moral dilemma, buy local or off the internet

[danchez]

I would really love some feedback on this situation. I live in the Austin area and I am getting ready to buy some equipment for my first studio. I have done a lot of research and I was really close to buying a package from alienbees. Then I started thinking, maybe I should be buying locally, support my local economy and buy from Precision Camera. Any thoughts or insights on why you bought your equipment from where you bought it from? Thanks in advance.

danchez

[billbunton]

Well, I suspect you'll pay quite a bit more purchasing it from Precision. Did they help out while you were researching what to buy? My general rule is if I go in and take their time trying stuff, then I buy from them, otherwise I'll buy online. I do sometimes check prices and if they're close I'll buy from then just to "support the local economy".

[bondarnes]

I buy locally whenever I can, but I don't think camera stores carry Alien Bees.

Years ago I worked in a camera store and we had several "customers" that bought tidbits from us, but always bought cameras and film at K-Mart or mail-order. One particularly obnoxious chap brought in his new Minolta SRT 101 that he got at K-Mart and had the gall to ask the owner to show him how to use it. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the owner tell him, "Mrs. Helen Waite, a Minolta rep, is supposed to be in the store next Saturday, so if you really want to learn how to use your camera you will have to go to Helen Waite."

[danchez]

Originally Posted by billbunton

Well, I suspect you'll pay quite a bit more purchasing it from Precision. Did they help out while you were researching what to buy? My general rule is if I go in and take their time trying stuff, then I buy from them, otherwise I'll buy online. I do sometimes check prices and if they're close I'll buy from then just to "support the local economy".

I did all the leg work and research before thinking about buying locally. What really got me thinking about buying locally was attending a recent workshop that was put on by Precision Camera....

[DavidsStudio]

Don is correct. Camera stores, including Precision, don't carry Alien Bees.

As for buying locally, I do it when the cost is close. For really big ticket items such as camera bodies, I shop for the best price. And of course, there are products like Alien Bees that the local folks don't carry. Much as I would like to buy everything locally, when the difference is about $50 or more, I can't justify it. For the day to day items like batteries, some light modifiers, and definitely equipment service and repair (Thanks Noel), local is the only way to go.

Just my bent on it.

David

[CaptainTom]

I supported my local economy by buying used equipment from other photographers.

[photonewb]

as much as I'm a fan of supporting brick and mortar local establishments I can't justify it anymore. There are too many places where big ticket items are not only cheaper, but also include no tax. I always try to push the idea that the local place is where you're going to go for answers and repairs etc....but that really doesn't apply to camera equipment. To be honest, do the math. If the items are cheaper after shipping and you can stand to wait a few days, then internet it is.

[park]

When I switched over from Nikon to Canon Precision gave me very competitive prices. So competitive I bought 90% of my new gear from them. I worked with Chris Paine and recommend him highly.

A good relationship with a store like Precision is a valuable asset for a working photographer. They have actually fixed a Dynalite pack while I went to lunch so I could continue a shoot that day. I have had numerous instances of them helping me over the last twenty years. It is to their benefit to establish relationships with the working photographers in the area.

park added 6 Minutes and 22 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by photonewb

as much as I'm a fan of supporting brick and mortar local establishments I can't justify it anymore. There are too many places where big ticket items are not only cheaper, but also include no tax. I always try to push the idea that the local place is where you're going to go for answers and repairs etc....but that really doesn't apply to camera equipment. To be honest, do the math. If the items are cheaper after shipping and you can stand to wait a few days, then internet it is.

On manufacturing equipment - cameras, lenses, and other equipment used in the manufacturing of your images you can avoid sales tax by claiming a manufacturing exemption - http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinf.../tx94_124.html.

I would of course suggest you talk to your accountant before you proceed but many, if not almost all, of the commercial photographers I know have been doing this for many years.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I supported my local economy by buying used equipment from other photographers.

