CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Well, IF the OP had asked questions about the lenses he was buying in the store, he would have had the answers BEFORE he handed over his credit card. Obviously he did not, because he only looked at the lenses AFTER he got them home. An unusually chatty store clerk may have gotten the information to him in store in a nice way, and gotten him to fork over an additional 50, but it didn't happen. That does not indicate any duplicity or failure on the store clerk's part, and in fact an aggressive offer on the clerk's part might have queered the sale altogether - it would have if it were me. I would have been suspicious - but that's just me.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Umm, if you bother to research, Nikon usually has an "entry level" package and a "upper level" or advanced amateur package. It's NOT Nikon's fault that the local store CHOSE to go with the less expensive package rather than the upgrade. The store figured that since the D3400 is an entry level camera so the store stuck with an entry level package.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

sometimes you don't know what you don't know; someone buying something new may not have realized there was a VR and a non-VR; tough to figure a customer out: you can wind up not giving him enough info and sometimes you can overload him with info

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Having "been there, done that" Duplicity no. Failure yes. Using your words "gotten the information to him in store in a nice way" A salesman doesn't have to be slimy to suggest an upgrade. What have we here now? The clerk didn't bother to discuss the sale with the customer and the customer is unhappy..

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

again, salesman can not win; if he offers upgrades, he might be"slimy;" if he doesn't he's lazy, took the easy way out with a quick sale; I remember years ago when I was a salesman for a very large chain; man came in and asked for a Nikkormat; spent half-hour comparing / showing him the Canon ( don't remember equivalent model ) with its quick-load feature; man walked out; my manager was very nice and a calm person. he walked over to me and calmly explained that the man had called about a Nikkormat, came in and asked for it, and I tried to switch him to a Canon ( there was a great spiff program for salespeople on Canon products); store didn't get the sale, nor did I. and the customer didn't get what he wanted ( probably went somewhere else to get it ); I learned my lesson

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Just wondering if anyone here accepts the possibility that the store only had the ONE option in stock for that particular camera model?
Its amazing how so many people here want to assume the OP was shopping in B&H with unlimited supply and options!

dyximan

Please excuse me as I do not mean to imply and one song you with my observation and or opinion. But it appears that you are probably a newbie as you bought the lower end of the Nikon mine and we're probably unaware that VR was even an option. And/or perhaps what are you even does. As the first camera I bought was the Nikon 5300 and was unaware of many of the options and available pictures of the camera. Unfortunately it's an experience I think you'll have to except and I doubt either we're trying to deceive you but we're simply trying to sell you a bundle based on what they had. And it will simply have to be a lesson learned. But hat as others have suggested you could sell the non-VR lens and pick up the VR version. And/or learn to shoot what you got and make a determination as to whether you think you need it in the future and purchase it at that time, after you've put some time, effort and a few thousand clicks on your camera. Best of luck happy shooting and enjoy

dyximan

Please excuse my post earlier was trying to edit could not do so

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I think the problem also becomes if the salesperson is going to educate the person he has to assess the knowledge level of the buyer and he also has to try to determine if he is really there to make a purchase or just window shopping. So if it is determined that the buyer needs some education then the question becomes where does the education end. There are literally hundreds of options in entry level cameras and the features of such; let alone the options of moving up a level or two. Now, f the sales person is not busy and has time to get into a discussion with the buyer then that is one thing. But if the salesperson has other customers waiting to bee waited on the salesperson may need to limit that discussion and move on to helping someone else. It is interesting in retail as there are an infinite types of customers to deal with and you have to be able to manage all that and ultimately try to make the sale. When I worked in retail in high school and college I quickly realized that much of the world operates at about a 7th grade level. That is neither good nor bad it just is the way I saw it. As I got into the world of big business I realized that most larger sales and longer term sales and support deals are not only based on the product but also on the personal relationships that you can and are willing to develop with the customer. But even having a great relationship does not guarantee the sale is successful in the end. There can be and are many other factors.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

DI Seller Loc: Knoxville, TN

I'm really surprised that the salesperson didn't say anything to you about the difference in those two lenses. I worked in the digital imaging department at Best Buy for several years and whenever somebody was looking at a package like that I always mention to them the fact that the second lens did not have the vibration reduction system in it and explain to them the effect that might have on their pictures given certain circumstances under which they were shooting. So, shame on them. However, the Box will tell you what the contents are and you will notice that the second lens does not say that it is VR. Caveat emptor

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

When I purchased my DSLR body I did research on and off for months to be sure that what I bought would be compatible with my old film lenses with the exception of auto-focus. I wanted FF. All the FF bodys and the D7100, 7200 could meter with my old glass in M or A modes so I chose the D750. It also came as a KIT. Only ONE kit with the 24-120 f/4 VR. No substitutions. All of the online vendors also had this SAME kit but some thru in extras like a spare battery, filter, cheap tripod ect. I buy most my new stuff from a local camera dealer/store since I can put my hands on it and they have the same prices on major items as the online stores. If NIKON put the VR lens in the KIT you bought they would not be competitive with the other manufacturers entry level KITS! Simple marketing. If you wanted the VR lens then you should not have purchased the KIT. PS the 70-300 lens will give you a 75-450mm perspective on your crop sensor body making it a little more difficult to hand hold.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

105-450 on a Nikon crop...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

Look on the official Nikon web sight. The 3400 is available as body only, in a one lens kit with the short zoom 18-55 having VR, and a two lens kit which adds the 70-300 non VR.

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

Sorry I was thinking 50-300.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

It's all good...

Best,
Todd Ferguson