jstephens62 wrote:
In the Seattle area, Kenmore Camera. They offer the old-fashioned personal touch, great if there is something you want to touch and try before you buy.
I'm not a huge fan of the place, went there the other day trying to buy an Hot Shoe ->PC Sync and PC Sync -> Hot Shoe non-TTL adapter. The salesperson there wouldn't not stop talking about how unreliable they are and that I should get the $90 TTL cord, super pushy.
So I went home and ordered it from Adorama, $30 shipped for exactly what I wanted.
Thanks to this thread - I called Allen's camera and they just quoted me a 135 f/2 for about $70 cheaper than the current BH and Adorama price. I normally buy from BH, but even after shipping, I saved $50 on this lens... and yes, it is USA version and not a refurb. Like Robert, I have other things beckoning my hard-earned dollars so I pulled the trigger and bought it from Allen's.
They seemed very straight-shooting on the phone and didn't push a load of extra crap on me at time of sale. I look forward to getting this lens and am glad to have found another vendor that seems to 'get it' when it comes to doing mail-order/online business!
Saving a few bucks at various places is great when you are zeroing in on a specific purchase, but when you want selection, like I just did for a bag purchase, I went to B&H. I visit the store in person. I like getting lenses and stuff there, as it is easy to drop by and do an exchange if need be.
I had gone to a local Long Island brick and mortar store a couple days beforehand and the choice was limited, as well as the return time limit if I found I did not like the bag. I bought one there, feeling sure it would work out, but did not like it once I put all my stuff in the bag. I had to go back pronto due to the return time limit; I wanted to go back and exchange for something else at that store, but had to return for refund, as the pickings were slim.
Any reliable store that is cheapest is my favorite at that moment. That being said, I don't usually shop other than B&H, Amazon, and Adorama. I've bought from Beach and 42nd St and have had good experiences with them.
I'm not "loyal" to any store. So it's whoever has the best services and/or prices and that's that (for me). Being loyal to a particular store is counter productive and seems downright silly to me. I'm also not one to be enamored by store atmosphere so that too is a non-consideration.
BTW, from many years of watching B&H's website I know that they almost never have the best prices and their service offerings are very typical. I dunno anything about Adorama but as a "big-NAME store" I expect it's the same thing as B&H. NewEgg will sometimes have or match the "best price" and the service there too is typical.
Bifurcator wrote:
I'm not "loyal" to any store. So it's whoever has the best services and/or prices and that's that (for me). Being loyal to a particular store is counter productive and seems downright silly to me. I'm also not one to be enamored by store atmosphere so that too is a non-consideration.
BTW, from many years of watching B&H's website I know that they almost never have the best prices and their service offerings are very typical. I dunno anything about Adorama but as a "big-NAME store" I expect it's the same thing as B&H. NewEgg will sometimes have or match the "best price" and the service there too is typical.
...Show more → sjms wrote:
not quite. sorta what B&H was about 15years ago. nowhere near the size in the store itself.
Ah, thanks for that. So if I were in the USA I guess it would be B&H for the touching and looking and then home to the internet to find a decent price.
for the most part yes. lets say up to 75% these days. for most its a great one stop shop. you buy everything from one source right down to your portfolio binders. but in the end they'll get you on some of those smaller and even larger items if you don't study before the exam.
you know how some here refer to Beach Camera as a biggie. i live 3 miles from them. they are a relatively small strip mall sort of store in reality. walked in there once and that was enough. what the internet can do for you.
pipspeak wrote:
...I usually go online to B&H, which seems to always have the good stuff at good prices with good customer service.
Thank you, and everyone else here who took the time to say kind things about us.
Mark Wieland wrote:
I have to agree with sjms about B&H loosing the personal approach. You really feel like a mouse going through a maze, and it is not very comfortable to ask to see and hold equipment without feeling pressured.
I appreciate this feedback. I have no doubt the overall ambiance in our store has changed since we were located downtown and then again when we moved to 18th St (where we were located when I came to work here). With each move and expansion we've gained some and sacrificed some. We hope the net gain exceeded the loss and we make every effort to balance our new size and the breadth of products we offer with continued personal service, well trained sales associates and all the other benefits folks enjoy shopping in our store.
Anytime anyone has any feedback, good or bad, or any suggestions for us to improve our service, we're eager to hear them.
sjms wrote:
you know how some here refer to Beach Camera as a biggie. i live 3 miles from them. they are a relatively small strip mall sort of store in reality.
I've spent majority of my money here at FM.com on bodies and lenses! Second would be B&H for lighting/studio gear and camera accessories. BeachCamera for my first DSLR setup and flash. I continually browse all of them for the best price on the piece of gear i'm interested in but usually don't need.
All have been perfect experiences even in the cases that required returns/replacement on items while i was serving overseas.
henryp wrote:
Thank you, and everyone else here who took the time to say kind things about us.
I appreciate this feedback. I have no doubt the overall ambiance in our store has changed since we were located downtown and then again when we moved to 18th St (where we were located when I came to work here). With each move and expansion we've gained some and sacrificed some. We hope the net gain exceeded the loss and we make every effort to balance our new size and the breadth of products we offer with continued personal service, well trained sales associates and all the other benefits folks enjoy shopping in our store.
Anytime anyone has any feedback, good or bad, or any suggestions for us to improve our service, we're eager to hear them.
yep been there done that. henry, remember, i was buying there when you all were down by city hall in 1977 with mr schreiber sitting upstairs overlooking everything and yehuda's smiling face to greet me
I buy most of my gear on-line from B&H Photo, I rarely interact with the sales staff just purchases over the web site. They have want I need, almost always the items are in stock, and shipping is very reasonable. I really just want to buy the items instead of searching around town so I go with B&H.
If I need to buy locally I would go with San Jose Camera here in San Jose. They are smaller shop but carry a good selection of items, plus they have some great staffing. Wish I lived closer to make a regular visit.
