I have never bought local.....I do my research and generally find I know more than the store lackeys anyway.....When I first got my 7D a few years ago I purchased a lens for about $900 to go with it from the same online store and saw the same lens a couple of weeks later in my local camera store for $2500!!!!!!! I don't know how they justify that kind of price hike! All my gear generally comes from HK via courier or USA as I have a friend who is an air hostie who carries stuff back for me when she flies to the USA Unfortunately I rarely experience adequate customer service in real stores so for me there is no point when everything is cheaper elsewhere.