Mark Roberts wrote:
Lon Williamson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Herb Chong wrote:
you're assuming that cameras stores will outlast film.
I think that is a safe assumption.
I don't. What we're seeing all the time is people coming into camera
stores, picking the brains of the knowledgeable sales staff and then
going over to Best Buy/Circuit City/Target/Office Max, etc. to make
their actual purchase.
Now what's going to happen when these camera shops go out of business
and there's nowhere to go for the expert advice before making the
purchase at Wal-Mart or Comp USA? I've been discussing this with people
in the business lately and we're hoping there will be a backlash from
consumers and manufacturers. Of course, even if that happens, there's no
telling how many real camera shops will be left to enjoy it.
It would be nice if the manufacturers recognized the importance to their
business of the small, independent shop staffed with experts and came up
with a way to help them survive. Right now, volume purchases are the
only way of getting a break and the only places that can afford to buy
in large quantity are the chain stores.
Yes. This is true for almost any line of business these days, though.
It's a sad development, I think...
- T
