Brick and mortar committing suicide: LP-E6 battery. Best Buy-$99.00 plus tax. B & H-59.00 free shipping. I think I'll wait for the mail man. I realize this is nothing new but, that is...

larrycumba

LP-E6 battery. Best Buy-$99.00 plus tax. B & H-59.00 free shipping. I think I'll wait for the mail man. I realize this is nothing new but, that is a huge difference. I like to support my local stores. They should be willing to support us. Here is an example. Gimbal head from the company online, $570.00. I bought it from the local camera shop for the same price and was willing to pay the sales tax. As long as the price is about equal I like to go to the locals. Just don't try to soak us for the convenience.

snowbear

B&H is also brick and mortar - 420 9th Ave. (at 34th St) NY, NY.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I don't consider shopping at Bestbuy as supporting local stores. Small locally owned stores are who I want to support, my local camera shop usually is only a couple of dollars higher than amazon or B&H so I shop local. :)

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

To say they are committing suicide implies they are bringing about their own demise on purpose, which is only partially true. If you want to have a one-to-one experience with your customer, and the opportunity to personally assist them in their effort, you must have a brick and mortar, and the expense that goes with it. The question is: what portion of the consumer base requires this, and is willing to pay for it?
I needed to send my camera for repair one time, and needed another one quickly, so I ran over to Best Buy. Now, BB has the lowest prices in town on their merchandise, but I still wound up paying over $200 more than I had paid for the first camera (both identical). So that particular time I was glad they were there for me, and paid the price.
Do I want to do this every purchase I make? Not by a stretch!
It's a new retail environment, and each business has to find their own means of survival.
Interesting topic, Larry! I can't wait to see what others have to say.
P.S. Is that you in your avatar?

larrycumba

Danilo, answer to your question, I wish. I realize B&H is a brick and mortar. I would guess they do not have the buying power of a Best Buy etc. All the more reason why Best Buy could be more reasonable on their prices. I also realize this is just an isolated case. On tv's and computers they are probably in line with everybody else. Which reminds me, why did Circuit City fold and Best Buy did not?

Mpeter45 Loc: Springfield, Illinois

Canon's volume discount used to cap at 6. The price difference was related to the advertising bonus that Canon gave to retailers. Best Buy probably doesn't do much better on outright price than B&H. And as to why BB hasn't folded like CC, give them a few more years. BB thinks they can sell at a loss and make their profit on service plans and credit cards. Just like Circuit.

slickrock Loc: jacksonville

Best Buy is hardly local nor does it offer the best equipment.
ps. check-out their return policy.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

I once bought a set of tires from Walmart that were cheaper than what the local vendor wanted for them. Twice in three days I returned to Walmart to have these tires balanced, they never could do the job right.
I finally enough humility to take them to the local vendor and have them balanced right.

I lost money and time on that deal, and learned a great lesson.

effrant Loc: New Hampshire

larrycumba wrote:

Danilo, answer to your question, I wish. I realize B&H is a brick and mortar. I would guess they do not have the buying power of a Best Buy etc. All the more reason why Best Buy could be more reasonable on their prices. I also realize this is just an isolated case. On tv's and computers they are probably in line with everybody else. Which reminds me, why did Circuit City fold and Best Buy did not?

You can't always finance your way out of an economic down turn, CC found that out. Borders found out, Sears is finding out, BB and Homo Depot will find out soon enough.
One big problem with the small B&M is lease rates and taxes. Another example, a local store is located in a downtown area, traffic and hard to find a parking spot that won't result in a hefty fee to park or a heftier fine if there too long. All to see a short stock and inflated prices to cover mandated minimum wage and health insurance for useless employees. This is a losing effort on so many points....
So suicide? ...Maybe more like murder

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Just like in any other era, business' learn to adapt or die.

It's simple, that's how our free market system works.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

no matter what time I go to either Adorama or B&H they are mobbed. The stores are huge. I don't think they will go out of business anytime soon. The staff is very knowledgeable and will explain things to you and give pros and cons. If you have a photographic need they are the place to go in the greater NYC area and that area has some 25 million people.

Mpeter45 wrote:

Canon's volume discount used to cap at 6. The price difference was related to the advertising bonus that Canon gave to retailers. Best Buy probably doesn't do much better on outright price than B&H. And as to why BB hasn't folded like CC, give them a few more years. BB thinks they can sell at a loss and make their profit on service plans and credit cards. Just like Circuit.

Drumdr

Bestbatt.com has that battery for 12$ I have used their batteries for camcorders and dslrs and they all have worked as well as the canon batteries. I spent 12$ on 2 T3i batteries they last just as long and are not 50$

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

larrycumba wrote:

LP-E6 battery. Best Buy-$99.00 plus tax. B & H-59.00 free shipping.

I avoid BB as much as possible. Their prices are generally higher, and their customer support - well, they haven't gotten to that yet.

xseabee Loc: Northern California; Northern, Colorado

Why Best Buy is Going out of Business...Gradually.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrydownes/2012/01/02/why-best-buy-is-going-out-of-business-gradually/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

xseabee wrote:

Why Best Buy is Going out of Business...Gradually.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrydownes/2012/01/02/why-best-buy-is-going-out-of-business-gradually/

Hit the nail on the head!