Places to buy/shop for camera lens in Los angeles to OC?

iseegreen · 02-23-2011, 12:06 AM

Ive been buying my lenses online through adorama, amazon, bh, wherever has good deals but as my lenses are getting pricier and I live in a pretty ghetto neighborhood, I'm beginning to think that it's not such a good idea that the UPS guy just leaves the box in front of my house.

Any shops that sell camera lenses near Los Angeles you guys would recommend for good prices? Thanks.

creaminz · 02-23-2011, 01:53 AM

try craiglist or Photography on the net, I usually meet up with seller to check out the lenses before I pay anything.

HelenOster · 02-23-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iseegreen

Ive been buying my lenses online through adorama, amazon, bh, wherever has good deals but as my lenses are getting pricier and I live in a pretty ghetto neighborhood, I'm beginning to think that it's not such a good idea that the UPS guy just leaves the box in front of my house.

If the UPS guy doesn't wait for a signature we'd help you to make a claim for a replacement or refund.
Alternatively, have you considered having orders delivered to your workplace, or the home of a friend / relative?

InCityPhoto · 02-23-2011, 08:20 AM

Woah there is a Adorama customer service person on here!! Thats Crazy!

Reguarding the package, The price difference from Online to Local is usually quite a lot I have found.

All package's shipped UPS or Fedex are insured if anything does go missing, It should require a signature as Helen stated above.

I wouldn't worry about it too much!

Best of luck!

HelenOster · 02-23-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InCityPhoto

Woah there is a Adorama customer service person on here!! Thats Crazy!

iseegreen · 02-23-2011, 11:29 AM

I didn't know that either, usually when I purchase online there is no option for insurance and every time i buy something, the package is just left on my door step. If there is insurance with my purchases, i'd feel a lot better

Are there any written documents of delivery insurance on adorama that u could link/post?

Morgiea4 · 02-23-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iseegreen

Ive been buying my lenses online through adorama, amazon, bh, wherever has good deals but as my lenses are getting pricier and I live in a pretty ghetto neighborhood, I'm beginning to think that it's not such a good idea that the UPS guy just leaves the box in front of my house.

Any shops that sell camera lenses near Los Angeles you guys would recommend for good prices? Thanks.

If you don't go through one of the online sites, I would go to Sammy's Camera. They have multiple locations in SoCal and they often run no tax promotions, so you just have to catch them at the right time.

HelenOster · 02-23-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iseegreen

I didn't know that either, usually when I purchase online there is no option for insurance and every time i buy something, the package is just left on my door step. If there is insurance with my purchases, i'd feel a lot better

Are there any written documents of delivery insurance on adorama that u could link/post?

The insurance is provided by UPS as part of the service you pay for when you pay for shipping.

FStop7 · 02-23-2011, 12:02 PM

why not have fedex or ups hold your delivery and then you pick it up? this is what i usually do for expensive deliveries that require a signature. that way i don't have to be home.

InCityPhoto · 02-23-2011, 01:35 PM

I think we should start a Group Buy for some Camera gear from our very own Helen! =D

inabis · 02-23-2011, 02:17 PM

Shoot, I'm in! I'm looking for a 70-200 is

henryp · 02-23-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iseegreen

I didn't know that either, usually when I purchase online there is no option for insurance and every time i buy something, the package is just left on my door step. If there is insurance with my purchases, i'd feel a lot better

If your packages are being left without a signature required it could be for one of these reasons:

The shipper did not code the package sig required.
UPS (or whoever the shipping vendor was) has designated your address or neighborhood as "safe" and taken it upon themselves not to require the signature.
At some time in the past you (or someone at your address) gave your local UPS dispatch office a signature-waiver form so almost every package will be left.
Your delivery driver screwed up.

Hope this helps. BTW, you could ask for USPS shipping and the post office folks will leave a little label in your mailbox and you can then retrieve the package from the local post office.

iseegreen · 02-23-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

why not have fedex or ups hold your delivery and then you pick it up? this is what i usually do for expensive deliveries that require a signature. that way i don't have to be home.

The nearest warehouse is far from where I live not to mention that they are closed by the time I'm done. I have a daily schedule that runs from 9 to 6 so it's not really an option for me.

I found Sammy's prices to be atleast 50-75$ or more above online prices

cooh23 · 02-23-2011, 07:20 PM

You can try Canoga Camera or Woodland Hills Camera. I know they're far from you but sometimes they have good deals.

