How can smaller photo stores survive?

[cmedin]

Yesterday I visited the one pro photo store that's anywhere near my house. They still carry film (though they do mark it up a fair bit), chemicals at a good price, paper, all sorts of darkroom and film accessories etc. They've also started carrying Epson printers, nice printer paper and all that jazz.

However, in the ten+ years I've been going there, it seems like every time I visit there's fewer and fewer customers around. The past year or so there have been none or maybe one.

I chatted with the owner a bit (he's an old school camera guy and enjoys selling analog stuff), and he said business was getting 'pretty slow'. I hate to see a good local business that provides a nice service for me go under, but I really can't see how they can stay in business for much longer.

It seems that when it comes to printers, digital cameras (including DSLRs), even lenses and so forth, the consumers have migrated in droves to the Best Buys and Circuit Citys of the world. On top of that, the digital users don't consume supplies like film users; they don't buy new memory cards constantly, they usually don't print their images, and whatever supplies they DO need (printer paper, ink) they can just pick up at Office Depot or some other places.

I gather that a ton of pros are all digital now as well, so other than equipment they don't consume like they did either.

How can a place like this possibly remain in business? I hate to see it go, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what they could do to generate some revenue. What do people NEED these days that could sell enough of?

 

[sienarot]

Bottom line: customer loyalty.

If they're as good as you say, continue to go there and support them even if you may be saving some money by going elsewhere. One thing those big name stores seem to lack is customer service. With them, it's all about meeting quotas and selling as much extended warranties as possible.

 

[matt fury]

I'm afraid that they can't.

 

[photogdave]

They can carry the same stuff as the big box stores, often at the same price, but sell themselves on their product knowledge and customer service. A smart consumer will recognize the value of being able to call in at the local camera shop for advice and info instead of dealing with the glazed-over look of some pimply teenager who doesn't know jack about the product and could care less.
The independent stores here in Vancouver seem to be doing quite well with this approach, just carrying a selection of entire product lines at competitive prices and offering superior service, while still offering the full service to pros whether they shoot digital or analog.

 

[BSchall]

They have a hard time even meeting the price of the big box stores. I worked at one the local stores; family owned since 1950 in the same store front. I worked there when a <1.0 meg digital Olympus cost over $1000. Now a days, this store can't even buy a digital Rebel from Canon at the price Costco sells them at. They seriously thought about buying from Costco and reselling in the store. The said part is camera stores don't stay in business selling cameras. The profit margin is to slim. The store profit comes from accessories.

This business used to have 3 stores here in town. A year ago they had to close one of the stores, not because they weren't doing business, they had to close because they couldn't find anyone to work in it. Not only are the stores closing, but the pool of knowledgable sales staff is also drying up.

 

[cmedin]

I guess that what's really killing these places is that people think digital = electronics = big box electronics store. Cameras aren't a piece of photographic equipment now, they're a digital gadget.

Wonder if long term the places that deal in used equipment and servicing cameras are the ones that will survive.

 

[jack palmer]

The truth is most are gone and the very few that left are just holding on. I remember photo stores here in Baltimore with walls full of cameras. They're a thing of the past. and they won't be coming back.

 

[Uncle Bill]

The big savior though is mail order namely the Freestyles, B&H's and Big Camera Workshops of the world.

Bill

 

[cmogi10]

My local camera store is incredible, the staff is all incredibly friendly and knowledgable.
I go to best buy and I get some kid that's never fired a camera in his life..."Yo, you need help?"

I'm the kind of shopper where you make me happy and you're my guy, I will do all my buisness through you.
I've never had that experience at a big box store. The best buy customer service department once told me (I was having a problem with a charger that killed my camera, that the "salesperson" assured me was the right one)
"Hey, you know you can't please everyone"

That was a shocker, just what you want to hear from customer service.

 

[photogdave]

They have a hard time even meeting the price of the big box stores. I worked at one the local stores; family owned since 1950 in the same store front. I worked there when a <1.0 meg digital Olympus cost over $1000. Now a days, this store can't even buy a digital Rebel from Canon at the price Costco sells them at. They seriously thought about buying from Costco and reselling in the store. The said part is camera stores don't stay in business selling cameras. The profit margin is to slim. The store profit comes from accessories.

This business used to have 3 stores here in town. A year ago they had to close one of the stores, not because they weren't doing business, they had to close because they couldn't find anyone to work in it. Not only are the stores closing, but the pool of knowledgable sales staff is also drying up.

