Mr Cheap-Cameras.com or Friendly Fred's pricey local camera shop?

[d70mpv]

Well, quite the forum floozy I'm becoming this week I feel haivng started a Daily Mail-esque fear-filled thread on camera safety I'll now add to it by asking another loaded question about the local camera shop vs. online retailers debate.

Being about to get a 30D with lenses I've obviously been shopping around to find the best (price, reliability of seller pre/post sale etc) deal. It'll come as no surprise that the online sellers are, to a man, cheaper, but I'd rather support my local camera centre. The "death" of regional, walk-in camera centres has I'm sure been covered in other threads but talking to two local retailers it really brought back to me the value of being able to get 'hands on' with camera kit. Especially when the price tags are as high as they are.

Sooo, what to do. Support local business or save literally hundreds buying from Mr .com and co and fuel the demise of Friendly Fred's Camera Shops everywhere.

My main reason for posting was actually that I was surprised to be told by a Jessops rep that they no longer do price matching. This would have solved my moral conundrum. Have other WABers found this too? Are there other walk-in centres in the south east that do price matching with online retailers?

Feel like I've opened another can of worms but would like to hear other's opinions to help me out of my moral maze. Otherwise it's off to the Heathrow protest to embroil myself in another moral quandry - lest we have nothing indigenous left to photo in a few decades time

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by d70mpv

Well, quite the forum floozy I'm becoming this week I feel haivng started a Daily Mail-esque fear-filled thread on camera safety I'll now add to it by asking another loaded question about the local camera shop vs. online retailers debate.

Being about to get a 30D with lenses I've obviously been shopping around to find the best (price, reliability of seller pre/post sale etc) deal. It'll come as no surprise that the online sellers are, to a man, cheaper, but I'd rather support my local camera centre. The "death" of regional, walk-in camera centres has I'm sure been covered in other threads but talking to two local retailers it really brought back to me the value of being able to get 'hands on' with camera kit. Especially when the price tags are as high as they are.

Sooo, what to do. Support local business or save literally hundreds buying from Mr .com and co and fuel the demise of Friendly Fred's Camera Shops everywhere.

My main reason for posting was actually that I was surprised to be told by a Jessops rep that they no longer do price matching. This would have solved my moral conundrum. Have other WABers found this too? Are there other walk-in centres in the south east that do price matching with online retailers?

Feel like I've opened another can of worms but would like to hear other's opinions to help me out of my moral maze. Otherwise it's off to the Heathrow protest to embroil myself in another moral quandry - lest we have nothing indigenous left to photo in a few decades time

the jessops price match comes and goes - there is periodically an offer in amateur photographer magazine to price match any price in the magazine for example.

my generall opinion is that if you are new and need advice you should go to a freindly fred who hopefuly has an experienced staff who can give good hopefully non partisan advice - if you know exactly what you want then you are better going to mr cheap cameras, or of course you can go to ebay eddy who is probably flogging grey imports and conspiring to evade customs duty - but hey hes cheaper (so long as you arent bothered about such triffles are waranty )

by the way I havent given specific supplier recomendations because we try not to do that on here.

[Ukwildlifeo]

I had the same dilemma. I tried out a camera i really liked in an independent shop and thought hey if its only £10-30 difference I'll pay it and atleast i can bring it back with ease if there are any problems. But the price difference with online was nearer £100, which is alot when it was only a £170 camera online. So I'd say if the price difference isnt to much go with the shop but if its a ridiculous amount you should have a long hard think lol. But in the end its down to personal preference

[David Hyde]

Hi. It has been my experience over many years that the MR.EXPERIENCED BUT WORTH PAYING THE EXTRA old fashioned, side-street retailer who knew his stuff, gave unbiased advice and was often a centre for used equipment is long gone, ousted by the MR.KNOW HOW TO PUSH A PRODUCT LINE AND PROCESS A CREDIT CARD high street chain photographic store. All manner of advice from all parts of the globe is now freely available, courtesy of www, not to mention this site, and I would prefer to make my own judgement before I buy rather than take the advice of an 18 year old till operator (no disrespect intended). I regret the demise of the true expert and the freely available local expertise but would loose no sleep over the passing of Jessops, Dixons, Comet and the like. If you want to get your hands on before you buy get to a Jessops before they close them all down or seek out your local camera club. No - save your money and buy from MR.SAME CAMERA FOR £100 CHEAPER.COM every time.
David

