To buy now or to wait

[nolonemo]

Previd, I usually agree with you, but IMO you're out of line here. If TD's policy is that you can change your mind and refuse a deliver to return the item, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing so for any reason. This is not at all like taking delivery of the camera, shooting a wedding, and then returning it for a bogus reason.

In setting their policy, TD has factored it in as a cost of doing business, and adjusted their prices accordingly (if they are rational businessmen). It's an individual decision for the business - some don't charge anything, some charge a "restocking fee."

Returning something within the terms of sale is just not immoral in any way, IMO. And that's my two cents.

Oh, and OP, check out the HV20 price at Comp USA right now.

[elantric]

FWIW - COMPUSA and TIGERDIRECT are both essentially the same company

http://www.compusa.com/applications/...&Sku=C925-1382

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=C925-1382

and both are subsidiaries of Systemax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Direct

[DevinWho]

Thanks. My cam was scheduled to arrive today but I accidentally over slept. I did however receive my firewire. So I shouldn't be needing this thread anymore

[previdman]

I'm sorry if I've offended you previdman ...

Devin,
No offense taken or apology needed.

I admit I was a bit harsh as I've done similar things when I was younger, too. Over time I learned that my selfish acts affected more than just the few I thought.

Now I do a lot of comparison shopping before I place an order. I still get burned occasionally but consider it a lesson learned for next time.

Best wishes to you and your endeavors.

[previdman]

.... If TD's policy is that you can change your mind and refuse a deliver to return the item, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing so for any reason...... Returning something within the terms of sale is just not immoral in any way, IMO.

I absolutely agree with you if that's actually stated in the TOS.

And if in the same situation as Devin, I'd probably have advantaged myself of that also.

But even so, it does affect all the prices we pay for stuff.

[nolonemo]

IBut even so, it does affect all the prices we pay for stuff.

Well, you should expect that a company that charges a 15% restocking fee has lower prices than one that will take non-defective returns for "free."


But in the long run, gaming the system does hurt everyone. I remember that Costco had a crazy return policy, something like 6 months no questions asked. They had to cut it down because people were buying flat screen TVs, keeping them for the limit and returning them, by when the price would have dropped or a newer model would be available for the same. Best Buy has also really tightened up returns (I think they may have instituted a restocking fee) because people were abusing the return policy.

[DevinWho]

Why is this stickied? O.O

[Dr. Benway]

Hey DevinWho, try to avoid tying yourself in knots over deals and suchlike, find a goodie and be happy. I do it, I obsess about purchases and it drives me nutty. I know it's hard here as you are receiving advice from older people with cash to burn on these things.

Business is business and these places are making millions compared to your work or pocket money, so protect what money you have and put it to good use. Nolonemo's right, exercise your rights as a consumer as often as you can.

Get your kit and enjoy the hell out of it. Being able to make a movie or documentary or art piece on your own, however dodgy it may be, is stunning. It's amazing tech limited mostly by the skills and taste of the user.

[Shadow_7]

Be a man, bucko. A man's word is his bond, even if it hurts. You want to live in a man's world, start acting like it.

There's no need to have/pay for an item you don't need. And it's not like it was five fingered. Ever shop for car parts? How am I to know they put a 1987 mirror on my 1988 cavalier? Until I have the part and it doesn't fit, of course. Pay for it and send it to the land fill since I can't use it? Hopefully not. Eat the costs for return shipping and/or a restocking fee, probably. Can I claim that as a charitable donation on my taxes, probably not.

[previdman]

There's no need to have/pay for an item you don't need. .....Until I have the part and it doesn't fit, of course. Pay for it and send it to the land fill since I can't use it? ......

All due respect, WTF are you talking about?

This isn't even in the same category as buying something you want, then having remorse over not getting it at a lower price, then refusing shipment when it comes to your house.

Did you just need something to write about or what?

[previdman]

Hey DevinWho, try to avoid tying yourself in knots over deals and suchlike, find a goodie and be happy. I do it, I obsess about purchases and it drives me nutty. ..........Get your kit and enjoy the hell out of it....

Agreed.

Everybody wants to get the "best" price. Me, too.

BUT if you really want something and the difference between having it now or waiting just to save $20, $30 hell, even $50 is stupid, IMHO. Worse if you're willing to forgo common sense and logic by suckering into a 'Brooklyn Scam (BS)' low ball offer.

