My gf's parents will be in the US shortly for a trip. They want to buy a Canon EOS 550D - aka Rebel T2i - in the US because the Euro/Dollar exhcange rate makes it extremely inexpensive compared to EU.

So, is there any Photo shop in San Francisco, Las Vegas, or Phoenix (where they'll spend some slack time) that you recommend?

Thank you!

I would have recommended buying it online and having it shipped to wherever they're staying. That way, should they ever need to return it by shipping, at least they'd be doing it to a place used to getting returns that way.

Good point, Bruno! Thank you.
So, the question becomes, where on-line would you buy it? they know exactly also lens model they want (Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS).

Buy online is usually the best price.
Do they have any friends that they can have it shipped to in any of those areas?

Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo/Video. Those are the three places I usually buy stuff from.

I highly recommend B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675617-REG/Canon_4462B001_Canon_EOS_Rebel_T2i.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647013-USA/Canon_3560B002_EF_S_15_85mm_f_3_5_5_6_IS.html

Unfortunately they don't. So, they would have to have it shipped to a hotel where they're staying.

They can have it shipped to a local pickup location as well.

A third recommendation for B&H. I'll get in touch with a couple of photographer friends in Phoenix and see if they have any other suggestions.

Online retailers might balk at sending something bought with an International Credit Card to a hotel or some other location. A Digital Rebel should be available at Best Buy or other big box store. It might be a little more expensive but probably worth it to save the hassle of dealing with getting it shipped.

Also, since I'll be in Orlando by the end of May or so, I am also considering to have it shipped at my hotel and make my gf's parents' life easier...

Thank you for all recommendations. I knew B&H in NY, I did not consider the possibility for them to ship.

You guys are super. Thank you.

Yes, any recommendation of phisical shops is also welcome, of course!

When I say "a local pickup location" I mean an official UPS/FedEx hold location like a Kinko's, UPS Store, and sometimes even non-chain shipping centers. There shouldn't be any issues at all having something held at such a location.

Maybe asking B&H itself, they'll recommend some pick-up location in the areas I mentioned? Or, how would I find out what/where they are?

There are lists on the FedEx/UPS sites.

UPS
FedEx

For other locations, you'd have to search by city name and service.