Support your local Camera Shop?

[LowSpark]

I had posted this in the 'For Sale' forum, thought maybe it would be better to post it here.

In my other hobby (rc cars), I try to buy from my local hobby shops. Support the shop and the community... But other than the major purchase of the car itself ($500-$700), the rest of the parts that you buy are $5, $10.. and an occasional engine for $200.

In the camera world. The prices are much more extreme. $1000 - $3000 for a body and then you get into the lens world and the 'L' addiction and start spending a minimum of $100, a lot of purchases in the $500+ range and we all want/need those $1500 f2.8L pieces of glass.

I spent a tad under $2,000 when I bought my 20d with a 17-85 lens. I bought it from B&H because none of the local stores would come close to price. I did buy my backpack locally because I wanted to 'check' the sizes and options.
Ft Worth Camera had a nice selection of backpacks and while there I bought the 50mm 1.8 and a UV filter. While talking to the sales person, they just rolled thier eyes when I mentioned I had bought my camera on-line. (they are one of the stores I had called when shopping).

I am ready to buy my next lens, 70-200 f4L USM, (yes I want the 2.8L IS USM but it is out of my price range right now). I will be purchasing the lens, the tripod mount, a UV and Polarize filter. This will be a $750 dollar purchase, (priced through B&H). Dell just had a 'coupon special' where I could of purchased the lens for about $40 dollars less then the B&H price due to having to pay sales tax, (I delayed and missed the coupon deal), but my point is...

Do any of the local Camera Stores want our business? The internet and online stores are a part of everyday life now and it is so very easy to purchase from them, most of use are willing to 'wait' for a few days to get something shipped to us. It is an easy to swallow pill when you consider the cost savings. In my case the lens itself will cost me $140 more if I buy locally. I would love to support my local Camera Store but...

Take a minute and ponder (Texas term) the number of people here on the forum and how many of us have made our major purchases on-line... thats alot of 'lost sales' for our local stores. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I am new to the camera market here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. I have visited Arlington & Fort Worth Camera and they are both 'Wonderlands' of camera goodies and I would like to buy locally.... anyone have a contact name of someone at either of these establishments who is willing to 'make a deal'?...

Do any camera store owners or employees visit this forum?? Drop me a PM if you have a deal to offer to keep me from buying on-line... I don't mind paying a 'little' more to support the local store....

Cliff

[LowSpark]

Originally Posted by ZeroFold

Currently, 100% of all my electronics business is done online whether its ordering computer parts from newegg or lenses from b&h. I very rarely buy anything from a retail store but instead use them to "test" the merchandise to avoid buying something I dont really want.

[LowSpark]

Originally Posted by NoLight

I used to buy locally all the time. But now the guys at the local shop are just rude and lie. I asked them to order a tripod head they said sure it took them almost 6 months for it show up (they said it was back ordered not so) B&H had it to my door in 3 days and almost 20.00 cheaper. I'm not a pro so my local guys dont treat me as they would a pro. Rant over!!! :P

[cmalana]

I buy most of my major stuff from Competitve Camera in Dallas. I am willing to pay a bit extra to pick stuff up in person and also have a shop that can take care of a problem if it arises.

I bought 20D+grip, monopod, 70-200/f2.8IS, and 580ex from them.

[KeithAlanK]

As in many other hobbies/professions, there is a war going on between the retail store and the internet version.
The stores hate the online dealers, but the web guys LOVE the local camera store, because they're the ones who have to answer questions and get their stock drooled on by people who turn right around and save money online.
This is unethical of the shopper, by the way.

Internet shopping is here to stay, but because of the attitudes it's best to keep quiet in the store about any online purchases.

As in other hobbies, I do my research and buy the main, most expensive items online. Then I get everything else locally. The ability to fondle the accessories and get something new, right now, is part of the fun of shopping.

[cmalana]

I'm silly that way... I buy the cheap stuff online, and bough the expensive stuff in person.

Maybe I'll try the reverse on the next major purchase.

[LowSpark]

Originally Posted by KeithAlanK

This is unethical of the shopper, by the way.

Would you drive down the street and buy the same item for more money?

Less money??

Have you ever called and price shopped over the phone for a car prior to visting the car lots.

I do not understand the 'unethical' part of shopping online vs retail now that the internet is so prevelant in everyone's lives. I would think the local stores would want our business and be willing to become more competitive in thier pricing.

