Cautionary tale of buying

minkynuts

My Partner needed a new compact camera, and needed advice on what to buy. so instead of going to somewhere like Dixons or Curry's she decided to go to a dedicated camera shop to get advice on what was the best camera to suite here needs so she went to the camera shop in Blanchardstown shopping center.
Sure enough they sold her a Fuji camera that suited some of her needs, for that partial information this shop charged her €150.00 more than Dixons etc. for the camera. Now I know small shops cannot compete with larger retail outlets, but come on, €150 extra is taking the P--s. So beware dedicated camera shops are just as likely to give you a bad deal as the big stores that sell all electrical goods

Rob:mad:

zerohamster

Unfortunate that that happened to your partner. I would say the best advice you can get is off someone who doesn't want money for it so it's a good idea to look up threads and there is also a thread here for what camera to buy which is handy for people who aren't sure what they need/want.
It helps be prepared so that you can hunt around for the best bargain before actually going to buy as usually buying without research you will find a better bargain afterward rather than researching and finding the best price.
Out of curiosity why did he/she buy the camera in the shop if it was €150 more? (did they only find out afterwards?)

CabanSail

I am afraid that you need to shop around. What she got, as well as advice, was the convenience of getting it there and then. She could have spent a day going around all the other stores and haggling the best price, in which case she would have bought it cheaper. If she had known the prices the other shops had the camera she may well have negotiated a better deal where she bought it. As it is she did not do that and was happy to accept the transaction offered. It sounds like she values her time.

Zillah

I just can't imagine ever buying something in a shop without at least checking the general pricing online first.

zerohamster

Zillah wrote: »

I just can't imagine ever buying something in a shop without at least checking the general pricing online first.

Same here, I would check prices and reviews and it takes time but you get what you want. I've even browsed shops (for the fun of it :rolleyes:) and then gone home/to an internet kiosk to check out reviews and price before buying.

minkynuts

But if my partner knows nothing about cameras what good is browsing the web if she does not know what the photographic terminology is, if she did she would have gone to Dixons in the first place. She wanted to have these things shown and explained.She only found out the price after she left the shop, and that is not a reason to return the camera

Rob

burrentech

minkynuts wrote: »

But if my partner knows nothing about cameras what good is browsing the web if she does not know what the photographic terminology is, if she did she would have gone to Dixons in the first place. She wanted to have these things shown and explained.She only found out the price after she left the shop, and that is not a reason to return the camera

Rob

Agree, its not easy to find someone to give unbiased advice, especially in today's economic climate.

Your partner could have tried checking the photography magazines. There are a number dedicated to digital photography. Even writing/emailing them with her specific requirements. At least it would give her an idea of what she should be looking for.

Had she used the shop before, or did she get a recommendation for that particular shop?

I guess its a little late to take the item back for a refund. A good lesson for the next time.

The shop keeper will lose out in the long run. I had a salesman that could sell anything to anyone, but you could guarantee that he never got repeat custom. I always made sure the customer was completely satisfied, the profit on an individual item might not be great, but they'll come back, and let their friends/family know. Nothing beats a good reputation in business. :cool:

harr

minkynuts wrote: »

But if my partner knows nothing about cameras what good is browsing the web if she does not know what the photographic terminology is, if she did she would have gone to Dixons in the first place. She wanted to have these things shown and explained.She only found out the price after she left the shop, and that is not a reason to return the camera

Rob

just get the advice from the dedicated shop find out what there option is and what make and model they were suggesting for your wife,tell them you will think about the buying the camera and will be back in a while and just go buy the same camera on line or Dixons,argos,currys,pc world or what ever shop was cheapest at the time
http://www.blanchardstowncentre.ie/Shops/Centre_Directory_.aspx

CabanSail

If you, or she, had come here first then you could have read through the dedicated sticky thread on the subject. You could have also looked at the various threads which discuss the merits of various Bricks & Mortar outlets around Dublin which have good advice & service.

