Conns Cameras - bad experience

Slidinginfinity

kknikon wrote: »

I shop in Conns regularly as I like their attitude to putting their customers first.

Ya know that for a first post this screams of an employee or manager trying to spin a bit bad press.

Slidinginfinity

extratime wrote: »

Had the same thing happened had I bought elsewhere, I might have been left without a camera for a considerable length of time.

Don't be too sure of that as I know berminghams have a similar service and would be surprised if most other camera shop don't have a similar policy.

extratime

Slidinginfinity wrote: »

Don't be too sure of that as I know berminghams have a similar service and would be surprised if most other camera shop don't have a similar policy.

I may not have explained it well - I could have bought much cheaper from the UK, but not been able to get the same service. I actually got a much better deal on the camera from Conns than Berminghams (who were the first I tried).

Effects

kknikon wrote: »

I shop in Conns regularly as I like their attitude to putting their customers first. I bought a Nikon D700 from them last year. While on a job I let the camera fall by accident and damaged the on/off switch. When I brought the camera in to them to get it fixed, they immediately turned around and handed me a replacement D700 until I got mine back from repair. This is why I shop in Conns. I know I can buy on the internet and save lots of money, but as a working professional backup service like that is priceless.

Conns is a business and they take it seriously. I've noticed over the past year that several shops have closed, Pixels, Spectra, MacSweeneys, Jessops, Dublin Camera exchange (the small one!). They probably weren't selling enough to cover the rent, and the margins on cameras are probably small like all electronic equipment. The difference with Conns is that they provide service along with the sale which makes them different. Also they seem to have a very slow turn over of staff, and employ a large amount of staff which makes them a good employer.

Yeah, that ultra condescending midget has been there for years. He alone puts me off wanting to buy anything from them.

hoganpoly

Originally Posted by sineadw
And I've had some very negative experiences in there too, with all their sales staff.
In general in Ireland ,salespersons generally look after the regulars ,also most dont really know the products they are selling

_sparkie_

really? i have had nothing but good experiences in there. every time i go in there there is somebody right over to me asking if i need any help (i usually dont because i am just browsing) but it is nice to know there are people there to help.
i have always gotten a discount too, just ask and they are more then happy to give it to you. maybe you just caught somebody on a bad day?

mrboswell

kknikon wrote: »

I shop in Conns regularly as I like their attitude to putting their customers first.

hoganpoly wrote: »

Originally Posted by sineadw
And I've had some very negative experiences in there too, with all their sales staff.
In general in Ireland ,salespersons generally look after the regulars ,also most dont really know the products they are selling

It seem that unless you are regular or they see you with a wad of cash in your hand they can leave you there standing waiting for service.

I suppose if you are a regular and they look after you then why change?

However I think they are lucky to drum up any new business

Dublin_Gunner

Hmm, I've never had a bad experience with them.

They are a tad on the expensive side - but knowing you can just bring the item back if its faulty etc is a huge bonus over buying on the net.

I've always found the staff friendly and helpful, and I wouldn't exactly call myself a 'regular'.

I've also rented various video equipment off them, and they were always helpful in that regard, and always knocked a few quid off the price.

I guess every shop is going to have good and bad experiences.

VisionaryP

Conns have become much, much more competitive on price in recent months. I used to buy the majority of my equipment from Belfast, but for the last few purchases I've got some fantastic deals in Conns.

Thecageyone

I went in there for the first time the other day. I was left standing at the counter for about 5 minutes while 2 of them chatted away over to one side. I inquired about sensor cleaning pads and got pretty much a 'meh' response, and told I should leave the camera in for a wet clean ...€100 ... I told the guy I'd only just bought it, o no thanks. I just wanted the pads to have put by for when I actually need it cleaned. I bought a blower for €11 ... and I did feel like the guy serving me couldn't care less if I bought it or not. I think it's true shops like this only fall over themselves to help people with a big wad. If I'd showed interest in buying a full frame camera I bet he'd have been a lot nicer.

Loads of people seem to highly rate them, but it might be because thy were spending loads on each visit.

Slidinginfinity

I have been in a few times. Only ever bought a 52mm UV filter (that I never use any more) off the, but I have never left feeling anything less than taken care of. Sometimes a bit too much.

Their prices are getting better but still not great. I still prefer to pop in to gunns.

