Excellent price, extremely fast delivery.
Written: Jun 18 '03
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I decided after reading through many reviews that the Minolta DiMage S414 camera would fulfill my needs as my first digital camera. I liked the specs, the size and the storage media (CF.) Additionally, my 35mm SLR and my 35mm Point-n-Shoot are both Minoltas.
I had intended to purchase the camera locally at Camera's West ($399 8.8% sales tax,) or through their affiliated website, www.ritzcamera.com ($399, free shipping and no tax.) However, after dealing with the store personnel, I was a little disappointed, and my wife was very put off by the pushy salesman. We bought a bag and some NiMH batteries from them, and we probably shouldn't have in hindsight based on the experience. So, we decided to check prices online and buy from somewhere else.
Using CNET's website, I researched prices for this camera. The lowest listed price was $299, but the shipping charge was $20. I scanned down the list and came across Beach Camera's price of $309 with free shipping. This was by far the best deal. I have heard of Beach Camera, seeing their ads in the back of photo magazines. But I have also been suspicious of all east coast camera shops, mostly from anecdotal stories, etc. At this point, I decided to check the web for any reviews of Beach Camera. I read most of the reviews that I found here at Epinions.com. After reading the reviews, particularly the negative ones, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
I decided to go ahead with the purchase from Beach Camera for $309 and the free shipping offer (Fedex ground, estimated 10 day delivery.) I only ordered the camera, no accessories.
I placed the order on Saturday June 14th at 3:00 pm PDT. Within minutes I had an email from Beach, confirming my order. On Sunday the 15th around noon, I got an email with the Fedex tracking number. Naturally, Fedex doesn't pickup on Sunday, so I wouldn't be able to check the tracking number until Monday.
On Monday the 16th, I checked the Fedex tracking website, and it showed the package had been picked up, and was in route. The estimated delivery date was for the 19th!!!! This is much sooner that the 10 days that Beach suggested. This made me curious to see if Beach had shipped the camera via a faster method, and charged me for it. I called my Credit Card company on the 17th, and the charge was posted that same day for the $309 that I expected. So maybe Beach made a mistake on which method I wanted, but I wasn't paying for it, so I wasn't upset.
The camera arrived on the 18th, a day sooner than what was listed on Fedex's website. I'm very, very happy with that! The camera arrived in flawless condition, and is indeed a USA warranty product (which I wanted, but wasn't sure it would be based on the price.) Beach's website does say that some items are "parallel import" items without USA warranties. I got a great price on a great camera, and it only took 4 days from the time I ordered it to actually receive it. Keep in mind, Beach is in NJ and I'm in WA.
Based on this one experience with Beach, I would order from them again. I would also recommend them to others, but still caution them to do the research.
Scott Collins
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Minolta DiMage S414
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Epinions.com ID:
scollins1868
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Reviews written: 1
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