I guess it's different here in Canada. Costco might sell memory cards and third party batteries cheaper but the local shops have better pricing on DSLRs and competitive pricing on consumer digicams.
That's sad about the store closing and the lack of sales staff. I will continue to support the small guys as much as I can in all aspects of my purchasing.

 

[Tuolumne]

Doesn't everyone just shop online and get their information from the web? I do, and I live in New York. (Well, New Jersey, but 3 miles from New York.)

/T

 

[cmogi10]

Doesn't everyone just shop online and get their information from the web? I do, and I live in New York. (Well, New Jersey, but 3 miles from New York.)

/T

I don't unless I absolutely have too.
I love spending time browing the store and talking to their staff and in return I give them my buisness. For me it's not worth saving the tax to lose out on the experiance I get every time I go shopping.

 

[Tuolumne]

I don't unless I absolutely have too.
I love spending time browing the store and talking to their staff and in return I give them my buisness. For me it's not worth saving the tax to lose out on the experiance I get every time I go shopping.

No photo store can match the experience of browsing the B&H site; not even B&H itself. And I can go there whenever I want, since it's about 40 minutes from my house. Oh, and they do have very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

/T

 

[photogdave]

No photo store can match the experience of browsing the B&H site; not even B&H itself. And I can go there whenever I want, since it's about 40 minutes from my house. Oh, and they do have very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

/T

How about the experience of actually handling the gear yourself, in person, before deciding if you want to buy it? How can you get that on a website?

 

[Tuolumne]

How about the experience of actually handling the gear yourself, in person, before deciding if you want to buy it? How can you get that on a website?

Use your imagination and read read read about it online. I guess I'm just a virtual wolrlds kind of guy! However, your comment does remind me how surprised I was about clothing, shoes, underware, etc being top online sellers. You'd think if anything people would need to try clothes on. But apparently, the convenience and selection of online shopping outweigh the seemingly overwhelimg obstacles. If I can buy shoes online (I buy all of them that way), I don't see why I can't buy a cmera the same way. 🙂

/T

 

[photogdave]

Well, to each his own etc. I would never buy shoes without trying them on first. Fit and comfort vary from different makes and models - just like cameras. You can read about how great a pair of shoes is, but what if it doesn't work with your particular feet?

 

[Tuolumne]

Well, to each his own etc. I would never buy shoes without trying them on first. Fit and comfort vary from different makes and models - just like cameras. You can read about how great a pair of shoes is, but what if it doesn't work with your particular feet?

There's the rub, so to speak. You have to send it back for an exchange or refund. This is where customer service at online stores becomes all important. But how many times does a shoe seem ok in the store, but when you get home you realize it isn't going to work? You still need to take it back.

/T

 

[photogdave]

There's the rub, so to speak. You have to send it back for an exchange or refund. This is where customer service at online stores becomes all important. But how many times does a shoe seem ok in the store, but when you get home you realize it isn't going to work? You still need to take it back.

/T

Much easier to return it to the shop down the street then to put it in the post, wait on your refund and hope there is no restocking fee. There goes your online "savings".

 

[George Bonanno]

If The Shoe Fits... Wear It !

If The Shoe Fits... Wear It !

I would never support the local camera stores around here anymore... Unique Photo, Bergen County Camera, Wholesale Photo, Photo Cullen, just to name a few. The sales staff are pushy, pompous, arrogant and lazy to say the least. And if you have a problem afterwards... you're on your own... take it up with the manufacturer. And as far as a return policy is concerned... tough luck ! I could go on and on about how I felt about the importance of supporting the locals but not anymore. They all tried to screw me with lies and pushing crappy accessories along with the sale. They're all a bunch of schnooks in my opinion.

An example or two. At Wholesale Photo Neal told me "what's there to know" after I asked a question about a Nikon digital SLR. At B&H when said I was unhappy with a Rollei 35 RF and lens they immediately accepted the return and refunded my money 100%.

Do your homework beforehand. Read the reviews and then buy from the brick and mortar (Costco) or online stores (B&H). You are assured of getting a fair shake and a good return policy.

Be realistic and be modern. Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.

Best,
George

 

[photogdave]

You certainly had some bad experiences there. However it is not fair to apply your experiences with these particular stores in your area to all local camera shops. There are just as many "schnooks" selling online, and just as many small, independent stores who will give you as fair a shake as B&H.