So you want to buy a HD200.... at DVinfo.net

Eric Gulbransen · January 27th, 2007, 02:15 PM

Money doesn't come easy to me, so when I face a big dollar purchase I typically search for cheaper ways out. One time that particular thinking "almost" got me in trouble, as I came a whisper away from falling into the grasp of the aggressive internet criminal sellers who seem to populate (read: "generate") the "Discount, wholesale" digital sales world.

I promised myself, after I learned that very vaulable lesson, never to trust those types again. And I haven't. But, still, it's been tempting these past months to browse through their ads that claim "unrealistic" prices. I knew what would have happened if I had called, or if I clicked "Purchase now." So I didn't. But still those ads left a lingering impression that at the very least there "Might" be a way to save some money (sweat) on this big (for me) purchase.

The best I could figure, after quite a lot of hunting, was that I had two options: Pay full retail for the lot of equipment I needed, and take no chances, or go for the discount and be completely destroyed by the enemy. But then I followed some friendly advice and instead of just checking the DVinfo.net site sponsors for inventory and prices, I actually -called one- Tapeworks. Once I did it didn't take long for me to learn that all I knew up until this point was not all there was to know about buying dv equipment. Suddenly I had a name, and wasn't referred to as buddy. When I didn't have a name I was referred to as Sir. Instead of getting cheap tripods jammed down my throat, simple ten packs of HD tapes were gently "suggested." I was helped, rather than taken advantage of. I was respected, rather than disgusted.

Today I've got a lot less money in my piggybank, but I'm very happy to report I'm not pacing about the room in a cold sweat over it. I'm actually pretty damn happy about it. And that's the way it should be.

Hope this helps, back.

Brian Luce · January 27th, 2007, 03:07 PM

The good 'ole boys at Tapeworks are pretty cool. I got my hd100 from them.

Greg Boston · January 27th, 2007, 03:15 PM

Eric,

That's the type of experience Chris demands from our sponsors. They also helped us out tremendously with last year's Texas HD Shootout.

Enjoy the new camera!

-gb-

Don Bloom · January 27th, 2007, 03:26 PM

ALL of the sponsors of this site are top notch, that's why they're sponsors.

When spending the kind of money we spend on stuff, whether its 50 tapes or a new camera with associated gear you should feel comfortable with the vendor you're doing business with and not have "the sweats" wondering IF and WHEN your gear is going to show up.

I'm glad you feel so good about your purchase. It just proves the point that price isn't everthing. I'd rather pay a bit more and KNOW I'm going to get what I paid for.

Congrats on the new gear and now you can relax and enjoy it.

Don

Eric Gulbransen · January 27th, 2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

I'd rather pay a bit more and KNOW I'm going to get what I paid for.

What's ironic is I didn't pay a bit more... Great deal on ALL fronts.

Scott Jaco · January 31st, 2007, 05:40 AM

I'm glad you found a good dealer. About a year ago, I was looking for new equipment and I saw all of the really cheap websites.

I checked www.resellerratings.com and read all the really bad reviews for these vendors. I noticed that B&H photo/video had really good reviews so I went with them and the service was excellent.

A lot of these cheap websites consider their camcorders to be "loss leaders", they make no money on the item so they make it a contingency to purchase a bunch of overpriced accessory packages. That is the only way they make money.

It’s the classic “bait & switch”. People have really become the victims of their own frugalness. They only care about price. That is how these con artist succeed. They turn the customer's greed around on them and use it to their advantage. Not an honorable way of doing business if you ask me.

John Butler · January 31st, 2007, 08:34 AM

I recently discovered Tapeworks and have made several purchases from them including cameras. They have top notch customer service, they are quick to respond and knowledable. You can't say that about a lot of resellers.

Carl Hicks · January 31st, 2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Gulbransen

What's ironic is I didn't pay a bit more... Great deal on ALL fronts.

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the business, and on behalf of my dealer, Tapeworks, thanks for the compliments.

Regards,

January 27th, 2007, 02:15 PM	#1
Eric Gulbransen Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Palo Alto, California Posts: 520	So you want to buy a HD200.... Money doesn't come easy to me, so when I face a big dollar purchase I typically search for cheaper ways out. One time that particular thinking "almost" got me in trouble, as I came a whisper away from falling into the grasp of the aggressive internet criminal sellers who seem to populate (read: "generate") the "Discount, wholesale" digital sales world. I promised myself, after I learned that very vaulable lesson, never to trust those types again. And I haven't. But, still, it's been tempting these past months to browse through their ads that claim "unrealistic" prices. I knew what would have happened if I had called, or if I clicked "Purchase now." So I didn't. But still those ads left a lingering impression that at the very least there "Might" be a way to save some money (sweat) on this big (for me) purchase. The best I could figure, after quite a lot of hunting, was that I had two options: Pay full retail for the lot of equipment I needed, and take no chances, or go for the discount and be completely destroyed by the enemy. But then I followed some friendly advice and instead of just checking the DVinfo.net site sponsors for inventory and prices, I actually -called one- Tapeworks. Once I did it didn't take long for me to learn that all I knew up until this point was not all there was to know about buying dv equipment. Suddenly I had a name, and wasn't referred to as buddy. When I didn't have a name I was referred to as Sir. Instead of getting cheap tripods jammed down my throat, simple ten packs of HD tapes were gently "suggested." I was helped, rather than taken advantage of. I was respected, rather than disgusted. Today I've got a lot less money in my piggybank, but I'm very happy to report I'm not pacing about the room in a cold sweat over it. I'm actually pretty damn happy about it. And that's the way it should be. Hope this helps, back.

January 31st, 2007, 08:34 AM	#7
John Butler New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: United States Posts: 5	Tapeworks Texas I recently discovered Tapeworks and have made several purchases from them including cameras. They have top notch customer service, they are quick to respond and knowledable. You can't say that about a lot of resellers.

January 27th, 2007, 03:07 PM	#2
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	The good 'ole boys at Tapeworks are pretty cool. I got my hd100 from them.

January 27th, 2007, 03:15 PM	#3
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Eric, That's the type of experience Chris demands from our sponsors. They also helped us out tremendously with last year's Texas HD Shootout. Enjoy the new camera! -gb-

January 27th, 2007, 03:26 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	ALL of the sponsors of this site are top notch, that's why they're sponsors. When spending the kind of money we spend on stuff, whether its 50 tapes or a new camera with associated gear you should feel comfortable with the vendor you're doing business with and not have "the sweats" wondering IF and WHEN your gear is going to show up. I'm glad you feel so good about your purchase. It just proves the point that price isn't everthing. I'd rather pay a bit more and KNOW I'm going to get what I paid for. Congrats on the new gear and now you can relax and enjoy it. Don

January 31st, 2007, 05:40 AM	#6
Scott Jaco Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 471	I'm glad you found a good dealer. About a year ago, I was looking for new equipment and I saw all of the really cheap websites. I checked www.resellerratings.com and read all the really bad reviews for these vendors. I noticed that B&H photo/video had really good reviews so I went with them and the service was excellent. A lot of these cheap websites consider their camcorders to be "loss leaders", they make no money on the item so they make it a contingency to purchase a bunch of overpriced accessory packages. That is the only way they make money. It’s the classic “bait & switch”. People have really become the victims of their own frugalness. They only care about price. That is how these con artist succeed. They turn the customer's greed around on them and use it to their advantage. Not an honorable way of doing business if you ask me.