Thomas,
Advertised price may sound good, but this is one of the companies that will put you through a pressure cooker for overpriced accessories and may not sell you the product at all since you won't agree to purchase more. A close to $3000 discount is too good to be true. I checked out their record at the better business bureau and they have had 59 complaints in the last 3 years and 23 in the last year. Considering that maybe 1 in 10 people who have a problem may follow up with a complaint to the BBB.
FWIW, here is my personal preference.
Local camera store is my first preference. In my area, I deal with Kenmore Camera. They generally have good prices and yes I have to pay the sales tax, but the service and support I get are worth it.
For mail order the following have been good
Samys in LA
Canoga in LA
B&H in NY
17th St. Photo in NY
Adorama
Delta International for gray market.
Other's have their favorite.
There are lots of scam shops that advertise in Pop Photo. It has been the topic of discussion for years in every forum on photography I have seen. The magazine editor's response is usually something like "for the volume of sales these outfits have, the number of complaints is pretty small". That may sound good, but if you are one of the 'scammed' it is not a pleasant experience. And how many people know they got taken. I talk to some people I know that think they got a good deal from one of these outfits and I don't have the heart to break their bubble.
