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  #1  
Old 08-22-2003, 10:21 PM
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XL1S XL1S is offline
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Lightbulb The Only Authorized Mail Order Dealers!

Here are all the links from the "vendors" to whom they *** ONLY *** sale to for resell on camcorders mail order in the USA! Anywhere else you get what you paid for basically nothing! Hitachi is the only camcorder brand that is banned from mail order, they are Retail Only!


CANON DEALERS:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/co...fcategoryid=424

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HITACHI DEALERS: HITACHI NOW ALLOWS MAIL ORDER FROM AUTHORIZED DEALERS on Camcorders 04/01/2004
http://hitachi.web-forms.com/cgi/hi...=searchproducts

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JVC DEALERS:
http://www.jvc.com/scripts/mqlocator.exe?link=index

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PANASONIC DEALERS:
http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_e...ers/default.asp

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SAMSUNG DEALERS: Updated 12/01/2004
http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/...order%2fDigital

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SHARP DEALERS:
http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Ty...1056,47,00.html

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SONY DEALERS: Updated 12/01/2004

Retail Brick & Mortar Stores
http://direct.where2getit.com/sony/...ustomgeoproc=1#

Mail Order Older Looking Link: No longer in use!
http://www.sel.sony.com/cgi-bin/SEL...cgi/aid_list.pl

Mail Order Newer Looking Link: Current Up To Date!
http://www.sonystyle.com/intershopr...lers/index.html

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WARNING BUYER BEWARE!

Article #1: Are You Authorized?
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t49821.html

Article #2: Are You Authorized?
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t52497.html

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Great Article Source PCWORLD
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/art...855,pg,1,00.asp

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This is a new list of "Scum Bags" I have been putting together since 11/18/2004. - Non-Authorized List -

******************************

Last edited by XL1S : 12-07-2004 at 03:09 PM.
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  #2  
Old 08-22-2003, 11:39 PM
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Kerr Cook Kerr Cook is offline
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Looks good. Mind if I stick it at the top of the forum? I haven't checked everything here out, but please post any more info/corrections as replies to this thread.

I didn't know that about Hitachi being retail-store only!
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  #3  
Old 08-24-2003, 04:29 PM
98 SNAKE EATER 98 SNAKE EATER is offline
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Does this mean that Sony's implied warranty won't be valid if the item is bought from another retailer that's not on the list

I was planning on getting a new TRV-38/39 from Butteryfly Photo seeing that they have a 5-star service rating, but I'll have to reconsider if the factory warranty won't be valid



Rick
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  #4  
Old 08-24-2003, 04:50 PM
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Kerr Cook Kerr Cook is offline
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If in doubt, ask Sony (or manufacturer) about the dealer.

Generally, the manufacture warranty will be honored wherever you buy it IF the sale is legitimate. That is, not stolen goods, not used , not resold, etc. AND the merchandise is intended for the your market.

The reason for this list, and checking vendors against www.resellerratings.com is because SOME (not all) dealers sell "grey market" equipment to unsuspecting USA customers - these goods are NOT made for the US market, may not have English manuals, and WON'T have a warranty that is honoured in the US. The casual buyer might not realize this but just "assume" that they are buying a camcorder/equipment for a very low price and are getting the same thing they'd get if they bought the same model from an authorized dealer - then finding it impossible to return or get any compensation for the mess, probably having to cut losses with high restocking fees and non-refundanble excessive shipping and handling.

So, in summary, all Authorized dealers will be good. Many authorized dealers WILL give you a discount if you ask - they just can't publicize a price under retail by agreements. Some non-authorized dealers are fine and have good prices, legitimate equipment, and no problems. Some non-authorized dealers will sell you grey-market unwarranted goods and usually put high pressure on you to buy overpriced no-name accessories (letting you think you are getting brand-name ones) or pay extra for a model with a US warranty. Concerning these, NO scummy low-ball bait and switch vendors should be supported - run them out of business!

PS. Butterfly Photo - look at http://www.resellerratings.com/seller4576.html Their rating is MUCH better than some (DigitalLiquicators = 0.08!!!) but there are some "bad experiences" related. Of course, you have to also weed out the shills and bad entries made by competitors, but overall I think the user related ratings sites are great.
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Last edited by Kerr Avon : 08-24-2003 at 04:59 PM.
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  #5  
Old 08-25-2003, 03:27 PM
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XL1S XL1S is offline
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If Butterfly Photo has obtained a stolen Sony camcorder from a thieve, then maybe they will cover the warranty if they don't find out it's stolen. Note Sony does have the reputation of not always covering you under their warranty if the serial number is good. It's Sony's decision once they have it in their hands, and your copy of your sales slip is not one of their dealers. Warning to buyer.

