Worth to buy DSLR from US ?

AAC

Planning to buy the D300 and kit lens from BH which is way cheaper than buying locally.  However, BH doesn't provide cross boarder warrenty (only one year warrenty).  Is it worth to take the chance to get the set from US? Any advice from serious LYK photographers ?

Catpiano

D300 wor ..  

Price in Canada and US ..is almost the same ..  $1625 US vs $1699 ..

And, when you pay $1625 .. even exchange rate is 1 to 1, you probably pay ~ 3% more, so $1670 Cad anyway, plus shipping, handling fee, and MAY BE duty....

notgoddy

Losing warranty is kind of a big deal with really expensive stuff.
But at the same time, sometime extended warranties is almost a scam.

So is warranty a big deal to you or not? I for one would support the Canadian economy and the Un-Banning of Goddy.

Catpiano

It is pretty much NOT worth to buy those electronic from the South anymore, especially Nikon product ..   

Warranty is one thing, but for just $50 or $100 diff .. it is not worth ..

If you are going to US anyway, and buy  gears there, that is a diff story, dont have to deal with shipping/tax/duty/handling fee  etc ..

fibbi

Even price is the same....but tax....already 12% different...
I am thinking about getting Nikon from Costco in Portland too...

MyOMy

For electronics product, usually around 10% of the cost is the cost for warranty.

For myself, plus 10% discount, plus 5% -10% peace of mind. So, if not 25-30% less, I won't consider.  Murphy's Law is especially true for electonics.

Catpiano

Yeah .. agree ..

Just like buying Cars from US .. who is going to buy cars from US, if the saving is only like 5-10% ??

fibbi

What do you guys think about Nikon D60? Is that a decent choice for entry level DSLR? thanks...

Catpiano

D60 is pretty good ga ..  good for newbie ..   of course, the down side is, you cannot use NON AFS lens ( ie 50mm F1.8 ) or older flash system ( ie SB80 )

However, if you don't hv nikon gears from before, nor consider to move on to FF, nor looking at used Nikon gears, D60 is a really good choice, it has lots of good build in feature, that save you lots of time from editing pictures as well! ( mean jpeg straight from the camera is damn good already )

By the way, you can buy in it in Alberta! in order to save PST .. and keep full Canadian warranty!

fibbi

In Calgary, do you go to camera store? Or just go to best buy/future shop?
In US Costco there's a package with 2 lens + bag for around $900...seems pretty good deal! But of couse if it's smiliar price in Calgary we'll get it here instead.