Favorite Shop?

 I think we'll be ordering online mostly, and I know BHPhoto and Adorama are top shops in this industry.

Any other favorites? Or does anyone have a preference for one or the other and why?

I almost exclusively order from BH Photo and have always been very pleased.  I have had to return a few things and customer service has always been very pleasant and helpful.  I have never had any problems with them.  I have ordered from Adorama only a couple of times, but have been pleased as well.  Sometimes you can find good deals from Amazon as well.  I have heard KEH is good as well as Cameta and Beach Camera.  I haven't personally ordered from these companies though.

I personally will not ever purchase from Adorama again for ethical reasons.  They basically lied to JoLynda with regards to a camera that we both purchased and I don't tolerate that kind of customer service.  I've also read on ILP (Ilovephotography.com) a very very long thread about them sending an alternate to the product that was purchased, and the color was off and the brand was an off brand and they were absolutely terrible with returns with these people and made really bad lies/excuses.  Since then I've ordered from Amazon and B&H, and have been really happy with both.  I'm also a huge supporter of supporting the local camera store, but I know that wasn't your question.

Well, I usually order from B&H over Adorama but only because thru NAPP (photoshopuser.com) I get free standard shipping, or the standard shipping price off of any other shipping method. BUT lately they haven't had some things I had wanted (Jill-e bag, sigma 18-50mm lens, etc) so I ordered from Adorama, and so far have had nothing but excellent service.  I ordered next day air one time and had no troubles. The last time, I ordered online but for some reason it wasn't showing up in my account (on the adorama site) so I called to add an item to my order (which was in place, after all) and I got the order  two days later, even though I only paid for standard shipping. So....I dunno. I felt like I may have been rolling the dice to shop with them, but after several orders, no probs yet.

I also have ordered from Keh, which I have heard very good things about but I had a rather negative experience which I won't get into on here. It really irritated me, but I also understand that things happen. (I think its an inventory thing--when there is only ONE of an item its more difficult to know that its really there--I know often inventory numbers can be +/- by one or more....) But I do trust that they have very high standards when selling used equipment. I got my 90mm macro from them for more than 100 less than it would have cost new, and it looks the same as new to me. It was only rated Excellent plus though. LOL I can't imagine how nice a new minus would look. LOL

hth

I also wanted to add that I have had trouble with Adorama in the past =(

 Good to know! I suspected something about Adorama, as everyone I've read has mostly suggested BH Photo. And I think I got my camera from Amazon, so I'll stick with those online stores.

Some things I will order from my local store, but my next purchase will save me almost $500 if I order from Amazon or BH Photo. :)

I've had alot of problems with Adorama. The first time I bought a used lens was charged for it, then told it was sold already. Ok, I thought I'd give them one more try one another used lens, same thing, only this time they charged me twice. I spent a week on the phone with them and my bank trying to clear it up, only to have my bank refund me and Adorama not. I don't trust them, nor do I like them after dealing with their customer service and holding for more than 4 hours (2 in one day).

I had ordered new from them in the past, but after the last two experiences will stick with B & H, Amazon and my local stores. I did just order from KEH but am waiting for those to arrive.

I got my camera and lens from Adorama and I didn't have any problems with it, got free shipping and it arrived more quickly than I expected. I did call them twice to ask questions before I ordered, they talked really fast, didn't really answer my questions, and one of them tried to give me an upsell. If B&H would have had the same deal as Adorama, I would have ordered from them. When I called B&H, they were patient, helpful, and answered my questions.

ETA: We got our camcorder (a year ago) from Butterfly Photo. They had a competitive price and no problems with ordering, shipping, or receiving the camcorder.

 I've also had a few issues with Adorama. When I first ordered my camera I wanted it before a trip a little over a week later. The sales rep suggested 3 day shipping so I upgraded. Well he didn't let me know that even though I ordered on a Thursday, it wouldn't go out until Wed(holiday weekend), so it arrived the following Monday, after my trip.

Then I got a broken flash which I returned, then they wouldn't refund the shipping because I had also ordered a tiny remote because I was already ordering the flash. So I paid $8 extra for the remote that I could have gotten shipped free from Amazon.

When I went to order the flash in the first place, the sales rep tried to sell me a flash that wouldn't work with my camera so I canceled it. He then called me on Easter and was pretty rude asking why I had canceled it. There customer service usually hasn't been very pleasant and they upsell. I'm a B&H and Amazon customer now.

kimarie:

 I've also had a few issues with Adorama. When I first ordered my camera I wanted it before a trip a little over a week later. The sales rep suggested 3 day shipping so I upgraded. Well he didn't let me know that even though I ordered on a Thursday, it wouldn't go out until Wed(holiday weekend), so it arrived the following Monday, after my trip.

Then I got a broken flash which I returned, then they wouldn't refund the shipping because I had also ordered a tiny remote because I was already ordering the flash. So I paid $8 extra for the remote that I could have gotten shipped free from Amazon.

When I went to order the flash in the first place, the sales rep tried to sell me a flash that wouldn't work with my camera so I canceled it. He then called me on Easter and was pretty rude asking why I had canceled it. There customer service usually hasn't been very pleasant and they upsell. I'm a B&H and Amazon customer now.

Not to excuse Adorama's behavior but just so everyone knows, they are a Jewish company so Friday & Saturday are their weekend and Easter is not a holiday for them.  I still think they have really poor CS and why I only shop at B&H and my local store anymore.  btw, B&H is also a Jewish company so their holidays are different than most and is why they were closed all last week for Passover and you'll see are also closed on Friday & Saturday.

 Oh I totally understand. I really should have added about that to my post but forgot. I was just frustrated since it was my first order and the sales rep suggested the shipping method to me so I would get it in time. I just wish he had made me aware so I didn't expect it(and pay a few extra $$ for shipping).

I still ordered from them again though, the experiences just didn't work out again. I didn't have horrible experiences, they just left a little sour taste in my mouth.

 This is all good to know! I've had only good experiences everywhere, but then again, I haven't made many purchases yet, lol.

One thing that I do NOT like about BH Photo, is that they are always closed! A large percentage of the time I shop there I get a popup saying that they are closed for orders. Why? They can say they accept orders, but just won't ship until a certain date. One thing I like about shopping online is that they are supposed to be open and orderable 24/7!

Just wanted to report back that I have been very happy with both of my KEH purchases. I did talk to their customer service and they were very nice and helpful too. =)