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From: kenw@lcuxc.UUCP (K Wolman)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Discount Photo Supplies (Caveat Emptor!)
Message-ID: <134@lcuxc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 8-Jan-85 13:56:09 EST
Article-I.D.: lcuxc.134
Posted: Tue Jan  8 13:56:09 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 9-Jan-85 06:20:31 EST
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway, NJ
Lines: 42

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. . . .")