A question about purchasing ethics
Mar 10, 2019 12:36:46 #
AndyH wrote:
After reading all the posts from people who do not... (show quote)
You should be as I hate having to buy something I have never seen before.
Mar 10, 2019 12:44:55 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
cjc2 wrote:
I have a longstanding relationship with my local r... (show quote)
That's what I was hoping for and it's the type of service I got for my first two cameras. This time, however, was not an isolated example.
Mar 10, 2019 12:49:38 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I have found it, for me, to buy local. I may have, in the past paid tax "and not at a mail order store", I know what I a buying, Have local recourse and at times have been guided to a better decision.
Mar 10, 2019 12:58:05 #
Ordering by phone or online usually entails a shipping & packaging fee. Now you are already in the store, so the shipping is your drive home and the packaging is the car seat. In the store you can get a starter use instruction; not available by mail or FedEx. My motto is buy local - the store and personnel pay taxes which helps pay for the roads and bridges I travel.
Mar 10, 2019 13:48:08 #
I always research on line first then I approach the seller with the online prices and inquire as to how close they can come to or beat the prices I have available. and many times I get a pleasant surprise or I get extra accessories at a discount which I will have to get as well sooner or later.
If you're honest with them , they'll be honest with you and good things will begin to take place. You'll never know if you never try so don't be anxious and ask a lot of questions. Weather you win or lose , The Journey"s The Thing.
If you're honest with them , they'll be honest with you and good things will begin to take place. You'll never know if you never try so don't be anxious and ask a lot of questions. Weather you win or lose , The Journey"s The Thing.
Mar 10, 2019 14:41:53 #
wnagel
Loc: Fair Oaks, CA
As a former camera shop employee (many years ago), what I really disliked was the person who bragged that he or she bought from my cheaper competition and then came back to me for instruction. I would politely decline to provide the instruction saying my knowledge was worth the difference in price. I would then suggest they return to my competition for instruction.
Mar 10, 2019 14:43:55 #
I just read an article yesterday about how Best Buy (love em or hate em, not the point here) almost went out of business because they realized people are were using them as Amazon’s showroom. They changed some of their strategies and practices, and came back.
I try to not do this with anything I purchase. Retail is a tough business sector already.
I try to not do this with anything I purchase. Retail is a tough business sector already.
Mar 10, 2019 14:55:33 #
GeorgeFenwick wrote:
If you visit a camera shop to evaluate options to purchase, should you then feel obligated to buy from that shop in return for their help, even if the prices are higher?
Yes, you should.
Or, you can purchase your ethics by giving them a tip for their advice.
Mar 10, 2019 15:00:29 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
A tip for advice on a product you purchased on line will still put the store out of business
Mar 10, 2019 15:08:04 #
As an owner of a photo lab and which I eventually started selling cameras, it used to really urk me to spend a half hour, hour or so explaining the benefits and features of a camera only to have the customer go off and buy it on-line. Total waste of my time. And worse, they would actually have the gull to come back in to get film developed and show me their new camera. I eventually just quit selling cameras.
Mar 10, 2019 15:09:15 #
Mar 10, 2019 15:10:13 #
clickety wrote:
Do you really have to ask someone else?
Just ask yourself, “if I owned a shop”........???
Just ask yourself, “if I owned a shop”........???
Ever shop for a car at multiple dealerships.
Mar 10, 2019 15:23:28 #
Friscotex wrote:
Ever shop for a car at multiple dealerships.
Do you really buy your car online for a difference of $50? That’s just silly.
Mar 10, 2019 15:26:37 #
A quick camera shop story...
Many, many years ago I worked in a camera store (concession type) located within a large discount store. We concentrated on the mid-price range, of course, but remained an official dealer for Leica, Rollei, and a couple of other high end brands. The job helped supplement my income for college, and got me a lot of gear at discount prices.
But, TBH, I did it at least partly for the fun of talking photography with many of the regular customers, who came in with interesting gear and even more interesting questions or ideas. There was only "mail order" in those days as non B&M competition, and few people wanted to buy big ticket items from the likes of 47th Street or Abe's of Maine.
