Brett Socia
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 p.2 #1 · The death of the local camera store | |
Alright, I have to sort of chime in on this argument. I feel it's something that needs to be addressed. I hate absolutely hate the big box stores. The only one I will go to is Best Buy (only for the rewards zone card, diggin the coupons you get for 5-10 bucks off). I hate the rest of them. You walk in and you feel like you are more of a bother to them than you are their lifeblood (oh how this would change if they were on commission). If I walk into the local shop near me Adray Camera (Troy, MI), you will not be stalked by someone looking for a commission. Instead, they feel that, if you're in their store you know what your looking for. This shop is a little different though, they actually have customers in the shop everytime I am there.
They are very helpful, have things in stock, and if they don't have it in their store, they can get it there from their warehouse (about 40 minutes south) for you the next day. Yes their prices are a bit higher, not much higher than the big yellow tag, but they will match em if need be. Plus they give a discount on most anything, but if you're going to give me a discount why not just mark it down 20% and call it a day.
They are the only ones I take my film to get developed along with the only place I buy my film. They also have everything you need if you have your own darkroom. The also sell all the leading 'pods and heads, packs, cases, lighting, everything.
I however feel the same about other mom-n-pop shops out there. Given the choice of going to the anti-christ Wal*Mart or going 10-15 minutes out of my way to go mom-n-pop down the street, I am going 10-15 mintues down the street. For me, there is just something more to it when you walk in the store, they know who you are, they ask you how you're doing, how your last vacation was. You walk into the anti-christ and they only ask you if they can help you, but is more or less comes across as "what the hell do you want".
Sure the small guy can't buy the volume of a national chain, but I'll bet you that the small guy will be there when something goes wrong with what you bought, regardless of what it is. It isn't just the initial purchase that's better, it's the service after the sale, that the other stores can't touch. Well they can, only after you pay an extra $200 and wait in line for half an hour, talk with the clueless person behind the counter, for them to tell you an hour later that there's nothing we can do, and thank you, come again.
That's just my opinion though, I am sure some others have had other experiences. But for me, I'll gladly pay a couple bucks more.
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