Where do americans buy Digital Video Cameras?

[egilaslak]

Hi there!
I'm an international student currently residing in California. I need to buy a flash-based video camera in the $200-$500 price range, and wonder where americans buy cameras cheap.

Anyone? :)

[spice weasel]

Generally, buying online will be cheaper than buying in an actual brick-and-mortar store. Check places like Amazon, Newegg, etc.

Stores such as Target, Best Buy (shudder!), Fry's, and the like will also sell cameras. For the less expensive pocket-type camcorders, the price difference from store to store is usually negligible.

[Aniday]

Amazon for sure.


Although the $200-$500 is a very broad spectrum. You’ll find low end pocket HD cams for 200 and really nice near-Pro camcorders for 500...soo..you should narrow that from what features you want.

[jessica.]

Amazon
B&H
Adorama

[eawmp1]

Go to the above box stores and play with the cameras. Once you've settled on one order online as suggested above.

But of course, the ultimate answer is China.

[anthemus]

Don't forget Craigslist.com - once you find your camcorder. Check locally to see if someone is selling one used. Might help save you some extra cash....

[egilaslak]

Great! This was exactly the answers I was looking for. But how would you recommend paying when using Craigslist? I'm thinking it might be scetchy.

[jampat]

As craigslist is essentially an anonymous transaction, if I am going that road it is always cash, face to face.

Meet at a coffee shop or some other public place with people around. That creates a reasonably safe environment for both parties.

Make sure you are happy with the product before you hand over the cash, the likelihood of meeting this person again in the future is very slim.

I have never had a bad transaction with craigslist, but I am always careful. If the price is too good to be true, you are probably looking at a nigerian scam or stolen property.

[egilaslak]

Great!
I looked around at Amazon, and found a camera that seems to be what I'm looking for - the HF10. But then I searched, and found it much cheaper here:

http://digitalhawks.com/2573b001.html

Does anyone know if Digitalhawks are trustable? They sell it cheaper than the cheapest used cameras on Amazon....

[lighthouse_man]

I know that B&H carry PAL video cameras as well if so was your home country standard.

[mscriv]

Does anyone know if Digitalhawks are trustable? They sell it cheaper than the cheapest used cameras on Amazon....

I don't know if digitalhawks is one of them, but there are many online companies that are based out of NJ and NY that are scams. They offer the camera at some crazy price lower than most and then when you place your order they tell you it's out of stock and back ordered. They then offer other options at higher prices or somehow magically find the camera you are looking for but there are additional costs now for some reason or another.

Just did a quick google search and found this on digitalhawks (http://thoughts-of-dave.blogspot.com/2009/07/digital-hawks-aka-digitalhawks-beware.html).

I would say stay away. Generally, when buying online go with a trusted seller like those that have been mentioned already in this thread.

[arri]

i shop at B and H
Amazon
Adorama
newegg

be wary of other NY, NJ Photo stores offering lower prices.

you can check most store ratings at

resellerratings.com

they will tell you the honest story is. if they have no ratings, or bad ratings, stay away.

this has worked for me for 6 years of AudioVideo buying online with no horror stories from buying equipment.

[spice weasel]

be wary of other NY, NJ Photo stores offering lower prices.

Easy now. You're bashing my home state! Then again, you guys do have a good point. Lots of scammers from NJ. Hell, some of them are probably guys I went to high school with. :D