Do NOT purchase anything from The Camera Store, from Brooklyn, NY.

[peathree]

Hi, Jeff!
     Sorry you had to go through this BS!  Unfortunately this happens from time to time- not to everyone, but there is a lot to be said for supporting local dealers, if at all possible.  Luckily for me here in Rochester, NY, we have an excellent camera store called Rowe Photo, Video and Audio.  I purchased my 20D and all lenses from them.  It sounds like a good deal, buying online,  but with "grey market" products and taking the risk of not getting a warranty because of that, it is, unfortunately, a crapshoot.  I was in the store one day when a guy called and wanted them to fix his camera.  He was asked if he had a warranty, said no because he bought it online and was told "SORRY"!  They actually clean the sensor on my camera at no charge because I bought from them!  Anyway, the point is, if possible, take local over the brick and mortar stores or e-tail.  I sincerely hope that you get it all worked out!
                                                                                             Best Regards,
                                                                                             Pete Pellegrino

[k5083]

It's good that there are still some honest, knowledgable local stores left.  My experience unfortunately has been more like Geoff's.  And I guess we shouldn't be surprised to find idiots running local camera stores now.  Who else would have one in the present retail environment?  Heck, with the present online and chain-store competition, if a friend of mine told me he was going to open an independent bricks and mortor camera store, I'd say, "You're an idiot!"  Unless he was a really good friend, then I'd say, "You're a massive idiot!"  And if he opened it and actually managed to survive I'd assume it was because he was ripping someone off. 

Okay, this has been a little tongue in cheek, but I'm in New York City, where there are many physical camera stores but it is best to treat most of them as if they are radioactive.  You wanna talk gray market goods, the mail order houses have nothing on these guys.

August

[peathree]

Hi, August!
     Yeah, see, the thing with Rowe Photo is that they've been in business nearly 100 years!  They are a local institution, if you will.  Oh, sure, they've had to scale back massively with the coming of digital and the store has been remodeled I don't know how many times!  However, the one thing that remains is CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!  I will gladly pay extra for that any day of the week!  Cheers!
                                                                                      Pete P.

[CAVU Mark]

You pull the trigger (press enter) you take your chances.  Experience is a great teacher.