Ordering A Camera Online: Advice/Suggestions?

[Zerozx]

I think I've made up my mind on a camera. I've decided to get a Canon T3i (with kit lens) and I'll get a 16GB (Transcend) card to go along with it. Nothing too fancy yet, I'm just a beginner. I assume this will get me by for a while. (Right? )

Anyway, this is what I need to decide on next: should I order it online, or buy it myself from a store? The reason I'm so hesitant to buy it online is the shipping process...I don't want it to be slung and thrown around. Yeah, maybe that doesn't happen too often, but it's a risk that makes me hesitant. I don't mind if it takes a couple of days more to get here, it's just I want it to arrive fully functional.

Here is the camera: Amazon.com: Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens: Camera & Photo
and I think this is the card I would buy: Amazon.com: Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 10 Flash Memory Card TS16GSDHC10E: Electronics

When I first started my search, it was in the higher $700s-$800s, so it has went down in price a bit. That's good. Any objections to the above items? haha.

Now, on the flip-side of just ordering it from Amazon, I could order it from Best Buy. I'll be going to another city nearby on January 3, so I'll be near a Best Buy then. You can order it from Best Buy and they'll hold it in the store for pickup, correct? That's what I'm thinking. I feel like that may be the safest bet, and it might also mean that I could get it sooner. I'm not sure.

Could someone help me out here and tell me what would be the best bet? If Best Buy has it in stock, they'll hold it for me, correct? Or would they need to wait on a shipment there as well? I won't be in this nearby city except for one day, on January 3 (Tuesday), so I don't want to order it from Best Buy and then end up having to wait even more.

edit: Actually, thinking about it, I've seen more than one person mention the "putting all of your eggs into one basket" metaphor, so I think I'll buy two 8GB cards instead...does that sound better?

[veritasimagery]

I ordered my camera from B&H Photo online and had absolutely no problems. Camera came shipped very securely and was in perfect shape. Remember that in order for the stores to get the camera they are being shipped and get "banged around" anyway.

Right now Best Buy's price on the T3i is sitting at over $715 USD. Not not a great deal there. B&H's price is only $3 USD more than the one you linked to on Amazon, and they are a stand alone business with great customer service.

Now, if you want to go to Best Buy to get hands on with the cameras, great, but don't buy from them or you will be spending quite a bit more.

Don't be afraid of ordering online from reputable vendors.

[Zerozx]

Originally Posted by veritasimagery

I ordered my camera from B&H Photo online and had absolutely no problems. Camera came shipped very securely and was in perfect shape. Remember that in order for the stores to get the camera they are being shipped and get "banged around" anyway.

Right now Best Buy's price on the T3i is sitting at over $715 USD. Not not a great deal there. B&H's price is only $3 USD more than the one you linked to on Amazon, and they are a stand alone business with great customer service.

Now, if you want to go to Best Buy to get hands on with the cameras, great, but don't buy from them or you will be spending quite a bit more.

Don't be afraid of ordering online from reputable vendors.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think I just had a bit of a worry session

I think I'll go ahead and order the camera online, because you're right, the camera is still shipped regardless of whether or not it goes to my house.

Thanks for mentioning B&H again, others have recommended it to me in the past as well. I'll probably decide between them and Amazon, but if anyone has anything to add about either of these companies and which one I should go with (if one is a better decision than the other), then please tell me.

and about the memory cards: is Transcend a good brand? I think I'll buy two 8GB Class 10 cards. and hopefully I'm choosing the correct kind of cards to begin with...
here are the cards from both sites:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Clas...5312483&sr=1-1
B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...SDHC_Card.html

[cyber3d]

Transcend is a decent brand. Good you chose Class 10. The speed actually makes a difference and I can't stand using Class 4 cards anymore.

[stillcrazy]

I bought my T3i about a month ago from a seller on ebay, 123fstop is his name. Price was $635 and free shipping. Check him out before you buy, he has a good rating and my camera came in two days. I love the T3i and I've had SLRs for over forty years.

Good luck.

[veritasimagery]

The thing about B&H Photo is that unlike Amazon and Best Buy, they are a photography business. They have a much better chance of helping you in customer service then either of the others. Remember that the guy selling cameras at Best Buy one day, could be selling video games or refrigerators the next.

And unlike what you might find on ebay, B&H has a long standing reputation with the photography community and is also not just an online business, but has a "brick and mortar" store in NY.

[ffscj3562130]

Another thing to think about with Amazon- I believe they use multiple suppliers and some are more reputable than others. If the price is substantially different than what B&H or Adorama is selling it for it's probably too good to be true. If the price is close I would stick with B&H. I've never had problem with them and as stated above they are photography people ane are very helpful when you contact them.