Brianflian 0 #1 February 2, 2003 CameraTopia lists a PC101 for $849. They say it is not grey market, is NTSC, comes in a sealed factory box, with all the normal accessories supplied by the manufacturer, and a USA warranty by the manufacturer. What am I missing here? What questions do I need to ask? Does anyone have any experience with this firm? Thanks for the help. Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajones 0 #2 February 2, 2003 I've never heard of CameraTopia, but I've heard of digitalliquidators. Seen mixed reviews from them, but they are generally about rock-bottom... http://www.digitalliquidators.com/cat2.asp?cat=2&cat2=2&manuf=Sony&page=2 $779, but be sure to ask all the right questions. Not where I'd shop, personally (there's something to be said about a good extended warranty), but good luck. The laws of physics are strictly enforced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brianflian 0 #3 February 2, 2003 I've bought extended warranties in the past (way back when) on things such as cars. I never found it to be worth the extra cost. Is it worthwhile for a camera? I can't imagine that they would fix my camera if I abuse it, such as is possible with a camera used for skydiving. I know that if I had crashed a car, an extended warranty would not cover it. Whata sort of problems are likely to happen with a pc101 to make an extended warranty worthwhile? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDogg 0 #4 February 2, 2003 Brianflian, Recommend that you go to epinions.com or bizrate.com and check the rating of Cameratopia or any other online dealer that you are considering using. These services provide reviews and evaluations of online merchants. The really well-established firms will have at least 500 reviews to look over; some like B & H Photo have over 25,00 reviews. In the online world, not every good deal is as good as it appears. SkyDogg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #5 February 2, 2003 also check the bbb.org online database. its not foolproof, but if you see them in the database, take EVERYTHING they say with a grain of salt. a positive listing doesnt always mean that they are good, usually the bbb not even knowing about the organization can be better than either "positive" or "disputes, but resolved". here's the way it works, you get screwed. you write the bbb. they contact the merchant with your claim. the merchant replies with their story. Note that they dont even have to work things out with you, just respond. Alot of times, the only time the bbb will give negative feedback to a company is when they ignore your complaint via the bbb. then the bbb puts an entry in their database as to the end result for future consumers to reference. its not foolproof, but sometimes when combined with other things, it helps. Had I checked the bbb listing for the company I had trouble with when I bought my camcorder, I would have thought twice before continuing with my purchase. here is what I am talking about: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=368397#368397Two wrongs don't make a right, however three lefts DO! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajones 0 #6 February 2, 2003 Just one minor repair pays for the extended warranty. Not long ago, the tip of my CamEye broke off in the LANC port of my Sony. The warranty covered this repair that Sony would've charged for. The merchant actually gave me a new camera (exchanged the "broken" camera), so I had zero down-time. The same warranty company has replaced my laptop with a newer model laptop, when my old laptop had a third visit to the repair shop. I can be a bit hard on my stuff. Skydiving is not the environment typical consumers expose their cameras to. Sony is as tough as they come, but repairs are expensive. I look at my extended warranty almost like insurance - it's a gamble. They've saved me a few times, far outweighing the cost, as I buy them for the items I am going to use harshly. The laws of physics are strictly enforced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brianflian 0 #7 February 2, 2003 Thanks for the info. Cameratopia and digitalliquidators both have exceptionally poor ratings. Seems like B & H is the only one out there with good ratings, but their price is 250 - 300 higher. Maybe I should look at a TRV18. Or perhaps just make charcoal sketches... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #8 February 2, 2003 Quote Thanks for the info. Cameratopia and digitalliquidators both have exceptionally poor ratings. Seems like B & H is the only one out there with good ratings, but their price is 250 - 300 higher. Maybe I should look at a TRV18. Or perhaps just make charcoal sketches... just remember two things... you get what you pay for, and there is no free lunch. just suck it up and save up till ya get that extra $300. it will be worth it in the end. (this coming from a former cheap bastard that learned the hard way)Two wrongs don't make a right, however three lefts DO! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #9 February 2, 2003 Another possible way to protect yourself from on-line ripoffs is to use a credit card to pay. You can dispute the charges to your credit card. I think some cards even offer extra protection for on-line purchases...Amex??? Anybody have experience using cc companies in this fashion?-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #10 February 2, 2003 Quote Another possible way to protect yourself from on-line ripoffs is to use a credit card to pay. You can dispute the charges to your credit card. I think some cards even offer extra protection for on-line purchases...Amex??? Anybody have experience using cc companies in this fashion? But nothing can protect you from the headache of the dispute. Also, I might be mistaken, but they might not protect you fully from things like buyers remorse due the the company sending you what you ordered, not realizing it wasnt what you thought it was. For instance if you did buy one of the greymarket cams, as long as you got the cam, you could still be stuck with it. Trying to explain to the CC company that yes, you did order a sony pc5, and they shipped you a sony pc5, but it wasnt the pc5 you thought it was could be a challenge. Especially when the price is considerably below what the "correct" item's standard market rate is. I could be wrong, but do you want to take that chance? I dont. To each thier own.Two wrongs don't make a right, however three lefts DO! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brianflian 0 #11 February 3, 2003 I checked with Discover card. They will file a dispute and credit my account if I don't receive the camera, or receive something other than promised. Cameratopia.com lists a pc101 for $719. They also list a Pal version for $999. The NTSC version says "This product is brand new and comes complete with all manufacturer supplied accessories. Original MANUFACTURERS USA warranty IS included." It seems that I would be protected. However, after reading 3 months of reviews at Bizrate.com, it seems that they probably won't sell the camera unless I buy several $100's worth of accessories at triple the street price. Guess it's not worth the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #12 February 3, 2003 Here you go: http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2359.html This is a GREAT site to use before buying from the net: http://www.resellerratings.com. http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #13 February 3, 2003 Check out Dbuys.com $905 for a Pc101 and they puch the accessories, but at no they stop. Street price threadYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #14 February 3, 2003 i bought my pc-9 from dbuys for 950$ bout 9 month ago, got exactly wut i wanted, great costumer service too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #15 February 3, 2003 Quite a few of us shop at dbuys.com - great prices and very good service. I ordered mine at 5:30pm monday, and it was on my doorstep at 8:00am the next morning... _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
