B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

Yes, Castle Photo of Lansing, in business for over 25 years, is closing its
doors. I did buy all my darkroom chemistry from them, but B&H and all the
rest (meaning Adorama and a couple others) can't be beat for most items,
including paper, even though it commands a premium in shipping 'cause it's
quite heavy. Castle Photo was a great resource, though (if you talked to
the right individuals), and I will miss them.

The one good thing to come out of this is great sale prices as they seek to
dump their inventory. I picked up a bunch of stuff there yesterday for
40-50% off, including this ballhead for my medium and large format
equipment:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sku=272989&is=REG (cost me $75--they
normally charged $125 for it). Also, a couple filters, some photo paper,
two fidelity 4x5 holders, a strobo frame reflective light modifier, and a
couple other odds and ends. Paid $250 for what would have cost me $450 (at
their prices, anyway).
Yes, yes, I know--I'm part of the problem.

 

We're all part of the problem, but I don't think B&H is the culprit.
There is a general decline in the number of people who do darkroom work.
There is a general decline in the number of people who do prints at
the store. People are getting great (to them) photography from P&S
cameras and they can send the files to Wal*Merde and drugstore chains,
and others and pick up their $0.19 prints the next day... this after
doing whatever suits them in photoshop...

The two store/labs closest to me have closed, one was an E-6 processor.

A third store, a Nikon specialist, is now an "Apple Authorized Reseller"
and the Apple area of the store is about 2/3 of the customer walkin
area. They also process E-6. They do stock 120 negative but not 120 E6...

The times they are a changin and it is due to the internet, digital and
the fast paced lives that people live.

Cheers,
Alan

 

Thats the problem with local shops they don't feel that they have to compete
with the places on the internet. A local store here closed up after nearly
50 years because they didn't feel they had to compete. They sold everything
at suggested retail, all sales were final even if a product was defective
they wanted you to deal with the maker, etc. I told them that they can do
that and stay in business and they couldn't now they are gone.

We have one more store here a Shutterbugs they charge suggested retail for
nearly everything, they too didn't have a return policy until I e-mailed
them and told them that without a return policy I would have to continue to
shop online so they now have a 15 day return policy though the stress that
it isn't to be used to buy something, test it out and then return it if you
don't like it. It is incase there is something wrong with the item
(defective).

It floors me how many local stores simply don't get it. I will always shop
online when I can get a better deal. They need to understand this or they go
bye bye plain and simple. I have no sympothy for businesses this stupid.
This is a global world now when it comes to shopping we don't have to put up
with high priced local stores with poor customer policies, support and
before sale support. Screw'em is what I say if they can't keep up or are too
worried about the extra couple of bucks.

=(8)

 

So you gave bad advice?

;-)

 

The real culprit in the demise of the local photo store is Ritz in its
various guises. In south Florida, where there millions of people,
there are about 4 real photo stores and all are more than 25 miles
away (far north or south), if you exclude the Ritz/Wolf ones.

 

Not really. It's all about the bottom line. If a store on the internet or
local has the best price on items I want they get my money. It's very hard
for local (in state) stores to compete with on-line merchants since the fact
that one can order on-line and not pay any sales tax. In most cases, the
savings alone from this is the dealmaker. And my local store is great, but
they usually don't have the items I want when I want them. Of course, they
could order them, but why when I could do the same and have the item sitting
in my hands the next business day? Local shops are a thing of the past.







Rita

 

No. We all are. The world is changing and those of us over 25
have a hard time keeping up.

I have no idea what shopping will look like in 2015, but I'm
quite sure it won't look anything like it does today.

 

I agree with you about what is going on, but I think you
miss something important. A dealer that can order 1000
of a given lens will get a better price than a dealer who
orders 5.

The local guys will always have higher prices than the volume
sellers.

That battle has, in my opinion, already been lost by the locals.
The next battle will be over delivery systems and buying from
the on-line store with the best reputations *and* the best
delivery systems.

 

Well... if your local store charges list and didn't allow returns,
that's pretty extreme; BUT:

A small local camera store can never really compete on price. The
economics of purchasing and business expenses make it impossible.
They'll ALWAYS be higher, and must find ways to justify it; hopefully
ways that are cheaper than simply lowering the price.

This can be a better showroom, more knowledgeable employees; heck, even
a lounge/gallery with free coffee. All trying to win the customer's
business and loyalty.

And you know what? None of it means anything. Every year, customers pay
less and less attention to anything but the absolute lowest price. The
result is that the customer will never be able to handle cameras before
purchase, or ask questions after, because the local camera stores are
gone.

