A great price and fast service
Written: Apr 13 '04 (Updated Oct 24 '04)
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UPDATE: This camera kicks posterior! I've been using it for six months now, and am just starting to get comfortable with most of it's features.
I at first was disappointed with Beach's camera case since it is barely big enough to hold this camera with it's larger standard lens. My wife liked the snug fit of the case, so I guess in some instances "tight is right." I have come to the conclusion that although the case is not made just for this camera, it does fit on my belt nicely and securely. Maybe a little more expensive than something I could have picked up at Walmart, but Beach probably made as much profit on the case as the camera, but they deserve a few extra bucks. I have never seen as many opposite reviews as I have with Beach; people seem to either love them or hate them!
Original Review
I was interested in an Olympus C-5060 digital camera and Beach Camera had virtually the best price (with free FedEx ground shipping) I could find on the Internet, including EBay. I did some intensive searching over several days, using a number of price search engines. The sites that offered this camera for less had very limited or nonexistent track records or very poor feedback per my favorite site for checking consumer opinions on online retailers: Resellerratings.com. Of course this host site, Epinions.com, is also worth checking and opinions usually contain more details.
I know some other consumers who have posted on Epinions have had some negative things to say about Beach Camera, but I find it a little disconcerting that the most recent flamers are one time posters. To their credit, some of the negative posters admit they might have had some responsibility for their bad experience. Beach’s price for what I considered basic necessary accessories; camera bag and a 128 stick of xd memory, plus a lens cleaning kit (their “Executive Kit”), was very competitive, and also included free FedEx shipping.
I have personally found FedEx to be an excellent, efficient shipper, and like being able to track my order from the time FedEx picks it up until it is in my hands. Yes, they do require that you sign for your item, which is a hassle for some, but which also gives both the seller and buyer protection.
I ordered the kit on Thursday, April 8, and received it well packaged and exactly as ordered Tuesday, April 13, over Easter weekend. The website warned my order would not be processed until April 14 (the day after I received it). I am very happy with Beach Camera and based on my experience recommend them to anyone who has done their homework and knows exactly what they want.
Some reviewers have complained about a lack of customer service and I cannot comment on that since my order was online and I had no problems, so I never talked to a human. I can understand why they might not be able to provide much in the way of customer service, since unless their merchandise is hot their profit margin must be razor-thin.
Beach Camera is certainly not the best choice for everyone interested in a digital camera. If you are really not comfortable buying online, or need help making your selections you could be better off going to Best Buy, Circuit City, or a local camera specialty store. But you will probably pay at least 40% more for the same item, plus sales tax. And the difference between a BBuy or CCity salesman and a used car salesman? The used car salesman knows when he’s lying to you.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Olympus C-5060 "Executive Kit"
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Epinions.com ID:
vplite
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Location: Las Vegas, NV
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
Computers are great, but the more you know, the more you know you don't know.
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