Many of us are tempted by super low prices advertised in the back of photo magazines to obtain camera equipment by means of mail order. I would like to pass along a few pointers as I have been burned by some companies and quite pleasantly surprised with others.

But first, let me digress with an explanation of the gray market. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, here goes an explanation. The manufacturers of goods establish a price for their item based upon what country it is to be shipped. For this reason, it is possible to purchase an item from another country at a lower price than here. Then that item can be brought back to the states and resold for a lower price than a product originally destined for the United States. The product is the same, however the difference is the warranty. If it proves defective, it often will have to return to the country of manufacture to be repaired under warranty. So if your new Minolta 700si has a glitch in one of its integrated circuits, it will probably have to go back to Japan. You can presume it will be gone for awhile.

So in your hunt for camera equipment, read the fine print. Often the companies offering the lowest prices are selling gray market goods. Be sure the ad states "USA Warranty." It will be a few dollars more, but probably well be, worth it. If you should take the risk in buying gray market goods, keep in mind the less mechanical the piece the better. A lens has less to go wrong with it than a camera body.

On a related note, avoid gray market film. There is no accounting for how it has been stored. It may have been made in Rochester, but could have been sitting on a hot dock in Bombay for months before making the trip back here. Gray market film is usually easy to spot. If the box has any language other than English, look carefully for its country of origin. Color spelled "colour" could be film manufactured in Europe. A general guideline is look for either "Manufactured in the USA" or "Manufactured for Sale in the USA", or just "USA Proof of Purchase."

When calling mail order decide whether using the 800 number is necessary. When you use that number, the other end is often not willing to discuss the product with you. He just wants your order and method of payment. If you have questions, call directly. You'll find friendlier voices who are not pressured to justify the 800 line. Remember these outfits work on volume not a high profit margin.

Confirm the product you want is in stock before giving your credit card number. Most places do not have every item listed and will "back order" the item you want. This can take some time and often your credit card is immediately billed. These outfits can be very slow in issuing a credit. On one occasion for me, it took almost six months to receive a credit after I cancelled a "back order."

Watch out for the bait and, switch method. You call in for product A. They are temporarily out of A. But they have product B that is just as good and even costs less. Be careful! There are a number of after market manufacturers that are not very reliable. So if they have a no-name flash for your new Canon A2E that will work just the same and is half the price, run - don't walk away. No-name off-brands can spell trouble especially for today's sophisticated camera electronics.

I recommend that you pay the extra money and have your item shipped express or priority. It may add $10 to the order, but I find the peace of mind of having it arrive in a day or two worth it. Conventional shipping & handling methods may take a week or more. This delay could effect your item's availability. If your requested Sigma 28-200mm zoom lens is the last one in stock, a rush order from another customer simultaneously will take precedence.

I have had success with two mail order outfits. I am sure others can attest to others. The first is Camera World of Oregon. I have found them reliable. They are not always the cheapest but are Very cordial and live up to their claims. Also being on the West Coast, their hours are longer. The second is KEH Camera Brokers of Atlanta. This organization does not deal primarily with new equipment. So if you are looking for a quality used piece or one that may be out of production, they may be able to help you. They publish a monthly catalog listing availability and condition of equipment. They have high standards in their ratings. Also they will buy used equipment. I have been very pleased with their service. Condition of equipment exceeded my expectations and service was prompt. On one occasion, they even called to notify me that the piece I had ordered was not in the condition they had listed it and asked if I wanted to cancel the order.

One last thing, don't forget your local merchants. If the price difference isn't really significant, I can't justify the additional risk in dealing mail order. With a local store, if the product is defective or complicated, returns are easier and there is someone to explain the operation of what you have purchased.

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