rmorrison1116 wrote:
Don't get hot about what? You're the one pushing Allen's Camera like it's the only place worth buying from. If Allen's was a short drive from my home, no toll roads, (I'd take the PA Turnpike to get there), didn't charge me PA sales tax, and I didn't have to leave my dogs in the car while picking up my purchase, (I rarely go anywhere without my dogs), then maybe I too would be a loyal Allen's Camera customer. I've been watching Jared Polin on YouTube for years and he's had nothing but good things to say about his former employer. If I was concerned about customer service, there are camera stores much closer to me than Allen's that will happily customer serve me and collect the PA sales tax on my purchases, just like Allen's. I know Allen's also has excellent inventory, but guess what; when I was looking to buy an R7, not long after they hit the street, Allen's didn't have any, and ironically neither did Canon's online retail. But, guess who did? The Best Buy store on Concord Pike in Talleyville, Delaware.
There are at least two Best Buy's that are closer to me than the one I shop at in north Delaware. But I'm not talking about those stores, or any other Best Buy. I've been in other Best Buy stores and none of them had as nice a camera department as the Talleyville store. They recently remodeled that store, and I went inside because I was picking up a 65 inch Sony TV and had to measure the box to make sure it would fit in my car (SUV), and it did, barely. I saved over $100 on sales tax by buying the TV south of the border. If I added up all the money I've saved over the years from buying at that store, that 65 inch Sony was free. I'm pretty sure I can't say the same about Allen's. As for your 50 years of experience, I bought my first 35mm camera in 1971, a Konica T2. My second camera, also bought in 1971 was a used but in great condition, Graflex Speed Graphic with a polaroid back. I got a Minolta SR-T 102 in 1973. My 1st Canon was an AT-1 followed by an AE-1 then an A-1. I still have them. My 1st digital camera was a Sony Mavica CD-300, still have it and it still works. My 1st DSLR was a Canon 10D I bought in the fall of 2003. About a year later I got the 20D. I kept upgrading every time Canon came out with a new XXD model, with the exception of the 77D. I still have all my XXD cameras, up to the 90D, and they all work. I also have a 5DSr and a 5D mk IV. There are also a few Nikon DSLR's in the collection, D7200, D500, D850, and plenty of Nikkor, Sigma Sport and Contemporary, and Tamron SP lenses, and several black and light grey Canon EF lenses with that sexy Canon crimson band. I also have an R5 and two R7's. I really like my R7's. I also just picked up 2 new RF lenses from my favorite Best Buy in Delaware, an RF 800 and an RF 100-500L. I saved over $200 on sales tax on just those 2 lenses, and it took me just over an hour to drive to the store, pick up the lenses and drive home, with my 2 dogs in the car. They are very spoiled Coton de Tulear's.
I'm not endorsing Best Buy or telling anyone where to buy their gear. I've simply had pretty good luck with one particular store in Delaware, that just happens to be a Best Buy that's relatively close to my home. Another thing, Concord Pike in DE is US highway 202 and I live only a few miles from US 202, so getting there is real easy. Like I said, about 25 minutes one way. Allen's Camera is located in a rather densely packed part of Bucks County. I know, I have family in the Levittown area. Anyway, it's been nice chatting. Have a happy and healthy 2023...
Don't get hot about what? You're the one pushing A... (
show quote)
I was a staff photographer for the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper for 30 years and have covered the world, and traveled the entire Delaware Valley Area for decades so I know all the towns, roads and locations you are talking about. I started my photography journey back in the 1960's and I have owned and used about every size, format, brand, iteration and generation of film and digital gear from the 60's until now from minox size to APS-C and fullframe 35mm, medium format, and view cameras from 4X5 inch up to 11X14 inch Dierdorf models .
