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01/06/2011 06:04:15 PM · #1 |
I finally broke down and bought a backpack today (I've been using a sling bag that I hate) -- a lowepro prorunner 350. I bought it from a local camera store. I knew I would paying a bit more for it than from B&H, but I thought it would be nice to support the local people.
I just found out that I paid $75 more for the bag!! $225 from the local store (after they kindly knocked off $25). $150 from B&H/amazon/your place of choice.
I'm quite irritated. I will definitely be avoiding that store in the future.
Message edited by author 2011-01-06 18:05:00.
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01/06/2011 06:09:26 PM · #2 |
I often find myself in the position of haggling bricks-and-mortar stores down to (or close to) the online price. In fact, when I'm buying gadgets I'm always googling on my phone to get web prices.
Mostly they justify the higher price by saying they have overheads that online retailers don't. |
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01/06/2011 06:12:06 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by JH:
I often find myself in the position of haggling bricks-and-mortar stores down to (or close to) the online price. In fact, when I'm buying gadgets I'm always googling on my phone to get web prices.
Mostly they justify the higher price by saying they have overheads that online retailers don't. |
yup. They do -- but charge 50% more than online means I won't be going back. I don't have an extra $75 to throw around just because they have overhead.
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01/06/2011 06:14:53 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by JH:
I often find myself in the position of haggling bricks-and-mortar stores down to (or close to) the online price. In fact, when I'm buying gadgets I'm always googling on my phone to get web prices.
Mostly they justify the higher price by saying they have overheads that online retailers don't. |
yup. They do -- but charge 50% more than online means I won't be going back. I don't have an extra $75 to throw around just because they have overhead. |
Yeah, that was a big difference - I'd feel ripped off too. Plus, I hate haggling - it's just not done in this country! |
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01/06/2011 06:15:59 PM · #5 |
"Support local" always seems like a bit of a non sequitur to me. Would you walk into a store and say, "hey, here's $50 because you work here"? I don't know anybody who does something like that, but that is exactly what you are doing. Personally, I'd rather take that $50 and give it to the poor.
Not trying to start something here, but just had to give my input. I do find local stores often willing to meet mainline online prices like amazon. I just bought a router (the woodworking kind) from a local hardware store (not home depot) and they were happy to knock $20 off the price to match Amazon. That's my personal version of "support local". :) |
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01/06/2011 06:21:14 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
"Support local" always seems like a bit of a non sequitur to me. Would you walk into a store and say, "hey, here's $50 because you work here"? I don't know anybody who does something like that, but that is exactly what you are doing. Personally, I'd rather take that $50 and give it to the poor.
Not trying to start something here, but just had to give my input. I do find local stores often willing to meet mainline online prices like amazon. I just bought a router (the woodworking kind) from a local hardware store (not home depot) and they were happy to knock $20 off the price to match Amazon. That's my personal version of "support local". :) |
I don't mind paying a little more for local, because I've certainly gone in and asked questions and looked at their equipment. I've also looked local and bought online for things that were significantly cheaper -- so I have used their time and expertise. So $25 bucks more for the times that I've gotten their input would have been fine. $75 is not. It's my own fault for not checking first. However, I can't find my receipt. I'm not sure I received one, because I would have shoved it into my purse or pocket and it's not either place. So I might be out of luck.
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01/06/2011 06:37:44 PM · #7 |
We're not exactly mainstream America here on Cape Cod, and yet I find that, for cameras and televisions, at least, my local people can come very close to matching online prices, and they give service that's worth the extra. I wouldn't go crazy though; I wouldn't pay the premium Wendy did on that backpack.
I'm really not concerned with the local stores' extra overhead; if they can't find a business model that lets them compete, then they don't deserve to be in business. I've been a businessman, and I know. I closed down a fishing tackle shop I owned because I couldn't compete with the big stores. But my local camera store is an authorized Canon dealer, and they are a storefront in a mall, and they do a great job as far as I'm concerned.
