How to buy a camera safely in India

Before you pay, check that the seller can give you a proper GST invoice, that the box is sealed, and that repair cover is clear. When it arrives, film yourself opening the box and note the serial number. These steps take a few minutes and make a refund or repair much easier if something is wrong.

Cameras and lenses cost a lot and are hard to judge by looking at a picture. The shop you choose matters as much as the model. A local store with a phone number and a face behind the counter gives you someone to call.

Six checks before you pay

1. GST invoice in your name. The invoice is your proof of purchase for repairs and for any dispute. Ask for it before you pay and check the model and the serial number written on it.
2. Repair cover. Ask who covers repairs, the brand or the shop, how long it runs, and where to take the camera for repair. Get the answer in writing in a message or on the invoice.
3. A unit meant for India. Brands usually service units sold through their Indian channel. Ask the seller to confirm the unit is meant for the Indian market, and if you are unsure, check with the brand's service centre using the serial number.
4. Sealed box. Ask for a new item in factory-sealed packaging. At FineRig, you can ask the seller for a sealed box video before dispatch, at the seller's discretion.
5. What is in the box. A kit may include a lens, battery, charger and strap, and a bundle may add a card or bag. Compare the same bundle across stores, because contents differ and so does the price.
6. Returns and exchange. Ask what happens if the unit is dead on arrival. Many stores replace a faulty unit within a short window, so ask for the exact number of days.

Open box, refurbished and demo units

These are listed at a lower price, and some stores say so in the title. Ask what is covered, whether repair cover still applies and what condition the unit is in. If a price looks too good for a new item, read the title again for the words open box.

The day it arrives

• Film the box being opened, from the sealed state, with the serial number in view.
• Match the serial number on the box, the body and the invoice.
• Check the shutter count if the seller states one, and look for scratches and dust on the sensor.
• Put in a card and shoot a few frames, record a short video, and test the screen, the buttons and the ports.
• Contact the seller the same day if anything is wrong, and keep the packaging until you are sure.

A word on memory cards and accessories

Cards, batteries and chargers also come in fake and copy versions. Buy them from the same careful seller, and test a new card before an important shoot. Our guide on how to spot a fake SD card shows how.

Before you buy

Use the price table on each product page to compare stores, then call or message the shop with the questions above. A seller who answers clearly and quickly is usually the safer choice, even if the price is slightly higher.