dave.m

In my experience committed hobyists of any persuasion (photography, arts and crafts, DIY whatever) know the value of a specialist store and seem to be prepared to pay more for on-the-spot service and advice, ability to handle and check out, and the ability to return for warranty support etc.

I've been going to the same specialist photo shop for years. Probably 80%+ of my big ticket items come from there, and a similar percentage of my trade-in stuff has gone there. I know I can get cheaper on the internet, and get more selling on ebay, but the difference and hastle/ irritation factor is not worth it to me. They know I shop around so expect me to ask for best price. As others have noted, if it's reasonably close I'll buy from them.

When I was much younger, my parents owned a very successful traditional hardware store. When they came to retirement they offered the shop to me but with a warning that retail was changing fast and soon customers 'would get the kind of shopping they deserve'. He was referring to the concept that people concentrated on price not value or quality, couldn't care less about after sales support - until something went wrong. Because of my evolving career and their advice, I decided not to take up the shop which turned out be be a good decision. Since that time a town of 80,000 with 3 excellent hardware stores (ours the best of course) now has none and the nearest DIY superstore (B&Q, similar to Home Depot) is a 10ml round trip.

So support your local store if you can otherwise we will soon be left with general super stores or internet only.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Yes, unless the difference is outrageous. If I want/expect service from the shop then they should be able to expect loyalty from me as a buyer

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Popular question. If you interact with sales people, and you decide to buy that model, you should buy it from that store.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I see this as mostly being covered by return policies. B&H offers a 30 day return policy IIRC. Buy it, try it and if not satisfied you can return it. I did that once with a KEH purchase... returned it in a few days, got refund and will recommend and purchase from them again too...

Stephan G

Bottom line. There is no obligation either for you to purchase or the store to provide assistance.

The benefit of dealing with a local store is the fact that it is a local store. One gets a cadre of people who can help in the learning curve of the purchased item, for example. Hence, it is the relationship formed that comes into play. Many people return to the same store because of the relationship.

On the side of the store, the myth that an immediate sale being the goal is incorrect. It is not, generally. It is that relationship formed, because it is the return sales that help the profit line. When I was doing floor sales, I did not expect any purchase. I provided the information that the potential customer needed. And I managed to hit the top salesman list because I provided information. I helped the customer "to buy". It was my experience that on the spot sales actually drove away future sales. And there have been studies in that direction that indicated such results.

My personal recommendation is to go into that local store and let them know you are shopping. Allow them to provide information. And feel free to purchase from whatever source that meets your budgetary needs. The sense of obligations notwithstanding.

Sales is a numbers game. And the business owners know that.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Simply Yes!

PMW603

My local shop has been very helpful and supportive in meeting my photography needs - answering my endless questions, recommending products that I have never heard of with amazing results and I always buy from them. However, I usually wait until Canon and our local store has a decent sale ... sometimes it’s a long wait but it’s worth it for me and for my local store.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

When I go to the camera store to evaluate my options and I decide to buy, I definitely buy from them because they meet the price on B&H and do a little better. They can’t come down on the price of the camera; but they throw in better options (like an OEM grip) and give me a discount on accessories. My camera store also gives me points for my purchases. Right now I have enough points to get $150 off my next purchase...Hmmmm.

To answer your question...YES!

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

If you like them and they are helping you then so long as they are not charging more than B+H. If you do buy from them, it helps keep them thee for the future.

alexol

100% YES!

Why should anyone in a bricks and mortar establishment devote time to you, so you can go somewhere else for a lower price? This is typically the sort of person who whines when the local shop goes out of business, and isn't available for their convenience to buy some minor item later.

For me the rules are very simple.

If I seek advice at a store, or go there to look at merchandise, especially if it is something time consuming for a salesman, I buy there. Period.

If it is a commodity item and I know exactly what I want, then I buy online.

Easy.

How is it reasonable to waste a salesman's time (who is probably on some kind of commission) so a person can then start hunting around online for a lower price?

I believe it was John Rushkin: Price, service, quality - pick any two.

alexol

(Sorry all, deleted duplicate post)

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Their willingness to help you is the likely, very reason for the higher pricing. Yes, I would buy from that store.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

I would never take up a retailers time without coming back to give the store a chance to compete.

I am willing to pay up to 10% more to support a local retailer.

Just my personal philosophy!!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

If you have no intention of purchasing from a certain establishment, you have no right to waste their time helping you decide what to buy from someone else.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Luckily my local camera shop matches prices found on Amazon. 10%? When they started to become available, I bought a D850 at my local camera shop for $3500 including taxes. I would not pay 10% more in any way, shape, or form.