Anyway .... I would say she has paid the retail price. Is she happy with the camera?

I recently had to buy a new Flash. Was getting a Nikon SB900. The local retailer, where I get my Prints, had it for $849. I could get it in Brisbane for $549 but in the end bought it from Italy of all places for $468 delivered. There is not tax on items into Australia under $2000 It pays to shop around & I did not need the advice from the retailers.

AnimalRights

Zillah wrote: »

I just can't imagine ever buying something in a shop without at least checking the general pricing online first.

You're someone who uses specialised internet pages......90% or so of shoppers are just that, shoppers.

Effects

If that's the case AR, they shouldn't complain about the price they pay as shoppers.

NakedDex

Even somewhere like Amazon is a good start for pricing online. They also usually have user reviews so it's a handy guide.
Shopping around within the area is also advised. Sure, it takes time and you will have to talk to the person in the camera store to get advice, but that doesn't mean you have to buy it there. If the camera store was €20/30 more expensive, it might be worthwhile for the after sales service, but beyond that you really need to be asking yourself how much you're willing to needlessly spend just for convenience.

Lately, I've been looking for a compact to have for days/nights out when lugging a bag of lenses and bodies isn't an option. I've probably been looking for about three weeks, checking prices and deals, and reading on their spec and reviews. I now know what I want was nowhere near what I originally planned on, where to get it and the cheapest prices.
Had I listened to the first guy I'd spoken to, I'd have been overcharged by €120 for a camera that lacked two of the options I really wanted.
Research is vital.

AnimalRights

Effects wrote: »

If that's the case AR, they shouldn't complain about the price they pay as shoppers.

Obviously they found out afterwards and then they are rightly angry...I mean you can't blame an innocent shopper who assumes everywhere is the same price and the diff in price in this case if accurate is shockingly OTT.

spinandscribble

AnimalRights wrote: »

Obviously they found out afterwards and then they are rightly angry...I mean you can't blame an innocent shopper who assumes everywhere is the same price and the diff in price in this case if accurate is shockingly OTT.

actually I think its common sense to shop around. You don't need to be internet savvy/frugal to know this. My father has never looked at a computer in his life but would shop around if he was buying something he didn't know about. He might go to dixons/pc world ect and compare contrast what they say.

What probably happened here is the OP's gf got excited and wanted the camera there and then. I've made a similar mistake once or twice, knowing in the back of my head I shouldn't buy the first one I see but the delusion of "sure they're priced all the same' set in.

Do I blame the specialist shop/first retailer i see the item in, for trying to sell their items at the RRP? No way I blame myself after and endeavor not to be so foolish.

Effects

AnimalRights wrote: »

I mean you can't blame an innocent shopper who assumes everywhere is the same price and the diff in price in this case if accurate is shockingly OTT.

Yes, you can. Anyone who expects a product to be the same price everywhere has no one to blame but themselves. The shop didn't hike up the price just for her. She might not have much knowledge of cameras but that's no excuse. I know it feels bad when it happens to you, but learn from it and move on instead of trying to blame someone else.

Zillah

AnimalRights wrote: »

You're someone who uses specialised internet pages......90% or so of shoppers are just that, shoppers.

Of course some people are going to be less net-savvy than others, but no one in this day and age has an excuse for not being able to go "I am thinking about buying X, I will now type 'buy x price review' into google".

challengemaster

AnimalRights wrote: »

Obviously they found out afterwards and then they are rightly angry...I mean you can't blame an innocent shopper who assumes everywhere is the same price and the diff in price in this case if accurate is shockingly OTT.

If you assume the first place you're walking into is the cheapest in the country, then you're the exact person being targeted by the price increase. You most certainly can blame the innocent ignorant shopper who didn't bother looking for a better deal. So no, they're not rightly angry. They weren't scammed or even ripped off, they just chose to pay the price without shopping around. The only person to blame is themself.