That's how I've bought my last two "new" camera bodies, and one of the lenses I bought last year. But I've also shopped at two of the independent camera shops in my area and given business to B&H online. Something hard to put a price on has been mentioned, and that's the relationships you can build with your local shops and their people.

[sldi]

The local stores make more money on the small things than on cameras and optics. I used to work in a local camera store and it was always those small gadgets and gizmos that had the greatest markups, often these are the same things that internet stores carry at similar prices. I buy large ticket online and my day to day stuff locally.

[darock]

I've shopped at Precision a few times. What normally happens is I go in and start looking at items. Generally no one even asks if they can help me. I have had a few good experiences with them though. Chris was very helpful and even gave me a cut in price for a lense I needed real badly. Generally though I'm invisible, and would rather save money by going with B&H. When I want to see it up close I go to Precision. When I want to save money I go with B&H.

As far as repairs. I took in my Canon Rebel a few years back, told the guy what was not functioning. When I went back he told me the same thing. I paid for their diagnosis and then they wanted to charge me for sending it to Canon because they could not fix it. My wife suggested I call Canon directly. Canon let me know that the local store charged $50 just to send it. Now you know I was upset. Maybe just a misunderstanding on my part, but if I can do it myself, why give my money away to them?

[w9ctm]

I have only been going to Precision for the last year and a half, but have had nothing but the best luck there. It is unfortunate that anyone feels invisible there. I have noted that sometimes if they are busy, I may have to start a conversation with one of them, but it is hard for them to tell who has and has not been helped. However, they have been nothing but extemely helpful to me. Admittedly, if I am going to buy a body, Precision is not the first place I will look, but they do treat me well. And I always get a thank you from them.

[Tom]

If I am going to use the store (try bags out, tripods - see what feels right) then I am going to buy from them.

If not, I buy used from other photographers or buy online.

Pretty much all my filters, bags and accessories come from B&M stores. Most of my bodies and lenses were bought used from B&M, online (B&H/KEH/Adorama) or through other photogs.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I buy locally whenever I can, but I don't think camera stores carry Alien Bees.

Years ago I worked in a camera store and we had several "customers" that bought tidbits from us, but always bought cameras and film at K-Mart or mail-order. One particularly obnoxious chap brought in his new Minolta SRT 101 that he got at K-Mart and had the gall to ask the owner to show him how to use it. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the owner tell him, "Mrs. Helen Waite, a Minolta rep, is supposed to be in the store next Saturday, so if you really want to learn how to use your camera you will have to go to Helen Waite."

ROFLMAO... late to the discussion...but... that cracked me up...

[Christopher Mac]

There were three questions I always asked when using my local camera shop:

1. Can you match B&H's item price including their shipping charge?
2. Will you match or exceed their return policy?
3. Can you help me with warranty service if something goes wrong?

Sometimes I'd get funny looks or a sales person would roll their eyes. However, business is business. Every dollar I gave a camera store over ordering it new from B&H or used from a local photographer was one less dollar in my pocket at the end of the day. If you are a full time photographer as I was, and you keep careful track of your expenses, you'll find that shopping for the best price combined with return priveleges will put thousands of dollars a year back into your pocket. Adopting a disciplined approach to expenses now will pay off over the life of your business. That goes for everything - not just camera stores. Insurance, advertising, computer equipment, professional services fees, etc.

One more tip - look at everything you spend on your business or personal life. Call and renegotiate. I'm serious. Pissed about paying $160/month to Time Warner? Call and negotiate your payment down to $100/month by threatening to leave. Cell phone contracts, auto repair rates, car insurance, gym memberships, apartment lease rates, everything is fair game. We've saved over $400 a month by doing this. I'm not a jerk about it. I'm polite but firm. The services we pay for aren't worth near as much as the companies would like to charge.

At one point I asked to speak to a camera store owner behind closed doors. After he told me his profit margins would be too low if he sold to me at B&H prices, I explained he may make less from me on single items, but I would buy more from him. Eventually he approved sales at B&H prices, and I did business at that shop whenever iI could. And I referred him a ton of other business from colleagues and customers.