Hi, welcome to CS.
If you have been following the recent thread on camera buying problem at Bally Photo, you would probably get an idea on the pitfalls of camera buying.
My 2 cents advice:
1. After you have done your homework and finally decided on the camera and lens type and price range, bring one or two friends along who are knowlegeable on cameras to help keep your feet on the ground so that the salesperson will not make you levitate and cause you to blindly sign on the dotted line.
2. Bring a piece of white paper with a pen and write whatever the salesperson tells you what he is offering - both the items and price you have to pay and the freebies. And remember - nothing is free in this world - whatever they offer "free" is already worked into the final price.
3. When you and your friends have scrutinised through the final list and have agreed, then effect the transaction. A salesman can verbally promise you something while he has not lassoed you and may back out after you agree to buy (as in the Bally Photo case).
4. Better still, make a check list before you go and go through the checklist to ensure that what you want is what the seller agrees. Remember, in your eagerness to grab the camera of your heart, you may miss out important items such as original battery, local/international warranty, etc... This may seem old fashion but remember the saying; "A fool will soon part with his money" and it is your hard earned money.
5. Be wary of salespeople. A friend told me once and I quote: "A good saleman is one who can sell his mother."
Cheers.
LEW
If you have been following the recent thread on camera buying problem at Bally Photo, you would probably get an idea on the pitfalls of camera buying.
My 2 cents advice:
1. After you have done your homework and finally decided on the camera and lens type and price range, bring one or two friends along who are knowlegeable on cameras to help keep your feet on the ground so that the salesperson will not make you levitate and cause you to blindly sign on the dotted line.
2. Bring a piece of white paper with a pen and write whatever the salesperson tells you what he is offering - both the items and price you have to pay and the freebies. And remember - nothing is free in this world - whatever they offer "free" is already worked into the final price.
3. When you and your friends have scrutinised through the final list and have agreed, then effect the transaction. A salesman can verbally promise you something while he has not lassoed you and may back out after you agree to buy (as in the Bally Photo case).
4. Better still, make a check list before you go and go through the checklist to ensure that what you want is what the seller agrees. Remember, in your eagerness to grab the camera of your heart, you may miss out important items such as original battery, local/international warranty, etc... This may seem old fashion but remember the saying; "A fool will soon part with his money" and it is your hard earned money.
5. Be wary of salespeople. A friend told me once and I quote: "A good saleman is one who can sell his mother."
Cheers.
LEW
