Both of the local "pro" shops (not wolf or ritz) are willing to work with legitimate pros and lower their price to keep your business. When I first started, I had no choice but to buy everything online because my budget was so tight. However, as I have raised my prices and gotten more business, I support my local shops more and more. They have saved my bacon, rented me lenses, gave advice on a new technique, etc more times then I have been able to repay that favor so I gladly pay a little more then onlinefor that level of service.
By the way, if you are incorporated, like many pros are (and if you aren't you should look into it for liability reasons), you pay 1% sales tax (At least in NC). Most states have similar plans in place.
Edited by Brian Mullins on Jan 07, 2008 at 03:16 PM GMT
Adray's in Canton, MI (west Detroit burbs) just closed (or is in the process). The prices were not bad, but I dig 12-months or greater no-interest financing for my goods. www.onecall.com
I'm coming to this situation very late, but wanted to at least give my 2 cents. I support B&H and I support the local camera store...they both serve my business very well. It all really depends on what I need and when I need it, but I try very hard to give my business locally whenever I can. And I'll be honest there are sometimes when it just doesn't make sense for me to.
But, I have spent a lot of time looking at and trying out equipment at a local store which is something I can't do at B&H...I'm in Kansas City...but if the clerk at the store takes the time to help me with my decision I will do whatever I can to give them my business. It is value added!
Right now I can't afford to give all my business locally, but I know I would be in serious trouble if I let the local store die, so I do what I can when I can.
I do pretty much the same thing. I'll take a look at B&H's, and other reputable online retailers' prices, then give the local shop a chance at the business first. Sometimes they've been competitive and a few even beat the online places. More often I am told "we can't even get it for that"--so I go online. I do have the luxury of having a local pro shop, a Samy's, and a Calumet nearby (and a few Ritz/Wolf--but I ignore them), so I have a pretty good selection available locally.
My grandfather owned a corner photography studio. I don't know if he sold equipment -- in fact I'm pretty sure he did not -- but a commitment to service and quality was how he was able to provide for his family. In my generation, his model would probably go out of business. In fact, I would probably put him out of business because I operate on low overhead, I buy my gear online for half of what it costs at a store, and I undercut the competition wherever I can. This does NOT mean that I do not provide a high level of service or quality.
I think it's a shame that big-box retailers have been labeled in this fashion. Several companies I have had contact with, including Best Buy, NewEgg, B&H, and Apple, have all provided unparalleled customer service, a commitment to quality, and have reduced prices across the board (except for Apple, whose prices are probably too high). However, when I call the local camera shop at 4:30 pm on a Friday afternoon, all their employees have gone home for the weekend and won't re-open until maybe 9:00 am Monday. That kind of business model cannot survive in this world. The best local stores will survive or they will adapt to the changing business model; the stores which probably should have never existed in the first place will simply close their doors faster, which is ultimately best for the consumer.
The most local store to me is a pro-repair shop specializing in Nikon and Canon...tho he's cleaned and lubed a 50-yr old Hassy-zeiss lens as well for me...
He stays in business, buying and selling old gear as well as repairing them, via the net...
His shop is in a strip mall that you won't just find without seeking it out...just my luck that at the time I discovered him he was literally around the corner from me...
Catering to pros (and not PnShoot customers at the Ritz mall stores) and also local (20 mi.from home but on the way to work) are two shops...one specializing in Nikon/Leica, the other a Canon shop....the latter stays profitable as the retail outlet for the non-profit photo education organization specializing in year-round small classes for retirees, (tho too expensive for me) and an annual week-long "event" of forums, workshops and classes co-sponsored by Canon and other major EOMs...I've consigned some of my film gear thru it, and bought some used gear there...but their new gear prices are for the most part MSRP...supported by those retirees who aren't likely to be comfortable buying over the net from stores they cannot walk into and get help from retail and teaching staff...
There is one true local camera shop near where I work. Durys in Nashville. It has been around forever and for accessories and such it is competitive with the internet powerhouses.
The problem I have with the place is it is a lot cheaper and sometimes faster for me to use Mpix.com rather than use their lab. Also if I buy a lens or camera there... I am dinged 10% by the state. So I would have to pay an extra $200 for that Canon 5D I want just for the privilege of shopping there.
I will chime in with my recent local store dilema. It's long winded so I am sorry, but I feel my story is relevant.
I wanted a 100-400 so I asked for advice on whether I should get the 70-200 IS and a doubler or the 100-400. I trust the professionals who use this form and appreciate the advice, images and time everyone puts into the forum so I asked the question in the Canon forum.
My local shop told me the IQ of the 100-400 wasn't as good as the 70-200 with a doubler. Pretty much opposite of what everything I have ever read says... The consensus here and my opinion was they only wanted to upsell me a $2000 lens combo rather than the 100-400 by itself.
I went back to the same store a week later and bought the 100-400 because the shop is convienient, I didn't hold a grudge for them trying to upsale me, and because their price was the same as B&H, and I wanted it now. I had to pay tax though which I didn't like but beacuse of this thread I wanted to try supporting my store more. The other local stores wanted considerable more and would not work with me on price.
