Getting New Photography Gear? The Secret To Uncovering Killer Deals At Bargain Prices
- Posted by admin on December 25th, 2008 filed in Finance
The time will come that you’re going to want to replace/add to your photography accessories. The primary reason people procrastinate is because of the overwhelming process they imagine is required to obtain the “right stuff” at the “best price.”
Though understandable, this kind of thinking is really not necessary. I know because I used to do it myself for 10 years. During that time, I learned a great deal, made a few mistakes, and discovered several devilishly clever approaches to finding a “good deal.”
If you’re not shopping for new photo gear just yet, that’s OK. Just do yourself a favor and keep the following advice so it’s handy when you are ready. Although this article is geared toward photographic gear, most of the content could easily address non-photographic purchases as well.
Know What Your Goal Is
People don’t just get up one morning and think: I’m going to get a new camera today. Instead, something kicked off the desire; typically wanting to do something that is beyond the capabilities of their current equipment.
Before taking the plunge, it helps to know which camera features are important to you. For that, you might want to consider examining a list of camera features before shopping for new photo gear. Ya think?
The first thing to do is decide on what specific equipment to buy. The next question is about getting great deals at bargain prices. That answer has three parts:
There Are Options Other Than Buying Retail
You want to buy from an online merchant who you trust. Trust! Who might that be, you wonder? If you want to figure it out yourself, try PriceGrabber’s Merchant Rating Service and read the reviews given by other buyers.
When dealing with online merchants, be alert for certain warning signs. If you notice any, that should indicate it’s time to look for another merchant. Just two of the numerous possible red flags are: a pushy sales representative; and offering great prices on the main item, but have it bundled with accessories that are over-priced.
The Big Guys Are Big For a Reason
There are numerous top notch cameras on the market today… part of why it takes so long to reach a decision. So unless you want to spend a month analyzing the situation, bottom line - go with either Canon or Nikon.
Do You ALWAYS Have To Buy NEW?
If you’re alright buying used equipment, you can get some great deals. In addition to eBay, there are plenty of outstanding sources for used photo gear.
Craig’s List is especially good because it’s local and therefore you can actually meet the seller and therefore test the equipment before you buy it. Find a local area of Craig’s List, by “Googling” them.
eBay and Craig’s List are not the only choices. There are several other online options…
- Photography Forums, such as Fred Miranda have an active Buy/Sell service
- Some photography stores carry NEW and USED gear, often providing a 30 day (or more) warranty. Check for a Used Equipment section on their sites or search Google for online merchants who dabble in used
- Search Google for online stores dealing exclusively in used gear
After obtaining your perfect photo gear, it’s time to focus on your ultimate objective and find out how to take some fantastic pictures with it.
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