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Let's endorse our Local Camera Store!
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Mar 15, 2018 03:39:39   #
Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO
 
OviedoPhotos wrote:
The problem is with the advent of Walmart and the response by both Target and and KMart most people want to buy for the lowest price possible and try to avoid sales tax as much as possible. Every industry is facing this issue. Even cooking supplies can be bought on the Internet cheaper than in the local stores.


But you don't get the experience at those places and if buying on the Internet, you can't look at the product or feel it in your hands.

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Mar 15, 2018 07:40:13   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
Collie lover wrote:
But you don't get the experience at those places and if buying on the Internet, you can't look at the product or feel it in your hands.


Or have someone look you in the eye and say;

"Right now, you will be better served sticking with the kit lens and developing your skills. Come back later and we will find the next step that is right for you."

Which happened to me at Calumet in Philadelphia years ago. Sorry they closed, but the staff was awesome!

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Mar 15, 2018 08:48:54   #
d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA
 
dsmeltz wrote:
Or have someone look you in the eye and say;

"Right now, you will be better served sticking with the kit lens and developing your skills. Come back later and we will find the next step that is right for you."

Which happened to me at Calumet in Philadelphia years ago. Sorry they closed, but the staff was awesome!


Maybe they should have done more "upselling", rather than being honest; if they had, they may still have been in business! (That was cynical sarcasm - not insulting to your own comment.)

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Mar 15, 2018 09:26:29   #
jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas
 
There is a happy medium here. If possible, I'll shop locally (in the Dallas area, there are two camera stores, Competitive Camera in Dallas, which I personally don't like because I think they are difficult to deal with, and Arlington Camera in Arlington (a suburb), which I do like because they are honest and helpful. But either is still a schlep for me from where I live. The other (and I think main) problem with local camera stores is inventory; they simply can't afford to stock the same number of items as the internet ABC group and the like. if they're going to have to order it, and I can get it tomorrow over the internet, and still save 8.25% (our local sales tax), sometimes it makes more sense to order it online. At the same time, I recognize that these folks provide a valuable service in that they have competent personnel who can offer good advice and suggestions, and that's worth the extra 10% to me. If my local store can get me what I need when I need it, I'd much rather deal with them.

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Mar 15, 2018 09:26:40   #
jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas
 
There is a happy medium here. If possible, I'll shop locally (in the Dallas area, there are two camera stores, Competitive Camera in Dallas, which I personally don't like because I think they are difficult to deal with, and Arlington Camera in Arlington (a suburb), which I do like because they are honest and helpful. But either is still a schlep for me from where I live. The other (and I think main) problem with local camera stores is inventory; they simply can't afford to stock the same number of items as the internet ABC group and the like. if they're going to have to order it, and I can get it tomorrow over the internet, and still save 8.25% (our local sales tax), sometimes it makes more sense to order it online. At the same time, I recognize that these folks provide a valuable service in that they have competent personnel who can offer good advice and suggestions, and that's worth the extra 10% to me. If my local store can get me what I need when I need it, I'd much rather deal with them.

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Mar 16, 2018 14:27:48   #
radiomantom Loc: Plymouth Indiana
 
elliott937 wrote:
There are, without a doubt, excellent camera stores who have featured mail order services.

But it occurred to me that we still need to endorse our -local- camera stores, especially if they have an excellent reputation.

To begin, I'd like to endorse Schiller's Camera store here in St. Louis, here for more than 100 years, and outstanding staff. I've purchased my Canon 5DII from them, and along with that 3 L series lenses. They are always my "go to" store, not only for the equipment, but also for opinions and advice. I know all of you would agree with me in saying that we NEED to support our local camera stores. So I'm beginning that here with: www.schillers.com

I hope no one minds my beginning thread.
There are, without a doubt, excellent camera store... (show quote)


I lived in northwest Indiana for most of my career and I purchased a number of cameras from Central Camera in Chicago and they would let me take the item with me at the time of purchase and then ship me the empty boxes and it saved me from paying sales tax. Wasn't proper without doubt, but it worked for me.

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Mar 16, 2018 14:56:50   #
PCL92
 
They used to do that in NYC also...until they got caught and had to pay all the taxes after the audit.

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Mar 31, 2018 12:58:40   #
ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin
 
I used to really like National Camera, Roseville MN. But after last purchase realized advice was lacking and really got screwed on additional items - battery grip, battery and memory card. Expensive memory card was not even high quality but price was. Learned allot, just 20-20 hind sight...

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Mar 31, 2018 18:53:41   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
elliott937 wrote:

To begin, I'd like to endorse Schiller's Camera store here in St. Louis, here for more than 100 years, and outstanding staff. I've purchased my Canon 5DII from them, and along with that 3 L series lenses. They are always my "go to" store, not only for the equipment, but also for opinions and advice. I know all of you would agree with me in saying that we NEED to support our local camera stores. So I'm beginning that here with: www.schillers.com.

There was a Schillers here in South Bend at one time. I didn't realize they weren't local. Thirty-some years ago, my mother purchased her first - and only - SLR there, a Canon AE-1 Program, and they taught her to use it.

Sometime when I wasn't looking, Schillers closed, but we still have a store named Gene's here. They seem to be good and helpful people, but they're a Nikon dealer, not Pentax or even Canon, so when I purchase my Pentax KP, I'll have to go Internet, but I do purchase bags, monopods, film, and developing there.

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Apr 14, 2018 10:28:26   #
Photography By Marc Loc: Lisbon, Maine
 
Photo Market...Forest Avenue...Portland, Maine. Peter and his staff are excellent. I've purchased a number of items from them...always helpful and Peter is very nice to talk to also. He also has a display of antique cameras in his store which are fun to look at.

Marc

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