Sad day.......another GREAT camera store bites the dust.
Jun 22, 2017 09:34:09 #
Sunny Schick in Fort Wayne. A place I've purchased from since the 70s, but that has been in business since 1920, is closing it's doors.
Tim Stapp, and others who do darkroom stuff, they still have chemicals and paper that they will be putting on clearance starting today until it's gone. They are getting rid of everything from antique cameras and equipment, to current Nikon and Canon pro equipment, and everything in between.
They were a great place to rent lenses, hold and test equipment, and get expert advice (and some not so expert advice from some of the younger kids, but ......that happens everywhere) It was also a local source for educational seminars.
Firstly, if I want to Sunny Schick to test out a camera, or ask questions, Sunny Schick is where I purchased the equipment. I know I paid a bit more for local, and taxes, but I figured I was also paying for knowledge. I am guilty, however, of looking for the best deal, so when I didn't have questions, or trusted my own research, I ordered from Adorama, B&H, and Cameta. I'm actually feeling partially responsible for their demise. I know they could have tried to match prices, or maybe tried something else, but in the end.... I think we should all try to frequent local camera stores whenever possible. Nothing against the big ABC stores, but once your local store goes away, the ability to go in , shoot the sh-t with other photographers, and handle the equipment before you by will go away, and you will lose a valuable local resource.
I'm posting this in our section, and not the main photography section, because in the past, there were negative comments made about local stores not keeping up with the times and other such comments. I don't think that's fair. Just like we all have our own styles, someone who has been successful for almost 100 years, probably have a difficult time "changing their style."
So, I'm going to be heading out to their sale, not to scavenge for deals, but to support the people who supplied my first Canon SLR, Darkroom equipment and chemicals, and TONS of advice and education, and just to make sure that I know I am thankful for all they've done for me and the community for these last 97 years.
bk
Tim Stapp, and others who do darkroom stuff, they still have chemicals and paper that they will be putting on clearance starting today until it's gone. They are getting rid of everything from antique cameras and equipment, to current Nikon and Canon pro equipment, and everything in between.
They were a great place to rent lenses, hold and test equipment, and get expert advice (and some not so expert advice from some of the younger kids, but ......that happens everywhere) It was also a local source for educational seminars.
Firstly, if I want to Sunny Schick to test out a camera, or ask questions, Sunny Schick is where I purchased the equipment. I know I paid a bit more for local, and taxes, but I figured I was also paying for knowledge. I am guilty, however, of looking for the best deal, so when I didn't have questions, or trusted my own research, I ordered from Adorama, B&H, and Cameta. I'm actually feeling partially responsible for their demise. I know they could have tried to match prices, or maybe tried something else, but in the end.... I think we should all try to frequent local camera stores whenever possible. Nothing against the big ABC stores, but once your local store goes away, the ability to go in , shoot the sh-t with other photographers, and handle the equipment before you by will go away, and you will lose a valuable local resource.
I'm posting this in our section, and not the main photography section, because in the past, there were negative comments made about local stores not keeping up with the times and other such comments. I don't think that's fair. Just like we all have our own styles, someone who has been successful for almost 100 years, probably have a difficult time "changing their style."
So, I'm going to be heading out to their sale, not to scavenge for deals, but to support the people who supplied my first Canon SLR, Darkroom equipment and chemicals, and TONS of advice and education, and just to make sure that I know I am thankful for all they've done for me and the community for these last 97 years.
bk
Jun 22, 2017 13:58:08 #
Sorry to hear. I try to purchase locally when I can even though taxes are involved.Jun 22, 2017 14:27:46 #
Wow! I can certainly sympathize!
I hate to sound like an old geezer yearning for things of the past but I gotta tell you that I miss the small independent camera shop I frequented as a kid and a young startup in photography. Just about all of them are long gone but well remembered for their service. It was a small independent dealer in Brooklyn that sold me my first box camera at a very reasonable price, kept me supplied with film and photofinishing and encouraged me with good advice. My first 35mm camera, a Minolta A, came for the same shop with copious quantities of instruction and encouragement. The place was kinda "hangout" for advanced hobbyists and pros. The owners there introduced me to my first boss and mentor and persuaded him to give me an after-school job at the studio. Although the BIG dealers were over the bridge in Manhattan, I usually stuck with my favorite store whenever I could. I might have had to wait a few days to get a certain product or pay a few points more but the service and consideration could not be had elsewhere. There were no gray market stuff, other shenanigans and everything was honest above board and straightforward. When I went professional, I would buy all my supplies there and when it came to big purchases of equipment, they would sell it to me at just a few points above their cost or split the difference with me. I could not ask for a better deal that that.