So I got the lens and the next morning tried it at a local pond and immediately noticed something is not right. See the 100-400 cal thread... It is off at Canon service right now getting fixed because it was sold to me with a problem. These are hard to come by and lucky to find one in stock locally. Plus I needed it for a Eagle spotting trip tomorrow which I will miss now.
I called the shop and they offered to return it. I asked if they would cut me a break on a rental for tomorrow since I wanted to buy the lens with the rebate which ends Sunday. They said no, sorry I was out of luck. Then they refused to accept the fact that both Canon and a separate service shop agreed with me that the lens had focus problems. They said "we have sold these for over 25 years and I have never heard of a Canon lens with a focus or any other problem". I told him that's not what I have hear or read and hung up.
I am so pissed I didn't just go through B&H or anywhere else than my local camera store. I didn't return it for one reason which I learned about here. If I had they would just sell it to the next unsuspecting photographer. Also I have heard great things about Canon service and they said it will be a night and day difference when I get it back. This was my second L lens from the store and my last purchase there ever! I'll may try my other local store next time unless the price difference between them and online is huge and make my decision then.
dan727 wrote:
There is one true local camera shop near where I work. Durys in Nashville. It has been around forever and for accessories and such it is competitive with the internet powerhouses.
The problem I have with the place is it is a lot cheaper and sometimes faster for me to use Mpix.com rather than use their lab. Also if I buy a lens or camera there... I am dinged 10% by the state. So I would have to pay an extra $200 for that Canon 5D I want just for the privilege of shopping there.
I was there when I was traveling. They are one of the few places I've been to that carried Think Tank bags. I had a good experience with them. The state sales tax is a bit steep there though.
i love my camera shop.. i go to adorama at least once a week right now.. whether it's prints, gear, whatever.. they have it and at remarkable prices!!!! i love my store..
From what you posted about the problem with your 100-400, it doesn't sound as though you gave the local shop a chance to make things right........
I agree with you about the possibility of them selling the same lens to another customer, but maybe returning it to the store, notifying Canon of the problem along with the serial number of the lens, and telling the store of your intentions might have been a possible solution to the problem. If the store knew that Canon knows they have a lens with a focus problem, I believe they would have been less likey to resell the lens to someone else.
Example #52 why I don't shop locally (although Canoga is supposed to be good but I'm not going to drive that far). So I have to put up with Samy's only for emergencies. Just went to Samy's to get some extra NiMH batteries for my flash for a wedding today.
Me: Where's the AA rechargeable NiMH batteries?
Salesman: Right here. They're the highest capacity you can get anywhere! (2500mah Lenmars apparently are higher capacity than PowerEx 2700mah)
Me: How much for 4 batteries?
Salesman: $17.
Me: Are you joking?
Salesman: Oh, the computer made a mistake. Let me scan it again. Oh, see, they're actually $8.99.
Every experience I've ever had at Samy's rings the same as the experience above. They've lost probably $30,000 in business from me over the past several years because of this attitude. Even the Samy's salesman I've dealt with regularly do this, and I just look at them like "Guys, you've dealt with me before, you know I'm not going to pay 'convenience fees' over BH pricing to buy something. They're all on auto-pilot.
They aren't on auto pilot they are expecting the customer to pay whatever they say. When shopping at Samys you need to know the price as they seem to have different prices for different people. Or they tell you one price and then say another lower price to make you think you are getting a deal...and the BS of internet price v. walk in price, with Canoga the price is the price but Samy still wants to play price games.
Actually, that's true about different pricing under different salesmen. I once walked into Samy's just to check out a Beauty Dish Case, and it was $50 less than BH! I bought 2 of them. Only time that's ever happened, though. Another thing they'll do is go online to check the BH price. If it's out of stock, they'll give you an even higher price.
I called the store before I went to Canon after the other repair facility told me there was a problem. The store said the lens was perfectly fine and they have "Never seen a bad lens in 25 years!' This didn't give me a warm fuzzy that they would get it fixed. I honestly felt like they would sell it to the next customer through the door. I guess I could have called Canon and told on the store and just returned it. Also, the other shop had just sold their last 100-400 minutes before that conversation. The only other shop close to me wanted $150 more! What was I to do I have this need to get it now and the rebate ends tomorrow. I asked if I could bring it back and let them get it fixed and comp me a rental lens for the weekend so I could go eagle spotting. They said sure but we'll charge you rental fees for it and since Canon wouldn't reimburse them they wouldn't help me out! They were no help, I asked for help, gave them a chance, they treated me like dirt, and didn't give a damn. So I took the lens to Canon and they will calibrate it, my 40d body, and 24-105 also all under warranty. I did point out the lens was less than 24hrs old and the shop refused to believe it didn't work right. I feel like I did the right thing getting it serviced. I will shop online next time and not have to pay $116 in taxes either!
I am done with them and Samy's too. Samy's had various pricing and poor service the three times I tried to go in and look at the lens and get help. They were very busy so they are unlikely to die anytime soon.
I live in NYC. Is it wrong that B&H is my local camera store?
In your case, you'll be dead by the hand of your spouse... for spending too much money & time there. I know, because if I live near B&H, I probably end up working as a slave for them to get all of my goodies and my wife won't let me go home either!...
:-) :-) :-)