KylieWyley

minkynuts wrote: »

But if my partner knows nothing about cameras what good is browsing the web if she does not know what the photographic terminology is, if she did she would have gone to Dixons in the first place. She wanted to have these things shown and explained.She only found out the price after she left the shop, and that is not a reason to return the camera

Rob

Research and educate yourself. You'll learn things that will be invaluable to your future photographic journeys and you will become a shrewd purchaser that will, hopefully, save money.

You wouldn't purchase a car without researching the potential faults / cost of parts, etc. Yet, you wouldn't rely solely on the advice of a garage salesman for this issue. Shouldn't be much different with a camera / any non-trivial purchase.

Lesson learned. If you would like advice in the future on all things camera-related, the guys on here definitely seem to very helpful and knowledgeable

AnCatDubh

I understand the point that €150 of a difference - all things being equal - sounds a ridiculous differential particularly at the present time however the bit i can't get is that it is entirely up to the purchaser what they buy and for how much.

You can go into the shop, chat with the folks there and ascertain the model that wish to purchase or indeed come onto a forum like this or a hundred other such forums on the internet and end up at a similar conclusion. Then, continue to do your research and the shop's prices will either stack up or not.

Some people prefer the squeeze every cent out of a purchase and will literally buy from the other side of the globe to save a fiver. Others look at it and accept €50 or €100 of a price difference if they are making a significant purchase, to buy locally in the comfort that they can return it locally if they have a problem, etc... (or rationalise it in other ways - local support, nice people, supporting local jobs, etc...).

While I don't know the specifics of the case, it sounds like the shop had an offer price which was accepted and hence I don't think they are in any way at fault. Given what you have said they are probably 'guilty' of being pricey but hey, its their business. Staying in business is also their business. They don't appear to have been particularly pushy or with any 'sharp' sales practice - actually, to the contrary, from what you've indicated, they appear to have been helpful in the decision making process albeit aligned to their available product offering. But, at the end of the day, it is up to the purchaser.

It is unfortunate and I feel sorry for your plight (€150 is cr*p), but i'd hope the learning experience of the episode would be not to expect all things (cost in particular) to be the same when it comes to significant purchases, and to do some serious shopping around (online and bricks and mortar) before accepting what is being touted to you.

While it's of no comfort, I discovered today that identical chickens (same producer, farm, size, quality) cost €4 more when I buy it in a butchers store as opposed to pick it up in the local supervalu. Yeah...... I know...... chickens.....

CabanSail

AnCatDubh wrote: »

I discovered today that identical chickens (same producer, farm, size, quality) cost €4 more when I buy it in a butchers store as opposed to pick it up in the local supervalu. Yeah...... I know...... chickens.....

But the more expensive chickens taste better (as long as you know the cost). To prove the case, try the same chicken at the Restaurant up the road.

punchdrunk

Hi,can you tell me which camera it was?

minkynuts

Fuji 300 EXR

amdublin

So she bought it and THEN went off and looked at it's price in different shops and saw it cheaper elsewhere?

Why didn't she do that BEFORE she bought it

No one to blame but herself here.

Coriolanus

AnimalRights wrote: »

Obviously they found out afterwards and then they are rightly angry...I mean you can't blame an innocent shopper who assumes everywhere is the same price and the diff in price in this case if accurate is shockingly OTT.

I can. I don't mind asserting that anyone who buys a piece of consumer electronics that costs more than $20, without checking around, is a fool.

In the OPs case, his gf was in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Ignoring the internet for arguements sake, she could have left the shop and gone to look in any of the following: DID Electrical, Peats World of Elecrtonics, Sony Centre, Harvey Norman, Argos and Currys/PC World. If none of them had the exact camera, I'd be very surprised but at the very least they'd have something of similar spec that they could offer.

Edit: And with 5 minutes research, I find that argos sells the higher spec F500 model for E30 cheaper than the cameracentre sells the 300. :rolleyes:

pikaia

As they say, " it's only worth what you're willing to pay"