Most ideal place to buy new equipment?

[Paul870]

Whats your most ideal place to buy equipment new?

From another thread, i've been looking to buy some new equipment, a lens, and i've been on the lookout for a new body.

The nearest places near me to purchase camera equipment from are Jacobs, Jessops, Best Buy, PC world/currys and Comet.

Obviously there is the online option, however theres something about going in to the shop, having a play and asking questions that gives a great experience for me.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Know a few people rate Wilkinson Cameras up in the NW of the country, are they near you?

 

[gramps]

Wouldn't really rate Currys/PCWorld or Comet, Jessops and Jacobs can be useful - of course you can always go in for a view/try and then if you think it's for you, buy online.

 

[boyfalldown]

Wouldn't really rate Currys/PCWorld or Comet, Jessops and Jacobs can be useful - of course you can always go in for a view/try and then if you think it's for you, buy online.

Jessops atleast are always very competitive on bodies. Most of their markup is on stuff like memory cards. Look on www.camerapricebuster.co.uk for the best deals

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Wouldn't really rate Currys/PCWorld or Comet, Jessops and Jacobs can be useful - of course you can always go in for a view/try and then if you think it's for you, buy online.

Last thing I bought from Jacobs instore they checked and then beat the best online price......

 

[gramps]

Last thing I bought from Jacobs instore they checked and then beat the best online price......

You did well, I bought a £1200 lens from their store in Leeds and struggled to get a UV filter thrown in!

 

[boyfalldown]

You did well, I bought a £1200 lens from their store in Leeds and struggled to get a UV filter thrown in!

Yep - and their profit on the filter would probably be higher then on the lens

 

[PeterM69]

I've found Jessops to be very reasonable on prices and very helpful and knowledgeable giving good advice, but thats the Exeter branch so this can vary greatly I guess. I'm a firm believer in getting the best price so I always experiment, play, scrutinise the product I'm buying then normally go buy online saving 20/30%. Jessops however are really competitively priced and by using Quidco you get another 3% so I'd recommend them

 

[tijuana taxi]

Always found the Cambridge branch of Jessops to be decent enough, but does vary shop to shop as I guess most chains do.

Strangely enough the Lion Yard branch of Curry's had a very knowledgeable chap on the Camera section, but not heard good things about the larger Newmarket road store
(which I know doesn't help the OP one little bit )

 

[Flash In The Pan]

You did well, I bought a £1200 lens from their store in Leeds and struggled to get a UV filter thrown in!

To be fair it was them that offered the massive £17 discount on a D3s too

 

[Oggy]

You did well, I bought a £1200 lens from their store in Leeds and struggled to get a UV filter thrown in!

At least you got your lens which is more than I did from them until I cancelled the order. :shake:

My personal favourite dealer is SRS Microsystems. Not always the cheapest, but their knowledge and quality of service is the best I have come across. When my 7D started being silly, they immediately sent me a second one and when I was happy, they arranged to have the first one picked up.

 

[pmhn]

I tried out some lens in Jessops and Jacobs, and they were helpful. Most often, you can get them cheaper online, though. Amazon often has good price, and their return policy is good.