That said, we did buy the 100mm f/2.8 IS macro from B&H, for price reasons alone. Please don't tell Joe :-(
R. |
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01/06/2011 06:45:28 PM · #8 |
| At least you folks don't live in Germany, where all camera gear is 135% the price of what it is in the states. I could make good money off of being a lens mule if I could control one of my diaphragms better. |
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01/06/2011 06:53:16 PM · #9 |
I went to a local camera shop once and asked their price on a 5D, told them the price on Amazon and he scowled and said "it's probably coming from someone other than Amazon" nope, i said, amazon direct. So he proceeded to tell me why buying online sucks. Thats why I won't buy hardware from them because if you can't convince me your better without bashing the other guy, i'm not convinced
They do, however, make beautiful prints there at a very reasonable price so I hope they stay in business for that side of it. |
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01/06/2011 06:53:49 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by bohemka:
At least you folks don't live in Germany, where all camera gear is 135% the price of what it is in the states. I could make good money off of being a lens mule if I could control one of my diaphragms better. |
Have you ever tried passing an L-lens? |
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01/06/2011 06:59:34 PM · #11 |
| Only after severe pressure from the TSA. |
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01/06/2011 07:19:35 PM · #12 |
Having worked in a retail camera store while in school, I can tell you it is frustrating to spend time with someone showing them different camera models, giving advice, etc. and then them leaving, only to show up a week later with camera in hand that they bought online. (or from the back of photo magazines in my college days)
The store tried to be as competitive as possible, but the NY mail order houses were selling for less than dealer cost in order to sell addd ons like bags and films.
I agree that $75 difference in a camera bag is over the top, but I understand where they're coming from.
The mark up on new hardware is minimal compared to other retail, (furniture and such) so the only profit items are the bags and accessories. Most retail camera stores will make more profit on a $100 bag than they will on a $1000 camera.
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01/06/2011 07:40:50 PM · #13 |
I bought a bag from the local shop it was about 25 over.
I didn't actually mind, cos that is where I tend to try and shop for things. Some of their items are hugely over priced, so go on line for them. I try to figure out the prices before I go. I got the 7D there and it was about 100 over B&H.
But in saying that, I have been there with my problems with the 7D and they spent several hours fixing it, giving advice, even when there where other customers in the shop etc etc.
So for me, paying that little extra works, as I could not be on the phone for an hour getting a real life person to work on my camera for free from B&H.
I would say, if you just bought it, go back and tell them you want to return it, it has only been a day they will remember you |
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01/06/2011 07:47:19 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by scarbrd:
Most retail camera stores will make more profit on a $100 bag than they will on a $1000 camera. |
This is information she could have used YESTERDAY. In all fairness, I bet it was less expensive than the seven bags I own that serve as dust furniture. |
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01/06/2011 07:52:47 PM · #15 |
| Buy local is a good idea, but its always good to do your homework.A few bucks more isn't too bad, but 75$ on a camera bag!! I'm currently in the same position. Looking at a 400 mm prime...$1479.00 at Henrys plus tax, here in Canada, or $1200.00 plus tax and shipping from B&H, think I know where I'll spend my money. |
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01/06/2011 08:18:18 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
I bought a bag from the local shop it was about 25 over.
I didn't actually mind, cos that is where I tend to try and shop for things. Some of their items are hugely over priced, so go on line for them. I try to figure out the prices before I go. I got the 7D there and it was about 100 over B&H.
But in saying that, I have been there with my problems with the 7D and they spent several hours fixing it, giving advice, even when there where other customers in the shop etc etc.
So for me, paying that little extra works, as I could not be on the phone for an hour getting a real life person to work on my camera for free from B&H.
I would say, if you just bought it, go back and tell them you want to return it, it has only been a day they will remember you |
Even though I can't find the receipt, I'm still going to go back tomorrow. I don't know that it will do any good -- but I plan on letting them know my feelings on this. I would rather they fix this problem, and that I would just be sure to check prices before buying there. I would be fine with that. If they don't fix the problem, I will no longer be doing any business there.
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01/06/2011 08:24:06 PM · #17 |
Ad Scar said, that is where they make their money, the accessory's.
Honey is better than vinegar, as the adage goes.
Maybe just go in and say you got the wrong size, so that way, just in case in the future, you can go back there when you have an emergency instead of having to wait for an online place. |
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01/06/2011 08:25:29 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
I feel cheated. |
Originally posted by vawendy:
It's my own fault for not checking first. |
Open and shut case (so to speak). Nothing irks me more (well lots of things do, but I digress) than people saying they were cheated or ripped off when they knew what they were getting and how much they were paying and they agreed to it, but found out later they could have gotten a better deal somewhere else. It happens to all of us at some point. But the thread title should read "I feel like an idiot" (no offense, Wendy).
