Buying A Digital Camera
Stick with a larger name brand, preferably one who also makes film cameras - Nikon, Canon, Kodak. I'm not as enthusiastic about other makers like Samsung (I've been burned by Samsung electronics quality twice) but I will make an exception for Sony. Sony cameras cost more but the features and quality are worth the extra expense.
Shop on-line, there are more resources than ever. Hit sites like Epinions, ZDNet Shopper and DPReview.com. Find out not just what the critics say, but what other actual owners say. Even major retailers like Circuit City have places where customers can rate the cameras they bought. Read the ratings and check your gut.
Keep the receipt and the original boxes! You will need everything the camera came with if you need to exchange or return it. And speaking of returns...
Beware of restocking fees. Stores like Micro Center and Best Buy (and many mail-order houses as well) will hit you with a 15% (or more) restocking fee for returning a camera if you "just don't like it". The reason for this penalty is that they'll turn around and sell it as an "open box" item, which is discounted.
HOWEVER ... if you think of the restocking fee as a "rental" fee, this is the best way to test drive a more expensive camera. For example, suppose you buy the Nikon D50 with the 28-80mm zoom lens for $650 (including 8.25% sales tax). If you return the camera you'll get back "only" $550, effectively having given you a "rental" for 14 days for $100. You could try to find a place like HPI where you can rent a high-end camera for $6 a day, but I doubt you'll find one. Also, your "rental" is new - it's straight from the manufacturer, no one else has used it. Just be sure that you keep the camera as long as you can, in this case, to get the most out of it during your trial period.
Mail order is a great way to go to save money on buying a digital camera (especially a new model) but remember that you'll have to weigh sales tax against shipping fees and that if you go for the lowest shipping fees, you'll have to wait much longer to receive it (as much as 2 weeks!). Do your homework on the business you're dealing with – see if they're a Better Business Bureau member. Google the business' name and see if any news stories on lawsuits or poor service come back. I have dealt with Butterfly Photo and Abe's Of Maine (both in New York) and can recommend both. Keep in mind that many New York-based businesses are closed on Saturday (think about it) and have limited hours on Sunday.
I strongly suggest you pay either by debit card (Visa or MasterCard) or credit card. Why? If you need to return the merchandise, it can be credited back immediately rather than you having to wait for a check. If you pay by check the store may wait up to 10 days to allow your check to clear, and THEN send you a refund check from the corporate office. Don't do it.
If you can look at print quality, do so – especially if it's from a personal friend or family member instead of the store. You may need to ask a sales associate for a print sample, though.