Best Buy joins my boycott list

So, it seems Best Buy isn’t truly the best buy after all.

The nation’s largest big box electronics retailer has been accused of fraudulent business practices after the Connecticut attorney general’s office received complaints about irregularities between what its external Website states to consumers, and what the company’s Website states in the store. One particular customer was denied a $150 discount on a laptop computer that he saw online. When Best Buy’s “Website” was punched up in the store, said discount was nowhere to be found.

No so fast, says Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. His office began an investigation into Best Buy’s business practices on February 9, and earlier this month, the company acknowledged the existence of an internal Website that differs from its external Website, but Best Buy has been less than cooperative with explanations.

“Their responses seem to raise as many questions as they answer,” Blumenthal said in an interview with the Hartford Courant. “Their answers are less than crystal clear.”

What is crystal clear is that the company has a less-than-stellar track record with being honest and straightforward with its most valuable asset – its customers.

Attorneys general in New Jersey and Ohio have filed suit against Best Buy for deceptive business practices, including the repackaging of used products and covertly selling them as new, and failing to pay rebates and refunds.

Most troubling of all, according the Blumenthal, is that Best Buy customers must mention any cheaper price on the company’s Website by name to get the discount. If customers fail to mention the cheaper price, they do not get a discount.

Accusations against the company aren’t merely rumors, either; according to the Hartford Courant, the company paid $135,000 to settle the New Jersey case, and the Ohio case is still ongoing.

For these reasons, my days as a Best Buy shopper are over. Why should I spend my hard-earned money at their store if they are out to deceive me? Another wonderful thing about the Internet – I’ll simply shop around for the best price.

Best Buy has already lost money from me since the story came to my attention; I bought an extra battery for my laptop that I’m using as we speak on an airplane. There goes at least a $125 ring though the register.

As long as the company keeps lyin’, I ain’t buyin’.

So, to my boycott list Best Buy goes, pending the outcome of these ugly consumer incidents, and contrition.

A few photo equipment reviews & advice

One of the better pics I took during our honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta

Lately, I've had a few friends say to me, "I'm getting into photography - what equipment should I buy?" I humbly tell them that I'm anything but a professional photographer or photography expert, but I've owned a number of printers, scanners and digital cameras, so I do bring some knowledge to the table.

When it comes to being serious or even semi-serious about photography (aside from getting a camera, obviously, and I'll get to cameras in a bit), having a good printer is a must. I like the use the stereo system analogy when it comes to having a good photo printer - you can buy a $3,000 stereo system, but if you skimp on the speakers, you just blew three grand on a stereo which you will never be able to truly listen to and appreciate. Just like building a good stereo system starts with the speakers, so it goes with having a good photography set up. You can own a 15 megapixel, top-of-the-line camera, but if you're printing on a sub par printer, it won't make a difference.

I've owned two Canon photo printers - I started with the S9000, Canon's original wide-format, 13" x 19" photo-capable printer. It was a thing of beauty, and I'll never forget how I came to know about this printer - a review in the New York Times entitled, Picasso, your prints are ready. But, the S9000 had a few drawbacks - its 13 x 19 prints were not borderless, and it went through ink like the town drunk through tequila. Next came the i9100, which had some notable improvements (which I did not own), and then the i9900, which I now own.

In short, the i9900 is one dynamite printer, and for most amateur photographers, this beast is more than enough to fit the bill. I'm NOT being critical of the printer, but I've observed a few drawbacks that I personally don't like, which I'll hit first, and then I'll cover the many positives, which far outweigh the negatives. (By the way, I link it to Amazon, because the i9900 was just discontinued by Canon late last year - more on that later.)

My biggest complaint is that the i9900 does not print 8" x 10" borderless prints. I have no clue why a company as bright, cutting edge and consumer conscious as Canon is yet to catch on to the fact that most Americans want 8 x 10 prints, buy 8 x 10 frames, etc. I would venture to guess that very few of us want 8 1/2" x 11" prints, and even fewer enjoy cropping them down to 8 x 10. Cropping every print down to 8 x 10 size annoying, but I can live with it.

My two other complaints are smaller in comparison, and I'm getting another printer to meet these needs anyway: 1. The i9900 doesn't excel producing black and white prints. Yes, you can alter and tinker a B&W file in Photoshop to get a halfway decent print, but that's not good enough if you're selling a print or giving one as a present. Plus, you'll go through a lot of ink and paper trying to get it right. 2. The i9900 is also not nearly as friendly as it should be toward other brand name papers, specifically thicker, fine art papers. And it's not cordial toward other, comparable mass produced papers, either, such as Kodak or HP glossy papers. I've had bad luck with both in this printer, so I decided to just stick with the Canon papers, which I have tremendous luck with. To be fair, Canon doesn't give you a reason to seek out another paper brand in most situations, their paper products are that good. Plus, Canon has announced more paper selections to come in the near future, including some fine art selections. I'm looking forward to using experimenting with them.

