I recently purchased a camera, lens, and a couple of other items online. My experience with that has prompted me to start this new topic and hopefully help others that might be thinking of buying cameras and/or equipment online.
Below is a list of Do's and Don'ts that I think are important. If anyone has any others please post.
1). Please see this discussion
http://bugguide.net/node/view/145117. It has a lot of useful info and discussions regarding this topic.
2). Any place you are thinking of buying from online check here
http://www.resellerratings.com/ first to see reviews on them.
3). If you are an amatuer (like me) and aren't 100% sure of what the equipment should be post the question here and the pros will be more than happy to help any way they can. That's part of what makes this site so awesome is that you have professional photographers, programers, entomologists, zoologists, botanists, just about every walk of scientist, and other
non-pros that may have similar experiences, all right here to not only help with IDing critters but also to help with photography and everything in between.
4). In my opinion, when ordering online, it's best to call and talk to someone (saleman or whatever) with the site rather than just blindly ordering directly online. The reason is there could be "hidden" meanings behind descriptions or "misleading" info that might not be readily apparent. (see #5)
5). When on the phone with them be sure to ask a lot of questions, even if you think it should be obvious, ask anyway. For example, if buying a camera always ask if a battery and charger come with it. Any reasonable person would think it should but I found out that is not necessarily the case. Some sites want to sell the battery, charger, strap, lens cap, etc seperate and charge you more for it. I think you should be able to take a piece of equipment out of the box and start using it (except for maybe having to charge the battery). If you can't then you're getting ripped off. If you go buy a car they don't say "Oh, it doesn't come with an engine and if you want one we'll have to charge you extra", so photography equipment should be no different. If you can't take it out of the box and start using it without buying "extras" (on cameras especially), then don't buy it because they're trying to rip you off.
6). If they try to get you to buy something other than what you originally told them because "it's better" or because it's "new and improved" then be
very suspicious. Hang up the phone and go check it out for yourself to see if it is indeed better. Come here and ask if anyone knows anything about it or what they think of it. But, don't just be suckered in just because the "salesman" says so. They're in it to make money and that's all they care about. They don't care if you get what you really wanted or not or if it works the way you want it to or not. As long as they get your credit card number, that's
all they're interested in.
7). Beware of sites that sell camera "kits". Chances are that they are either trying to scam you or the "kit" is made up of crap parts. That's why they sell it cheaper than other places.
8). Always shop around. Don't buy the first thing you see.
9). Always research whatever equipment you are planning on buying. Read
all the specs on it and make sure it will do what you think it will. Also, read reviews of it online to see if it holds up to professional scrutiny.
10). Never shop drunk.
(sorry, I wanted ten items and couldn't think of any more at the time)
