[steven777400]

Related question: what online sites, if any, are better to purchase items to avoid counterfeit?

I've been thinking of using B&H instead of Amazon for electronic stuff, assuming that their reputation means they are less likely to enable counterfeit sellers, but I don't know that for sure. I also don't know if other online sites (jet.com?) have or don't have the counterfeit issue.

[astura]

A lot of times I buy for the websites of big name brick and mortar stores. Some B&M stores also have third party sellers, so watch out for that. Walmart.com offers free two day shipping for orders over $49, which I've used quite a bit since they implemented that policy. I've also bought direct from the manufacturer.

As far as jet.com, I think their suppliers vary and I don't know if they have better vetting of their suppliers. They are owned by Walmart now, FWIW. I've bought a few things from there and they have very bad problems with packaging, all my orders had something destroyed during shipping due to poor packaging.

[cbhcali]

I only buy from websites that control their own supply chain -- meaning they know who they are dealing with when they procured the goods, not randos from overseas.

I love Target, free shipping threshold is $35 but you get what you ordered 100% of the time. They have a good selection for most of what I buy often. You can mail back returns or take them to a store. I like Microcenter for electronics.

I also buy from brand websites directly, since they have no reason to send anything but their authentic products. Brand websites often have deals. Join the mailing lists of your favorites, a lot of them send out discount codes.

[mcguire]

B&H? Once upon a time the world's greatest source of "grey market" camera equipment?

[astura]

Grey market is not black market though. They aren't counterfeit, knockoffs, or potentially dangerous. They are legitimate products made by the manufacturer. They are very upfront that they sell grey market items.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/USGrey.jsp

We also sell some products we've obtained from sources other than the manufacturer or its licensed importer. These are "grey market" products. "Grey market" is not illegal, not factory seconds, not demo merchandise, not cheaper or inferior products. In fact in almost every instance a "grey market" product is absolutely identical to its US-warranted counterpart. "Grey market" and US-warranted products are manufactured in the same factories from the same components, and sub-assemblies, to the same specs and tolerances, by the same workers. In terms of the item itself (excepting PAL video -- see below) there is no difference at all. A "grey market" Nikon 50mm f/1.4 D-AF lens (for example) is exactly the same in every possible way as the US-warranted version.

[detaro]

Was there a time when they weren't open about that?