Buying a camera at NRT
 

Tried a search, but it didn't turn up any old threads. If this has been asked and answered (as I suspect), my apologies and merge my request into the existing thread.

At any rate, I understand it's cheaper to buy cameras in the US than in Japan, even though they are made there. I'm guessing it's because of taxes, but of course I could be wrong.

Transited NRT many times, but didn't need a camera, so didn't check prices. Can anyone tell me if a, say Canon T2i or one of the better point and shoot would be cheaper at NRT than Best Buy, Fry's or some other discounter in the US.

Thanks, EmailKid

p.s., too late for mail order, leaving Wednesday, at NRT Thursday, in case someone with RCC membership is also flying in the p.m. ;)

It's more to do with the exchange rate than the tax (only 5% consumption tax in Japan at the moment), which makes every in Japan one-third more expensive in USD terms than 5 years ago.

The equivalent model in Japan to the Rebel T2i is the Kiss X4 (it's the same camera just different branding). There's a very close correspondence in price between the Fry's price and the price at Yodobashi Camera - which is a major electronics discount chain. I doubt the airport is any cheaper; in fact, if I go by the one page I can find, it's about 30% more expensive.

Also bear in mind that these models do not have an international warranty. Canon would be within its rights to ask you to return your camera to Japan for service if it developed an issue.

Airports are generally one of the worst places to get a good price on ANYTHING. Remember, you can't go to the duty-free shops at NRT (if they even have cameras) unless you're LEAVING Japan.

On one trip to Japan, I dropped my camera on the sidewalk and irreparably damaged the lens and focusing mechanism. (Two camera shops told me that it would be a hassle to fix because it would need new parts.)

So I went to Yodobashi Camera (their repair department told me that they could fix the camera for somewhat less than buying a new one, but that it would take two weeks, and I had only another week in Japan), and while they didn't have my exact model in stock, they did have one with comparable features. Being on a tourist visa, I was exempt from consumption tax, so I got a slight break on the price, but all in all, it cost about the same as it would have in the U.S.

Did you check 価格.com? I was looking for the OP but gave up because I didn't have the faintest idea what model it was!

You can check pricejapan.com for prices. Agree with posters above, most products are more expensive in Japan, and many of them do not have US warrantees. If you do buy something, don't forget to keep the receipt for customs declaration.

My experience is that prices in Japan are way higher than in the US, even for Japanese products. I bought something at the Sony store two years ago and found it was twice (yes, twice) what the price was in the US. I love to visit the electronics stores and the prices are always way higher. I imagine with the strength of the yen right now that the price differential is even worse.

And, AFAIK, Canon will honor warranties only for the countries in which the product was purchased. I'd certainly want to be absolutely sure that if I buy an expensive product that the warranty was valid at home. (I have lots of Canon products and have never had a problem with any of them, but I'd err on the side of caution.)