Okay, those minor complaints aside, the Canon i9900 is a thing of beauty and I would recommend it to just about anyone. If anything, I would recommend it more so now than I would have months ago, because it was just discontinued to make way for the two new printers that Canon is rolling out - the PIXMA Pro9500, Pro9000 and imagePROGRAF iPF5000 printers. These newer, expensive models are quite nice, but do more than what the average photographer needs.

The i9900 is incredibly ink efficient, due in part to eight individual ink tanks. Canon was the first company to mass produce a printer with individual ink tanks in its photo printers - all of the others quickly followed.

The resolution on the i9900 is gaudy by most amateur standards (4,800 x 2,400 dpi), and it produces photo lab quality color prints - I defy most people to be able to tell the difference between the two - I know I can't without a high-powered lupe and some nitpicking.

Canon's i9900 is also quick and quiet, for the most part - except when it originally takes in a sheet to print, when it sounds like a small car crash, but I can certainly live with it. It's USB 2.0 and Firewire compatible, so you won't sit at your desk waiting and waiting for the print to start.

Best of all, the i9900's coming down in price, because of the aforementioned new Canon PIXMA printers being rolled out. So, you'll be able to pick up an i9900 considerably cheaper as a new leftover or in very good condition on eBay as owners upgrade to the newer models.

Personally, I foresee owning the i9900 into the foreseeable future. It only gets used for photo printing; anyone who buys this printer to run pages of text through it is foolish. Rumors (see Amazon) about print heads clogging and ink cartridges cracking/leaking are completely unfounded in my experience, and I've probably run between 5,000 and 6,000 prints through both 9000 series Canon printers I've owned.

When I launch my photography site later this year, I will be moving to a pigment-ink based printer - they are much better at black and white prints, and the archival quality is much, much longer, and that will be critical in my case. If I'm selling a print, I don't want it fading in even 15 years. However, the Canon ink used in the i9900 has gotten a bum rap on some testing Websites - I've read reports that its archival quality has tested as low as 5-6 years. I ain't buyin' it - I still have prints from my original Canon photo printer, printed some five years ago, and I'd have to scrutinize it to find any fading or difference, if I could find any at all.

Just one more thought on printing, and I'll move on to a few other pieces of equipment of choice. I've read many editorials which opine that printing photos is passé. I don't share that opinion. I still hang prints on the wall, I still keep up with my photo albums (or try to) and there's something to be said for being able to show someone your photo album in lieu of staring at a computer screen to check out some of your friend's prints. Don't we stare at computer screens enough? Plus, what about hanging prints? It's safe to say we are hundreds of years away from about 20 mini-computer screens being hung around houses to display pictures.

If you're looking for a quality photo printer, you cannot go wrong, ever, by picking a Canon printer. There are many, many affordable models available. If you don't want to capability to print super-wide photos like the printer I just described, there are comparable models that do just as good of a job as the i9900, but don't print as big a print. Check out Canon's Website for the latest models, but DON'T buy directly from Canon, unless you enjoy paying full MSRP. And, read reviews! A few great sites to start - DP Review (an excellent site!), Shutterbug Magazine, Popular Photography and Imaging and also CNET. (Read a CNET review of the i9900 Here.)

Another piece of equipment that I find very useful is a scanner. Their importance is diminishing as more and more people move away from film, but they will stick around for a while. They do come in handy for scanning in photos and also negatives and slides. The great news, as with printers, is that the price of scanners has decreased dramatically in recent years.

I'm on my third Canon scanner, the Canoscan 9950F. It's a wonderful scanner, and the last one I will be purchasing for a long time, because it more than meets my needs at 4800 x 9600 dpi color resolution (max.) and 48-bit color depth for over 281 trillion possible colors. Um, YEA, that meets my needs.

I do scan in lots of files, both slides and prints, and it's very handy for that. Something else I find the scanner handy for is using it as a copier - scan in a page, and out the printer it comes. That's very convenient, and it gets lots of use that way.

I can't recommend CanoScan scanners enough, and if you're not looking for one that scans negatives or slides, you can get yourself into a CanoScan for under $100 quite easily.

As far as cameras go, right now I own a Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR. It's my 9th Canon camera overall, and my 8th Canon SLR. I've never had one problem with any of my Canon cameras, ever. Not one. I have a tendency to be brand loyal (can you tell yet?!?), and since my Dad started me out with a Canon, I've remained loyal. Since I've never had a problem, why switch?

I will write a comprehensive review of the 5D once I get to know it better, but to date I haven't had a whole lot of time to get it out into the field extensively, but '07 indeed promises to be a very busy photography year for me, so when I'm better qualified to write a review, I'll bring it to you.

