Buying lens from Walmart

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johninsanantonio

johninsanantonio

Mar 3, 2014
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4,816
San Antonio
#1
I am about to purchase my first white lens and have decided on the EF 100-400mm version 2. I was thinking about a Canon refurb but they do not keep these in stock. I saw one Friday night but it sold out before I had the chance to respond. Buying new seems to be the other best option. Looking around online Walmart online seems to be very competitive. Link below. Walmart is an authorized dealer according to Canon, but the company who is using Walmart as their storefront,Tri State Camera & BuyDirect & Save, are not. Any advice?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4-5-5-6L-IS-II-USM-Telephoto-Zoom-Lens/42609091?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6811&adid=22222222227030460151&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=61461343511&wl4=pla-112003662071&wl5=9028089&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=115064530&wl11=online&wl12=42609091&wl13=&veh=sem#read-more
 
#2
First, I can say that this is a great lens, and I have been very happy with mine. For me, waiting for an in stock and sale priced canon refurbished lens was worth it. I payed about $130 less including tax and shipping that the pre-tax and pre-shipping price listed in the link you shared. Here is a photo of an osprey I took with my copy yesterday.
 

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#4
It does appear that this is a gray market product.

For $100 dollars more you can get a U.S. model from an authorized dealer using Canon Price Watch's street price program.

Or you can wait about a month until the refurbished store is restocked and has another 10 percent off sale. Set a notification with Canon Price Watch and then as soon as Canon launches the next sale be ready to jump on it.

Also, Buy Dig (authorized seller) has been running a good deal with a printer rebate. Not on right now but could be revived.
 
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#5
If they are truly Authorized by Canon (check with Canon?), then I personally don't see a problem. If not then don't bother.

If not authorized, how much more is it to get from authorized dealer like B&W? Holiday season and Black Friday, Cyber Monday will be here soon. It depends on how much you want the lens and how long you are willing to wait.

Enjoy.

sek

johninsanantonio said:
I am about to purchase my first white lens and have decided on the EF 100-400mm version 2. I was thinking about a Canon refurb but they do not keep these in stock. I saw one Friday night but it sold out before I had the chance to respond. Buying new seems to be the other best option. Looking around online Walmart online seems to be very competitive. Link below. Walmart is an authorized dealer according to Canon, but the company who is using Walmart as their storefront,Tri State Camera & BuyDirect & Save, are not. Any advice?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4-5-5-6L-IS-II-USM-Telephoto-Zoom-Lens/42609091?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6811&adid=22222222227030460151&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=61461343511&wl4=pla-112003662071&wl5=9028089&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=115064530&wl11=online&wl12=42609091&wl13=&veh=sem#read-more
Click to expand...
 
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#7
I read some of the Yelp reviews and think, Black Friday Sales and a better known dealer would be a better choice for you. I have the version one of this lens and love it. I have an aqaintance who uses vs 1 of this lens with flash and flashbender mounted on his tripod and is getting excellent results. His birds in flight are fantastic too! Good Luck!
 
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#8
Holy, I didn't realize Walmart (in the USA) sold such high end gear. In Canada, it tops out at entry level kits.

In addition to price, I would look carefully at:

1. The return/refund policies
2. If there's a vendor preference (ie you like a local camera shop)
3. Being able to physically mount and try the equipment you're going to buy

If I have no vendor preference, Amazon is great, because they have a generous (30 day) return-for-any-reason policy. As long as it's sold by Amazon or FBA (fulfilled by Amazon), the returns are very hassle-free. If you don't like the item, or even that copy of it, just exchange it for another or return/refund.

But usually, I buy my more expensive camera gear from local vendors that actually have stock. There is value to being able to mount it on my gear (or an equivalent one there), feel what it looks like, and even take some shots out of the copy I'm going to be buying.

That said, I have never heard of anyone receiving anything but a perfect copy of a 100-400L II. It has a sterling reputation. In my personal opinion, this is the finest, most versatile zoom lens ever made. I also own the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, another awesome lens, but I like the 100-400II so much that I often will just leave it on instead of swapping it.
 
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#9
unfocused said:
It does appear that this is a gray market product.

For $100 dollars more you can get a U.S. model from an authorized dealer using Canon Price Watch's street price program.

Or you can wait about a month until the refurbished store is restocked and has another 10 percent off sale. Set a notification with Canon Price Watch and then as soon as Canon launches the next sale be ready to jump on it.

Also, Buy Dig (authorized seller) has been running a good deal with a printer rebate. Not on right now but could be revived.
Click to expand...

Why? TriStateCameras is an authorized dealer as well.
 
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#11
Jopa said:
unfocused said:
It does appear that this is a gray market product.

For $100 dollars more you can get a U.S. model from an authorized dealer using Canon Price Watch's street price program.

Or you can wait about a month until the refurbished store is restocked and has another 10 percent off sale. Set a notification with Canon Price Watch and then as soon as Canon launches the next sale be ready to jump on it.

