Is it just my local store or does Best Buy want "out" of the camera business?

Maybe it IS just my local store (Simi Valley, CA). I was just in there today and there were literally only THREE cameras on display, a Sony A6000 and two entry-level Canon DSLRs. Not a single camera from any other manufacture, even the digital camcorders were nowhere to be seen. A few bags, a few tripods, that was pretty much it.

Compared to the store closest to my work (Woodland Hills, CA), where they have literally the complete current production line of Nikon, Canon and Sony, from pocket point-and-shoots to the highest-end DSLRs, plus the full lineup of lenses for all three. For Nikon, just to name one, everything from the 50mm f1.8G all the way to the "Holy Trinity" and even the 200-500 is on display.

So, maybe, it's a regional thing. Maybe my town isn't as affluent as where the other store is located. But, MY store, at least, looks like it isn't interested in selling cameras anymore. I have two independent camera stores near me. One closer to my work, but I don't get a good "vibe" when I'm in there, and the other store, which is about a half-hour drive in the opposite direction, but where they really know me and appreciate my being there. Fewer and fewer independent stores are still around. Many disappeared because of the "big box" stores, but even some of those, like MY Best Buy, are phasing it out.

Sad.

A few years ago I was one of the pro photographers hired and paid by Best Buys to launch bigger camera departments in some of the bigger Best Buy stores in each geographical region of the USA. For the first couple of weeks I and fellow pros around the country taught some in-store photo classes and introduced the new bigger photo departments. Then we were thanked and that was it.

Best Buys had their own store camera sales department staffers, some decent photographers on their own. IMHO, I think it never took off across the country like Best Buys had hoped. And Best Buys own store revenues have shrunk as more people shop online, and/or even at big-box discount warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club for electronics and cameras.

You hardly ever find a dedicated and truly knowledgeable photo salesperson in any of the Best Buys photo departments nowadays, as their remaining employees are asked to sell in all departments as staffing has been cut.

Also Best Buys has gotten something of a troubling reputation with its photo sales. Stories from Best Buys photo customers across the USA talk of decent sales pricing, but then horror stories about obtaining returns and refunds, with huge restocking fees charged.

One example: a fellow Facebook friend of mine wanted to buy a Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM to cover soccer games of her kids. The version one of that lens, though very good, is six years old in optical design and focus motors. I recommended she wait as the version two of that 70-200mm f2.8 GM was just about to be released and was going to be much sharper and much faster focusing with dual linear motors.

She went ahead and bought the version one and within ten days the new, much better version two was out . She had not even used the version one copy yet, and tried to return it to her Best Buys, only seeking a refund or store credit so she could buy the newer version two 70-200mm f2.8 GM from them, which was a bit more costly . Best Buys told her they would only take it back with a 20% restocking fee, just outrageous. That lens is a $2000 USD lens, so they wanted her to lose $400. So she just kept the lens.

I guess if you price compare with other local camera stores and dealers like B&H, Adorama, Robert's Camera, Allen's Camera and the same photo gear item at Best Buys is cheaper, then buy there, but dont expect the same kind of service after the sale of the best reputable camera dealers. And dont expect to return the item without a huge restocking fee.

BTW in over five decades as a photographer, I have never had to pay a restocking fee when making a return of undamaged /unused gear within the listed return period.

Cheers and best to you.

Is it just my local store or does Best Buy want "out" of the camera business?

Maybe it IS just my local store (Simi Valley, CA). I was just in there today and there were literally only THREE cameras on display, a Sony A6000 and two entry-level Canon DSLRs. Not a single camera from any other manufacture, even the digital camcorders were nowhere to be seen. A few bags, a few tripods, that was pretty much it.

Compared to the store closest to my work (Woodland Hills, CA), where they have literally the complete current production line of Nikon, Canon and Sony, from pocket point-and-shoots to the highest-end DSLRs, plus the full lineup of lenses for all three. For Nikon, just to name one, everything from the 50mm f1.8G all the way to the "Holy Trinity" and even the 200-500 is on display.

So, maybe, it's a regional thing. Maybe my town isn't as affluent as where the other store is located. But, MY store, at least, looks like it isn't interested in selling cameras anymore. I have two independent camera stores near me. One closer to my work, but I don't get a good "vibe" when I'm in there, and the other store, which is about a half-hour drive in the opposite direction, but where they really know me and appreciate my being there. Fewer and fewer independent stores are still around. Many disappeared because of the "big box" stores, but even some of those, like MY Best Buy, are phasing it out.

Sad.

Is it just my local store or does Best Buy want "out" of the camera business?

Maybe it IS just my local store (Simi Valley, CA). I was just in there today and there were literally only THREE cameras on display, a Sony A6000 and two entry-level Canon DSLRs. Not a single camera from any other manufacture, even the digital camcorders were nowhere to be seen. A few bags, a few tripods, that was pretty much it.

Compared to the store closest to my work (Woodland Hills, CA), where they have literally the complete current production line of Nikon, Canon and Sony, from pocket point-and-shoots to the highest-end DSLRs, plus the full lineup of lenses for all three. For Nikon, just to name one, everything from the 50mm f1.8G all the way to the "Holy Trinity" and even the 200-500 is on display.

So, maybe, it's a regional thing. Maybe my town isn't as affluent as where the other store is located. But, MY store, at least, looks like it isn't interested in selling cameras anymore. I have two independent camera stores near me. One closer to my work, but I don't get a good "vibe" when I'm in there, and the other store, which is about a half-hour drive in the opposite direction, but where they really know me and appreciate my being there. Fewer and fewer independent stores are still around. Many disappeared because of the "big box" stores, but even some of those, like MY Best Buy, are phasing it out.

Sad.