Real Shops Vs. Internet Shops

Crispin

A warning about internet shopping and praise for my local camera shop! A recent internet shopping experience lead me to turn to my local camera shop in Cork, Denis McSweeney's. And I have to say the service I got was impressive. I had tried to buy the same lens from a UK based company that delivered to Ireland because I was happy to take advantage of the favorable euro to pound exchange rate . I wanted a specific sigma lens and wanted it delivered within a week. I found Fotosense.co.uk the cheapest at around 405 Euro. Their internet site told me it was in stock and they guarentee 2-5 days delivery so I gave them my credit card details......

After trying to track my order online and failing to get any information from Fotosense's website I rang them up. I was told my lens had been sent and would arrive within 3-5days. 5 days later I rang to check up on my order as they had already taken money from credit card and it still hadn't arrived. I was then told that stock was delayed for a week (a bit of a surprise as the week before I was told my lens had been sent!). I cancelled my order immediately as I had lost faith in the company once I had discovered they had lied to me about my order.

So I though I would live my local Cork camera shops a ring! 2 shops quoted me 550 Euro for the same lens, 150 Euro more than I was going to be paying for the UK import :eek: and only one shop had stock. So I didn't hold out much hope for a good deal in an Irish shop.

Went in to Denis McSweeney's Cork, I was quoted 399 Euro but they had no stock either:(. They said they would check with a supplier and ring me back the next day. And as promised I was contacted next day and told they have my lens and I can pick it up at 4pm. I was amazed! Can't praise their service or the friendliness of staff. I am a real shop convert. I don't think I will be buying anything of value from internet retailers again.......

And I love my new Lens!!!!!:)

Just thought I would share my rant about bogus internet dealers and open up a discussion about Real Shops Vs. Internet Shops for expensive camera equipment! I realize this is only one bad experience and that there may be a number of great internet camera retailers that provide reasonable shipping to Ireland. I would be interested to here peoples experiences.

NB. I am new to SLR photography and new to this photography thread so I apologize if I am going over old ground.

Paulw

As with anything else, it's important to know where you are buying from.

Some online stores are more reputable than others.

You can get great prices and service from some online stores.

Also, there are many shops (brick buildings) who offer brilliant service and a good price.

It always pays to shop around, and not just for the lowest price.

Have fun with your new lens.

whyulittle

I bought my last bout of camera and lenses from Jessops and Kerso.

Very happy with prices and service from both.

Crispin

Thanks Paul!

Crispin

Unfortunately no stock of lens in either Jessops or Kerso. Have used Jessops when I was living in the Uk though and had no problems- but that was one of their "real" shops. Thanks for suggestions.

democrates

A) ONLINE
calumetphoto.co.uk - no problems, good packaging, very professional over the phone (the site doesn't calculate shipping to roi so they call you next day with the price and final confirmation), I've good confidence in them at this stage

digitalwonderworld.de - no problems

7dayshop.com - no problems

dabs.ie - no problems

microglobe.co.uk- got some stuff from them at a good price no problems, but another lens listed online in stock I cancelled after 3 weeks of calling each week to be told they would probably get it the following week.

amazon.co.uk - mostly ok no major problems, but damned annoying to find something you want only to discover when you login it either disappears from the listing and if you get past that by using the non-logged in link and try to buy the item you find during cart completion it can't be shipped to RoI :mad:.
I used to treat them as excellent but now with all the hosted stores they're partly another version of ebay, I'm very careful about who I buy from on that site now.

komplett.ie - seem to be getting out of photography gear, selection shrinking monthly, prices no great shakes and the first digital slr I bought from them had no english version of the instruction manual, no probs on delivery and packaging

Bricks and Mortar
camera exchange - often overpriced but on one lens I got a wee discount and filter thrown in, you can get a fair deal despite what the website suggests.

There is something to be said for the comfort of knowing you can bring a defective product back to the shop, I've been lucky so far buying mostly online. Time and again we see on this forum how important customer service is, I think owners make a big mistake where they don't empower staff to negotiate, and I was wondering, are they motivated by commission?

dave13

democrates wrote: »

A) ONLINE
calumentphoto.co.uk - no problems, good packaging, very professional over the phone (the site doesn't calculate shipping to roi so they call you next day with the price and final confirmation), I've good confidence in them at this stage

This links to a pretty dodgy website asking me to install various toolbars and add on's. Is it a typo? Just wondering which one you meant?

whyulittle

Should have been www.calumetphoto.co.uk - no 'n' in it.

Crispin

Time and again we see on this forum how important customer service is, I think owners make a big mistake where they don't empower staff to negotiate, and I was wondering, are they motivated by commission?

I expect more often than not with expensive electronics shops, salesmen will be motivated by commision. But as long as they aren't too pushy then thats fine. I like to feel I am buying something because I want it not because a salesman says I should!
Totally agree on the customer service too!

democrates

Ares wrote: »

This links to a pretty dodgy website asking me to install various toolbars and add on's. Is it a typo? Just wondering which one you meant?

As whyulittle sussed, I've replaced the wrong one now. These charlatans waiting to prey on people with dyslexia, is there no dog.