There's a camera store local to me (Bywaters in Waltham Cross) that always gave good
service and the staff were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. They weren't the cheapest,
but usually tried to match or at least get close to other prices if asked. They were
taken over by a larger chain (Camera World) but thankfully the same staff were kept
on. The main difference is that the listed prices came down. They have even continued
to sponsor our Camera Club through our programme and through discounts to members.
They are now known as Camera World at Bywaters, and I'd recommend them.
Overall a win-win situation.
Nick.
-----Original Message-----
From: "graywolf"<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: 24/07/04 04:14:55
Actually the major falsity of the local camera store is the idea that you can
actually get all that great information there. While some of the salespeople
actually are photographers, most are just like sales jerks, sorry, clerks (I
used to be one) every where. Warm bodies hot off the street working for not much
pay and basically with out a clue. The owners of the stores are investors who
are trying to get the maximum return on the dollar.
Nothing wrong with that, but lets not wax poetic about it. It has been long time
since I have been in a photo store run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.
Unfortunately those guys usually are not great businessmen and can not compete
in the modern market. And if they become great businessmen then the store is no
longer the place where we want to hang out. The reason they don't have the stuff
we love to fondle there is because it is not high turnover and it takes a large
part of their inventory dollar away from the high turnover stuff. Not stocking
that MZ-S or *istD is just good business.
I admit there are a few of those great old stores still about, but it used to be
any town of at least 10K people had at least one such store. Now if you are
lucky you get Wal-Mart, et al. Mostly it is a case of waxing nostalgic rather
than admitting reality. I would rather support the mail order specialty stores
that are selling the stuff I want and need, than a local store that is not even
willing to order it for me.
Of course if you have a local store providing what you want and need at fair
prices, why not give them your business. But lets not pretend that the folks on
this list are just too cheap to shop there.
One could write a whole book about this, but it would still come out about the
same. Small operations just do not have the buying power to compete in the
consumer market. You either cater to the luxury trade or you go out of business.
But then you have to have the capital to sit on those slow moving expensive
items you are selling. I guess it always comes out in the end that simple
answers are by their very nature, incomplete.
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