Do you shop in town or in-ternet?

[RML]

When I'm looking for gear (which is not very often, lacking in funds) I tend to keep an eye open here on RFF and on eBay. I sometimes drop in a shop or two here in Amsterdam but find the prices redicilously high, generally 50-100% on top of the price I'd see on eBay. So, I don't buy in local shops.

I sometimes buy a thing or two at the annual photography market in Doesburg, Holland, but then I have a really big market where I can compare prices and test the gear.

Shooting mainly digital means that I no longer buy any film anymore. Saves me on developing as well.

Local shops were never my first choice after I found out how hugh the prices are there, how poor the service generally is for a "one-time" customer and how totally not serious they take me when I show up with a FED-2 or similarly cheap camera.

 

[doubs43]

I buy both ways. Friday I received a Pentax H1a with 55mm f/2 Super-Takumar lens that I purchased on ebay for $35 (including shipping) and it only needs new seals. Well, it can use an external cleaning too but that's not a big deal.

Yesterday I took two rolls of Walgreen's Agfa 400 film to the store in Macon and had them develope the negatives only..... no prints. I buy from them when I can and my stake in their store just may rise after yesterday's visit. The owner showed me a Canon VT DeLuxe that is in pretty nice condition and fully functional. It had a crappy Steinheil 35mm f/4.5 lens on it but I'm only interested in the body and I'll be dickering with him on that.

He also showed me a Leica M3 DS with collapseable 50mm Summicron lens and a meter. The body is in very nice "user" condition with a few marks but no dings or dents and it was CLA'd last June by Peachtree Photo in Atlanta. It's smooth and quiet and everything works well. They will be selling it on ebay and I'll let everyone know when it's to be sold. Probably early in the New Year.

Walker

 

[Mister_Hat]

Almost exlcusively online, these days. There used to be a number of small photo shops in the area, but they've gone out of business of business over the past ten years.

 

[flipflop]

online...we have one pro lab in Tallhassee and I get my negs developed no prints...4 bucks a roll...they do a nice job compared to walgreens or walmart...I try not to buy film or anything else there as its like 7.50 per roll of ilford delta..

 

[RJBender]

The owners of small stores complain that people visit to handle the merchandise and ask questions but never come back to buy. The conclusion is that the visitors are ordering online for a lower price without sales tax. I understand their gripe, but how much is 30 minutes of the sales clerk's time worth, $15 with benefits?

Why not charge for explaining the products' features and go online in the store to help the customer place their order? People might think twice and decide to buy from the store. 😛 If the store got a commission from the online dealers this idea might work.

The small stores that are doing fine in St. Louis have a good selection of used and rental equipment, a good lab and customers such as schools or govermental agencies.

R.J.

 

[losta]

I live very close to New York City. I can be at B&H in less than 1 hour and I do shop there as well as Adorama, Photo Village, Kurland and a few other NY shops. I also often buy locally from Camera Wholesalers in Stamford, CT and KenMar Camera in East Williston, NY. I also buy and sell on Ebay and have sold sold several items through fredmiranda.com. I also order from Norman Camera online.

 

[RJBender]

I've ordered from KEH Camera for the last 19 years and highly recommend them. I bought a refurbished digital camera from Beach Camera in May 2004 and was happy with the transaction.

R.J.