Costco Camera Department Closing? Went into my local (MI) Costco today only to find a significantly reduced camera section. When I asked a department employee, he said that they were...

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Went into my local (MI) Costco today only to find a significantly reduced camera section. When I asked a department employee, he said that they were closing out camera sales.

If so, that would be a loss, as some of their kits and related equipment were nicely priced. For a more positive spin, this might mean some close out sales, although I saw no evidence of that today.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

wthomson wrote:

Went into my local (MI) Costco today only to find a significantly reduced camera section. When I asked a department employee, he said that they were closing out camera sales.

If so, that would be a loss, as some of their kits and related equipment were nicely priced. For a more positive spin, this might mean some close out sales, although I saw no evidence of that today.

:(

Different subject, but evidently, their on-line uploading is temporarily off-line now , but that's supposedly temporary.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

wthomson wrote:

Went into my local (MI) Costco today only to find a significantly reduced camera section. When I asked a department employee, he said that they were closing out camera sales.

If so, that would be a loss, as some of their kits and related equipment were nicely priced. For a more positive spin, this might mean some close out sales, although I saw no evidence of that today.

I wouldn't think so; but it is true that the online photo service has been down for several weeks.

PhotoshooterNJ Loc: NJ

Kmgw9v wrote:

I wouldn't think so; but it is true that the online photo service has been down for several weeks.

I know Costco makes a bunch of $$$$. But they are loosing some with there uploading service being down. Instead of uploading my (2) 8x10 to Costco and then roaming the store and spending an additional $250 that I didn't go there to spend. I don't go. I've switch to my other lab for upload and delivery. 🙈

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

PhotoshooterNJ wrote:

I know Costco makes a bunch of $$$$. But they are loosing some with there uploading service being down. Instead of uploading my (2) 8x10 to Costco and then roaming the store and spending an additional $250 that I didn't go there to spend. I don't go. I've switch to my other lab for upload and delivery. 🙈

Very inconvenient; but I still go to Costco-for the hot dogs.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Kmgw9v wrote:

Very inconvenient; but I still go to Costco-for the hot dogs.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

coyotecall Loc: New Mexico

Our local (Albuquerque) has been off-line due to hacking.....and in-store they are replacing equipment....up-grading perhaps. All back up by end of month. Haven't noted any lessening of camera sales.

denwin580 Loc: Kettering, Ohio

CVS online service has been shut down due to credit cards being compromised. I had to go across the street to Walgreen's.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Instead of uploading my (2) 8x10 to Costco and then roaming the store and spending an additional $250 that I didn't go there to spend. I don't go.

Why not take photos to Costco on a jump drive or a CD/DVD? They will print 8x10's in about 20 minutes ...., that's enough time for me to have a Hot Dog and still spend $250.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

In Winnipeg Canada, I was told the temp suspension of on line orders of pictures should be lifted near the beginning of September. On a positive note....it made me go to the counter to order prints from my thumb drive. While waiting I noticed they produce a 6x9 photo book of 21 pictures all in hard cover binder for $9.99. Gave that a try and was impressed.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Sell off sales not likely as all stores with discontinued items pack em up and send them to a distribution warehouse. Then it becomes an online only thing.

wthomson wrote:

Went into my local (MI) Costco today only to find a significantly reduced camera section. When I asked a department employee, he said that they were closing out camera sales.

If so, that would be a loss, as some of their kits and related equipment were nicely priced. For a more positive spin, this might mean some close out sales, although I saw no evidence of that today.

LennyP4868 Loc: NJ

note Best buy is increasing their camera dept to carry up graded equipment and more accessories. There is a problem with Cosco and the MFGs. As you can see by looking at ads and other Camera stores they do not play with pricing it is fixed all competitors are within the same price give or take a buck or two. Now if Cosco wants to offer a deal it much buy a package like a camera with a lens and a bag etc. there is no advantage to shop there unless you are a novice and believe you are getting a bargain. With the internet at your finger tips you can check out prices and not go to a cosco with no knowledgeable sales people. If you need a good camera your going to a specialty store. BH etc. Look at cosco tvs and other stores that sell TVs the MFGs are willing to give them the same tv with different style #s so you cannot compare prices only features. Its a game they cannot make money on so bye bye

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Kmgw9v wrote:

Very inconvenient; but I still go to Costco-for the hot dogs.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I love their Polish in a bun with a ton of sauerkraut. I also use Costco for printing 11x14s that don't need archive potential. (Most of mine can fade away in a month or two after I've finished admiring my proficiency. :mrgreen:

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

Kmgw9v wrote:

Very inconvenient; but I still go to Costco-for the hot dogs.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

PhotoPhanatic Loc: California

LennyP4868 wrote:

note Best buy is increasing their camera dept to c... (show quote)

I agree with you that you won't find knowledgeable sales people at Costco (with a "t" btw). But, if you know what you want (assuming you've done your research) you can occasionally find a good deal. For example, a couple of years ago I bought a Canon kit package there (yes, it was a kit, and I don't consider myself a novice, having been a serious amateur for decades) that was excellent.

One just has to be patient, look online at various options (shop around, in other words) and get what you want when you want it. It so happens that Costco had what I wanted.

Also, I miss the Costco photo printing services that aren't available now in my area. Apparently someone hacked their online printing service and they haven't got it back up and running yet. I have three Costcos relatively nearby so normally I can choose the one that's most convenient on any given day and go there to pick them up. Regardless of which one I've sent my photos to (online) I've usually gotten very good prints.