Reliable web-based camera/photo shops ?

[SpringHeeledJack]

One's present camera is slowly giving up the ghost and after having searched the web for replacements it seems to me that there are a lot of dodgy sites around pretending to be from the UK (in this instance) yet actually based outside the EU and leaving unaware customers to pay the customs duty or slightly used/returned products sent as new or orders not even turning up at all and on and on..... Assuming that this won't transgress the advertising rules here, would fellow photographers impart their trusted sites please ?


SHJ

[bnt]

I'm not a big buyer of camera gear, but I had an OK experience with Pixmania when buying a lens a couple of years ago.

I had an even better experience buying a lens from Hong Kong via eBay, where the dealer was open about that. Shipping was quick an cheap, and they actually had the lens in stock, unlike a UK dealer who tapped my credit card 3 weeks before they got stock in. :mad:

[green granite]

I've had good experiences with ebay power sellers both UK ones and HK ones, depending what you want, there's also the Canon outlet shop, and Argos's clearance bargains shop on E-Bay.

[El Grifo]

Calumet and B+H.

UK/US and US respectivley :ok:


Having said that, Calumet are still owe me 112 quid VAT refund. Forms apparently went missing or something :{

[Coffin Dodger]

New as well as used. Not connected in any way but I have bought from and sold with them on previous occasions. Based just north of Inverness, Scotland. Excellent service and good reputation.

https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

[Out Of Trim]

A pretty good place to start some buying research for camera gear in the UK is:-

Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/)

Personally, I usually buy from a real shop, but they do online sales too!

Park Cameras - Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Digital SLR Cameras, training (http://www.parkcameras.com/) based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

[Spitoon]

If you know what you want, try e-buyer (http://www.ebuyer.com/search?store=77&cat=33). I've always been very happy with their service - even when I had a problem with a purchase. Prices are pretty good too.

For used I would recommend MXV (http://www.mxv.co.uk/).