Free training with Sony Camera

strandsman

I got a present of a SONY Alpha35 last Christmas from my wife, When purchasing the camera in a camera shop in Cork city, she was told there was a "HALF DAY TRAINING" as part of the Sony deal, Upon inquiring earlier this year about the training I was informed the training is held in Dublin and rarely in Cork as there is not sufficient numbers to hold a training course. This training location was not disclosed during the camera purchase because if it was the camera would not have been purchased because it would not make sense to drive to Dublin for a 4 hour course. I have been informed by Sony of further training courses but sofar they are all in Dublin, Are they selling so few cameras in Cork (munster) that they cant justify a training course there? Has anybody come across this also?

Gregor Samsa

strandsman wrote: »

Are they selling so few cameras in Cork (munster) that they cant justify a training course there? Has anybody come across this also?

I use Sony cameras myself, but they certainly don't sell as many SLRs as Nikon or Canon. Then only a subset of the people that buy the cameras will actually be interested in a half day training course. So it's quite possible that there isn't the demand for it in Cork/Munster.

According to Sony's T&Cs for the training promotion: (https://dslrtraining.sony.ie/terms.html)

9. The location of training is subject to change based on demand and availability.

So they have themselves covered on that front. That's not to diminish your disappointment in not being able to avail of the promo, just pointing out the hard facts.

It seems that the training is done by a Podge Kelly, who's based in Dublin (https://dslrtraining.sony.ie/). Maybe send him a mail and ask him about demand/availability in Cork?

AnCatDubh

phutyle wrote: »

It seems that the training is done by a Podge Kelly, who's based in Dublin (https://dslrtraining.sony.ie/).

OP - If I were you I'd make the effort and travel the distance for a 4 hour training session with Podge Kelly. Well worth the 3 hour drive either side of the training session imho.

strandsman

No way will i drive to dub. The cost of travel etc. My point is a camera was sold with free training as part of the deal, dublin was not mentioned. I live 15mins from cork city.How many people read terms and conditions in a shop near christmas? Why would my wife not take the word of a camera sales man.My wife was misled for the sale of a camera. I did email podge kelly months ago but got no reply. Typical of this country "i have your money now feck off" attitude. I thought the boom was over and the customer was back to being important, not so i'm afraid.

AnCatDubh wrote: »

phutyle wrote: »

It seems that the training is done by a Podge Kelly, who's based in Dublin (https://dslrtraining.sony.ie/).

OP - If I were you I'd make the effort and travel the distance for a 4 hour training session with Podge Kelly. Well worth the 3 hour drive either side of the training session imho.

AnCatDubh

strandsman wrote: »

No way will i drive to dub. The cost of travel etc. My point is a camera was sold with free training as part of the deal, dublin was not mentioned. I live 15mins from cork city.How many people read terms and conditions in a shop near christmas? Why would my wife not take the word of a camera sales man.My wife was misled for the sale of a camera. I did email podge kelly months ago but got no reply. Typical of this country "i have your money now feck off" attitude. I thought the boom was over and the customer was back to being important, not so i'm afraid.

Ah, you maybe misunderstanding me. I'm not arguing that you were / were not had in terms of your purchase. I'm simply suggesting that a 4 hour session with Podge Kelly is more than worth the 6 hour round trip from/to cork. Whether you see that or not is entirely your valid opinion.

The rest of the stuff you can have a wonderful barney with the poor ole camera shop assistant I've no opinion good or bad on why Cork (capital C) isn't on their go to destinations.

However, if I had bought a camera in Dublin with training in Cork, I'd jump at any chance of 4 hours instruction with Podge Kelly.

Anyhow, that's all i'm sayin'

pullandbang

strandsman wrote: »

camera was sold with free training as part of the deal, dublin was not mentioned. I live 15mins from cork city.How many people read terms and conditions in a shop near christmas? Why would my wife not take the word of a camera sales man.My wife was misled for the sale of a camera.

Was Cork mentioned by the shop?

strandsman

yes, it was mentioned by the camera (only) shop. So beware all of you who are going to buy a SONY camera, It's a nice bit of kit but don't expect free training unless you are from Dublin or surrounding area.

pullandbang

I just wondered, because in your OP you said

This training location was not disclosed during the camera purchase

so I assumed that NO location was mentioned and that you assumed it would be in Cork. Pity you couldn't justify the trip because it's worth doing the session. Nothing like hands on experience in the company of others and with an expert to guide you.

strandsman

pullandbang wrote: »

I just wondered, because in your OP you said

This training location was not disclosed during the camera purchase

so I assumed that NO location was mentioned and that you assumed it would be in Cork. Pity you couldn't justify the trip because it's worth doing the session. Nothing like hands on experience in the company of others and with an expert to guide you.

When i said training location i was refering to dublin. I agree with you about the training experience but we feel we were misled about the free training by the camera shop so they could get a sale.

pete4130

Thats what sales are about though. Sony have a police for free training. Ireland has a very centralised population with at least 25% of the people living in or around the Dublin area. It makes sense to hold bigger training sessions there as its more accesable to people from other places. Sony as a company didn't choose Dublin, Sony Ireland probably let the numbers dictate the locations. The shop/salesperson was passing on an offer available. I doubt they knew much of the details about the actual training content or location.

Dazzling D

If the customer can't be bothered to read all the terms and conditions then you can't expect the store assistant to spend their time reading them to you. Can't see that the store assistant deliberately misled the customer here.

sunny2004

Ok, I have a different view on this, I think it was a mixture of good salesmanship and your good wife not reading the fine print....

Anyway, I agree, the guy is worth the trip, but you clearly dont want to go up to Dublin,.

So I suggest you use Utube and do your training there, its free and you dont have to leave your home...

As for not buying the camera if the training wasnt included ? I am not sure I am getting that, are you saying you would not have the camera without free training ?