Shopping for lens for Digital Rebel - sales tactics! Ugh!!

[beach4fun]

Don't you hate it when a sales person tries to sell you what they have, vs. what you basically TELL them you are looking for? I went into a local camera shop today, part of a national chain, and asked about additional lenses for the Digital Rebel XT to compliment the 18-55mm that came with the camera. I had been doing research in magazines and on this board, so I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for, and my cousin had also loaned me two lenses to try out. The sales person immediately recommended this 70-300 lens by Quantaray (f/4.0-5.6 AF) for $159.95. When I explained to him that I would be going to Disney and didn't want to carry around lenses that I had to constantly interchange, and was interested in one good lens for overall photos, he basically ignored me and kept pushing this one. He said that I was really only losing 15mm between the 55 that I already had and this 70. However, I realize that you cannot stand in front of a child and a character with a 70mm zoom and get everything in the frame. I specifically asked about the new 18-200mm lens (I think that is correct?) and he said "well, we don't carry it, but we could probably special order it if that's what you really want". Then he kept saying how this was such a bargain that he couldn't believe that they were selling it for this price. In my head I was thinking "if it's that big of a bargain, then there is a reason". Why do some sales people (I used to work in retail, so please don't be offended that I mean all sales people) just assume you have no clue, and don't listen to what you are asking for? You guys here are the experts, so I'm glad to have all the knowledge that I have researched on this board, and all the great suggestions. Thanks !!!!

~LA

 

[WillCAD]

This guy may be working on commission.

Or he may be clueless.

Or he may simply be a guy who bought that Quantaray 70-300, loves it, and is too dense to understand why anybody wouldn't want it.

For anything photographic, your best bet is mail order with one of the big companies like B&H, Adorama, Cameraworld, Tri-State, etc. The exception, of course, is if you live in NYC, since most of the best photo supply places are in Manhattan.

 

[beach4fun]

My intention on the shopping trip was mainly for gathering information (and to purchase a UV filter). My cousin also recommended B&H. We are definitely not in Manhattan, so mail order is the best bet. He definitely thought he was the expert! Again, thanks. I always enjoy reading your posts and thoughts.

~LA

 

[ndelaware]

Sounds like Ritz to me. All Quataray lenses and newbie sales people.

 

[beach4fun]

The store was Wolf Camera, but the catalog has Ritz printed on it (he gave me a catalog to take home). Amazing what you can learn when you do your homework, vs. buying the first thing you see in a store.

 

[ndelaware]

Wolf/Ritz are the same company but use different names in different parts of teh country. BTW, I always check Amazon's prices too before ordering from anywhere. They have ended up being the best price for me more than a few times.

 

[pmcf]

Totally agree - I do most shopping from the comfort of my PC these days (listening to advice from boards such as this)

On the subject of the lens - I also have a Rebel and found the 18-55 too restrictive (and not the bext quality lens either) so bought an 18-125. This was really great but I also took my 70-300 for things like the walks and Safari in AK.

However, not the 18-200 is out (and a friend of mine has one) I have sold my 18-125 (I love eBay!) and am buying the 18-200 for our trip at the end of the month. This will almost cover the 70-300 without the weight and having to change it.

Moral - decide what you want and don't be swayed by commission-based Sales people selling what they have in stock!

Happy shooting!

 

[handicap18]

I like Ritz in that they usually have a pretty good supply compared to some mom & pop camera shops, but a lot of their sales people are working there just because they're good at selling. A lot of salespeople don't listen to what the customer wants, they just hear a few select pieces of info and make their own conclusion of what the customer wants based on what will make the biggest impact on their commission.

I HATE that!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

18-200 is the most flexible and I recommend that to people who wants the utmost flexibility. However, from 125 to 200 the aperture is maxed out at f/6.3 so forget about using it indoors or in low-light situation (again only from 125 to 200 range). Also the pincushion and barrel distortion is getting worse the more reach a lens have.

For me the 18-125 is the best compromise, but for most people 18-200 will be their best choice.

 

[MICKEY88]

My intention on the shopping trip was mainly for gathering information (and to purchase a UV filter). My cousin also recommended B&H. We are definitely not in Manhattan, so mail order is the best bet. He definitely thought he was the expert! Again, thanks. I always enjoy reading your posts and thoughts.

~LA

althought the sales associate was wrong with their attitude, bash them gently,

since you went in, not looking to buy, with the intent to mail order, you really were wasting his time, keeping him from other work or possible sales..

having worked for Ritz, I can assure you that you will find good sales people{like me} and others who will try to sell based on sales incentives{ higher commision, special bonuses, or company contests. the major companies are always running contests, which basically follow this pattern, sell x amount of this camera or lens, and get x entries in the contest... when I worked there NIkon gave away cruises, Jeeps, al kinds of stuff, that's how they encourage sales people to push their product..

 

[MICKEY88]

My intention on the shopping trip was mainly for gathering information (and to purchase a UV filter). My cousin also recommended B&H. We are definitely not in Manhattan, so mail order is the best bet. He definitely thought he was the expert! Again, thanks. I always enjoy reading your posts and thoughts.