Last edited by XL1S : 12-05-2003 at 07:00 PM.
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  #6  
Old 12-28-2003, 08:09 PM
avongugg avongugg is offline
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VX2100 Sony Authorized deler best prices

The link to Sony authorized dealers was helpful
So far for a VX 2100

one call 1800 340 4770 $2399 with 21.54 shipping
One call claims to have the lowest price of any Sony Authorized dealer and updates prices every 1 hr

J&R 1800 806 1115 $2499 no shipping charge
VANN's 1800 769 5668 $2393.30 no shipping to 12/30/03

Impartial research of each and every Sony Authorized dealers online. Good luck
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  #7  
Old 02-04-2004, 12:45 PM
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cdolan cdolan is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kerr Avon
If in doubt, ask Sony (or manufacturer) about the dealer.PS. Butterfly Photo - look at http://www.resellerratings.com/seller4576.html Their rating is MUCH better than some (DigitalLiquicators = 0.08!!!) but there are some "bad experiences" related. Of course, you have to also weed out the shills and bad entries made by competitors, but overall I think the user related ratings sites are great.
Keep in mind that some retailers post excellent ratings of their own store to improve their rating. I'm inclined to believe the horror stories than the positive ads. The positive ads always sound phony.
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  #8  
Old 02-05-2004, 09:25 PM
u6crash u6crash is offline
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I'm so glad I found this place. I nearly placed an order with one of these "too good to be true" vendors and then did a search at http://www.epinions.com and http://www.bizrate.com to find a whole lot of angry customers, complaining about the things I tend to worry about. Thank you!
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  #9  
Old 02-11-2004, 10:07 PM
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XL1S XL1S is offline
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Thumbs up

u6crash Rite on you made the smart start in your search for a valid dealer.
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  #10  
Old 02-23-2004, 03:29 AM
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rcryniak rcryniak is offline
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Just FYI folks, out of curiosity, I checked all the links, and naturally, B&H is on the list for Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and JVC (if I recall?), but interestingly enough, Broadway Photo (www.bwayphoto.com) is NOT LISTED ANYWHERE.

Just ANOTHER CONFIRMATION that BROADWAY PHOTO is NOT a legitimate dealer and should be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS!

BUYER BEWARE! BE VERY AWARE!
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  #11  
Old 02-23-2004, 06:39 PM
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Kerr Cook Kerr Cook is offline
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Broadway Photo is listed here... Rated with a 1!!! Ok, that is NOT #1, but is a 1 out of 10 so this is NOT a very good listing!!!! (sorry for my sarcasm and humour. In no way should you consider Broadway Photo to be comparable to the Authorized dealers this thread is about).

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1995.html
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  #12  
Old 03-05-2004, 04:21 PM
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XL1S XL1S is offline
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I just updated the Samsung link you have to put in the zip code for a dealer.
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  #13  
Old 03-09-2004, 05:13 PM
Idysseus Idysseus is offline
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Finally bought B & H.

After much gnarling of knuckles and thrasing of teeth, I finally just bought my PDX10 from B & H Photo. I almost went to IBuyDigital, but I just couldn't take the chance that it (or its competitors) reviews had been faked up. All the good folks on these boards said "stick with authorized dealers," and I am really glad that I did (which I can say now even before receiving it).

-- Jordan
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  #14  
Old 03-09-2004, 05:22 PM
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Thumbs up

Quote:
After much gnarling of knuckles and thrasing of teeth, I finally just bought my PDX10 from B & H Photo. I almost went to IBuyDigital, but I just couldn't take the chance that it (or its competitors) reviews had been faked up. All the good folks on these boards said "stick with authorized dealers," and I am really glad that I did (which I can say now even before receiving it).

Thank you for supporting B&H!
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  #15  
Old 03-17-2004, 10:52 AM
kbedwards kbedwards is offline
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grey market

I have bought grey market electronics many times and recently, when I dropped my Nikon digital camera, I called Nikon US to see if they had a problem with it.

I even told the rep "I think it's grey market" because I did not want to go through the trouble of sending something to them only to be rejected.

She did not care and said it did not matter, it was a Nikon product that I paid for, and if I could prove (by receipt) that it was within the warranty period, it was covered.

Not PROMOTING grey market to anyone, because you typically get a photocopied manual, and have to go through sales pitches for "extra" stuff that is marked up...but for those who don't mind dealing with pushy salespeople, the cost savings CAN be substantial - I think if you realize up front what you are sacrificing, they are not bad alternatives to more reputable stores.

Mfrs may have different policies about this - just my experience to date.
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