[RichB]

Having "had a go" with another member's Nikon D70, I had decided to purchase the new D80 and 18-70mm lens package as, until now, I only use 35mm film, apart from a comapct digital for snapshots, so started to look around for the best price available. (Dave will no doubt pass some comment here about my being a convert to digital, moving to the latest technology, etc! )

Having already recommended the cameras2u.com website on this forum, I started to search further afield, to see if I could even beat their prices! Camera package pricing at first seemed to be very competitive, internet in one band (which includes international dealers, having taken into account the shipping costs, warranty, etc), high street in another group, which was confirmed by the website Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear . (By the way, the pricerunner website has a discount code for use with the cameras2u.com!).

Then, by accident, I came across this one: Dixons Tax Free . The prices are 17.5% below the high street grouping, which for the Nikon D80 package still represents an £80 saving over the internet grouping!! The products also carry the full UK warranty.

The site explains carefully how it works (take a look, they can even ship the goods to your home via courer so you don't have to take them on the plane, useful if you happen to buy a TV!!!) in terms of needing a boarding card in order to achieve the savings; however, in my case, my wife is conveniently travelling abroad next week! ; so, I don't even need to explore the budget airline option of buying a cheap flight, checking in, making my purchase, then leaving the airport (having notified the carrier that I wouldn't be travelling, of course)!

So, for those of you looking to buy equipment, and it's stocked by Dixons (the product codes are the same on their main site, as the above one, and it looks as though they can order them in, given notice) I hope this information is of some use to you!

[Dave]

The lengths I go to , to convert some people to Digital

Now I thought I knew all the best deals, but hats off to you Rich, that beats any price I could get the D80 for On that basis I've left you some Rep points