Anyway, there was this one older gentleman who would come in on a regular basis, to discuss photography. He dressed shabbily, and just bought film and processing, with the occasional enlargement (we were one of the few shops that sent out B/W film to a private lab). He told me that he owned a Leica rig, but he never showed up carrying it because he was afraid of being robbed on the street or in a parking lot. I didn't believe him, but he sure had some nice looking photos. My boss would chide me at times for spending too much time with a guy who never bought anything.
Well, if I have foreshadowed the story enough, you already know what happened. He came in one day and ordered a Leica (M-3 as I recall) and several bayonet lenses. He paid in cash (I don't remember the price, but it was well into four digits), and the gear came in about a week later. I was excited when I unpacked it and called him to tell him it was in. He showed up at the counter later that day, and, for the first time, was carrying a nice leather bag. He proceeded to pull out a IIIf model, with 50mm, 135mm telephoto, and 35mm WA, which he showed to me. He explained the use of the body with care, even before he asked me to get his new gear. When he had lovingly tested the mounting of the new lenses and the shutter speeds, he put the "old" outfit on the counter and said, "I want you to have this..."
I was in utter shock. I was shooting a Spotmatic at the time, and even at early 70s prices, the Leica outfit was worth many times more than all my kit, probably more than my car. I tried to beg off, but he insisted, and even discussed it with my boss, who had no problem with me accepting it.
I owned it for a long time, until the shutter failed, with a repair price way beyond my means. I sold it, and switched to a Nikon F, but I have never forgotten that customer and the rewards for providing great customer service.
Andy
Many, many years ago I worked in a camera store (concession type) located within a large discount store. We concentrated on the mid-price range, of course, but remained an official dealer for Leica, Rollei, and a couple of other high end brands. The job helped supplement my income for college, and got me a lot of gear at discount prices.
But, TBH, I did it at least partly for the fun of talking photography with many of the regular customers, who came in with interesting gear and even more interesting questions or ideas. There was only "mail order" in those days as non B&M competition, and few people wanted to buy big ticket items from the likes of 47th Street or Abe's of Maine.
Anyway, there was this one older gentleman who would come in on a regular basis, to discuss photography. He dressed shabbily, and just bought film and processing, with the occasional enlargement (we were one of the few shops that sent out B/W film to a private lab). He told me that he owned a Leica rig, but he never showed up carrying it because he was afraid of being robbed on the street or in a parking lot. I didn't believe him, but he sure had some nice looking photos. My boss would chide me at times for spending too much time with a guy who never bought anything.
Well, if I have foreshadowed the story enough, you already know what happened. He came in one day and ordered a Leica (M-3 as I recall) and several bayonet lenses. He paid in cash (I don't remember the price, but it was well into four digits), and the gear came in about a week later. I was excited when I unpacked it and called him to tell him it was in. He showed up at the counter later that day, and, for the first time, was carrying a nice leather bag. He proceeded to pull out a IIIf model, with 50mm, 135mm telephoto, and 35mm WA, which he showed to me. He explained the use of the body with care, even before he asked me to get his new gear. When he had lovingly tested the mounting of the new lenses and the shutter speeds, he put the "old" outfit on the counter and said, "I want you to have this..."
I was in utter shock. I was shooting a Spotmatic at the time, and even at early 70s prices, the Leica outfit was worth many times more than all my kit, probably more than my car. I tried to beg off, but he insisted, and even discussed it with my boss, who had no problem with me accepting it.
I owned it for a long time, until the shutter failed, with a repair price way beyond my means. I sold it, and switched to a Nikon F, but I have never forgotten that customer and the rewards for providing great customer service.
Andy
Mar 10, 2019 15:27:35 #
I'm a sucker for loyalty. I have ONE person I go to a certain photography chain that I go to. When I have an interest in a certain camera / accessory, I'll ask him questions. That particular photo chain happens to be quite competitive. Not only do I get close to the bottom price, I've given this individual "points" for the sale, whatever that is.
I can come back and ask questions of the person if necessary, we're on a first name basis. Not sure if that would work out for others or not.
I can come back and ask questions of the person if necessary, we're on a first name basis. Not sure if that would work out for others or not.
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