Once you have that 'gotta have' item and are using it, enjoying it, even making money with it, the relatively small extra in price will be long forgotten.

My point? Don't let the fear of paying too much keep you from enjoying what could be arguably the best MiniDV camcorder ever made.

Just thought I'd put things in proper perspective.

[Shadow_7]

All due respect, WTF are you talking about?

WTF are talking about. I had assumed your rude comment was about this guy needing to return a non compatible cleaning tape.

Hmmm Okay I just realized when I ordered the cleaning cassette, i accidentally chose a random one and got the DDS Cleaning Cartridge. Now that I look at it. Is that compatible with the HV20? Im still learning alot and if its not, can someone point me to a good cleaning cassette? I need to fix this issue before it arrives

But you'd rather just continue to be rude.

[previdman]

WTF are talking about. I had assumed your rude comment was about this guy needing to return a non compatible cleaning tape.
But you'd rather just continue to be rude.

Please go back and read the OP. You'll see where he ordered a camera, found a better price $40 less, and says he will just refuse the shipment when it comes to his door so he can order the cheaper one..

That's what I'm talking about and that's what incurred my 'rudeness.'

And I'd really rather NOT be rude nor continue being so but when people comment on something they either haven't fully read or misunderstand what they've read, yeah, it kind of irks me.

And all I said was "WTF?" because in light of your obvious abbreviated understanding to the full story, I didn't understand your reply.

I did say, "With all due respect." not as an excuse for my rudeness but as a qualifier.

Sorry if I offended you.
No joke.

[Shadow_7]

Please go back and read the OP. You'll see where he ordered a camera, found a better price $40 less, and says he will just refuse the shipment when it comes to his door so he can order the cheaper one..

That's what I'm talking about and that's what incurred my 'rudeness.'

And I'd really rather NOT be rude nor continue being so but when people comment on something they either haven't fully read or misunderstand what they've read, yeah, it kind of irks me.

And all I said was "WTF?" because in light of your obvious abbreviated understanding to the full story, I didn't understand your reply.

I did say, "With all due respect." not as an excuse for my rudeness but as a qualifier.

Sorry if I offended you.
No joke.

Okay, I now see where the OP mentioned that on POST #16. I can't say I agree with that either. But I've ordered audio gear from WWBW, and was told free shipping and 6 week delivery at the time of the order. I ended up getting a letter a few weeks later saying I needed to pay $9-ish more for shipping until my order would be completed. I called the service rep and found out at that time that it may or may not be delivered sometime in the next SIX MONTHS, as that was what the manufacturer was telling them. I opted to keep the order in motion just in case. But I got tired of being in limbo and bought a similar device on craigslist. I went to cancel my order on that same day, and guess what? It "in theory" had shipped ON that day. Well I guess a little more than theory as I got it shortly there after. The actual delivery date was pretty much six weeks, and I wasn't charged shipping. After arguing with a CSR and upping the ante to their manager, since they were insistant that I'd have to pay shipping, just to get my ordered filled. I even had a coupon code for free shipping, which they were unwilling to consider. Not that I needed it as the ordered qualified for free shipping at the time it was placed.

In the end it all got settled per the original agreement. But it was sure frustrating. In the meantime I have two headphone preamps, and only "need" one. But for $30 from craigslist I'm not complaining too much. If it was $500+ like the camera would be, then yeah, I could see going that route, I might even do it myself, given a rude CSR or other motivation.

All due respect, WTF are you talking about?

This isn't even in the same category as buying something you want, then having remorse over not getting it at a lower price, then refusing shipment when it comes to your house.

Did you just need something to write about or what?

The original part of your reply wasn't that offensive to me. It's the tag line that zinged me the wrong way. And probably wasn't called for.

[previdman]

The tag line was a zinger because I didn't see what relevance your reply had to my post, as I was talking about the camera issue.

To me, the larger part of the issue was his refusing the camera upon delivery. I never cared about the tape issue as it was so overshadowed by the camera one.

And after reading about your experience, I think we can both agree your situation bore little resemblance to the OP's. You got jerked around, he didn't. Had I been you, I wouldn't have been so patient ... or nice about it.

