Being something of a camera nerd, I tend to a more-than-average amount of photography equipment. I usually shop mail order, especially from B&H Photo in New York. But this weekend I decided to support my local camera dealer and buy a new lens from them. I’m very happy that I did, as I got to witness God’s favor upon some other customers.
A mother and her teenage daughter walked in just after I dropped off some film and headed over to the lens counter. The daughter put a small camera case on the counter and explained to the store owner that she was a photographer for her high school newspaper. The school wants all of their photographers to start using digital SLR cameras, and she wanted to trade her Nikon film SLR camera for a digital.
The store owner looked at her camera, and then showed her what Nikon DSLRs he had in stock. The price for a new Nikon DSLR kit here started at $1000, a price which surprised both the mother and daughter. They continued to talk, and my interest in the matter grew as I watched the owner explain digital photography to them. It was clear that they didn’t want to spend $1000 on a new DSLR.
Then the owner remembered something, and went into the back room. He returned with a Nikon DSLR box, in which, he explained, was a nearly mint-condition Nikon DSLR that a doctor friend of theirs had recently bought, then sold back to the store in exchange for a more expensive model. This camera would be perfect for this aspiring photojournalist, and they only wanted $500 for it. All of the original packaging was in the box, neatly repacked by the medical professional.
This price was much more bearable for the mother and daughter, especially coupled with the money gained by selling the film SLR camera. They got a wonderful deal, and I got a free pen with the store logo on it for being so kindly patient. 
(I told the store clerks several times that I wasn’t in a hurry, and wanted to see how these other customers’ shopping adventure turned out.)
Buying mail order is great, but you don’t get to see things like this over the phone!