Cheap China Town Camera Gear!??

[Quankus]

I went to China Town in San Francisco last tuesday and went into a few of those sketchy little shops that have a ton of camera gear and skeavy sales guys. I have been researching the D300 for some time now and the best new price I could find online was 1,399.
However, at "Camera Source, Majestic Gallery" 555 Grant Avenue SF. They said they could sell it to me for $1,200. Shocked, I asked to make sure it was USA version with the 1 year warranty. He said yes but I forgot to ask and make sure that it came with the battery, charger, etc. He didn't have it in the shop but could "get it from the warehouse in 10 minutes." I walked out perplexed at the price and quickly walked to the next camera shop about 4 stores down on the same block and they said they could do it new, USA for 1,100! All the nikon gear on the shelves were in the Gold boxes and there was a Cannon guy there looking at a 50D that was at an unbelievable price as well.
I know that in this camera market game that if it is too good to be true than it probably is. But I plan to call the shop and get the serial number then verify the serial number with Nikon and make sure that is US. If it is, go back and take a few shots before I would actually purchase this. Although, even if it was gray market for $1,100 that would still be a deal. The D300 used on craigslist is 1,250++ and I am sure those aren't coming with a warranty either.

Any advice/words of wisdom or past experiences would be appreciated.

[RochinPhotography]

Originally Posted by Quankus

I went to China Town in San Francisco last tuesday and went into a few of those sketchy little shops that have a ton of camera gear and skeavy sales guys. I have been researching the D300 for some time now and the best new price I could find online was 1,399.
However, at "Camera Source, Majestic Gallery" 555 Grant Avenue SF. They said they could sell it to me for $1,200. Shocked, I asked to make sure it was USA version with the 1 year warranty. He said yes but I forgot to ask and make sure that it came with the battery, charger, etc. He didn't have it in the shop but could "get it from the warehouse in 10 minutes." I walked out perplexed at the price and quickly walked to the next camera shop about 4 stores down on the same block and they said they could do it new, USA for 1,100! All the nikon gear on the shelves were in the Gold boxes and there was a Cannon guy there looking at a 50D that was at an unbelievable price as well.
I know that in this camera market game that if it is too good to be true than it probably is. But I plan to call the shop and get the serial number then verify the serial number with Nikon and make sure that is US. If it is, go back and take a few shots before I would actually purchase this. Although, even if it was gray market for $1,100 that would still be a deal. The D300 used on craigslist is 1,250++ and I am sure those aren't coming with a warranty either.

Any advice/words of wisdom or past experiences would be appreciated.

Kinda like Copyright infringement. Not a good thing in the photography industry.


IMHO pay for customer service. I buy all my gear from B&H. Sure I could of saved 60-70 bucks or whatever if I shopped around but why when you can pay a little more for the assurance of great customer service.

[Quankus]

Well we aren't talking 70 bucks here. B and H sell the D300 new for 1,799. Which is 700 bucks more than than China town. What I want to know is- how is it possible that they can sell that camera at that price and keep it legit. There aren't fake D300s are there? Like fake coach purses or Nike shoes that look the very similar but are actually cheap knockoffs.
Plus the warranty is only good for one year.

[Quankus]

You have the D300. How much did you pay? And aren't you a bit shocked or interested about this low price?

[RochinPhotography]

I got the Nikon D-300 SLR CAMERA w/18-135mm DX LENS - NID30018135 from BH photo purchased 6/5/08 and paid 1,919.95 (plus shipping)

I am a firm believer of if it sounds to good to be true....it probably is....

I am also the person that WILL NOT shop at places like Walmart because I know "china brand" crap is one of the reasons our country is falling down the crap tubes. Quality over Quantity any day for me.

I would really just make due with what you have till you can afford to purchase from a reputable shop.

[Killjoy]

Caveat Emptor.

[RochinPhotography]

My point exactly!

[Quankus]

Caveat venditor.



But thanks for your input.

[RochinPhotography]

Not with "China Brand" companies. They are in it for the quick buck. They could care less about your "return business" or your complaints to the BBB.

You seem pretty set on supporting this kinda business and to each his own. Good luck with your purchase