Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: Ulf on April 21, 2008, 11:52:00 am

Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: Ulf on April 21, 2008, 11:52:00 am
I'll be in LA convention center next week and was contemplating taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate by buying some lenses that I've had an eye on for some time.

I thought about ordering online, but would like to have the option of making sure the lens is ok (and possibly getting a replacement before, or at least a refund) before heading back to Europe. So are there any good camera stores near the convention center?

There seems to be a Samys camera rental, but I have no idea if they also sell from that location..

cheers, Ulf
Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: sesshin on April 21, 2008, 04:17:31 pm
I would drive over to Fairfax Avenue and go to Samy's there. Thats probably the biggest camera store in LA. They definitely sell from there.
Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: Ulf on April 21, 2008, 04:54:01 pm
Ok, thanks for the advice. It doesn't look like it's far. I presume I would have to add sales tax to the prices I see on their site. Can I refund sales tax when leaving the country as in Europe or?
Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: SecondFocus on April 21, 2008, 09:51:15 pm
Yes go to Samy's on Fairfax. But give yourself some time, you will probably be overwhelmed by the floor after floor jammed with gear of every kind. Have fun.

I have no idea about the sales tax.
Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: francois on April 22, 2008, 02:42:04 am
Quote
Ok, thanks for the advice. It doesn't look like it's far. I presume I would have to add sales tax to the prices I see on their site. Can I refund sales tax when leaving the country as in Europe or?
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Unfortunately, I don't think that you can get a refund on sales tax as it's not the equivalent of European VAT.
Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: ccrews on May 05, 2008, 02:40:45 pm
Calumet is only a few blocks from Samy's and has great customer service, and a great return policy.  However nothing beats the selection available In-Store at Samy's  

Be aware that the in store price at Samy's does not match their webiste, you can sometimes haggle the sales guy down, but you will have to ask.  Another plus for Calumet is the web price is the store price and their prices rival B&H and Samy's Online prices.

www.calumetphoto.com (http://www.calumetphoto.com)
1135 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Title: Camera store near LA Convention center?
Post by: Wayne Fox on May 05, 2008, 03:42:16 pm
Quote
Ok, thanks for the advice. It doesn't look like it's far. I presume I would have to add sales tax to the prices I see on their site. Can I refund sales tax when leaving the country as in Europe or?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=191055\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Sales tax is generally imposed based on point of delivery, so to not pay sales tax means the store would have to ship the item somewhere outside of the state it was purchased in.   If you shipped the items to Europe they probably wouldn't charge tax, but guessing that would cost more than the tax.