in my local area.

One reseller is Calumet Photo that seems to have a good rating.

Michael Liebergot · January 18th, 2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Ross

Thanks Adam. I'm trying to find who I can buy these units from that are out of town so that I can avoid the big tax hit. B&H is in my local area.

One reseller is Calumet Photo that seems to have a good rating.

Go with Full Compass, as was said. They are very reliable and great to work with.

Ken Ross · January 18th, 2009, 05:17 PM

I just need to see what their price is. Calumet at least has the same price as B&H.

Adam Gold · January 18th, 2009, 05:57 PM

I don't trust any place that won't list their price online and makes you call them. What are they hiding?

Ken Ross · January 18th, 2009, 06:06 PM

Yeah Adam, I agree. But I'll let you know what I found out tomorrow. If it didn't have a good reseller rating, I'd stop here.

Jeff Harper · January 18th, 2009, 06:32 PM

If you are talking about Full Compass they do not list all of their prices online. They cannot compete strictly on price all of the time, and they try to sell you on the service aspect of their business by encouraging people to call for prices. While I'm not sure if that is who you are referring to Adam, Full Compass is very reputable and is an authorized dealer for for all of the products they sell.

Companies that compete on aspects other than price do the same. In my case they are not companies that I can usually afford to deal with. When you make initial contact with Full Compass you are assigned an account manager. When you do business with them it is their intention to develop a relationship with you.

Adam Gold · January 18th, 2009, 07:07 PM

This may all be true, and even if it isn't I'm sure they want you to believe it is. But I've never viewed B&H as competing on price; their prices are rarely the lowest but I buy exclusively from them because I know I will get what I ordered, at the price I ordered, quickly and with a minimum of fuss. I don't need an "account manager" to quote me a price or take my order, and making me call them up just to get a quote is creating more work for me, not less. I don't need to build a relationship with the guy who's going to slap a shipping sticker on the box he's putting on the UPS truck.

Besides, the place to get unbiased info and friendly advice is right here, no? You certainly aren't going to make big financial decisions based on the advice from someone who has something to gain directly from the money you spend and whose compensation structure is unknown to you.

I know it sounds like I am shilling for B&H but honestly I have no dog in this fight. But the Internet is rife with tales of how people get sucked into buying useless overpriced accessories on the phone or, worse, get abused and hassled if suddenly they don't buy the "upgraded" version of what they want.

If a retailer can't take the time or doesn't care to give me all the info I need online, I just move on.

Jeff Harper · January 18th, 2009, 08:22 PM

Having an account at Full Compass myself, I can assure they do not pressure or bait and switch, which is what you are referring to.

They have been in business as long as B&H and have a sterling reputation.

It should not be insinuated that a company has something to hide simply because you do not understand how they operate.

If you have not dealt with them or have even second-hand knowledge of dealings with them don't bad mouth them or imply negatives in a public forum.

Companies and individuals spend years building their reputations, and it dumbfounds me how quickly people will judge or throw stuff out in a public forum without having firsthand knowledge of what they speak.

Adam Folickman · January 18th, 2009, 09:00 PM

Ken,

I wouldn't deal with them (Zoomania).

Check this out

Zoommania - store.yahoo.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings

That web-site Store Ratings and Reviews by Real People - Trusted Online Shopping can tell you a lot about companies.

Calumet is very good. Full Compass is very good. I think Full Compass is a little higher on the price of the Z5U.

Also Adorama Camera has a good price and I have bought many things from them in the past. However, they are in your area.

Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera

Also buydig.com but I never dealt with them. They have a decent rating on Reseller Ratings

BuyDig.Com - buydig.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings

BuyDig.com,The Internet's Digital Superstore

Another option you can do is have it shipped to somebody in a neighboring state and then have it shipped to you. That way you would avoid paying tax on a $4000 video camera.

Also check this

hvr-z5u - Google Product Search

Ken Ross · January 18th, 2009, 09:13 PM

Adam, thanks much! That's very useful info and I do appreciate it. I've never heard of some of these guys. I've bought a lot of stuff from B&H, but when it comes to a $4,000 cam, you'd like to save on the tax.

Lukas Siewior · January 19th, 2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Ross

Adam, thanks much! That's very useful info and I do appreciate it. I've never heard of some of these guys. I've bought a lot of stuff from B&H, but when it comes to a $4,000 cam, you'd like to save on the tax.

Ship it to me :-) I live 15 min away from B&H but in NJ. Then come over same day and pick it up. Hit me up with PM and I'll help you out.

Adam Folickman · January 19th, 2009, 01:42 AM

That's a great idea.

Adam Gold · January 19th, 2009, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

It should not be insinuated that a company has something to hide simply because you do not understand how they operate.

If you have not dealt with them or have even second-hand knowledge of dealings with them don't bad mouth them or imply negatives in a public forum.

