Arlington Camera

[Russell]

Let me preface my question by saying that I am not looking for any public bashings of this company.

With that said, has anyone ever dealt very extensively with Arlington camera?

I am wanting to spend some $$$ and am curious to know others experiences with them and any salespeople who are especially helpful.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Thanks in advance for the information!

-Russell

[MRCPix]

I would highly recommend them. I have bought all my stuff there and have not found a bad employee there. They know what they are talking about and don't try to sell you something you don't need.

[SaSha]

Same here...Helpful and they treat you right.

[bondarnes]

I have dealt with them for almost twenty years and have been very pleased. The sales staff is not on commission so they are more likely to help you get what you need and not what has the highest price tag. I usually try to deal with Xavier or with Bill Porter the owner.

[Russell]

Thanks everyone. Yes, I know exactly what I need and don't need a sales pitch. I just need the service to help get the job done. It looks as if, by their website, that their prices are competitive so I think I just as soon patronize a Texas company than to send my money to New York.

[HeatherLou]

The only complaint I have about them is that they take my money nearly every time I go to DFW :)

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by Russell

It looks as if, by their website, that their prices are competitive so I think I just as soon patronize a Texas company than to send my money to New York.

I'm with you there!

[brad]

I love the place.. deal with Jay or Barry when I go in... they are often very busy and the store is stuffed to the gills with stuff, making it hard to move around and get some help sometimes... and I know some people feel like they don't get any attention paid to them there.... but its solely because they are so helpful, they end up spending lots of time with each person.

They are extremely knowledgeable and more than once have convinced me to purchase something cheaper than what I came for because they thought the cheaper item was closer to what I needed.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by brad

They are extremely knowledgeable and more than once have convinced me to purchase something cheaper than what I came for because they thought the cheaper item was closer to what I needed.

This happened to me not long ago. I went there prepared to spend around $300 on a tripod, had one picked out, and one of the sales guys talked me out of it for a $100 tripod. Of course he took a few minutes to explain and demonstrate why the $100 one was more practical than the one that cost three times as much. Great bunch of folks!

[xseption]

I have some hundreds of dollars there myself and I have always been satisfied. Highly recommended!

[c995990]

I bought the Beast from them last July and got it the next day, of course, i'm also in TX. Their prices are close to the NY dealers, but we have to pay taxes.

[brad]

Originally Posted by c995990

I bought the Beast from them last July and got it the next day, of course, i'm also in TX. Their prices are close to the NY dealers, but we have to pay taxes.

Well, technically, you are supposed to pay the state taxes for stuff you buy out of state and use here... but that's another discussion.

And if you are a pro and use the equipment to create sales-taxable products (such as photographs for your clients), then your purchases should be tax free... even in state. Consult a CPA... IANAL, IANACPA, YMMV

[hbwise]

Originally Posted by brad

Well, technically, you are supposed to pay the state taxes for stuff you buy out of state and use here... but that's another discussion.

And if you are a pro and use the equipment to create sales-taxable products (such as photographs for your clients), then your purchases should be tax free... even in state. Consult a CPA... IANAL, IANACPA, YMMV

Brad,

Would this be true for equipment, or just stuff tht is for resale?

[brad]

As far as my understanding goes, it is for equipment as well... anything that is "in the direct line of manufacture" or taxable goods.

But as I said, IANAL and IANACPA and YMMV

[PeteQ]

And you have to be set up as a business with the state and filing your taxes, etc. It's not as simple as just saying you are a business and then not paying the tax on equipment. As Brad eludes to, consult a cpa, etc.....

If you do this for money then it is a good idea to get yourself established as a bona fide business entity. Depreciation, write-off, etc. can be a good thing if you do it smart and within the law. Get professional advice. Just as you want people to come to you as a professional, got to a financial professional for tax and business issues.