[Shadow_7]

And after reading about your experience, I think we can both agree your situation bore little resemblance to the OP's. You got jerked around, he didn't. Had I been you, I wouldn't have been so patient ... or nice about it.

It really depends on your perspective. I didn't really feel that there was enough information divulged to make that determination. I know that when posting on forums like this I tend to edit out about 60% of what I "originally wrote". So who knows if his experience, from which his statements on pending actions were based, weren't exactly like mine? It was just a little too early to be making judment calls on character and other aspects, IMO. And too few of the details as to why were made available.

Granted that I tend to operate on impulse, on occasion, but only when I deem it safe to do so. I'm not about to make the HV30 leap, if I can't cover this months rent, AND next months, and maybe even the month after that. I've been unemployed too many times NOT to take that precaution. In all honesty, I want a Red Scarlett, BUT, it's not available yet, and I don't have that kind of spare cash laying around. And at this price point, I need to know more before taking the dive. Like can I handle the resultant media. How much for a firewire interface, cable, tapes, and other necessary extras, just to use the device. Which is why I'm leaning towards an HG-20 at the moment. Fewer "extras". Despite the higher price tag (street value), I get basically the same functionality. Or more depending on interpretation.

[503]

I want to buy an HV30.

Unfortunately I was duped by a scam site a few days ago. Thought I was getting a "the economy is screwed" fire sale type deal. Oops. Luckily I spent some time on this site and quickly realized that was a big mistake. Cancelled my card.

Anyways I still want to make the investment and was going to go to B&H for $599 shipped which is still pretty good.

However I am wondering if I should wait for the thanksgiving weekend sales. Retail sales are the worst they have been in a while... do you think prices will get slashed?

THANKS FOR THE INPUT!!!

[boldav46]

I bought the Hv30 when it was $624.99 shipped. Sure I paid $25 more for it, but I have been enjoying it now for 2 weeks. This has given me the time to tract down needed accessories like an extra battery, lots of tapes, a circular polarizer, a Lowepro Edit 130 case, a cleaning tape and other goodies. Now I know how to use the camera in all kinds of lighting, which includes locking the gain down in low light. I've also practiced editing my footage in Sony Vegas so I'm all ready for the holiday season and any upcoming vacation.

In conclusion, I'm happy I have the camera now even though it costs a little less. Do I think the HV30 will continue to drop in price? Probably, but how much longer do you want to wait? Maybe it will be replaced by a better model for more money or another flash based camera like the HF100 in the future. I think it all depends on whether you need it now or want to play the waiting game.

[aldolega]

the best Black Friday deal i saw on the HV30 was $649. so, not worth it.

[boldav46]

Well, the HV30 has dropped $5 more at B&H and is now $594.95 . What this means to me is that the camera is now affordable to more people. In addition, you might want to look at the HF100, which is only $549 and is smaller overall but uses the AVCHD format.

[JavaMan Entertainment]

I'd go for an hv30 with that budget, some folks here reccommended samy's camera, they also have an ebay site for their items. You can find an HV30 for $600+shippping and it MAY come with a warranty but you'll have to call them or check. Their a friendly staff in LA.

[rockyroad]

Are you certain this is even a good move for you, considering your financial circumstances and all? You do know the camera doesn't come with a blank tape or SD card, don't you? How will you afford those items?

And the prices you're seeing for an HV20 are more like I'd be considering for a new HV30. Are you sure you want to pay that much for a discontinued, year old model?

Just curious, as I have one unopened, new in box HV30 left. PM me if interested and we can talk.

How much are you selling the hv-30 for?
thank you! eddie

[drapeama]

You guys are lucky (in the US) to be able to buy the hv30 for something like 600$, the lowest price i found here (quebec, canada) is 900$. So i took a look on the hv40, 1049$. I told myself, maybe on ebay? not really, with the exchange rate CND/US and the shipping and all that stuff, if i'd save 100$ that would be the best deal. So i finally decided to take the hv40, first because it's only 150$ higher, and also because i won't have to remove pulldown to my 24p project. So guys, you're lucky to be able to buy one that is affordable! =P

[bluegrass]

I'd definitely wait for the HV90 to come out in 5 years. It will knock your socks off compared to the todays HV20, 30, & 40.

[drapeama]

heheh why not!
till then i'll be a real professional filmmaker...with a 12 years old camcoder without decent picture quality to practice with!