kenw@lcuxc.UUCP (K Wolman) (01/08/85)
The 47th Street Photo story(ies?) indicate something about
the "caveat emptor" problems inherent in any discount mail-order
shop. You may get screwed, or you may get fine, US-warranty
merchandise.
I mail-ordered a Sekonic L-398 meter from "Honest Abe's"
Focus Electronics last April. The guy on the phone tried to
sell me a hardshell leather case and two lithium batteries to
go with it. I did not know at the time that the meter runs
without batteries and comes with its own perfectly serviceable
heavy vinyl case. I also asked what rush delivery would cost;
he told me "Oh, about two or three bucks." When the order did
not arrive three days later, I called the store again. After
being on "Hold" for fifteen minutes, I was told the meter was
not in stock. I cancelled the order, then telephoned Executive
Photo Supply. Their prices were a few dollars higher, but I
ended up with honest phone service. I was TOLD that overnight
service would cost me an additional $25 (NOT two or three!), and
that there was a $12 shipping charge. I still saved $30 over
the price quoted by a local camera store here in north Jersey,
so I sprang for it. The meter arrived three days later, with
US warranty card, in sealed packing. I would definitely buy
from Executive again. But ol' Abe is neither "honest" nor
"in focus."
One more place in Jersey to watch out for: New Jersey Camera
in Teaneck. Fabulous prices. I got a Sunpak 26-SR autoflash
for $49 and change. Never heard of a 26-SR, you say? Good
reason: it's either a Canadian or European 331! If you don't
mind the lack of US warranty in the name of price, they have
everything--but I'll never buy a "big ticket" item from them.
When I bought my second Minolta (an X-700 to go with my
SRT 201), I purchased in Bamberger's because they had the
thing for a 47th Street price with the appropriate warranties.
--
Ken Wolman
Bell Communications Research @ Livingston
lcuxc!kenw
(201) 740-4565
("My doctorate's in Literature, but that feels like a pretty
good pulse to me. . . .")