Tips: Buying a digital camera in a retail store

May 8, 2009 6:00 AM

With just a few days left until Mother’s Day, you may be thinking about buying a digital camera for your mom, wife or other mothers in your life. But you may be torn between buying online or buying in a retail store.

Buying electronics online is often a better experience than buying in person. And the recent downturn in the economy has reduced the number of brick-and-mortar stores competing for your dollars.

But there is still at least one compelling reason for buying a digital camera in a retail store (providing you actually get a good deal, not always a given—even during liquidation sales.): You can try out the merchandise. Taking a test drive can be especially helpful when shopping for a device like a digital camera, for which feel and ergonomics are so important.

If you plan to shop for your next digital camera at a store, here are some tips to help you get the most for your money:

Ask yourself the right questions. How responsive are the camera’s controls? Is the LCD clear? When viewing it at an angle, does the image become distorted or change colors and tones when you change the viewing angle? Are the menus easy to read? Does the camera focus quickly, even in low light? Are there comparable cameras from competitors that might be easier to operate? Does the camera feel good in your hand? Is it too small or too heavy?

Be wary of the salesperson. While there are knowledgeable salespeople out there, there are also plenty of ignorant ones. I once had a salesperson at a major electronics chain tell me that there was no difference between optical and digital zoom and who had no idea what image stabilization was. So do your homework before you leave the house: Write down the models you want to try out along with a list of features that are important to you. You’ll probably find the most knowledgeable salespeople (and higher prices) at your local camera shop. Larger photo-specialty stores, like B&H, may offer the best of both worlds: fairly knowledgeable salespeople and attractive prices.

Ask for the best price. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with a salesperson.

Avoid cameras packaged in blister packs. The best cameras are generally not sold this way.

Watch out for refurbished or gray market products. If the price seems too attractive, the camera may be refurbished (one sent back to a manufacturer, spruced up and resold at a discount) or a gray market model (not meant for sale in the U.S.). Reputable stores will clearly indicate what models are refurbished or gray market cameras. And although there’s no exact test to know for sure, see if the box indicates that it’s from a foreign (non-US) country. If the box the camera comes in is just a plain white box, and has no images, brand logos and product info on it, then it might be a refurb. Another way to check is to see if your dealer is an authorized one for a particular brand, and then check the “Where to buy” section on that brand’s product website to see if it exists there.

Do the paperwork. If the camera you are buying has a mail-in rebate, be sure to get the proper forms from the dealer when you make your purchase. Don’t leave the counter without these forms or receipts.

Forgo the extended warranty. We don’t consider these worth the money. If possible, buy with a credit card that offers free extended protection.