Is it okay try things local? But then purchase from online camera stores?

[Some Idiot]

Carried over from another thread........

I really would like some non-combative, adult discussion, about an issue that came up in another thread.

Do you feel it is okay to shop around for camera gear locally, "try before you buy", but then to save on taxes, or even base cost, purchase from an online retailer like B&H or Adorama ?

[Tom]

I don't think so. I think that the small premium you pay for buying local is negated by getting to try before you buy. Also, if you have a business, you can get taxes waived, since the gear will be used for making an end-product to sell to consumers.

I think it is morally reprehensible to try it in a store, then buy it online to save a few.

I've bought all my bags locally, because I wanted to mess with them and see how my stuff fits in there and what the quality is.

[KJ Smith]

Is it OK? As far as legally yes and no.

You owe the taxes either way. A local store is required to get them from you.
An Internet store is not. Its up to you to send them in.


But in general, it is considered bad form.

You go to a local store, take up peoples time, use their expertise, then walk off and purchase somewhere else.

Seems a little unfair, doesn't it?

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

Is it OK? As far as legally yes and no.

You owe the taxes either way. A local store is required to get them from you.
An Internet store is not. Its up to you to send them in.


But in general, it is considered bad form.

You go to a local store, take up peoples time, use their expertise, then walk off and purchase somewhere else.

Seems a little unfair, doesn't it?

Not at all, 5 minutes later a guy from New York could call the store or place an order online with the store I was just browsing in..??

This is 2010 almost 2011.... We are consumers in a GLOBAL market, The local brick and motar store (If they are doing it right like B&H, Adorama, Arlington Camera....) should be embracing online sales and marketing.....and whatever else they can to make up for the changing market. The ones that are will be successful.

Do you think they (the local stores) would turn down an over the phone, or internet sale from out of state to respect the local buyer?

[andyz]

If you don't support the local store, why should they support you?

I can see saving hundreds on that gear and getting it shipped to my house. But I think you need to spend some money with the local store to support them and help keep them there for when you need "this" "right now!" Buy the lens from NY, buy the bag from the local guy. Also, ask the local if they can match the big guy, or come down to a reasonable amount.

Saving the sales tax of a $100 item is moot, saving it on $5,000 is substantive. But the local shop can't hardly match a good price AND give you the sales tax. (Unless as Thomas noted you're exempt from sales taxes - I'm not.) But they deserve some of your business.

[mrsrice22]

I do a lot of researching online before I even look up a local store. Once I have things narrowed down, I ask online peers for their feedback/rating, once I have it narrowed down to 1-2 items I'll either go with what I want, what I need, or which has the better price. I rarely go into a local store, if I do, I don't like being cornered. I literally have to have discussions with myself when I shop, I stand and stare at the product and have an argument with myself on the pro's and con's, do i really need this, how can i use it, etc. So, just me walking into a store wastes everyone's time involved, lol!

I've gone into the wolf camera out here 2x. Once because I was in the area and decided to stop in and see what they had, no canon bodies or lenses. Crappy. I went back another time to get a RF shutter remote, no canon accessories either, craaaappy. I've gone into Fry's once and was bombarded by sales people asking me a ton of questions to the point that I walked away with a headache.
u'r
So, is it okay to try local, buy online. I don't see why not. We're a 5 person household living off one income right now, I have to stretch my dollar and if I can find it online cheaper then so be it. As far as wasting their time, soaking up their expertise, what if you go into store A, ask a bunch of questions, then leave to think about it and on your way home you see a huge banner that screams XYZ SALE TODAY!, pull in and there's the stuff you just checked out at a lower price. you're not going back to store A.

[rab3rd]

I have been involved in cycling in one form or another for about 8 years now, and the same argument has been going on in that world for years. He is the thing of it, if you buy your bike parts via the internet and dont have a relationship with a local bike shop, good luck getting help when something doesnt work. Of course this applies to cameras as well.