Does that make price conscious consumers part of a problem? Not really;
they're just voting for what kind of buying experience they want, and
will get.

Me, I wish it was otherwise, but my stores closed a long time ago. Much
as I loved the business, and honor the current survivors, the small
local camera store is a "dead business walking."

 

Delivery real isn't a problem since venders like B&H, Adorama, and Cameta
have set the standards in this department. All three of these guys have my
stuff in my hands the next business day after placing an order.







Rita

 

With the states pushing online retailers to collect their sales tax (and
some large retailers already complying), the equation is changing back in
favor of the locals. I priced several carbon fiber tripods and ballheads
yesterday in a local store, then compared to B&H. In most cases the
difference was between zero and $10. And then there is shipping: the
expense, the delay and the hassle if you are not at home when the brown
truck arrives. Not to mention that for items like a tripod, where ergonomics
is so important, putting your hands on the product before purchase is
crucial.
True, B&H has a much larger selection, but oddly enough, they were out of
stock on half of the items that the locals had on the shelf.

 

That last is a big point; one of my rules for myself is that if fondling
the merchandise in a local store was an important part of the buying
decision, they deserve the business. If they go out of business, I
won't be *able* to fondle the merchandise before buying. So bags and
tripods and such tend to be purchased locally. And sometimes they have
the right price on cameras and lenses, too.

 

Actually, most local shops have a large selection of products, too, if you
include those items that they choose not to keep in their inventory. One
big difference between the locals and the big box stores is that you just
don't know what they can get for you because they don't send out a catalog
of their products.

Neil

 

I can remember 20 or so years ago reading about what shopping would look
like Today. Seemingly we were going to go online and design precisely the
product we wanted - a 2.735 meter long couch, for example - and it would be
delivered the next day.

I still need that couch.

 

Lobby Dosser spake thus:

Just as I'm still waiting for that backyard nuclear power plant ...


--
Any system of knowledge that is capable of listing films in order
of use of the word "****" is incapable of writing a good summary
and analysis of the Philippine-American War. And vice-versa.
This is an inviolable rule.

- Matthew White, referring to Wikipedia on his WikiWatch site
(http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

 

Rita Ä Berkowitz spake thus:

Yes, why indeed would anyone want that? Leaving aside:

o being able to talk with a real human being
o maybe a human being who actually *knows* something about what they
sell, instead of some marketroid on the other end of the phone
o doing research on where to get stuff (research you could do yourself,
but that they'll do for you)
o possibly giving discounts to repeat customers and those who buy a lot
of stuff
o spending money in your own community, instead of enriching someone
else out of town

Yeah, other than that, I guess local shops are useless and a waste of time.

Perhaps; more's the pity.


--
Any system of knowledge that is capable of listing films in order
of use of the word "****" is incapable of writing a good summary
and analysis of the Philippine-American War. And vice-versa.
This is an inviolable rule.

- Matthew White, referring to Wikipedia on his WikiWatch site
(http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

 

We have about five. I try to patronize them all. Online you buy what you
think you need. At the local store the staff help you choose what you
really need.

 

Yep. That's one of the things I like about living in Tokyo: lots of stores
with lots of knowledgeable staff. Lower population densities mean it's
harder for local stores (for anything other than necessities) to make a go
of it. (That the local stores here are price and service competitive with
anything on the net helps also.)

Our CEO sometimes comes along on my shopping trips, since the camera stores
either also handle things she needs or are along the way, and the fact that
the clerks can deal with her nerdy husband knocks her out every time. (The
other thing that knocks her out is the bevy of extremely well-dressed
elderly gentlemen leisurely fondling the Leicas in the used Leica department
that sits next to the used MF corner at one of my favorite stores, not only
the weirdness of the scene but that the staff had the patience to deal with
such customers.)

David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan

 

B&H gives you what you want. Mom & Pop's Photo Shop gives you
what you need.

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need.

M. Jagger/K. Richards

 

Not necessary in most cases and paying the extra premium simply isn't worth
it.

Irrelevant! Getting knowledgeable sales representatives on-line or in
person is always a crapshoot.

Hmm! Sounds like a set of training wheels or a crutch is what you want?
Never be dependant on others to tell you what you need or you'll need
everything just as long as the sales drone can make a commission off of you.

This applies to on-line merchants as well.

TOTALLY IRRELAVANT! I don't believe in passing out subsidies nor do I feel
I have an obligation to enrich a local merchant. The merchant need be very
competitive if they want loyalty and a chance at survival.

Only if they don't meet the customer's needs.

Good shops have staying power and bad shops, good riddance.






Rita