It's a 40 mile drive one-way for me to visit either of the above mentioned stores, the only thing closer to me would be Wolfe or the camera section at my local walmart ( )

[ndsimm]

I guess since I used to work retail (camera sales too) I understand the other side of this argument. I know everyone has to make a profit and the online stores have less overhead because they don't have to pay someone with camera knowledge to answer questions, not to mention the other overhead that retail locations have. The local shops can only be so competive without losing too much money, but they can make allowances in some other areas...discount on a filter, if you get the lens, print processing, etc. I rarely go into a local shop to window shop partially because I do most of my research online so by the time I am ready to purchase, I have it pretty much narrowed down to where....

I like saving money too but try and support the locals when I can and cut them a break when necessary. It might help if the local shops had a web site that offered online ordering and shipping at a discounted rate and that way, they still make money and can remain competitive

[jeffkohn]

I have no sense of loyalty or obligation to the local guys. It used to be that the advantage to buying locally was the service and support, but I don't think the local shops really offer that anymore. A lot of them tend not to stock the specialty items, requiring you to commit to purchasing before they'll even order it for you. Why on earth would I do that when I can just order directly from an online seller. As for the support, or the "knowledge" of the sales guys, I think you're going to get more accurate information either from the online listings at places like B&H (which include extensive - and accurate - specs on most items), as well as online forums and review sites. Additionally, most of the local guys have worse return policies than for instance B&H. The one last advantage of buying local is being able to see/handle the merchandise before purchase. For some people that may be important but in most cases it's not much of an issue for me. Besides, it seems many local stores don't have demo models for some of the big ticket items like the D2X anyway, so if you want to try one out in-store you're SOL. And for those who say it's not fair that the big online vendors have such low overhead and can clobber them on prices: keep in mind that many of the reputable online vendors also have store fronts and charge those same low prices in their store fronts (B&H, Beach Camera, Norman Camera, etc).

[capreppy]

I have made almost all of my major purchases at Fort Worth Camera. Yes they are more expensive, but not by much. Generally, they are $50 more than B&H and I get it the same day. Yes I also pay sales tax, but no shipping and I get immediate gratification.

They can't possibly do the volume of B&H and therefore can't get the volume discounts (nor can any of the other brick and mortars). FWC has given me advice and has allowed me to test out the lense before hand. Given the possibility of getting a "bad" lense, I would prefer to test try it in person. I have zero desire to go thru the hassle of shipping back and forth to find one that I like. Am I that finicky? No, but I do want to know that I have a good lense before I buy.

[ndsimm]

I agree about the knowledge of some of the local camera stores and it is disappointing to say the least. It seems most retailers are comfortable with low dollar-low knowledge salespeople and then wonder why they don't make budget. I know a few people on the forum here work are Ritz/Wolf and if any of you guys want to contact me, I'd love to share some stories with you. I have a friend that works at Camera Exchange and we compare notes about "the good old days " but frankly, most people wouldn't mind spending the extra money if the service was worth it....

[PhotoSHO]

Well, for you test drivers out there, where will you go to test drive a lens when your local store goes under? I bought my Canon 20D at a local store when they first came out as I had to be the first on my block to have one. It was $1499, what was B&H? $1499. Sure I paid uncle Rick Perry but at least I didn't have to talk to a rude yankee. :lol:

[pippin]

<< -- works at a wolf camera in dallas

[PhotoSpidy]

i try to get most of my stuff from Humble Camera, Jim and Brad are both very very helpful and always willing to let me manhandle the goods. while in photography classes, Jim showed me how to load my canister with my film before ever purchasing it, gave me a discount because of all the paper i was using at the time (seems the whole family HAD to have a copy of whatever i did in class that was worth looking at :shock: ), and after i got my 20D, i got over half my accessories from them, for the same price i would have paid online. but the clincher for me was when i got the adobe with my camera and couldnt figure some things out on it, Jim took me to his office while glen shopped and pulled his adobe up and sat and showed me what i was doing wrong so i didnt have to buy the book i had intended to get. they remember who i am and most of what i have bought from them in the past :D ... ill gladly pay more for something to get that kind of service. plus i have no patience at all, id rather have it now, now, now :twisted:

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by PhotoSHO

Well, for you test drivers out there, where will you go to test drive a lens when your local store goes under? I bought my Canon 20D at a local store when they first came out as I had to be the first on my block to have one. It was $1499, what was B&H? $1499. Sure I paid uncle Rick Perry but at least I didn't have to talk to a rude yankee. :lol:

To be honest, I've never test-driven a lens in the store. I did buy my D70 locally back when they first came and none of the online vendors had them in stock. But if I have options and I can get it online for 20% less (not unusual), I guess I just don't see the value in shopping locally.