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10/19/2005 11:29:13 AM · #1 |
I went down to the local camera shop yesterday, you know the kind. The one that's been there forever and the one that all the locals and serious people usually hit first.
I went to see what they had in way of used equipment. I also found out they are the contact for the local camera club.
It's a boy's only shop atmosphere. I'm a girl. I was treated with basic respect while in there but sure wasn't made to feel welcome per say. I was surrounded by men and when asking my questions treated like a little kid who didn't know anything. Granted I don't know a lot but I have a clue and I have done some research on different cameras. And when I asked about the meetings for the camera club I was told to email them. I told that I already did and then was told, "Well, you can call then!"
Uh, I'm standing right here, why would I leave so I can call you? I asked if there were any fees or anything to come to the meetings and was told no. Okay, great, when is the next meeting? Don't know, it's on Tuesdays, you can find it online.
I gave up at that point. I can tell when I'm not wanted.
Deannda
Good thing I have you guys to talk shop with |
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10/19/2005 11:30:49 AM · #2 |
I'm sorry did you say something???
I'm kidding. The camera club meet in Toronto whenever you get your butt here if you wanna come.
Message edited by author 2005-10-19 11:32:46.
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10/19/2005 11:38:03 AM · #3 |
now see...thats were we differ..i would have to go and break up thier "little boys club" real good! I would then proceed to critique the crap out of thier images( If i was still made to feel unwelcome there) then I would have to tell them when they get a REAL photo group going to let me know and I would think about it.
I have never agreed with the whole "boys/girls" only clubs. I have always been more of the tomboy and i dont take kindly to being told(or feeling like) Im not welcome.
Cut them off at the knees i say! *but have fun doing it too*
just my 2cents :o) ~~Cher~~
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10/19/2005 11:48:33 AM · #4 |
If you feel like having a deja vu experience, stop in the camera store in Corning. "Condescending" barely begins to describe that embittered "old boy"!
When I was shopping for my last 35mm film camera, my husband and I walked into store after store with similar results...they all asked him what he was interested in today. At one store he said, "Actually, my wife is shopping for a camera." The clerk never even glanced at me as he asked my husband, "What kind is she looking for...we have some nice automatics that just came in." And here is why I love my husband, he looked at the salesman and said, "Why don't you ask her? She's standing right here!" To which the salesperson blushed ever so slightly, then sheepishly said, "Can I help you?" I said, "Well, five minutes ago you could have! I was looking for a 35mm...but I guess I'll find it someplace else." Then I walked out of the store.
If it happened today, I would say, "No. But I'm sure your manager can. Can I speak to her?" (And I'd probably still let them see my backside without dropping a penny.)
Message edited by author 2005-10-19 11:49:45. |
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10/19/2005 11:53:09 AM · #5 |
Reminds me when we went to get a junker car for Terry to drive around town back in Montana. Walked into the dealership and I was totally ignored, they all talked to Terry. I finally said, "Listen, I'm the one in control of the money, if you want it, you might want to start dealing with me."
The salesman looked at Terry, he just shrugged and nodded and walked away. The salesman then turned to me and said, "I'm really sorry about the misunderstanding. What can we do for BOTH of you?"
Ended up getting a $2000 car for $600 cash before I was done with him.
Deannda
It was a decent car too |
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10/19/2005 11:53:20 AM · #6 |
thats really sad, but ya know u rn't the only 1...kids also.
man if i didn't work at a camera store i would have a hard time doing anything....i went to by a really nice race bike (i'm big into road biking, tour and that stuff) well the 1st shop i stoped at was great i really liked some of the riggs they had there, but the sales person wouldn't give me the time of day....and its not like i didn't ask for help..its just shortly after he went to the back and never came out again...so i left went to another shop where the guy treated me like it was in their best intrust to help a custmer, and i wound up putting a down payment on my bike after a weeks thinking.....
its really sad when things like what happened to u happen, but there isn't alot u can do about it.....
its the old car issue, up-charging a women b/c she won't understand what all was done.....there's a link somewhere that gives all the non byest car repair places, maybe there should be 1 for photographic equp.
i mean some of the greats r gals there's no dyning that....i think u should really get those guys however u do it...ppl. should know or at least they should feel bad...
