Where did you purchase your first DSLR Camera? Does it make a difference where you buy it?

I'm looking into purchasing my first D-SLR Camera (the Nikon D1500 with standard 18-55mm lens) now that I've decided it would be a good fit for me style-wise, functionality/weight, and my personal needs.

I have one problem. I've visited various stores to try it out and to find the best deal (Tall's Cameras, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, Sears, etc.) and it seems the store demo varies on clarity. I thought maybe it might be a dirty lens but now I'm wondering if it actually matters where you buy it from as I was also considering purchasing it from eBay as a manufacturer refurbished condition because it's So CHEAP compared to in store and eBay offers great kit deals that come with extra lenses.

I don't want to have any regrets trying to save a couple hundred dollars, but would prefer to get the best deal I can.

Does it actually matter where you purchase a camera from? Where did you purchase your first camera from? Any advice and/or experiences are appreciated.

I bought my first camera from a real store because I wanted to try out a few models. You pay for that service.

As to demo units, some stores have them without the battery. A nikon without power will have a darker viewfinder.

In the end the camera is the same. With ebay do be aware that models from another region will not be serviced under warranty by Nikon.

Buy from the authorized reseller or distributor within your area. Nikon is strict with sales areas. They are all original cameras but if you try to ask service from a store or center not associated from the distributor you bought your camera from, you may be denied service or be put to lowest priority. If you are thinking that purchasing international warranty will solve everything, you may be asked to mail your camera to an off-shore service facility to avail that.

The best deal isn't always the cheapest. Sometimes it pays to buy from the mall nearest you. If there's any problem, you can drop by them within minutes. If your camera is under their warranty, they may even take care of bringing the camera to their service center and just call you to pick it up at their store when it's done.

All of my camera/lens purchases have been from either a local camera shop (not bestbuy/walmart/sears) or B&H Photo (again another actual camera shop, and not a store that also sells vacuum cleaners and refrigerators).

Keerok is correct… Where ever you buy a Nikon from, make sure that it is NOT an "import/gray market" camera/lens, otherwise you will have warranty support issues should you ever need it. The warranty card is the indicator… A "USA only" is what you want. If it says "International warranty", it is an imported camera, and Nikon will not service it (even if you offer to pay for repair).

I bought my camera from Ritz Camera in my city. I wanted to try it out before buying and the sales person was very informative. Also I got free lessons with it, and I considered that very valuable. Buying it here in town, if any problem developed, or I needed help with anything, they are here to help me.

I would never buy an expensive camera just reading about it online. In fact, I wouldn't buy a point & shoot online either.