Kintarō Hattori

Thecageyone wrote: »

Loads of people seem to highly rate them, but it might be because thy were spending loads on each visit.

Ah I think it's a hit and miss thing really reading this thread. I've dealt with them on two occasions, once to buy a lens for €199 and another time when I bought a bag for €50. Not huge purchases but the young chap I dealt with was helpful and friendly, so I can't complain.

Thecageyone

It was probably close to their lunch when I went it. Having the camera around my neck would have told them I wasn't after one, but I might have been afte lenses And I did buy something. I wouldn't say they were ignorant or anything like it, but I did feel invisible for the first couple of minutes.

Bluessucker

@swingking
I am not surprised by what you experienced! I didn't bought nothing in that shop yet and I think I will not! I've been searching for some lens some time ago and expected to ask some questions. Well,yes-i waited for some 10 min or so and when His Holiness Mr. Seller afforded to hear my questions,all what I've got was traditional long drawn: Well... Sooo... Try this or that! Or-maybe try at another shop!
But I have to admit that such a stile does exist in nearly all shops around the Dublin! Total ignorance towards customers and have no understanding of what stuff does they are selling! You always get this traditional 'Try there' or 'Try this'!
It is time to understand that on-line shopping is more reliable and saving a nerves and money as well,by the way! In Conns they offer,for instance HD Digital Circular Polariser for over 200 EU which on Amazon cost not more not less,but 100 EU cheaper!
This is greedy and ignorant city - Dublin!

condra

I've been buying most of my stuff online, but the few times I've been in Conns, they've been very helpful and friendly. It's kinda pricey, but hey, it's a nice shop, in a nice part of town.

Bluessucker

@condra
Well,yes! Nice shop,nice part of town... Can't oppose! But story is about quality service first of all and yes-about prices as well.
You were lucky in your case (especially if you are a lady). Probably I am not lucky with shopping,but I somehow always getting into situations when sellers f*** down my mood and the rest of the day... Probably my Karma is working out,I guess.:)
In time when I was in Conns,customers right beside me asked for a photo paper (size and brand was called). Sellers instant reply was:Yes! No probs! He've got to the shelf where the photo paper was placed and started to rummage there... My intuition told me: He'll fail! Yess! He did! After some 5 min.(!) of sweating he got up from his knees and heard one more time so classical phrase in this city:Sorry about that!...
C'mon! This is not a stile of how business has to be run! Shame! Normaly the first turn after request could be towards computer where all data is stored,isn't it? Ah,c'mon! These are barren talks! If one is happy with shopping in Dublin - go ahead! I am buying on-line!
Sorry for this add,but any service in Dub is primitive! Any! People just living among illusions created by themselves that they enjoy modern civilisation in its full! Bull***! Just get to continent,America or -Yes! - even to Asia and you will see what does real competence and care of customers does mean!
Ah!...

condra

Welcome to boards by the way.

Bluessucker

Thanks! I am here for about couple of years already,by the way! I just kept my mouth shut...
Just don't be crusty,please and be honest to yourself and reality we are living in! To see a real state of things is such a great gift!

Thecageyone

usually I don't really care how shop assistants come across when I'm buying, I already know most times before I go in what I want. You're not there to find a lover, you're just buying. No different than getting your week's worth of shopping in Tesco ... which can often rise above the price of a prime lens!

Unless they get really sharp, then the guns come out. But for me, most important thing is the end price. What they'll throw in for free, if anything. Will they be as friendly if I have to come back in a few weeks because the gear failed? Have they half a clue at least about what they're selling? [end of the day, they're shop assistants, they don't have to know everything about every item, a loose idea will do]

Ever bought anything in a Game shop? That's where you'll find clueless.