Being cheated or ripped off is when the seller misrepresents the transaction. |
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01/06/2011 08:29:23 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by vawendy:
I feel cheated. |
Originally posted by vawendy:
It's my own fault for not checking first. |
Open and shut case (so to speak). Nothing irks me more (well lots of things do, but I digress) than people saying they were cheated or ripped off when they knew what they were getting and how much they were paying and they agreed to it, but found out later they could have gotten a better deal somewhere else. It happens to all of us at some point. But the thread title should read "I feel like an idiot" (no offense, Wendy).
Being cheated or ripped off is when the seller misrepresents the transaction. |
I understand completely what you're saying, but I disagree. I think a place that marks up a $150 bag by an extra $100 (they did give me $25 off -- they had it marked up $100) is taking advantage of people. I should have known better, but there are a lot of grey haired old tourists that go to that shop. There are people who don't know just how much they're being soaked. I'm not expecting them to charge the same as amazon, but I assumed that they were fair businessmen.
Message edited by author 2011-01-06 20:34:01.
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01/06/2011 08:32:37 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
Ad Scar said, that is where they make their money, the accessory's.
Honey is better than vinegar, as the adage goes.
Maybe just go in and say you got the wrong size, so that way, just in case in the future, you can go back there when you have an emergency instead of having to wait for an online place. |
I was just planning on going in and being honest. Telling them that I knew that they would be more expensive than online, but I assumed that they would be reasonable. That I simply can't afford an extra $75 on a $150 bag. If they would like to make a deal on it, or if they would allow me to return it, I would be appreciative. If they don't want to do either of these things, unfortunately I'll tell them that I can no longer do business with them.
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01/06/2011 09:04:08 PM · #21 |
I do think honesty is the best policy.
Bring in:
1- The bag
2 - The printout of the other offer on the bag you want/bought
3 - Another one of your cases with all of your lenses and bodies
Ask them if they want you to remain a customer. |
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01/06/2011 09:05:38 PM · #22 |
I'm not too surprised. I wanted to get the Canon 60mm macro from the store in town. I really didn't mind spending an extra 20 or so just to buy in my town. When I went there, it was about $80 more than what I could get at B&H or even Amazon. I told them that too.
They said "that's strange, that's far less than what we pay for it". So, I'm wondering if the stores themselves are being cheated by the manufacturers as well. |
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01/06/2011 09:16:24 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by PGerst:
I'm not too surprised. I wanted to get the Canon 60mm macro from the store in town. I really didn't mind spending an extra 20 or so just to buy in my town. When I went there, it was about $80 more than what I could get at B&H or even Amazon. I told them that too.
They said "that's strange, that's far less than what we pay for it". So, I'm wondering if the stores themselves are being cheated by the manufacturers as well. |
The retailers get kick backs of sorts based on volume in a given year. The online merchants take that into account when pricing. A dealer can show you the "cost" of piece of equipment, and that may indeed be the price he's paying. Once he reaches a certain volume, then he gets some of the money back at the end of the year.
This is how the manufacturers give discounts to high volume dealers without having multiple price lists.
They also give money back in the way advertising allowances for placing ads using their products and logos. Some of the online merchants even take THAT into account when figuring the retail price.
Small merchants don't stand a chance when it comes to price competition with the big volume places. They have to give better customer service to justify the higher price to their customers.
Brick and mortar places like Wolf Camera, Best Buy, etc. can compete better because they too are volume merchants.
The bottom line is - if you like having a local merchant so you can actually handle the gear you're thinking about buying, then pay the extra price. If that is not important to you, then buy online. I do a mix and can usually get in the ball park for the price at a couple of local stores, but then there's the sales tax that you pay when buying locally that you don't pay for most online purchases.
But if you shun the local merchant, don't be surprised when they are no longer there.
Message edited by author 2011-01-06 21:16:46. |
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01/06/2011 09:29:32 PM · #24 |
My "local" camera store is a three hour drive. However my rule of thumb is, if I can make my buying choice with online research, then if the lowest price is online, I buy it online. However, if I need to see it, touch it, hold it, or try it, the I buy fom the store. I used them to provide a service, and I shouldn't expect that for free. After all Amazon didn't let me hold both the Nikon, and the Canon to see which felt best in my hands.
At the same time I think the $75 price difference in the case above was a bit much. My camera bag was bought online based on a recommendation here. |
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01/06/2011 09:39:15 PM · #25 |
| Buying local for a widely available mass produced product is an oxymoron, if you ask me. |
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