RE: Film is dead...

[Tom C]

I suppose I shouldn't say this... I would prefer to buy my photoghraphy 
equipment at a retail store where I could develop a relationship with a real 
human being.  The times I have attempted that, I found the salesmen were 
only after one thing, my wallet, and would tell me anything even 
contradicting themselves between day 1 and day 2.

Now if prices were fairly close between retail and mail order... like within 
10% of each other, I wouldn't have a problem buying retail.  But often the 
price difference is often much higher than that.  Why should I pay $1699 for 
an *ist D when could get it for $1299?  What makes up the difference?  
Overhead, but not anywhere close to $400 worth.  Commision, but not anywhere 
close to $400.  I certainly don't $400 worth of equipment or photograhic 
advice, if any.  OK, maybe I didn't go the elite/exclusive shop, but when I 
have, I really haven't seen a difference.

And if buy mail-order/web like at B&H, aren't I indirectly keeping their 
sales staff on the floor in a job? I'm not sure that I am, but one could 
make that argument.

Tom C.

From: "Bob W" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net
To: <pentax-discuss@pdml.net>
Subject: RE: Film is dead...
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 19:04:09 +0100
Hi,
>
> To make things worse, people don't buy their cameras in a
> shop anymore.
> They come to the shop, look at the cameras, touch and feel
> and ask questions, then they say straight out that they will
> go home and order one from the net because it's alot cheaper.
>
People have been doing similar things for years. It's why the photography
outlets changed from small, specialist places staffed by enthusiasts and
experts who knew something about what they were doing, to warehouse-sized
box-shifters who knew f*ck-all.
--
Cheers,
 Bob