Bluessucker

@Thecageyone
...Well,good for you! I grew up in society where people respected such a meaning like Ethics of Business. Accordingly on this the seller HAS TO KNOW as much as possible about all items in the shop. Maybe not in details,but in general mean definitely yes! The problem is that people in this country didn't experience a real capitalism- just so called 'wild' one. In real capitalism competition is ve-e-ery harsh and every one involved in certain business knows almost everything about all items company sells! That's why the competition in job market there is so harsh. In Eire? Ha! 'Hey,Bud! We have some vacant position of shop assistant. Don't you wanna take it?' And Bud who've been probably working just on building sites whole the life agree! Problems? What problems?! Bud is friend of mine! What's wrong with him?! And so it goes.... Just put a hair gel on the top of your brainless head - and you are on the pig's back! Customers? These fools will come one more time if something will go wrong!
So,yes! Nobody do not search for lovers when in shops (just mentaly sick probably do!)! But it is a shame when seller have no idea even of how pixels camera is! Isn't it? And they are get payed for this,by the way and happily enjoy their week ends in the pubs or where else! I call it a Shame! Though I do respect your opinion as well!:)

magicbastarder

can't say i'm a great fan of conns, but they are usually quick enough to ask if you need assistance if there's an assistant free.

jaybeeveedub

I've been using cons for years now, despite the prices, as has been said above you are paying for convenience. However you are also getting, free sensor cleaning for life with your camera, free replacement equipment of your gear needs servicing within guarantee, and rental for period away to get serviced at one-day rate if outside guarantee....

That said you have to know who to talk to.... there are two in there who I refuse point blank to deal with and I'd guess from the op's description of how he was treated he met one of them...

If you talk to Mike or Robert, you are quids in, most of the others are grand... and their printing is pretty good for bureau...

Hugh_C

Having initially been sceptical about Conn's, I did a project last year which involved a couple of cameras shooting time-lapse over a period of months and I needed a lot of advice. I was dealing with Bob who completely bent over backwards to accommodate us, couldn't have been more helpful. He has encyclopaedic knowledge of cameras.

I've been back for a couple of rentals since and again found them very helpful and prepared to deal.

Not always the quickest shop in the world but I think that's as much to do with their success and how busy they are as anything else.

H

Jimdagym

@bluessucker,
So Irish people are brainless, stupid, ignorant and rude en-masse. Acceptable customer service is a concept beyond our reach, and we don't understand capitalism.

Did I miss anything?

tommyl2010

ye sounds to me bluesucker has a problem with irish people not conns......bud!

Ive always used conns and never had a problem with them, i also find they know everything they need to know about the equipment, although im sure people ask very stupid questions that they cant answer that waste there time and then dont buy anything and go online and moan about it!

Thecageyone

Bluessucker wrote: »

@Thecageyone
...Well,good for you! I grew up in society where people respected such a meaning like Ethics of Business. Accordingly on this the seller HAS TO KNOW as much as possible about all items in the shop. Maybe not in details,but in general mean definitely yes! The problem is that people in this country didn't experience a real capitalism- just so called 'wild' one. In real capitalism competition is ve-e-ery harsh and every one involved in certain business knows almost everything about all items company sells! That's why the competition in job market there is so harsh. In Eire? Ha! 'Hey,Bud! We have some vacant position of shop assistant. Don't you wanna take it?' And Bud who've been probably working just on building sites whole the life agree! Problems? What problems?! Bud is friend of mine! What's wrong with him?! And so it goes.... Just put a hair gel on the top of your brainless head - and you are on the pig's back! Customers? These fools will come one more time if something will go wrong!
So,yes! Nobody do not search for lovers when in shops (just mentaly sick probably do!)! But it is a shame when seller have no idea even of how pixels camera is! Isn't it? And they are get payed for this,by the way and happily enjoy their week ends in the pubs or where else! I call it a Shame! Though I do respect your opinion as well!:)

Where did you grow up? You really do seem to have major issues with this country [don't we all?] But you really seem to detest it. Why live here if that's how you feel? You really get this riled up over one shop?

condra

Don't be so hard on Bluesucker. He has battled through an existential paradox and transcended reality. Everyone has eyes, but only Bluesucker can see.

Thecageyone

Profound stuff ...

swingking

I'm gonna compare my experience to another camera shop I visited. This shop has people who are very knowledgeable about the products, friendly and always leave you with a warm feeling when you leave. Not only that but they offer good prices and super after sales support.

The shop I'm referring to is Gunns on Wexford Street.

Why can't all shops be like that? It costs nothing to provide good customer service and comes with many benefits.

It's how all shops should be

Freddie59

Bluessucker wrote: »

@swingkingThis is greedy and ignorant city - Dublin!

Newsflash - that's not unique to Dublin. You'll get that (if you're unlucky) anywhere in the world. So go a little easy on us.:) Where are you from yourself BTW?