Jeez, Jeff, chill. No one attacked you or your preferred vendor. I was just speaking generally. And you shouldn't assume someone doesn't "understand" something just because they follow a different buying paradigm.

For the record, I meant no disrespect to Full Compass or anyone who chooses to buy there. I was just sharing why it wasn't right for me.

Adam Folickman · January 19th, 2009, 01:48 AM

Ken,

Here's another 2 pages with a lot of good info on prices, reviews and blogs.

hvr-z5u shopping

and hvr-z5u reviews & articles

January 18th, 2009, 11:45 AM	#31
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Yes. Check their ratings on the web. Probably the worst-reviewed reseller in history. Stick with B&H.

January 18th, 2009, 12:02 PM	#32
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	Thanks Adam. I'm trying to find who I can buy these units from that are out of town so that I can avoid the big tax hit. B&H is in my local area. One reseller is Calumet Photo that seems to have a good rating.

January 18th, 2009, 05:17 PM	#34
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	I just need to see what their price is. Calumet at least has the same price as B&H.

January 18th, 2009, 05:57 PM	#35
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	I don't trust any place that won't list their price online and makes you call them. What are they hiding?

January 18th, 2009, 06:06 PM	#36
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	Yeah Adam, I agree. But I'll let you know what I found out tomorrow. If it didn't have a good reseller rating, I'd stop here.

January 18th, 2009, 06:32 PM	#37
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	If you are talking about Full Compass they do not list all of their prices online. They cannot compete strictly on price all of the time, and they try to sell you on the service aspect of their business by encouraging people to call for prices. While I'm not sure if that is who you are referring to Adam, Full Compass is very reputable and is an authorized dealer for for all of the products they sell. Companies that compete on aspects other than price do the same. In my case they are not companies that I can usually afford to deal with. When you make initial contact with Full Compass you are assigned an account manager. When you do business with them it is their intention to develop a relationship with you.

January 18th, 2009, 07:07 PM	#38
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	This may all be true, and even if it isn't I'm sure they want you to believe it is. But I've never viewed B&H as competing on price; their prices are rarely the lowest but I buy exclusively from them because I know I will get what I ordered, at the price I ordered, quickly and with a minimum of fuss. I don't need an "account manager" to quote me a price or take my order, and making me call them up just to get a quote is creating more work for me, not less. I don't need to build a relationship with the guy who's going to slap a shipping sticker on the box he's putting on the UPS truck. Besides, the place to get unbiased info and friendly advice is right here, no? You certainly aren't going to make big financial decisions based on the advice from someone who has something to gain directly from the money you spend and whose compensation structure is unknown to you. I know it sounds like I am shilling for B&H but honestly I have no dog in this fight. But the Internet is rife with tales of how people get sucked into buying useless overpriced accessories on the phone or, worse, get abused and hassled if suddenly they don't buy the "upgraded" version of what they want. If a retailer can't take the time or doesn't care to give me all the info I need online, I just move on.

January 18th, 2009, 08:22 PM	#39
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Having an account at Full Compass myself, I can assure they do not pressure or bait and switch, which is what you are referring to. They have been in business as long as B&H and have a sterling reputation. It should not be insinuated that a company has something to hide simply because you do not understand how they operate. If you have not dealt with them or have even second-hand knowledge of dealings with them don't bad mouth them or imply negatives in a public forum. Companies and individuals spend years building their reputations, and it dumbfounds me how quickly people will judge or throw stuff out in a public forum without having firsthand knowledge of what they speak.

January 18th, 2009, 09:00 PM	#40
Adam Folickman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 125	Ken, I wouldn't deal with them (Zoomania). Check this out Zoommania - store.yahoo.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings That web-site Store Ratings and Reviews by Real People - Trusted Online Shopping can tell you a lot about companies. Calumet is very good. Full Compass is very good. I think Full Compass is a little higher on the price of the Z5U. Also Adorama Camera has a good price and I have bought many things from them in the past. However, they are in your area. Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera Also buydig.com but I never dealt with them. They have a decent rating on Reseller Ratings BuyDig.Com - buydig.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings BuyDig.com,The Internet's Digital Superstore Another option you can do is have it shipped to somebody in a neighboring state and then have it shipped to you. That way you would avoid paying tax on a $4000 video camera. Also check this hvr-z5u - Google Product Search

January 18th, 2009, 09:13 PM	#41
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	Adam, thanks much! That's very useful info and I do appreciate it. I've never heard of some of these guys. I've bought a lot of stuff from B&H, but when it comes to a $4,000 cam, you'd like to save on the tax.

January 19th, 2009, 01:42 AM	#43
Adam Folickman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 125	That's a great idea.

January 19th, 2009, 01:48 AM	#45
Adam Folickman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 125	Ken, Here's another 2 pages with a lot of good info on prices, reviews and blogs. hvr-z5u shopping and hvr-z5u reviews & articles