Camera purchase - best way to
Mar 27, 2015, 12:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 45
Camera purchase - best way to
I'm in the market to spend more money then I care to for a new camera.
I need a bit of assistance.
The camera is purchasable (pre-orderable) at the normal places: B&H, Adorama...
I'm trying to find the best way to purchase this:
1) I've been looking for gift cards - no luck
2) I've looked at portals (only one so far) and it's not panning out as I hoped.
So my question is:
Where can I get the biggest bang for my buck in making this sizable purchase.
Jam
I need a bit of assistance.
The camera is purchasable (pre-orderable) at the normal places: B&H, Adorama...
I'm trying to find the best way to purchase this:
1) I've been looking for gift cards - no luck
2) I've looked at portals (only one so far) and it's not panning out as I hoped.
So my question is:
Where can I get the biggest bang for my buck in making this sizable purchase.
Jam
Mar 27, 2015, 2:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,074
Use an Amex for warranty, and use the best portal you can find (Befrugal for Adorama?). Not worth giving up the extra year of Amex warranty for an extra % here or there. 5% vs 1%/1 MR per $, then maybe worth considering.
People may say "sign up for a new card and get xx,000 miles for your purchase" but that makes no sense unless you couldn't achieve the sign up spend with your regular spend pattern AND you're averse to MS. What's the camera cost? $1000? It costs $12 at most to MS that, so just put large purchases on the best card you have and MS when necessary.
People may say "sign up for a new card and get xx,000 miles for your purchase" but that makes no sense unless you couldn't achieve the sign up spend with your regular spend pattern AND you're averse to MS. What's the camera cost? $1000? It costs $12 at most to MS that, so just put large purchases on the best card you have and MS when necessary.
Last edited by dukerau; Mar 27, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Mar 27, 2015, 5:44 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 45
I'm considering - not sure if it's doAble but I'm thinking I would buy Amazon gift cards with my Chase 5x points card at Staples. Add the gift cards to my amazon account and purchase that way.
camera will cost about $4,000.
camera will cost about $4,000.
Mar 27, 2015, 6:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, TY, UR, UA, US, WN, MR, SPG
Posts: 1,453
No purchase protection when you buy with GCs. As others have said, it's not really worth it to give up the purchase protection/extended warranty from AMEX. 20K UR points would be nice, but I wouldn't do it, personally.
Mar 27, 2015, 7:52 pm
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Most aftermarket "extended protection" plans are a bit dodgy, IMO. AMEX extends the OEM warranty terms a year, iirc, and can include theft or breakage protection for a time as well. Though for a camera and lenses of this price level, I'd recommend a floater policy in your homeowners insurance policy if you're not a professional.
Mar 27, 2015, 7:55 pm
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
Whatever method you choose, I suggest doing it in a state without sales tax (where I live the tax is 8.5%). Maybe Delaware or Oregon.
I delayed purchases of a MacBook Air and Sony RX100M3 since I knew I would soon be traveling to Anchorage and the price on both items was the same everywhere.
Just a thought.
I delayed purchases of a MacBook Air and Sony RX100M3 since I knew I would soon be traveling to Anchorage and the price on both items was the same everywhere.
Just a thought.