[richardkm]

I find it hard to explain why shops don't match web prices. I work in a specialist optical retailer, having a shop and doing mail order, and we have to match the likes of Warehouse Express or Ace Cameras otherwise we wouldn't sell anything. We're not on a high street, so have little passing trade, but rely heavily on our web site, which is easy to use (customers' comments not mine). Margins are fine - as little as 6% on many items but we've existed for nearly 12 years now. Customers can come into the shop and try the equipment before buying and get honest unbiased advice from people who use the equipment themselves and have a wealth of knowledge.

[Interpreter]

I have just been to a local (National chain) store for the purchase of a BG-4 battery grip for a Canon 5D. Their on line store was a lot cheaper than their retail shop. However, the local shop said "Sorry mate. None in stock." The on line shop acknowledged the order on Friday and sent me an email on Monday afternoon, saying, "Your order is on back order and will be sent to you when we receive the item from the manufacturer." So they are offering for sale items which they do not have. (It was in stock when I ordered it.)
Some sellers will debit your credit card immediately they receive the order. Six months later they will send the item to you. They have had your money for six months. It is earning them interest, not you. Also, where do you go if you have a complaint? Where exactly is www.letsconthepunter.com?
Another thing to consider. I notice that quite a few companies on the internet are requesting payment via PayPal. If you pay this way with your credit card, you are paying through a third party and lose the protection of the credit card company.
Your local retailer is not just a box pusher and should have knowledge of the items he is selling. If you must keep prices down by using the internet, try a company which also has retail shops in this country.

[nightshade]

I really miss my local high street photoshop,they kept stock and knew
the ins and outs of everything,then they retired.
Now you walk into a shop and all the info you get could be read off the
side of the box that contains the object of your desire
More space is taken up with card processors than equipment,one shop
could get anything within three days no good if you need it now
I prefer to shop locally but can get better service and help online

[d70mpv]

I think I'll buy online. I know exactly what I want: 30D, pump, canon 24-105mm L.

Sorry Mr Friendly, but I worked out a saving of nearing £700. I'd be crazy not to.

Someone mentioned being able to "learn" about the cameras and lenses online. Without wishing to sound arrogant (and I'm very much the novice still), having done a good month's worth of spending all my free time reading the reviews, specs and forums I ended up telling the store owners a few things they didn't know about the products they were selling. That just goes to show the power of the 'net. And I must admit, they tended to be the more Highstreet retailers. I doubt I could tell a real tekhead the difference between a pentamirror and pentaprism viewfinder without a slap round the chops for insulting their knowledge. Perhaps I just don't get out enough....

For camera "petting" though, obviously the high street's the way forward.

[Chris_Johnstone]

I think every enthusiastic photographer has come up against this problem. In independent stores, becoming a friendly face to the owner certainly has advantages but when my the only walk-in stores, even in a large city like Glasgow dwindle to 3 branches of a certain high street name things change...

Prices in these stores are a lot more than the online retailers and I cannot see these stores surviving the next decade without them realising this. I went into a high street store to test a piece of equipment only to find they didn't have it in stock. So what do I think? No use going to this store, I've read reviews from respectable people on the particular item and decide just to buy online and save £££ with the knowledge that I can re-sell at a decent price. Even if the store does have the stock, it seems ideal to go in, test their equipment, make my mind up and then go home to buy online.

I don't feel compelled to support these stores when they don't provide a wide range of equipment in store, limited expertise and customer care and certainly non-competitive prices. Sadly, unless a friendly, personal, independent camera shop opens up next door (yeah, right!) I'll buy online.

Chris

[Interpreter]

Originally Posted by d70mpv

I think I'll buy online. I know exactly what I want: 30D, pump, canon 24-105mm L.

Sorry Mr Friendly, but I worked out a saving of nearing £700. I'd be crazy not to.

Be wary of the 24-105. Mine is awful. Also, think carefully about the camera 'cos one dealer is giving away the 24-105 free of charge with the 5D. Just a thought.

You could always try the camera in a High Street shop and then buy on line at the best price.