Hi there!
I'm an international student currently residing in California. I need to buy a flash-based video camera in the $200-$500 price range, and wonder where americans buy cameras cheap.
Generally, buying online will be cheaper than buying in an actual brick-and-mortar store. Check places like Amazon, Newegg, etc.
Stores such as Target, Best Buy (shudder!), Fry's, and the like will also sell cameras. For the less expensive pocket-type camcorders, the price difference from store to store is usually negligible.
Although the $200-$500 is a very broad spectrum. Youll find low end pocket HD cams for 200 and really nice near-Pro camcorders for 500...soo..you should narrow that from what features you want.
Don't forget Craigslist.com - once you find your camcorder. Check locally to see if someone is selling one used. Might help save you some extra cash....
As craigslist is essentially an anonymous transaction, if I am going that road it is always cash, face to face.
Meet at a coffee shop or some other public place with people around. That creates a reasonably safe environment for both parties.
Make sure you are happy with the product before you hand over the cash, the likelihood of meeting this person again in the future is very slim.
I have never had a bad transaction with craigslist, but I am always careful. If the price is too good to be true, you are probably looking at a nigerian scam or stolen property.
Great!
I looked around at Amazon, and found a camera that seems to be what I'm looking for - the HF10. But then I searched, and found it much cheaper here:
I don't know if digitalhawks is one of them, but there are many online companies that are based out of NJ and NY that are scams. They offer the camera at some crazy price lower than most and then when you place your order they tell you it's out of stock and back ordered. They then offer other options at higher prices or somehow magically find the camera you are looking for but there are additional costs now for some reason or another.
Just did a quick google search and found this on digitalhawks.
I would say stay away. Generally, when buying online go with a trusted seller like those that have been mentioned already in this thread.
Easy now. You're bashing my home state! Then again, you guys do have a good point. Lots of scammers from NJ. Hell, some of them are probably guys I went to high school with.