The LBS(local bike shop) or LCS(you figure it out) sells more than cameras, they sell knowledge. Its a different world we live in now though and many dont see doing this as wrong. The reality is that the brick and mortar stores have to keep up. I am not saying its ok to do this by the way. I spread my money around but almost always start local and give the B and M's a chance to match what it would cost me to buy online. If the difference from the local is just a little more than what it cost to buy and ship I will still buy local to support my community. If the difference is very large then I have to think about my pocket book.

Case in point. When I bought my dual ring flash for my MPE I started local. I didnt play with it but I called. I found the same flash from an online retailer for 230.00 dollars less. I bought from the online store. I do however spend lots of money in this local store too.

[Some Idiot]

For the record. I am not saying to not ever buy local. I know Penny at Arlington camera by first name. I have spent hundreds in their store.

[Tom]

We're a 5 person household living off one income right now, I have to stretch my dollar and if I can find it online cheaper then so be it.

I don't think anyone posts on here because we are rich beyond all belief and are happy to piss all our money away.

Case in point, almost all my equipment is open box or used.

As far as wasting their time, soaking up their expertise, what if you go into store A, ask a bunch of questions, then leave to think about it and on your way home you see a huge banner that screams XYZ SALE TODAY!, pull in and there's the stuff you just checked out at a lower price. you're not going back to store A.

Poor comparison and completely irrelevant. If you are going to a local store to try something out to see if you like it, knowing that you are going to purchase elsewhere, you are wasting their time and expertise. Period.

. I rarely go into a local store, if I do, I don't like being cornered.

I hate that, too. Luckily, I have found the salesmen at Camera Co-Op on Durham and Camera Exchange on Richmond are friendly, happy to let me spend forever making a decision and happy to try to answer (or look up answers to) questions if I ask.

If you don't support the local store, why should they support you?

Bingo.

Buy the lens from NY, buy the bag from the local guy. Also, ask the local if they can match the big guy, or come down to a reasonable amount.

When I bought my Think Tank Airport Security, it was cheaper at Camera Exchange than it was on BHPhoto, Adorama or Amazon. By about $50.

I'd be talking more about the local camera stores like Houston Camera Exchange and Houston Camera Co-Op - not big box stores like Frys or Wolfe. I don't expect them to know anything about cameras or be able to help me in a pinch. Nor have nice camera gear I would want.

[texkam]

No. Next question.

[Mosephus]

I don't find a problem with it as long as your not taking advantage of the sales persons time, (EX test driving a car your NOT going to buy). I'll go to best buy to check out a new camera before I even go to wolf or a specialty store where that sales person make their paycheck selling that equipment alone.

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

Is it OK? As far as legally yes and no.

You owe the taxes either way. A local store is required to get them from you.
An Internet store is not. Its up to you to send them in.


But in general, it is considered bad form.

You go to a local store, take up peoples time, use their expertise, then walk off and purchase somewhere else.

Seems a little unfair, doesn't it?

This is pretty much exactly what I was about to say.

[Flea77]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

Is it OK? As far as legally yes and no.

You owe the taxes either way. A local store is required to get them from you.
An Internet store is not. Its up to you to send them in.


But in general, it is considered bad form.

You go to a local store, take up peoples time, use their expertise, then walk off and purchase somewhere else.

Seems a little unfair, doesn't it?

I agree with all of this, and add that you cause wear and tear on their equipment, soak up their A/C, cause wear on their parking lot, all of which they pay for. Is it legal? Sure. Is it right? I personally think it is sleezy, immoral and reprehensible. Why such strong language? I am a small business owner too (computers) and don't like being taken advantage of.

Allan

[texkam]

Meet with a photographer to discuss a shoot. The setting, venue, type of poses, lighting, processing style, etc. then pass this info on to someone that does it cheaper. Yeah, raise your hand if you don't have a problem with that.

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by Flea77

...Why such strong language? I am a small business owner too (computers) and don't like being taken advantage of.

Allan

Aren't we all? What if a family came to you for some in-depth photo advice, then hired someone else based on all your help? We all lose clients to other people for all sorts of silly reasons, but I would hope that people respect my time and effort.