Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by cameraconsumer
A week ago, we talked about the best time to buy a new camera.
And now, it might be good to discuss how to find the best price on a camera (or lens) that you’ve got your eyes on. Waiting for the right time to buy is half of the equation. You also have to know how to look, where to look, etc.
For the most part, I think people who are ready to buy a new camera and are looking for discounts fall into two categories:
Group 1
People who have a specific model, from a specific brand that they’d like to purchase. And, they’re just looking for the best deal available on that particular camera model.
Group 2
People who have narrowed their choices down to a few specific models with similar characteristics and features. And that might include a few different brands. But, they’ll probably make their final choice based on price.
For example, let’s say the Canon EOS 750D is roughly equivalent to the Nikon D3300, and you’d be happy with either one.
Both groups will have similar ways in terms of finding the best deals and discounts. Except, of course, when it comes down to bargaining or negotiating (if you’re open to that tactic) – more on this later.
If you’re patient, and have time to plan your camera purchase, then just wait for the time of year when cameras are discounted, or put on sale.
Camera Stores
Visit your favorite store or seller, and either search for the brand/model that you’re looking for or check their sale/clearance section. If you don’t have any favorite sellers, here is a list of some of my favorite camera stores:
- Adorama Camera (eBay and Amazon)
- Focus Camera ( eBay and Amazon)
- 17th Street Photo (eBay and Amazon)
If you want even deeper discounts, then you need to recognize the fundamental differences between Amazon and eBay – and use them to your advantage.
Amazon vs eBay
On eBay, every seller or store has their own set of listings. They list what they have for sale. Each camera listed, or each camera lens, accessory, etc. has its own listing page. And those pages are exclusive to that store.
On Amazon, for the most part, sellers list off of one shared product page.
For example, Amazon will have a listing for a Nikon D7500, and every seller who wishes to sell that model will submit their price for it. So when you’re searching for a product, you’ll see a section that says “More Buying Choices” in the search page like this:
Or an “other Sellers” section on the actual product page, like this:
In other words, Amazon is one big market, and all sellers compete in one specific place, like the product page above for example. Traffic isn’t really an issue, because all of the action takes place in one central location.
Think of it like the trading floor of a stock exchange:
Whereas on eBay, every store has its own space, sort of like a food court in a mall. Similar stores compete with each other for foot traffic.
On Amazon, you’ll generally find the lowest price upfront, in one central location. Since sellers compete on that one single page, for that specific product, sellers will generally offer their lowest price.
On eBay, it can take a few clicks for comparison. Which is actually a positive thing for buyers (more on this to come).
Camera Bundles
There is one exception to this. When Amazon sellers create their own camera bundles or have import versions for sale, etc., they usually create their own listing page, using a generic UPC barcode. This allows them to basically have sole possession of that product page. This means there can be some wiggle room price-wise.
Use this to your advantage in the steps below.
How To Get The Best Price
Now let’s put all of this information together, and put it to good use.
Whether you’re on eBay or Amazon, you have the ability to contact any seller. If you’re willing to haggle, there’s no reason not to.
It all comes down to whether you’re in group 1, or group 2. If you’ve already chosen which camera model to buy, your best bet is to pit sellers against each other. Whereas if you’ve narrowed down your options, and are just looking for the best price possible among them, it’s better to target each seller individually.
Here’s how:
Group 1
Let’s say you’re all set on the Nikon D7500 we discussed earlier. Now you just want the lowest price possible – and why wouldn’t you?
On eBay
Assuming you’ve already found the lowest price currently available, pick the seller(s) with the 2nd (and 3rd, 4th, etc.) lowest prices, and send them a message.
For example, let’s say Adorama Camera currently has the lowest price on the D7500. And Focus Camera is next in line.
Contact Focus Camera, and inside your message, provide them a link to Adorama’s listing. Ask them if the model that they’re selling is any different. And if so, how.
The majority of the time, you’ll get a response telling you that it’s the same model, and that you should purchase it from them because of “X, Y, and Z”.
When you respond, tell them that you’re a repeat customer and that you would prefer to purchase from them. Ask them to beat the price.
In my experience, sellers will usually either A.) send you an offer with a better price, or B.) provide the same price, but sweeten the deal by offering generic accessories, like a tripod for example.
These generically branded accessories are a very small expense for sellers, which is why you’ll often see them being offered in camera or drone bundles. And if you need those specific accessories, then it can be an even better deal.
Now just repeat these steps with the other stores selling the same model.
On Amazon
As mentioned previously, with most listings, you’ll generally find that multiple sellers offer the same camera at the same price. With so much parity in price, it’s actually quite easy to create competition.
Earlier on, I mentioned how Amazon listings will have a section titled “Other Sellers on Amazon”. That means that they are already displaying a particular seller.
For example, take a look at this listing for a Nikon D7500:
For this camera and lens bundle, the featured seller is PhotoCraft.
Why are they featured? Because they won what is known as the “Buy Box”. As a seller, you want your store name to be featured because it will increase your sales. Most shoppers just choose the featured store, they don’t even look at the other sellers.
To be featured in the Buy Box, you have to demonstrate a positive selling history, and the ability to offer a high customer satisfaction rate for that particular item.
In other words, stores aren’t just competing for any one sale, they are competing to win the Buy Box. In order to have a chance to get into the Buy Box, you have to have sales for that item. This means that the sellers who aren’t currently winning the Buy Box, will be motivated to sell to you for less!
Follow the steps above as with eBay, but instead of sending them other listing pages, send them the listing page for the item in which they are listed as an “other seller”, not the featured seller.
Negotiate with confidence knowing that they need to accrue sales in order to get featured.
Group 2
If you’ve narrowed your choices down to a select few, with price being the differentiating factor, you’ll need to target each seller one on one. In essence, you’ll have their own listings compete against each other.
This applies more to eBay than to Amazon, and you’ll see why in a moment.
Let’s say you’re a beginner, and you’ve decided to purchase either a Canon EOS Rebel T6 or a Nikon D3400 (both good options by the way). These two are generally available around the same price point, and have similar features and capabilities.
For this example, let’s choose Focus Camera on eBay.
Take a look at the two listing pages for each camera respectively. First the Canon EOS Rebel T6:
And now look at this listing page for the Nikon D3400:
Besides the brand and model-specific info, you’ll find one major difference between these two snapshots. The Canon Rebel T6 listing has had 10 sales, whereas the Nikon has had 1 sale!
Every seller has certain items that sell better for them for whatever random reasons.
So the difference in number sold isn’t a reflection on which camera is better, or which is more popular. It just means that for this store, the first listing sells more often than the second listing – the Nikon camera.
For obvious reasons, this seller will probably be more motivated to move the slower-selling Nikon model.
How To Do It
Send them a message from one of the product pages, let’s say the Canon Rebel listing page. To do this, click on the “Contact Seller” link under their profile information:
Provide them a link to the other page (in this case, the Nikon), and tell them that you are considering purchasing either of these two, and ask which they would recommend. Maybe ask them if the extra megapixels on the Nikon make a difference. Or ask if they prefer the EXPEED 4 image processor of the Nikon over the Digic 4+ image processor of the Canon.
The exact question doesn’t matter too much here. We’re just trying to demonstrate a level of interest in both cameras.
Most likely, their response will indicate that while they are both great choices, they would prefer the Nikon D3400 (because it doesn’t sell as well for them, and they need to move the inventory).
When you respond back, tell them that you prefer the Canon camera, but you would be willing to purchase the Nikon if they would offer you a more attractive price.
9 times out of 10, when one listing is outperforming the other by a wide margin, you’ll get the deal you’re looking for.