Also, Buy Dig (authorized seller) has been running a good deal with a printer rebate. Not on right now but could be revived.
Click to expand...

Why? TriStateCameras is an authorized dealer as well.
Click to expand...

If you're willing to be patient, these things go up and down in price anyhow. Canon rotates the items that they put on sale, and at some point, it will be a better price.

Thing is, there is a value to having it now, too. Think of all those nice pics you could be snapping -- is $100-$300 worth waiting a few months for? Nobody can answer that except you.
 
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#12
Jopa said:
unfocused said:
It does appear that this is a gray market product.

For $100 dollars more you can get a U.S. model from an authorized dealer using Canon Price Watch's street price program.

Or you can wait about a month until the refurbished store is restocked and has another 10 percent off sale. Set a notification with Canon Price Watch and then as soon as Canon launches the next sale be ready to jump on it.

Also, Buy Dig (authorized seller) has been running a good deal with a printer rebate. Not on right now but could be revived.
Click to expand...

Why? TriStateCameras is an authorized dealer as well.
Click to expand...

There are lots of authorized dealers. I was referring to a particular offer from one dealer that provided an additional discount. The point is that it is wise to keep track of these offers through Canon Price Watch, and often this site as well, and watch for a good deal.
 
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#14
johninsanantonio said:
Looking around online Walmart online seems to be very competitive. Link below. Walmart is an authorized dealer according to Canon, but the company who is using Walmart as their storefront,Tri State Camera & BuyDirect & Save, are not. Any advice?
Click to expand...

People seem to be missing this point. You would not be buying from Walmart the authorized dealer, you would be buying from the unauthorized dealer and paying through Walmart. Huge difference. You can buy from Amazon (authorized), or from various third-party sellers (some authorized, some not).

As for advice - skip the unauthorized dealers for anything high-end (to you). Check http://www.canonpricewatch.com/ for street deals from authorized dealers or use their price alerts. Wait for the refurb sales or the holiday sales.
 
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#15
Buydig is running a combination deal right now. This lens with a Canon pro 100 printer for $1999 plus a mail in rebate for another $250. Although buydig is an authorized seller they don't have the best customer feedback. I'm on the fence with this one.
 

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#16
johninsanantonio said:
Buydig is running a combination deal right now. This lens with a Canon pro 100 printer for $1999 plus a mail in rebate for another $250. Although buydig is an authorized seller they don't have the best customer feedback. I'm on the fence with this one.
Click to expand...

I bought my 5dsr from buydig / beachcamera. That was my worst online shopping experience. They didn't ship the camera overnight which I paid for, but ground shipping instead, plus it arrived in a box without ANY padding. I was shocked. Luckily the camera survived. I doubt I will ever buy from them again.
 
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#17
Jopa said:
johninsanantonio said:
Buydig is running a combination deal right now. This lens with a Canon pro 100 printer for $1999 plus a mail in rebate for another $250. Although buydig is an authorized seller they don't have the best customer feedback. I'm on the fence with this one.
Click to expand...

I bought my 5dsr from buydig / beachcamera. That was my worst online shopping experience. They didn't ship the camera overnight which I paid for, but ground shipping instead, plus it arrived in a box without ANY padding. I was shocked. Luckily the camera survived. I doubt I will ever buy from them again.
Click to expand...

That's unfortunate, but may not be typical. I took advantage of this deal a few months ago to get a 100-400 II and had no problems. Arrived well packaged and padded in an oversized box with the lens inside in the Canon original packaging. The only complaint I have is that I'm not all that fond of mail-in rebates, and now I have this huge printer that I need to unload. Not the fault of BuyDig, though.
 
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#18
Jopa said:
unfocused said:
It does appear that this is a gray market product.

For $100 dollars more you can get a U.S. model from an authorized dealer using Canon Price Watch's street price program.

Or you can wait about a month until the refurbished store is restocked and has another 10 percent off sale. Set a notification with Canon Price Watch and then as soon as Canon launches the next sale be ready to jump on it.

Also, Buy Dig (authorized seller) has been running a good deal with a printer rebate. Not on right now but could be revived.
Click to expand...

Why? TriStateCameras is an authorized dealer as well.
Click to expand...

If so, why are they not on Canon's list? Where did you get this information? Note, a company can be a authorized dealer for printers, point and shoot cameras, or even service, but that does not make them a authorized dealer for DSLR's. They might also have a different corporate name from their DBA name.

As far as I can tell, these are the names they use for doing business:

Alternate Business Names
  • Tri State Camera Exchange, Inc.
  • Tri State Computers
  • Tristate Computers
  • Tri State Camera
  • FaxADeal.com
  • CopiersWarehouse.com
  • A1Plasma.com
  • TriState Camera, Video, and Computers



http://downloads.canon.com/dealer/canon-ad-8-04-17.pdf
 
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