Buy online or local camera store?

[pbnjrockette]

I've just about decided that I have to have the Olympus SP-570 UltraZoom camera but am going back and forth with purchasing it online or going to our local camera store. The difference in price is about $100---enough to buy several sets of batteries and a 2 GB card. The problem? The local store has always been so helpful and will give personal assistance with any camera problem or question. I examined the camera at their store and already have gotten a lot of helpful info. Do I save money or shop local?

Anyone wanna be my conscience???

 

[JR6ooo4]

I've just about decided that I have to have the Olympus SP-570 UltraZoom camera but am going back and forth with purchasing it online or going to our local camera store. The difference in price is about $100---enough to buy several sets of batteries and a 2 GB card. The problem? The local store has always been so helpful and will give personal assistance with any camera problem or question. I examined the camera at their store and already have gotten a lot of helpful info. Do I save money or shop local?

Anyone wanna be my conscience???

what are the two prices? Does your local shop price match other brick and mortar stores?

My best buy matched B&Hs price for my canon.

Mikeeee

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I've just about decided that I have to have the Olympus SP-570 UltraZoom camera but am going back and forth with purchasing it online or going to our local camera store. The difference in price is about $100---enough to buy several sets of batteries and a 2 GB card. The problem? The local store has always been so helpful and will give personal assistance with any camera problem or question. I examined the camera at their store and already have gotten a lot of helpful info. Do I save money or shop local?

Anyone wanna be my conscience???

Is their service worth $100? Have you already availed yourself of their assistance on choosing this model? That is, have they invested a considerable amount of time educating you on what you need?

I'm a mail order kind of guy, but that's because I rarely ever find helpful and trustworthy salespeople. In a few areas, like our canoe/kayak shop, I have found people that add enough value to justify their markup and I patronize them.

 

[fitzperry]

I feel your pain. I bought both of my dslr's from a local shop because I want to do my part to help them withstand the competition. They've been in business for a long time and are quite knowledgeable and helpful. Fortunately, their prices are generally pretty competitive, and there really weren't any deals to be had on those cameras anyway, but then there's the sales tax when you buy locally.

Anyway, I concur with the advice to see if they'll do any price matching. If they won't cut the price on the camera, see if they'll throw in some memory or a bag or batteries or something instead. I also agree that if you feel you've gotten $100 worth of assistance from them, then making the purchase there is the right thing to do. Or maybe $50 worth of advice and a few gig of memory?

 

[cmwade77]

I would ask if they would match the online price, if their service is that good, they should be willing to do so, or perhaps include enough accessories to make up the difference or something similar. They should at least be willing to come down in price a little bit to keep a loyal customer that will be returning many times and buying many more products from them in the future.

 

[jann1033]

i usually research and buy online( except to hold the camera, that i do at best buy and tell the workers i don't need any help since they are usually wrong anyway at mine lol) but i do think if they will come close it's worth having an expert you can talk with...i am considering my local Dodd camera for my next upgrade since the price is close ( usually) and they are really helpful. i got my cokin filters there and they were close to the same price once i added shipping . however if they can't come close to the price after you ask them at least you gave them a chance.

 

[Frantasmic]

What are the shipping costs, if any?

If it's 15-20 dollars or so, your real difference is $75, which the local guys might be able to make up easier.

If able, I prefer the local shops because if something does go wrong, you can return it or get it repaired easier with the local shops.

So, remember to factor in shipping if the online stores charge you.

 

[alan]

Where possible, I would use a local shop. By "possible," I mean that the price difference isn't ridiculous.

I also try to avoid playing with the item in a "real" shop if I'm expecting to buy it online. That way I feel as if I'm not cheating anyone.

regards,
/alan

 

[Master Mason]

First off, I am assuming the price difference is from a reputable online store, not one of the rip off joints.

I would then tell my local guy, I can get this for X amount from B&H with shipping. Your price, including taxes is Y. I would really like to be able to support you, and don't mind paying a little extra for the services you provide, but $100 is a lot of money. Is there anything you can do to be more competative.

Then you have shown that your willing to work with them for the extra service, but you have to be smart about your money as well.

 

[mountdew1]

If it is truly a local shop, them they will probably be open to a little haggling. You may not get the full difference, or they may do it in terms of batteries or memory cards, but they will probably try to meet you part way at least. Also, is the online price significantly less than any other store? If it is, beware, you may have problems getting the camera as ordered. But if most online stores, including the reputable ones are about that price, it should be ok.
As PP's have said, if they did provide a service beforehand, and you could possibly go back there again to get questions answered, it is definitely worth paying a little more for that service. If I had any local non (Ritz or other national chain) store then I would definitely give them my business for a more reasonable difference. If you can get them down to about 50 dollars different I would do it.

 

[Jeanne B]

First off, I am assuming the price difference is from a reputable online store, not one of the rip off joints.

That was going to be my question, who is the online retailer that you're speaking of?

Since it appears your local store has been very helpful to you both now and in the past I would certainly give them them the opportunity to match the online price (IF it's a reputable online retailer you're referring to) and if they can't match the online price maybe they would throw in an SD card for the same price, never hurts to ask!!

 

[thomas998]

If the $100 less if from a reputable place and you can wait on it to arrive through the shipping... save the $100.

The fact is once you have that camera most places aren't going to give you any better service than the mail order place... in both cases they wont work on the cameras they will just send you to the manufacturers service center.

You need to remember that your loyalty should be to your wallet not trying to support a business that can't compete on price.

 

[alan]

You need to remember that your loyalty should be to your wallet not trying to support a business that can't compete on price.

Which is of course entirely true.

But the consequence of doing so must also be acknowledged. If everyone does that, we will see the end of smaller, specialist stores in every field.

And indeed, we may even lost the big, box-shifting stores from our towns and cities - why waste all that space and staffing expense when people can just order on the internet and have the goods FedExed from some central depot?

And the logic applies in other fields too - why have computer software written locally when someone in India will do as good a job for a quarter of the salary?

Improvements in global communications, combined with the attitude that "your only loyalty is to your wallet", are going to have far-reaching consequences. Your local camera store going out of business is probably one of the lesser ones.


regards,
/alan

 

[pbnjrockette]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I didn't get a chance to get the camera today but hope to head out to the store tomorrow.

To answer a few questions: The store is a REAL camera store, not a chain (don't you just hate those no-nothing clerks at BestBuy?). We have gone to them many times before for questions, camera repairs and purchased many smaller photographic items from them but never a big camera purchase. They have always been extremely helpful. But being a "mom&pop" type operation, their prices are usually higher. They are asking 499.99 for the camera (but so is BestBuy!) The online price at Amazon is $412--up from $405 over the week-end!--no shipping fee)

I'm not much of a haggler but you all have convinced me to not be shy and ask for a deal. This store is the last of the REAL camera stores in our area and I'm sure have to struggle to compete with BestBuy, Circuit City or Ritz. At least the do provide good service.

Thanks for all your input!!