That all means nothing to this discussion though. LOL
I have shopped at good dealers all across the country having lived on the West Coast, Midwest, Northeast, and South. I have shopped for decades and still shop at the big boys like B&H, Adorama, and at local and mom and pop dealers in other parts of the country. Allen's isn't the only good mom and pop local dealer in the country, just my favorite one.
Everyone is welcome to have their favorites. If your local Best Buys or Best Buy's online is your favorite that is great.
Personally having been recruited and hired to be part of Best Buys' in-store guest pro instructor team, years ago when they launched their few regional bigger camera departments ,it is sad that many industry and economic factors, some out of their control, some due to their business model ,has resulted in less than a lasting fulfillment of their dream for their in-store photo departments in many places.
The few Best Buys with decent camera departments are a valuable resource for some shoppers, and certainly getting into online shopping and closing underperforming stores have saved them financially for the moment. After sharp declines over the past few years, their stock price is up the past three months. .
And BTW there have been many new items that were out of stock across the country and at bigger and small dealers, that I was able to find at Allen's, so don't think Best Buys has any overall magic to get you gear when others dont have it. Brands try to treat their authorized dealers equally, or it would hurt them in the end. I know a few Regional and National Managers of some of the top brands ,and they all confirm that is how they all work when I ask about gear availability.
Full disclosure: as a current Sony SPS member (Sony Pro Support) like I was as a longtime NPS (Nikon) and CPS (Canon) member , Sony SPS members can get member priority on many new releases, but even then Sony leaves it up to the authorized dealer who gets the new gear first in line. The SPS member priority just identifies for the dealer what SPS pros are seeking the gear. Allen's owner my friend Brandon has told me he stays fair to the order of pre-orders in his store whether from pros like me or his loyal hobbyist customers.
Just one example why Allen's is a fav of mine and many others: I also administrate and moderate several worldwide Facebook Photography groups with many thousands of members, and one member from California was moaning that had been checking and trying for days to find one, and no one in the USA had the superb and in-demand Sony 24mm f1.4 GM lens he wanted so bad when they first came out.
He had checked with all the major dealers, local stores, including his local Best Buys and they all had the lens backordered. I made one call to Allen's and they had two in stock, and on my word alone Allen's took one off the shelf and held that lens until this facebook group member could contact them and arrange the sale. The lens was on its way to him that afternoon and he got it (without tax) and he still thanks me for that, and has become a new loyal customer of Allen's. He, like I and others still shop around for our gear for price and availability. I just give Allen's a call first.
No dealer is perfect and perfect all the time, including Best Buys trust me. Best Buys is notorious for charging outrageous restocking fees of 15% to 20% of the purchase price , totally hundreds of dollars, during the legal return periods. I have seen that reported from folks here in UHH and folks in my groups.
And like you with your savings of tax in Delaware and my savings of tax from Allen's over the decades, I have been able to afford to buy more great gear. As similarly do the folks who use Payboo with B&H, and those like educators and students who use edu. discounts at many dealers, including Allen's.
FYI, when I have ordered cameras and multiple lens kits for my state university photography students, the bids for what we want only could go out to dealers who had to pass state financial scrutiny to be an authorized and state-approved vendor. Not all top dealers were approved, but Allen's was approved by the state, and Allen's bid on dozens of camera/multiple lens DSLR and mirrorless kits beat the bids from Adorama and others like Robert's. And Allen's gave all my students an additional discount on any personal camera gear purchases.
Allen's just stand heads above most dealers in my opinion, and in the opinion of countless top pros and hobbyists alike, and it has for decades.
Herr is one of my shots made with my Sony 24mm f 1.4 GM lens I got from Allen's in their first shipment from Sony. I also got my A7RIV from Allen's in their first Sony shipment. Jade in the desert in Nevada, USA at sunset. Sony 61mp A7RIV, Sony 24mm f1.4 GM lens. Light only from the headlights of two cars, with non-flammable colored smoke added. Shot at f1.6, ISO 400, 1/160 sec. handheld.
Click on download to see better image quality.
Cheers and best to you.