have you checked out www.reselleratings.com

First, read the "Broadway Photo" thread below in the Retailers and Mail Order forum.

Second, do what Ronk II said - check www.resellerratings.com

Third, run away!

B&H is always my choice for new equipment, KEH (keh.com) for used gear....

I officially have my running shoeson! Holy cow, that website was very helpful!!! Yikes. I guess I will buy locally! Thanks!

Unless your community has a fairly large volume, professionally oriented local camera store, and few exist in smaller communities these days, the best prices and reliable dealing are with some well known, reputable on-line stores like Amazon.com.

Locally owned and operated stores are at a disadvantage price wise because they cannot compete in volume leveraged wholesale buying, and that is why so few traditional camera stores have survived not being able to be price competitive. Some national retail outlets like Best Buy are a compromise because they do not usually have very expert sales personnel when it comes to photography, which if there is a problem with the product can make finding a solution difficult.

In other words just because a store is located nearby doesn't make it better automatically than a reputable on-line only store.

I fully agree with the last post. Online provides the best price but you have to deal with a reputable store. I have purchased two cameras on line. One was a new item from Ebay and the photo dealer was 47th St Photo. It was an excellent positive experience. The last purchase was recently from Amazon. However, the item (a Sony A100) was sold and delivered through Cameta Camera. This was also an A1 positive expenrience. Bottom line is Cameta is a good dealer but I also had the reputation of Amazon behind it.
Places like Best Buy and Circuit City are usually OK, but you better do your research first and know what you want. Sales help is poor and sometimes the "bundle" they try to push isn't necessarily the best.

Your missing the boat and in for a lot of aggravation if your not using B&H Photo. As far as I