rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Best Buy employees are generally ignorant of cameras. I remember the time one of them tried to tell me that my Digital Rebel took a burst by plucking frames out of video - then had no answer when I asked why - then - it was unable to take video in general.

gwilliams6

Good point if not advertised. Sad, because many dealers across the country did have Nikon Days to introduce the Nikon Z9

Cheers and best to you.

gwilliams6

True, their online sales have saved the company and their stock value rise points to those online sales. They have closed many stores that weren't performing as well as some others. And while there are still a few with decent in-store camera departments, scattered across the USA, many other still operating stores have shrunken their in-store camera departments drastically, and cut any knowledgeable fulltime camera salespersons.

A far cry from their ambitious launch of bigger, better camera departments in some regional locations just a few years ago that I was paid to be a part of as a pro in-store instructor.

Cheers and best to you.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Best Buy's MAIN problem is that they have UNTRAINED people working in departments where at least a LITTLE knowledge would be helpful... I drove 120 miles roundtrip to demo some speakers at my closest Magnolia and there was not even one person qualified to turn the amplifier on. There seems to be a shortage of Burger flippers now days so how can we expect qualified people in electronics and photography sections.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Do you have any idea how silly that sounds? Just order something from Allen's and have it shipped out of state. But I live in the same state Allen's is located in. As I previously stated, I've been to Allen's and it is a really nice photography store. There are other nice photography stores closer to me than Allen's.
The reasons I have purchased a good bit of gear from Best Buy in north Delaware is simple. They usually have what I want, and if not can have it in a day or two. They are a short drive from my home, and there is no sales tax.
When I bought my R7, nobody had them. Not Allen's, not even Canon. It was place your order and wait. Guess who did have them. Best Buy in north Delaware.
I just bought two new lenses from Best Buy. An RF 100-500L and the RF 800 f/11. I placed the order on line on Monday night and picked them up early Tuesday afternoon, and I didn't even have to get out of my vehicle. They have curbside pickup, so my dogs and I took a leisurely drive, about 25 minutes, to the store, got in the pickup line, there was no one else in line, handed the Best Buy employee the invoice I printed at home, and in a minute he handed my two black Canon boxes containing my new lenses. I saved $222 sales tax that Allen's would have had to collect and the drive was much shorter and cheaper.

BebuLamar

But that is not the reason why Best Buys is not doing well these days. The businesses that take business away from Best Buy are those that offer no help at all on the products they sell like Amazon.

gwilliams6

I know you live in Pa. but dont you have any friends living in nearby Delaware or New Jersey? Maybe you dont, then save your tax by shopping in Delaware, but dont get hot about it fella. I lived and worked in the PA/DE/NJ area for 39 years from 1979 to 2018, before moving to Texas.

I have been in this business for over 50 years as a pro, and Allen's (in business since the late 70's) has a history of getting me the gear I need, when I need it. Even Best Buys doesn't have everything people want at the exact time folks want it.. Many UHHers have written about delays on ordered gear from Best Buys. They are subject to the same supply chain issues and new gear delays as any camera dealer. Best Buys does not get preference over other camera gear dealers. It is great if you hit Best Buys exactly at the time they had some stock of what you wanted.

Even though I was one of the pros hired by Best Buys to help launch their bigger camera departments across the country, the Best Buys in-store camera experience is not what it used to be, and varies greatly from store to store, with some stores closed for good. .

I am happy for you that their online option works so much better and you save money in Delaware. Most UHHers dont have that Delaware option that you have. But many UHHers do have the option of shopping online or by phone with Allen's, and having them ship the gear out of state. And IMHO there is no substitute for the personal attention and customer service I get at Allens all the time.

Cheers and best to you.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

But I really don't NEED the kind of help that results in a decision... I research till the cows come home and JUST want a demo of that product ! If a brick and mortar can't even intelligently demo a product WHAT good are they... I can get free delivery with Amazon prime and could have saved 15.00 in Gas on a useless trip to the city. These current sales folks remind me of recycled burger flippers !

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

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...

gwilliams6

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.

(Download)

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

In general, I don’t need a trained seal showing me how to use the camera. I can read the specs at home. I need to try it out for myself, to see how it feels in my hands, how the view through the viewfinder looks.

BebuLamar

I don't need the store person to help me. I want to see and handle the product in person which I can do it at the store regardless how knowledgeable the salesperson is. I never really need any help from the salesperson. I do want to see and handle the products before I buy.

kkayser

she should have appealed it to her credit card company.

brentrh Loc: Deltona, FL

Camera stores are gone in central Florida. Best Buy always had poor lower end selection. I have bought lots of cameras always went with hands on and acknowledged sales help, just 1 store in Orlando, but not a store I care to do business with