So the whole reason I decided to start this photoblog is because I intend to get back into photography. It’s something I have always loved, but budget constraints in graduate school precluded as much indulgence in using my trusty Canon Rebel X as I would like (film and development is expensive!). I’ve been watching the digital Rebel bodies since they came out, waiting for the technology to refine itself and for the prices to come down into what the range of what I can afford.
The impetus to purchase one finally arrived in the form of an impending trip to Colorado for our anniversary. So I began doing some Google searches, browsing Ebay, and prowling a lot of those shopping search engines trying to find the best price. Well initially I came up with Best Price Cameras via a search for the Canon XTi on www.diduprice.com, which allegedly had the body kit for $319. So of course I order one. Two days later I get an email informing me that my order was canceled because the camera was on backorder for 6-8 weeks. I called the company to ask why it wasn’t posted on the website and dealt with an incredibly rude customer service . I then proceeded to go through about five other companies of the same ilk and met with the same issues–backordered, checkout errors, etc. So today I made the decision to go with the more readily available XT, which I planned to purchase from Enterprise Cameras. I called the company to order, as I had some error with checkouts. So they’ve got the XT in stock, great. And the guy says “Okay, do you want the 2 hour battery or the 4 hour battery?”
“Um, just whatever is standard.”
“The standard battery from Canon only lasts 15 minutes.”
Excuse me? “Um, let me do some more research, and I’ll call you back.”
Well at that point I knew that something was seriously wrong. Then I did what I really should have done on the front end. I joined a Canon digital camera forum and started asking questions and doing some further research on these allegedly reputable sellers–we’re talking companies that are rated 4 and 5 stars on a number of sites. I came across this very informative discussion of sellers to avoid on Amazon’s forums. Anybody considering purchasing a digital SLR camera (or accessories), please go read it before doing so! As it turns out there is a massive scam market out there for this equipment. Lots of “gray market” equipment that aren’t covered by the company, stripped down kits, and flat out disreputable people. So I felt compelled to post about it to hopefully save someone else the headache and the potential trouble that I barely avoided by trying to get the best deal.
At this point, I am considering a few used models on the forum that are in the price range I can afford. Once I make up my mind we’ll see which one I wind up with!