I find it inconvenient, impractical and unsafe to take my EOS camera to some places, but I never want to miss a photo opportunity. That's where my new point-and-shoot Hewlett-Packard Photosmart R967 comes in quite handy. This is another new purchase - I bought it the day after Christmas. I've used it some, but not enough to write an extensive review, but that's coming soon, too.

I was a bit skittish about buying an HP camera - as I've previously blogged, it's the first non-Canon camera I've ever bought, but so far, so good. (My Dad, about 15 years ago, bought me a point-and-shoot Yashica film camera, but the camera was short lived. My Yashica is the only camera I've ever dropped, and the first one I'd ever had stolen [DON'T ask me about the second one!]. I took solace in the fact that the unwitting criminal stole a camera that was most decidedly broken, probably beyond repair.) For you curious readers, Yashica cameras are no longer manufactured as of 2005.

Anyway, a few other recommendations:

What bags are best to carry your photo equipment? I've always owned Lowe Pro bags - they are awesome, durable, and will last you a lifetime if you take care of them. They are built to take the punishment, wear and tear that virtually any photographer can dish out. My in-laws got me an awesome camera bag last Christmas, a Lowe Pro Magnum (above). I've often said it's probably the last camera bag I ever own, and I mean it. It holds everything and more. If I ever buy another one, it will only be because I'll have acquired additional equipment that needs to be transported, but it will always be my primary photo bag. Take a look at the Magnum's details Here.

Anyway, I own/have owned nine different Lowe Pro products (currently have five; four smaller ones to hold smaller photography items and electronic gadgets), and I've never been disappointed, ever. I've never worn out a Lowe Pro product; just outgrown it. And they are reasonably priced if you shop around.

As for tripods, I'm on my second Bogen Manfrotto, and you will NOT find a better support, anywhere. (I also own the Manfrotto monopod pictured here.) Yes, there are comparable models out there like Slik and Gitzo, and they are great as well, but you know by now I stick with what works, and a Manfrotto is like hitting the Manlotto - I've never had a problem or complaint about one I've owned..

If you're a serious photographer, get a ball head with whatever tripod you choose, and you will NOT be sorry. The extra dough will sock you, but you'll never regret paying the extra few dollars.

Lastly, where should you buy photo products? That depends on what you're buying and how quickly you want/need it. My best advice is to shop around. If you have plenty of time and have the patience, you can do quite well surfing the Websites. Amazon, Buy.com and Half.com will often have pretty good deals on stuff. Photo.net also has a good Where-to-Buy section, and it details some customer horror stories and bad experiences from some people who have ordered from New York (B&H and Adorama seem to fare well on this site, BTW.)

If you're looking for a point-and-shoot, as many photographers are these days, you can't go wrong with a big box retailer like Best Buy. For Godsakes, PLEASE don't buy from Circuit City. Someday I will get around to typing up my boycott list on here, but let's just say those Circuit City morons AREN'T Just What I Needed.

I love ordering from New York and have had nothing but good experiences from Adorama and B&H Photo. I've spent thousands over the years from both places, and I'm yet to have a bad experience. *Knocking on Wood* Adorama has just about any photo gadget that you are looking for, and B&H, too; the latter stocks an extensive line of darkroom equipment. Often, when one is back ordered on an item, I'll simply order from the other.

If you live within driving distance of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dan's Camera City is the Mecca of local camera stores. I flat out love the place, and have purchased a great deal of equipment with them over the years. Dan's offers you something that the New York stores often don't - friendly advice! I mean that - when a Dan's employee is helping you, you're the #1 priority and he/she will take his/her time with you, offer you lots of advice, and you won't be steered wrong by. The only downside is price - Dan's can't possibly compete with the New York stores on most things out of sheer volume, but you would be surprised. When making a big purchase, most of the time I will check Dan's, because if Dan's is close in price to others, I'd much rather give the business to a local store. Plus, I get to take it home that day, and I know exactly what I'm getting product-wise when I walk out the store - no unpleasant surprises when I open up the UPS box.

Anyway, that's my advice for starting out in photography, for those of you who have been asking me. I know it's not all inclusive, but hopefully this is a good start. I'm always happy to help out with any advice though, so feel free to ask me anytime. I love to see friends and family get into photography, and I'm happy to bring someone into the fold of the greatest hobby on Earth.

A wonderful Christmas

Vandra and I truly had a wonderful Christmas. Her parents, my in-laws, Kathy & Ralph, flew in on December 23, but they got in late - around 12:30 a.m.

On Christmas Eve, we drove to the Poconos to see my family, and it was great. Kathy & Ralph got to meet my extended family, and all of my nieces and nephews. It was a memorable Christmas for all the right reasons. This holiday season, my first as a husband and son-in-law, made me realize how truly blessed I am, and how blessed we are as a married couple.