As far as Samys go, they can usually beat online prices so don't be afraid to ask them to do a price match.

Since B&H customer rep is here, my packages have been delayed due to the UPS innovation system. I get an email right away saying that it has been shipped but the tracking number provided doesn't work until 3-4 days. I buy from a local store so getting that type of service from an online store doesn't make me want to come back.

UdubBadger · 02-23-2011, 07:45 PM

best place to buy gently used pro gear for less than new

www.fredmiranda.com

I've gotten EVERY Canon branded piece I own from here with the exception of my speedlight which I purchased new from a shop on clearance.

HelenOster · 02-27-2011, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InCityPhoto

I think we should start a Group Buy for some Camera gear from our very own Helen! =D

InCityPhoto · 02-27-2011, 02:45 AM

And we have our very own B&H vendor! Woah!

Which one of you guys actually owns a BMW? =P

Group buy for a 70-200 2.8?

HelenOster · 02-27-2011, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InCityPhoto

Which one of you guys actually owns a BMW? =P

Does my dream count? http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...oom/index.html

henryp · 02-28-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InCityPhoto

And we have our very own B&H vendor! Woah!
Which one of you guys actually owns a BMW? =P

One Honda Accord and one Acura TL and a whopping pile of college tuition loan bills for the kid. :-)

InCityPhoto · 02-28-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryp

One Honda Accord and one Acura TL and a whopping pile of college tuition loan bills for the kid. :-)

I feel ya on the collage bill's

02-23-2011, 12:06 AM	#1
iseegreen Private 21 Rep 74 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	Places to buy/shop for camera lens in Los angeles to OC? Ive been buying my lenses online through adorama, amazon, bh, wherever has good deals but as my lenses are getting pricier and I live in a pretty ghetto neighborhood, I'm beginning to think that it's not such a good idea that the UPS guy just leaves the box in front of my house. Any shops that sell camera lenses near Los Angeles you guys would recommend for good prices? Thanks.
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02-23-2011, 01:53 AM	#2
creaminz Major General 545 Rep 7,705 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (33)	try craiglist or Photography on the net, I usually meet up with seller to check out the lenses before I pay anything.
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02-23-2011, 08:20 AM	#4
InCityPhoto Lieutenant 20 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 07' 335I Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Woah there is a Adorama customer service person on here!! Thats Crazy! Reguarding the package, The price difference from Online to Local is usually quite a lot I have found. All package's shipped UPS or Fedex are insured if anything does go missing, It should require a signature as Helen stated above. I wouldn't worry about it too much! Best of luck!
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02-23-2011, 11:29 AM	#6
iseegreen Private 21 Rep 74 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	I didn't know that either, usually when I purchase online there is no option for insurance and every time i buy something, the package is just left on my door step. If there is insurance with my purchases, i'd feel a lot better Are there any written documents of delivery insurance on adorama that u could link/post?
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02-23-2011, 12:02 PM	#9
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	why not have fedex or ups hold your delivery and then you pick it up? this is what i usually do for expensive deliveries that require a signature. that way i don't have to be home.
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02-23-2011, 01:35 PM	#10
InCityPhoto Lieutenant 20 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 07' 335I Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	I think we should start a Group Buy for some Camera gear from our very own Helen! =D
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02-23-2011, 02:17 PM	#11
inabis Captain 281 Rep 955 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach->Denver->Seattle->The Bay iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Shoot, I'm in! I'm looking for a 70-200 is __________________
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02-23-2011, 07:20 PM	#14
cooh23 Private First Class 13 Rep 102 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	You can try Canoga Camera or Woodland Hills Camera. I know they're far from you but sometimes they have good deals. As far as Samys go, they can usually beat online prices so don't be afraid to ask them to do a price match. Since B&H customer rep is here, my packages have been delayed due to the UPS innovation system. I get an email right away saying that it has been shipped but the tracking number provided doesn't work until 3-4 days. I buy from a local store so getting that type of service from an online store doesn't make me want to come back. __________________
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02-23-2011, 07:45 PM	#15
UdubBadger Banned 633 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	best place to buy gently used pro gear for less than new www.fredmiranda.com I've gotten EVERY Canon branded piece I own from here with the exception of my speedlight which I purchased new from a shop on clearance.
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02-27-2011, 02:45 AM	#17
InCityPhoto Lieutenant 20 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 07' 335I Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	And we have our very own B&H vendor! Woah! Which one of you guys actually owns a BMW? =P Group buy for a 70-200 2.8?
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