That little store gave me my first charge account and allowed me to purchase some of my first professional gear on time-payments without interest. I was able to earn the money with that equipment and pay them back in good time. The would let me know when rich amateurs traded in the nearly new equipment for the latest and greatest new stuff and sell it to me a very reasonable prices. The discouraged me from buying stuff that I did not really need!
Even years later, when I moved to Canada, my local professional supplier gave me very individualized service. The rep would come to my studio and just drop off a piece of gear and allow me to try it out. Most of the time I ended up buying it. He knew what I liked and what I needed and was always cooperative.
Nowadays, alas, it is the BIG dealers and the, what I call photographic BOX STORES dominate the retail and wholesale scene. Most of them have great products, good inventories and fine service but the personal touch is mostly gone. I am sure they are doing the best that they can for the amount of volume that they do but the feeling ain't the same.
I use to walk into the corner grocery store and the proprietor would give me a slice of a new cold-cut or cheese and ask me what I thought about of it. Then I would buy a pound of that stuff. He too knew what I liked and what I usually purchased. The same attitude came with the pharmacist, the dry cleaner, the barber shop and even the doctor and the dentist, Theses days mostly everything is impersonal. Whenever I find someone or someplace that offers more friendly and sincere service, I consider it a discovery and a jewel- like finding a treasure in the junkyard.
Times they are are achangin'!
Ed
I hate to sound like an old geezer yearning for things of the past but I gotta tell you that I miss the small independent camera shop I frequented as a kid and a young startup in photography. Just about all of them are long gone but well remembered for their service. It was a small independent dealer in Brooklyn that sold me my first box camera at a very reasonable price, kept me supplied with film and photofinishing and encouraged me with good advice. My first 35mm camera, a Minolta A, came for the same shop with copious quantities of instruction and encouragement. The place was kinda "hangout" for advanced hobbyists and pros. The owners there introduced me to my first boss and mentor and persuaded him to give me an after-school job at the studio. Although the BIG dealers were over the bridge in Manhattan, I usually stuck with my favorite store whenever I could. I might have had to wait a few days to get a certain product or pay a few points more but the service and consideration could not be had elsewhere. There were no gray market stuff, other shenanigans and everything was honest above board and straightforward. When I went professional, I would buy all my supplies there and when it came to big purchases of equipment, they would sell it to me at just a few points above their cost or split the difference with me. I could not ask for a better deal that that.
That little store gave me my first charge account and allowed me to purchase some of my first professional gear on time-payments without interest. I was able to earn the money with that equipment and pay them back in good time. The would let me know when rich amateurs traded in the nearly new equipment for the latest and greatest new stuff and sell it to me a very reasonable prices. The discouraged me from buying stuff that I did not really need!
Even years later, when I moved to Canada, my local professional supplier gave me very individualized service. The rep would come to my studio and just drop off a piece of gear and allow me to try it out. Most of the time I ended up buying it. He knew what I liked and what I needed and was always cooperative.
Nowadays, alas, it is the BIG dealers and the, what I call photographic BOX STORES dominate the retail and wholesale scene. Most of them have great products, good inventories and fine service but the personal touch is mostly gone. I am sure they are doing the best that they can for the amount of volume that they do but the feeling ain't the same.
I use to walk into the corner grocery store and the proprietor would give me a slice of a new cold-cut or cheese and ask me what I thought about of it. Then I would buy a pound of that stuff. He too knew what I liked and what I usually purchased. The same attitude came with the pharmacist, the dry cleaner, the barber shop and even the doctor and the dentist, Theses days mostly everything is impersonal. Whenever I find someone or someplace that offers more friendly and sincere service, I consider it a discovery and a jewel- like finding a treasure in the junkyard.
Times they are are achangin'!
Ed
Jun 24, 2017 19:59:57 #
Sorry to hear about that. I wish I could get down there quickly enough to get some chems and especially the paper.
Jun 26, 2017 11:10:33 #
Tim Stapp wrote:
Sorry to hear about that. I wish I could get down there quickly enough to get some chems and especially the paper.
Nothing quick about it. I've tried several days now. The store is so small (not really small, but they have so much stuff packed in there, only a few people can be in there at a time) The lines have been half way around the block every day since they announced the sale.
I wanted to just go in and wish the guys good luck. I decided I'd email them. I can't really take a vacation day to stand outside, when I'm not prepared to buy anything. If the lines die down, I'd be happy to grab something for you, but I don't know what you would want, and what's there. Too hard to guess what you would need, when I see it.
bk
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