Togetherness and family are easily the most important things to me during the holiday season, and we were certainly fortunate this Christmas. We were also fortunate with the generosity of our parents and families.

My dad and step mom got me a Sirius Stiletto - a portable Sirius satellite radio. Man, I've been coveting one of these babies since this past summer, when they were announced. I certainly didn't think I was going to get one, and I was so thrilled when I did. I have it hooked up and configured, but this week has been so busy, I haven't had much time to toy with it yet, but I sure will get around to it this weekend and early next week.

I got lots of great goodies from Vandra, including some Edmonton Oilers stuff for my car, and an awesome Miami Heat hoodie. Geeze, I could type all day about the thoughtful, great gifts that everyone gave me.

My in-laws gave me a very generous Best Buy gift card, and combined with a few other ones that I got, including ones from Vandra and my mom, I headed off to Best Buy the day after Christmas. Boy, did I make out like a bandit.

I've been coveting a point-and-shoot digital camera for a while now, because I just don't want to haul my baby, my Canon EOS 5D, out with us when we go to a bar or just to a friend's house for a gathering. It's a bit cumbersome, and too valuable to drop on the floor or worse just to get shots of a few candids. A point-and-shoot would fit the bill just fine, and besides, unlike my first two Canon digital SLRs, the EOS 10D and 20D, my new 5D doesn't have a pop-up flash, furthering my need for a point and shoot.

So, off to Best Buy I journeyed, and I came home with what I think is a whale of a camera for the money. A HP Photosmart R967 camera - 10 megapixels, a 3" LCD screen on the back and loads of features. I didn't intend on buying one with that many features, but the price was more than reasonable. I can't get over how much the megapixels are increasing, while prices on cameras are simultaneously decreasing. The good news on that is that the consumer is the winner.

When I've had time to take lots of pictures, I'll bring you my thoughts on the camera. Come to think of it, I haven't done any reviews on my EOS 5D, either. I'll get to those later in January when I've had even more time to use all of my equipment that I bought this fall.

I'll talk about another one of my favorite gifts in another post that I'll put up shortly.

I'm so fortunate to have such wonderful, loving, generous family and friends, and for that I'm ore thankful than any gift I received this Christmas.

Best Buy to customers: Scram!

I'm in Best Buy the other day to return some computer memory, and I had a not-so-pleasant experience. Our desktop computer desperately needed a RAM upgrade, so we bought 2 chips to upgrade us to 1.5 GB of RAM. As it turns out, our desktop can only be upgraded to 1 GB, so I had a chip to return.

Before going to the store, I decided that I could exchange that chip for a little more RAM in our laptop, so I brought it along. I'll try to install just about anything with a desktop computer once, but I have no experience doing anything with or to a laptop other than booting it up and using it. Best to leave that to the experts, I thought.

So, the exchange is done, and I walk around to the other side of the customer service desk to have the self-described "Geek Squad" install the RAM. A couple of minutes, I thought. Putting RAM in the desktop took all of 10 minutes, and that included 5 minutes of blowing the dust off of the motherboard.

Well, I waited 20 minutes, then the 18-year old who's standing there asks me in an accusatory tone, "You bought it here?!?" Showing him my receipt, he starts to enter me into the system. After 10 minutes of this, he says to me, "That will be $40."

"What?!?" I inquire, more than slightly pissed.

"$40," he repeats.

"Forget it, I'll figure it out myself," I bark back, putting the laptop back into my bag.

What kind of shit is that? We spend $89 on 512 MB of RAM, and they want $40 for a 5-minute job. Fuck that. If I wanted to spend $40 more, I would have bought the 1 GB chip and installed it myself. When we get back from Mexico, I'll figure out how to install the RAM, saving us $40.

I've had generally good experiences with Best Buy, so they aren't making the boycott list, but a few more of those interactions and they will be.

I'm sick to death of companies, once you purchase something, telling you in so many words to go away. Companies the world over spend billions every year on advertisements, logos and branding concepts and strategies trying to build up customer loyalty, but then at the customer service end, you get treated like you're some sort of bother.

Reminds me of the cliche - it takes years to get a customer, and seconds to lose one.

If I just dropped close to a c-note, put the goddamned memory in my computer. Free? That's unrealistic, but how 'bout $10, or $20 at most?

In case you're wondering, my boycott list is as follows:

Circuit City
AOL (more on its joyful demise in a minute)
Tom Cruise
An ice cream shop on Fairmount St. near us
Wachovia Bank (happened under the First Union Banner)
Ed Devlin - a contractor in the Philadelphia area who turned out to be a major skunk - do NOT use him!

Not that the list matters to anyone, but if you want to know why any of these have made the list, leave a comment with your e-mail address and I'll get back to you and tell you why.