Best place to buy a digital camera ?
 

Could anyone tell me where is the best place in Europe to buy a digital camera ?

I live in Switzerland. IMO, if you are from the US or Canada, you will find digital cameras more expensive in Europe. I would not buy one in Europe. Many Europeans go to the US or Europe to buy electronics.

I agree that buying on-line in US is the cheapest. If for any reason you want to buy in Europe, I suggest UK. Yes I know UK has the reputation of being expensive, but when it comes to consumer goods they are pretty competitive. Recent surge in the value of euro has meant prices on the mainland is 20% or more expensive for those coming from outside eurozone, while in UK intensive competition means prices have been falling quite dramatically this year. Best price is on-line, but you get good deals at Jessops, Argos and independent camera/computer shops. Also Dixons airport branches (airside) have good prices.

Hi Garrick,

Much depends on the camera you want to buy. I think you will find the more popular models cheaper online in the US.

Try one of the warehouse stores. We just bought an HP 4.1 MP digital cam with 3x optical and 7x digital zoom, in a pack that included a 16mb memory chip, the docking station(usually sold extra for around $75), camera bag, mini tripod, and paid $349 at Costco. Highly rated by Consumer Reports

Try www.bhphoto.com (1-800-606-6969)

They are in NYC - I've purchased a digital and an SLR there and have always been very happy with the service and the price. I work with a phtotography buff and that's the only place he shops for cameras.

They have a wide selection of cameras, in all price ranges.

They are closed saturdays and friday afternoons.....

hope this helps!

I concur--BH Photo is hard to beat, but I did with a recent purchase at Abes of Maine--they are in Brooklyn and have a good web site.

Thank you everyone.

www.newegg.com seems to have the best online prices.

B&H is the best, and they ship world wide.

You were lucky with Abe's of Maine, Bob. They are well known and well documeted scam artists

Try streetprices.com

I also live in Switzerland and have family in England, after comparison shopping I found that US prices were best and recently bought a digital camera while in the US.

I am an Australian living in Finland and never bought anything online while being here in Finland,
I want to buy DSLR online but I am in clear on VAT Etc etc, in Australia it's very very easy to order online. But I feel here I have to VAT how does that all work can someone give me an example to clarify if I buy a camera online from the states please thankyou

One thing you have to keep in mind is that if you buy a camera in another country and it breaks you may have problems getting it mended or getting any money back. If the shop isn't part of a larger international chain you may have to return to that country and that specific shop if you need to exchange the faulty camera. Or at least have to send the broken pieces in a box (expensive shipping costs) to them. There may also be different rules and laws about consumer rights in different countries.

Matthew - somewhere online will be a site from Finnish customs. There you will find how much, if any duty you must pay on an imported camera, and how much VAT you will have to pay on it.

Consider buying from another EU country, so you don't have to pay tax and duty on it, rather than buying online from the US.

Normally camera companies honour European guarantees in any country within Europe, but it can be a pain getting it all sorted. Buying from the US complicates things considerably. Also normally you get a 2 year guarantee in the EU.

Amazon have an excellent customer service department and it may be worth using either their British or German site.

I still want to know how people find 9 year old threads to top. Not one person has ever come back to explain this.

They find them by searching for "digital cameras"?

BTW just as a reminder...if you live in NY you don't want to use B&H (is this simply put up by B&H) as you havbe to pay sales tax at NY rates.....there are many retailers on line, if you live in NY, outside of NY that match their prices and you do't have to pay sales tax (well you're supposed to report the sales on your state tax return. Ha. Ha. Ha.)