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Dealer Frustration
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Not sure what the deal is here with mentioning dealers and shops etc. There is a particular pro standard shop close to where I work that I’ve been to a few times. And almost every time I go there I feel interrogated. I walk in and ask for what I want. The first question is always what do you want that for ? And then there’s a list of reasons why I don’t actually need what I asked for. In the end I usually end up walking out without what I went in there for. Then I go to the other shop which is an additional 20 minute walk and get what I need. I can’t figure out if they’re just too bone lazy to sell me stuff or if they just don’t like me or what. But I don’t think I’ll be going there again. I’ll either use the shop that’s further away or buy online. Can’t understand it.
Hi Pat.
I can understand where you’re coming from. I too have experienced this on several occassions. I travelled to Dublin after enquiring from several shops if they had what I was looking for in stock, only to find that in one particular place, the sales staff in general ignored me (as I wasn’t dressed in a suit or wasn’t an attractive female customer). :D
Eventually, when one of them asked me what I was looking for, he convinced me that it would be too difficult for an amateur like me to use (Canon MP-E65mm) & tried to get me to buy a lens (60mm) which I already owned anyway instead. I came to the conclusion that he never used either of these lenses himself (judging from his sales pitch), and left, only to buy the MP-E65mm elsewhere for a cheaper price.
On a return visit a few months later, I had a similiar experience with another staff member & decided enough was enough. I asked for the manager, told him of my experiences (without naming names) and said, if my money is not good enough here, I’ll shop elsewhere.
I know I’m not a “big fish” in the scheme of things, but by losing out on potential sales of several thousand Euro on each occassion, I’m surprised that they are still in business. As for my local camera shops……..forget it. They couldn’t be bothered to even order stuff or are WAY overpriced, when they do. Nowadays, I mostly shop online instead.I’ve heard the same thing said about Conns in town but they make so much off tourists I doubt they would ever change. John gunns has always treated me really well. I got my 28mm 1.8 off them for cheaper than conns, conns also said it would take them a few weeks(!!) to get it in stock while Gunns already had it :)
Paul Simon wrote:
I’ve heard the same thing said about Conns in town but they make so much off tourists I doubt they would ever change. John gunns has always treated me really well.
I have to totally agree. I’ve been put off Conns so many times by their interrogations. So, I always go to Gunns, and get what I want, and usually at a good or better price.
I think the store names should be named in cases like this. Why not? It’s their business to look after customers. If it was tesco you’d not hold back on saying so. They can’t come after you for stating facts! I felt a bit like this when I went to Conns, and I was surprised, as I’d heard nothing but praise for them. I was only buying something small, but felt rushed, because they knew i wasn’t buying big. Now I’m in a position to buy some top gear, and I don’t know if I’ll give them the pleasure.
Wow! Really?? I have turned up at Conns looking like a ‘Hoddie’ for just a card and they have always been polite and courteous…
Always well treated by all the stores in Dublin…… Surprised to hear this.
It may be surprising, and some have had very pleasant experiences I’m sure. But I doubt anyone would lie about such things, just because you’ve had great times in these stores, doesn’t mean they’re always great.
2 of the stores in Dublin are going to miss out on my future big purchases, because they couldn’t be arsed to respond to an email. I’m planning to upgrade all my gear to FX, some hefty buying ahead over the next few months. The camera centre responded pretty quick, that’s 1+ for them in my book.
I’ve found the one behind Brown Thomas to be fairly good to be honest. It’s the one near O’Connell Bridge that has pissed me off more than once. The older guy in there – maybe he’s the owner ? – he’s always treated and looked at me like I’m mad or something. On one occasion I was mid sentence explaining what I wanted when he turned his head to one of the staff and said “can you look after this ?” and just walked off. I should mention that I’ve spent close to 10 grand in that shop since July. So to me, this treatment is not on. I was wanting just a set of Cokin filters that day, however on the day I was buying my D4 he was over like a hot snot. Still looked at me with suspicion though as I was putting the camera through its paces in the shop like he thought i was kicking tyres and wasn’t going to buy it but maybe it says something like he’ll deal with you if you’re buying a D4 but not a piddly set of filters.
That’ll be Berminghams then. I have heard a few similar stories about that shop. never actually been in there personally.
I got on fine the day I was in Berminghams, but it was the owners son I was dealing with. They didn’t have the teleconverter that I wanted, but said they could order it for me. Within 2 days I had it delivered to me, without any additional cost for the courier, which was cool IMO.
Without having witnessed any of the situations mentioned, all I can do is give my general opinion..
I know that when somebody comes to us for equipment, we will usually ENQUIRE about it’s use (hopefully won’t be seen as an interrogation!). We often find that people have done some research and will come to us when they see we stock that type of product. However we often find from our enquiries, that the customer may actually be considering the wrong product, and we often end up saving them money by selling other products and only what is really required.
One of our most common issues is that people are looking for Continuous Lighting when Studio flash is the better option – or considering Flash, when Video is also being shot.
There is absolutly no (logical) reason why a shop would not sell you something expensive. In my view it is far worse for a shop to over sell or sell you something un-suited to the job in hand.
Have you ever been sold an item of clothing and told by the shop assistant that it is lovely on you, only to find out it is wicked? Remember how it felt? Did you go back to that shop /assistant?Appreciate your insight Barker. Generally for even the most minor of purchases I’ve done a lot of research on what result I want to achieve and what will help me get that result. And I would always welcome an enquiry from the dealer where they just want to help out. I guess the reason Bermingham’s got up my nose is because they don’t tend to offer an alternative solution, more like they’ll say “that’s no good for you” and then not tell me why or offer another product or tip.
Anyway never mind. It hasn’t damaged my passion for photography and that’s the main thing ;)
I am only starting to get into photography and I have to say I find Berminghams brilliant to deal with. I was looking for a good lens and spent a long time discussing it with one of the sales assistants. He asked me plenty of questions, but only to find out what i wanted to photgraph, he then gave advised me to buy the products most suitable but a lot cheaper that i had originally intended to spend. Like Paddy Barker says the worst thing a camera shop can do is sell someone, especially a novice , something they don`t need .
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