I bought my last camera at Abes of Maine after a friend recommended them. I also recommend them. I also have bought from Porters several times and recommend them. Porters is in Iowa, where they speak English, in case you have trouble with those bait and switch stores that speak Nue Yawkeeez. ;)

After checking the 'reseller rating' link, and reading all y'alls comments, my mind is made up on one thing for sure. I don't know where I WILL buy the gear, but I sure as heck know where I WON'T.

Thanks for the heads-up!

aw Jeffie, you don't need to go buying an expensive camera like that just so you can take pictures of Alief, TX for me. :D

Long-term reputation:

B&H Photo
Amazon

Heard of but never used or got feedback on:

Canoga Camera

Use at your own risk:

eBay

Flight of fancy:

Yodobashi (Japan) *drool*

Amazon Marketplace - where Amazon is just fronting for a 3rd party - is more of a mixed bag, make sure you understand who the actual seller is since their listings are mixed with the actual Amazon listings.

Yodobashi just to the west of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is fun but is scattered about almost as if it were several different stores. The one in Akihabara is best described as simply being 9 floors of heaven. :)

Yodobashi is actually in multiple spots in Tokyo, and all over Japan. It's only scattered in Shinjuku that I know of (3 stores, all near each other). It's a store and a museum really - has pretty much everything!

If you ever need film, Yodobashi in Shinjuku is the place to go.

Always, always check resellerratings if you have a question

Thanks for all the info!

Thank you for the pointer to the Roberts' site. Amazingly, it claims to have 70-200mm VR in stock! Ordered one right away.

Let's see how well it delivers :)

-- and now we now: Roberts' delivers very well. Shipping email sent in advance with tracking number, always a nice touch. Lens arrived w/in 3 business days, seems perfect, though I need to play with it more. Pricing was at MSRP, not + $2-300 as is true for many NYC camera shops who only occassionaly are able to stock this popular item.

Thanks all for the info in this thread. I need to find a Sony A-200 dual and this is a HUGE help.

Ritz Camera is another good retailer

D40 is a prob the best bang for the buck in dslr's still- it's only issue is that autofocus wont work with most nikon lenses. Get the d40 and the kit lens, you won't be disappointed.

For a good read on this subject, check- Recommended Cameras

http://www.adorama.com/ all the way!^

Trying to Clarify
 

Am I correct that even if I buy a new, non grey market camera, with the USA warranty, from an on-line retailer that is not anauthorized Nikon dealer, Nikon will not honor the warranty?

I am looking to get the D90. I found a retailer on Ebay who gets great ratings on both there and resellerratings.com. I am considering them over one of the authorized dealers because I have a 10% off coupon from Ebay I can apply to it, saving $100. If Nikon will not honor the warranty I do not think it is worth it for the savings.

B&H used to - and perhaps still does - sell "gray market" equipment that they would warranty themselves. I would trust them.

Thanks, but this would not be a gray market camera. It would be a brand new USA model, just not bought from an authorized Nikon dealer. And B&H is not the Ebay retailer I was considering. I would probably go with them if I went the authorized dealer route.