~LA

althought the sales associate was wrong with their attitude, bash them gently,

since you went in, not looking to buy, with the intent to mail order, you really were wasting his time, keeping him from other work or possible sales..

having worked for Ritz, I can assure you that you will find good sales people{like me} and others who will try to sell based on sales incentives{ higher commision, special bonuses, or company contests. the major companies are always running contests, which basically follow this pattern, sell x amount of this camera or lens, and get x entries in the contest... when I worked there NIkon gave away cruises, Jeeps, all kinds of stuff, that's how they encourage sales people to push their product..

 

[krismast]

I use a Quantaray 28-200mm af from ritz camera.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

The number one problem with Quantaray is that they don't manufacture their own lenses. They are basically re-badged lenses. Sometimes Sigma (if you're lucky) sometimes Phoenix (if you're dead unlucky), and everything in between too.

I'd stay away from Quantaray due ot its inconsistencies... well, and the picture quality too.

 

[captaincrash]

althought the sales associate was wrong with their attitude, bash them gently,

since you went in, not looking to buy, with the intent to mail order, you really were wasting his time, keeping him from other work or possible sales..

having worked for Ritz, I can assure you that you will find good sales people{like me} and others who will try to sell based on sales incentives{ higher commision, special bonuses, or company contests. the major companies are always running contests, which basically follow this pattern, sell x amount of this camera or lens, and get x entries in the contest... when I worked there NIkon gave away cruises, Jeeps, all kinds of stuff, that's how they encourage sales people to push their product..

Well...

... having been in sales - and having to sort of nurse lots of sales folks in my currnet occupation ... I have to be sympathetic to the sales talent. My hat gets tossed in with the over-enthusiastic sales associate you had. He will learn in time to cut his losses and possibly ask more questions of you as he makes his presentation and recommendations. Of course, in your case it would have been pretty tough for him to garner more than $50 in sales volume this time ... but maybe with the right handling on his part he might have earned a shot at your business down the road.

Hey.... I would like a Nikon spiff for a cruise or freebie! Maybe I should check it out ... oh - heck .... I have kids and enuf on my plate already! You suppose they'd take a part timer like me - and would a part timer be able to compete for a Nikon spiff???

All fooling aside - every business incents it's key producers somehow - in most trades and industries. It is an effective way of life for many folks - and the vast majority of them are your neighbors at the local grocers and in your community - so lets' not bash an entire group. It's not like sales folks are like politicians who engage in sordid affairs with young women (other then their spouses) then LIE to senate investigators (and then get impeached!) or criminals?

 

[0bli0]

even the Sigma stuff that wolf/ritz sells is low end consumer. not something i'd personally recommend. 'Quantaray' branded products in general, i mean.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

yup, the tolerance level of what's considered to be "within-spec" on the Sigma-rebranded-as-Quantaray is too wild.

 

[0bli0]

"Quality, not Quantaray..."

 

[alan]

Hi,

(First post alert)

I'm just back from my first trip to Disneytworld. Before going, I took a brainstorm and bought a Canon 350D (Rebel XT). While in Florida, I went to International Drive and bought a Sigma 18-200mm zoom lens.

It's okay, but not a brilliant lens. Not as good as the built-in lens on my Pro1, but the camera is in general much better in low-light conditions than the Pro1 is.

I bought the lens from a shop towards the north end of International Drive - it's on the same side of the road as Edwin Watts golf shop, beside a Walgreens and Bargain Center. I think that the shop was called "Digital Camera Center". It's on a junction where, if you turn west, you get to the world's biggest McDonalds and I4.

Anyway, the chap started out asking US$599 for the lens. I made as if to leave, and after some discussion he came down to US$389.

As I said above, the lens does what it's meant to. I perhaps would have felt better had I bought one with slightly less zoom, but it serves a need. At least with the SLR, I can buy more lenses in future...

regards,
/alan

 

[Kelly Grannell]

"Quality, not Quantaray..."

it reminds me of the line "is it live or is it Memorex?" to which everybody who knows quality will say "it's definitely Memorex".

 

[TomPokNY]

(First post alert)

I'm just back from my first trip to Disneytworld. Before going, I took a brainstorm and bought a Canon 350D (Rebel XT). While in Florida, I went to International Drive and bought a Sigma 18-200mm zoom lens.

It's okay, but not a brilliant lens. Not as good as the built-in lens on my Pro1, but the camera is in general much better in low-light conditions than the Pro1 is.

...

As I said above, the lens does what it's meant to. I perhaps would have felt better had I bought one with slightly less zoom, but it serves a need. At least with the SLR, I can buy more lenses in future...

regards,
/alan

Welcome to the DISBoards!

Can you explain in a little more detail what disappoints you about the lens? I picked up the same one for my XT over the weekend, haven't had a chance to try it out. I struggled a lot with the decision, but in the end, I was too tempted by the overall zoom range that it offered. I'd like to hear your observations, so that I have a better idea of what issues I should look out for.

Thanks!