Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

You give people too much credit. Most buy online or big box or discount. They don't seek out a store until the want to trade up. Brick and mortar stores are almost an anachronism. We have one and they have the monopoly. They trade up using KEH who has continually ripped me off by downgrading the product then upgrading it when they sell it.

dyximan

Did your mommy tell all about your first camera? How it functioned what it can do why it does what it does. Did she tell you what the photo should look like when they're done? if you should like them that way! How the camera should feel is in your hand, that it should feel the same as in hers. You can educate yourself and ask as many questions as you want but if you're not even sure what he can or can't do can you base your purchase on the information of others how do you know you'll even like it. Oh I forgot your mommy will tell you if you like it or not because she like all of the people in the store and the people on the net no best right?

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

There is something about going on line that we all seem to forget, compared to a face to face conversation it is tedious. Today more than ever people want instant answers and more than that instant gratification. When something is read but not understood and you have to ask on line, sometimes the wait for a response is measured in days. If there is a store close by with "experts" in it why wait? There is still a need for knowledgeable honest sales people in local Mom and Pop stores as well as the big box stores.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Thanks for asking, but No, my mommy would have gone out and bought me a book on photography, possibly one related to the cameras I told her I was interested in. Why? Because she was a highschool teacher - an educator. She believed, as I do, in information as the key to success in any endeavor. And even if I read the book first, I still would bring her along, because she would ask the right questions if I didn't. If I had evinced an interest in a telescope, she would have bought me a book on astronomy. When I wanted a sewing machine, she got me a book on dressmaking, and when I got the machine, I made myself a yellow linen suit for Easter. I was 11.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Yes. The society had been dumbed down to the point where the average joe needs someone to wipe his butt for him. We have become a society of children, blaming someone else for all our deficiencies, in the one country in the world where opportunity for success is open to all. All you have to do is use it. But that requires a little effort!

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

If you expect 100% of the sales reps in 100% of the camera stores to explain every conceivable option 100% of the time to a buyer who comes in and asks for a specific kit then that is pie in the sky. First, we don't know what the conversation was between the buyer and seller and what technical specs may or may not have been discussed. Second, not all stores have the flexibility with their inventory like Costco. or ABC... I'm sure if B&H has some overstock in 70-300mm Non-VR lenses they have a much better chance of making a deal to return it and/or taking the hit than a local mom and pop store.

I kinda have to agree with Cat here. You really need to research what you're buying especially with the breadth of options in photography equipment. Caveat Emptor!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Yes there is, but even then, since you are the person who is going to use the machine, and pay for the machine, you are a fool to listen to only one person's advice. You have at your fingertips the opinions of dozens if not hundreds of "experts" to compare, BEFORE making that purchase. But if you prefer to act on impulse with little or no information, then at least be honest enough to accept the mistake as YOURS! You had the means and the opportunity. That you lacked the energy or the incentive is NOT someone else's fault.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

How dare you tell someone to take self responsibility. That is not the American way and you know that.

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

Or if people don't want to do the research or know what questions to ask at least buy from someone who has a solid return policy that allows you to try out the gear and return it if it is not for you... Some people are just not going to do the research...even though it is probably easier than ever to access information today. You still have to be able to determine what is good information and what is not. Look at how much inaccurate information gets posted even on this site...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

whitewolfowner

Right on. You hit the nail right on the head.

whitewolfowner

You just contradicted yourself and also sited the problem. For those of us that have been using camera gear for decades then doing research is a breeze. For those starting out, the lingo is foreign and impossible for them to decipher. So they go blindly into the market depending on others to bring them up to speed. It's criminal when one takes advantage of that, especially for monetary gain; yet our society ignores that and claims it to be acceptable behavior. Some here, as they have already stated in this thread, feel it to be honorable behavior.

I know a computer engineer who got hurt in the late 80's and was out of his field of work for about 15 years until around 2007. He wanted a new computer and started studying the market. He came across the term USB and was not only puzzled but went half nuts because everywhere he went he could not find out what it was. Finally, I told him it was an input, output port for external hookup for add ons. That's all he needed to know to understand the whole deal, but until that piece of information he was lost. Add that to all the false information (look at how much BS of total untruths get passed here, among a group that is supposed to know) on the internet and its almost impossible for a new person to the field to learn what they need to know to make an intelligent decision. Again look here and how experienced people are seeking advise all the time.

To sum it up here, this example only shows how many here are so stuck on themselves and think themselves above and so much better just because they know how to use a camera. Hate to tell you but knowing cameras does not make you better than anyone else, nor does it in any way make you special. Remember that the people you get off on trying to humiliate know some other field of knowledge where they can make you look just as stupid and ignorant in too, if not even more so. Also remember that research skills are learned and not everyone has them or has been taught how to do it. A college professor of mine defined a college educated person as one who knows how to do research on anything they care to learn about. Not everyone goes to college.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Why do you feel the need to school us on what is a personal utopian view of how the world should be. I have dealt with customers at a retail level and have of course been a customer. Yes we should accept responsibility for our actions, yes we should fend for ourselves and not rely on others to take care of us. Part of taking care of ourselves is seeking out the knowledge to help us make correct decisions, EVEN IF THAT MEANS TALKING TO A SALESMAN. Sometimes that is a persons only recourse. If things are really so bad in the part of the world you live in that you can't trust anyone. MOVE! That is not a universal condition. On the other side of the equation a salesman is paid to build customer relations if they don't, their next job should be sweeping the floors. Accepting shoddy service as the norm is asinine.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

So every salesman in a camera store ought to be able to respond correctly when I walk in and say, "I know nothing about cameras but want to buy a DSLR. Teach me everything I need to know about all the systems you sell so that I can make the correct choice for me!" Otherwise I am dealing with shoddy customer service! WOW you do require a lot of the camera store clerk! The store sold the guy a prefab entry level Nikon kit, one lens of which was the cheaper of two similar models and did not have VR. And they were obligated to tell him that that lens did not have VR because another Nikon lens of the same length does have it? That VR lens did not come with the kit. He would have to have purchased the items separately and likely not at the kit price. How was the store to know that this would possibly have been a better choice for the customer? He might have decided that the kit was a shoddy deal and the more expensive option just a move to get more money out of him. A dilemma for the clerk. As it was the guy got a good deal on good entry level equipment. Was it the best option possible? Maybe not. Or maybe it was. A lot of variables here! Maybe someone should have talked him into a 500 with VR everything. Or maybe not!

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

I don't feel a need. I just want to.