Local Camera Stores in the Age of Big Boxes
Jun 9, 2017 01:15:26 #
There is no camera store here in South Central Wisconsin, however a 40 minute drive puts me in Madison which boasts 3 camera stores, all owned and operated by the same person. He hires only camera people. I do business with them and B&H. If I'm purchasing something photographic and I don't need to pick it up and feel it I'll buy from B&H, if, however, I want to handle the item I'll drive to the store. Never will I use the camera store as a "hunting ground" and buy the item on line. Things like cameras, lens', tripods, etc. are purchased in the store.
Jun 9, 2017 05:21:43 #
dsmeltz wrote:
A few recent posts have made me think about the qu... (show quote)
Which store to you go to? I have no camera store near me here at the tip of NJ. Best Buy is less than useless when it comes to cameras. Their inventory is usually very limited and most of the staff has no knowledge of cameras. We would be willing to travel to get to a decent B&M shop AND to spend our $ there.
Costco and Sam's have good prices, but you have to buy the kit they carry. That no longer works for me.
Thanks.
Jun 9, 2017 05:38:01 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
Morning Star wrote:
Congratulations with your purchase. However, it is... (show quote)
Did you miss the fact that he visited Unique, then went home and placed his order with Unique?
He might have been able to accomplish the same thing (saving on the sales tax) by placing and paying for his order in store, and having it shipped to his home.
I have a favorite sales rep at Hunt's in their Wakefield, MA store. I live in NH, so if I place my order in store, or over the phone with my sales rep and have it shipped to my home, I don't pay any sales tax, but my sales rep still gets his commission.
Jun 9, 2017 05:51:23 #
JoeC7100
Loc: Rhode Island
One chain two different experiences. I was looking for another backpack and went to Hunt’s in Providence, RI. My impression there is that the people are knowledgeable and like to prove it to you. Very little help. I brought a bag to the counter and asked to see my camera for fit. The salesperson gave me the camera looked at me and said not going to fit. I happened to be near their Melrose, Ma store and went through the same process only this time when then bag did not appear to be a good fit the salesperson asked what I was trying to do and what I was trying to carry. He grabbed a bag off the shelf and started pulling out the different lenses I had and helped me arrange the bag to hold the gear. He then had me put it on my back and try it out. Unfortunately a bit of a drive but worth the effort.
Jun 9, 2017 06:15:12 #
Jun 9, 2017 06:24:46 #
dsmeltz wrote:
A few recent posts have made me think about the qu... (show quote)
This shrinkage isn't just about camera stores, it is small vs large in general. Even the big stores do a major portion via the internet. It's the B&H and Adorama(big store) that are surviving. The mom and pop stores can't compete.
Jun 9, 2017 06:25:18 #
The camera store, 5 minutes drive from my house, is still open but they stopped selling cameras and lenses. They continue to sell small photography needs, nothing great though. They are more into photo developing, sign design and sign creating. When I inquired why, the response was "because people would come in look at the cameras, hold them, ask questions and when it came time to purchase they would often say they were only looking or going to order the product online". Therefore, they were loosing money by not making a sale and taking up the time of the employee. I'm getting ready to purchase a new camera, lenses and a laptop. I've decided to head to NYC and visit B&H since I'm 90 miles north of the city and want to ask questions to ensure I'm making the correct choices.
Jun 9, 2017 06:32:09 #
MsLala wrote:
The camera store, 5 minutes drive from my house, i... (show quote)
I bought a lot of gear there but for some i went online. As much as i wanted to support them, I could find the same lens many hundreds cheaper and in some cases from a store that didn't do taxes. Sure I claimed on my income tax. Wink. I wonder how long they will survive with the printing side. Sadly, there are dozens of online places that do the same quality and a hell of lot cheaper.
Jun 9, 2017 06:39:55 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
dsmeltz wrote:
A few recent posts have made me think about the qu... (show quote)
You are grouping small camera stores into one lump based on your experience with ONE store. Not true. What is true is that these small shop mom and pop stores are disappearing fast from the scene. Just like the big boys you must shop around. Many have knowledgeable staff, many are forced to hire kids who don't know a lot but are willing to work. Campus Camera in Kent Ohio is an example of a second generation family run store where you can still find knowledgeable staff ready and able to help you out in many ways, they always match B&H in price and usually best them. They have an EXCELLENT lab on the second floor that make my 16X24 and 20X30 beautiful prints. I would highly recommend you look them up on your computer and give them a call if you run into a problem.
Jun 9, 2017 06:42:53 #
Service Photo in Baltimore is the only full service camera store in Maryland. I have been dealing with them since the mid nineties. They have great used items and I have bought many. I know what I am getting and if there is a problem, they make it no problem. Only difference in price on new merchandise is the sales tax. A small price to pay to have a place that can help with any questions i may have.
Jun 9, 2017 06:45:04 #
I love the comment by Machinedoc about trying out a lens, and getting help from a lady, even after telling her he wasn't going to buythe lens there. Then he goes home and buys it on line. And people are surprised when these shops can't afford to stay open?
Jun 9, 2017 06:50:27 #
I'm very fortunate to live near Precision Camera here in Austin, TX. Their pricing is the same as B&H or the others, other than sales tax but I'll happily pay the tax to help keep their doors open. They have a very knowledgeable non-commissioned staff, repair facility, and rental service as well. They also hold classes on photography, post processing, and all sorts of related topics. Good people, good policies.
Jun 9, 2017 06:59:15 #
My local store is Bergen Camera in Westwood, NJ. Great sales help, very knowledgeable. The have classes, field trips and assignments when you can have your pictures critiqued. They match prices when they can.
Jun 9, 2017 07:01:44 #
kavitykid wrote:
Service Photo in Baltimore is the only full service camera store in Maryland. I have been dealing with them since the mid nineties. They have great used items and I have bought many. I know what I am getting and if there is a problem, they make it no problem. Only difference in price on new merchandise is the sales tax. A small price to pay to have a place that can help with any questions i may have.
Agree! I drive about 45 minutes or so to get there - mostly because of traffic and the lack of a direct line to it - but Service Photo is my go-to source of quality camera equipment. I will use the Net from time-to-time for small things, particularly when I don't have the time to visit Service Photo...or when I know that if I go to pick up a lens brush, I am bound to see that used camera or lens in the display cabinet that is just HAVE to purchase on a whim! But for all of my major purchases, Service is the place that offers the best advice and support.
Jun 9, 2017 07:02:11 #
You are quite correct. While big box stores may be able to offer attractive pricing on equipment due to their volume purchasing ability, it is rare to find quality customer support in their photography departments. I am from the Hammonton, New Jersey, area (midway between Philadelphia to the west and Atlantic City to the east). The two "main street-type" photo shops I had used for years are both gone. One closed due to owner's retirement (business has been up for sale nearly two years now) and the other closed for lack of business in the area. Now I find myself dealing with "on-line" specialty retailers out of New York and Philadelphia when I need equipment or support. I certainly miss the "face-to-face" opportunities to talk with knowledgeable folks.
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