_bran(get a playboy model to go in there and see if it changes anything ;op)do_
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10/19/2005 12:00:26 PM · #7 |
| If you're not going to buy anything there anyway...At least you didn't stoop to thier level by askeing to see a 1DMIIn, 24-70 f/2.8L, 70-200 f/2.8LIS, 580EX flash, 4 or 8 Meg CF card, etc. and then asked them a bunch of totaly dweeby technical questions that don't have a right answer, and told them you wouldn't buy from them because they got the answers wrong ;-> |
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10/19/2005 12:04:14 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by hankk:
If you're not going to buy anything there anyway...At least you didn't stoop to thier level by askeing to see a 1DMIIn, 24-70 f/2.8L, 70-200 f/2.8LIS, 580EX flash, 4 or 8 Meg CF card, etc. and then asked them a bunch of totaly dweeby technical questions that don't have a right answer, and told them you wouldn't buy from them because they got the answers wrong ;-> |
Ooooooooooo, I like the way you think, LOL!
Deannda
Evil minds |
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10/19/2005 12:32:37 PM · #9 |
It's fun to be a girl in a boys' world :) You get lots of attention that way, and your kids end up thinking you're "cool".
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10/19/2005 12:38:24 PM · #10 |
It is simply amazing that in this day and age that sales people STILL prejudge customers by sex, dress, skin color, you name the attribute. Don't they realize they are literally throwing away business by acting this way?? They're already fighting for their lives in the face of the rise of e-tailers, and they think they can still afford give away business? It boggles the mind.
BTW, the "attitude" is a problem even if you're male. There's a local camera store in Milwaukee, which will remain unnamed, which I've tried diligently to give business to. I once tried to buy a 70-200L IS there, asked what their price was and was told "$1999.00." I responded that I could not justify $300 (plus tax!) above the generally-accepted online price, but I would gladly pay a small premium to give them my business. I was pretty much told "That's our price, if it's unacceptable, buy it on line then!" I did, and I no longer shop there. The haughty attitude in that place was almost palpable.
I've had quite the opposite experience with Calumet in Bensenville, IL. They are awesome. I've only run into one salesman with an attitude there, and his error was quickly corrected by the store manager. They have consistently earned my repeat business. As a result of their attentiveness, in the past year I've purchased a 5D body, a 24/1.4L, a 24-70/2.8L, two tripods + heads, and a few miscellaneous items from them. I am sooooo bummed that after this week, my office will be 3 hours from their store, instead of 10 minutes. My checkbook may thank me though, LOL! A particular "THANK YOU" to both Wendy and James at Calumet Bensenville, y'all rock!
Moral of the story, there ARE great brick & mortar retailers out there, but you may have to really look for them. When you find one, make sure they know how much you appreciate great service, and vote with your wallet.
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10/19/2005 12:47:27 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Moral of the story, there ARE great brick & mortar retailers out there, but you may have to really look for them. When you find one, make sure they know how much you appreciate great service, and vote with your wallet. |
Did that :-) Found a camera store in Orleans, 7 miles or so up the road from my place, that's run by a knowledgeable husband/wife team and is an authorized canon dealer. Went there to "handle" the cameras and lenses, liked how helpful the people were, and stayed with them to buy. Paid about a 10% premium over online, once you calculate for shipping (not needed) and tax (had to pay it), and worth every penny of it.
They loaned me a body while mine was shipping, they loaned me lenses when mine were back ordered, they threw in a nice LowePro bag with the sale, and now they are letting me buy stuff and take delivery of it even if I won't have "the rest of the money" until next month's check comes in.
Orleans Camera, you're good people!
Robt.
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10/19/2005 12:54:20 PM · #12 |
COme and visit our local shop - last time i was there there were 3 women, and no men behind the counters!
My wife feels the way you do. a few years ago we were car shopping and she'd ask a question (the car was for her) and the salesman (a man) would look at me when he answered. I tried to help the situation by walking away to the other side of the car, and he'd still turn toward me to answer, while standing 2 feet face to face with my wife. No, we did not buy a car there. |
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10/19/2005 12:55:35 PM · #13 |
| Thanks for helping illustrate the difference between price and value ... : ) |
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10/19/2005 01:17:38 PM · #14 |
Don't get mad, get even.
I'd start my own camera club and make it so much fun that those chauvenists would be jealous. Then I'd organize road trips to other camera stores to purchase cameras and supplies.
Oh, yeah...and I'd get one of those other camera stores to sponsor the club and make T-shirts with their name on them, and wear the shirts to events where the chauvenist club goes.
Message edited by author 2005-10-19 13:21:05. |
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