Where do you draw the line to shop local? (+10%, 20%)

[acs55812]

I have only one choice of a local camera store, the prices are what I think are quite high. Example 1, right now 30D body only $1299.00 and they won't budge on price, Example 2,--1 gig SD card $30.00 Example 3, I bought a Sony P&S last summer--saved about 30% by purchasing online. A month or two back I got a 30D and 17-55 lens online.

I am in need of some lenses and would like to do local business, but I just can't justify the cost difference.

This is a sales store only, service items are all shipped out.

[DDA]

I guess the answer depends of the price of the item you start with...

I am ready to pay a bit more to buy in a local store where I can have good advice and service. However, I just bought my 100-400 online. I paid under 1600$ (yes, it's more expensive in Switzerland than in the States :-( ) and in any shop I've been (and it's quite a few) it was always above 2000$!!! I won't pay 25% more solely for advice and service.

On a small item, I may be willing to pay a proportinnally bigger premium for the convenience..

[PaulDB]

I personally now only use local shops when I need the item urgently. Recently I was going to a family event and decided i urgently needed a 17-40L (yes i know!) so I went to a local shop and just bought it out right. There was prob about a 15% difference in price compared to online.

Foolish impulse buys aside, I can't justify not shopping arround for the best price. If there was only £20-30 in it the convenience of local shopping wins but other wise...

[nicksan]

I live in NY where taxes are very high so I try to find a online retailer or buy used locally with cash.

However, I have purchased my 24-105 new when they were on sale and during fall rebates last year.

I buy all my filters via online HK shop.

I'm not really into the "supporting my local shop" thing, especially when the shops are the "big boys"....like B&H. I'm sure they'll manage fine without me.

That said, if I can get something at B&H for the same (taking into account the shipping costs I would pay for online purchases) I might consider B&H.

[simwells]

It depends on the item and my mood to be honest, I do like to support the little local family run shop though

[grimreaper]

never bought any camara gear fro a shop , always got it online it maybe nice to help out the small local , but i would rarther help meself out tbh :D

[joegolf68]

I've just found that local can not compete due to sales tax of almost 8%. I have bought a few items like camera bags or small items while in the store if they look like something I could use. BUT, for items more than about $100, the saving is just too great via the web. I try to avoid going to small stores to look for an item that I want, check it out in the store and then go to the web. I can do this at a big store, but feel too guilty to go into the small shops and do this, so I don't. I don't see how small Mm and Pop camera stores and other speciality stores can even stay in business. I have been using mail order for longer than most people when I discovered the saving way back in the 70's with golf equipment. I could save sometimes up to 50% by ordering from out of state.

I often shopped at Las Vegas Discount Golf back then via mail order. All of a sudden the franchise expanded everywhere, and within a few years most of them had to close their doors. They certainly beat the pro shop, but when people found they could save even more by mail order, these shops just collapsed all over the country. I bet here in Sacramento at the height of the fad, we had fifteen type shops. Now I suspect we have about five. I would think the small camera shops are about the same. Maybe that is why Canon made sure to get the M3's to them first so as to keep them in business a little longer because they could sell at full MSRP. Not a bad idea, but if I were B&H, I'd be on the phone to Canon negotiating a better deal, or threaten Canon some way. You'd think B&H would have some power in this area.

[Ukuleleman]

I'm in the UK and the three camera shops in my town are all the same company,'Jessops',
their prices are outrageous on many things and glass is one of them, When I bought my 17-85 I saw it in Jessops for £600.00, a third more than I had just paid on the net, have a look at my sig, over £5000s worth of gear and the only thing I didn't buy on the net was the Jessops hard case and a couple of lens pens, If you look at it merely from a financial point of view the local shops are on a loser, but what I really like is the choice, no question of 'We haven't got it in but we can get it'! don't give me that, I know I can have it by tomorrow and I know half a dozen places where it is in stock.

[JackProton]

I would have bought my XT locally but the price was about $200-300 more at the time not including tax. Right now, they're selling the 30D and 17-55 IS VERY close to the B&H price (around $100 difference at most) but the 10-22 is going for $200-300 more. Unfortunately, they don't carry the EVIL Sigma line at all ("Sigma flash!? You'll blow up your camera!").

I'd prefer to but my stuff locally because they're VERY good about exchanges and returns. I wouldn't mind paying maybe $100 more but once its over $200 or 20%, my inner miser kicks in.

[wonny]

I never buy big ticket items at the local stores. The prices are too high AND you have to pay taxes on those high prices.

I usually get smaller items like cleaning supplies, rechargeable batteries for my flash or things that I want to try out before purchasing, like bags.

[AaRonBurgundy]

The shop i started dealing with usually gives good prices,and advice on new camera pieces.And they will take your older camera stuff on trade,and actually give you good money for it if its higher end.Like buying my tripod...gave me $40 off the tripod,and $30 off the head.Only just started dealing with them,but have had good chats with manager,so have bin getting good deals and now were on first name basis.Since im a beginner also gives good advice since hes bin shooting for the past 18-20 years.

www.photoexpert.com is the shop,of course i ll buy other camera equipment used if its a good deal online or in local buy n sell

[blue_max]

My view is that the camera manufacturers need to supply their products to real shops at a price that allows them to compete. They give a service and that needs to be factored in. If they don't, they depend on their clients loyalty and that in turn depends on their service.

I get much better service on this forum! Also I tend to buy second hand.

With a shop you pay for advice and convenience. If you have time to check prices, chances are you won't buy there, so I think they know their market and exploit it to the full. It's the same with all businesses.

To be honest, there are so few left that it makes little difference. Certainly the one local to me is full of point and shoots. There were also far too many staff milling around and staring at computers.

If you want to give to charity, give to charity.

Graham

[ed rader]

My view is that the camera manufacturers need to supply their products to real shops at a price that allows them to compete. They give a service and that needs to be factored in. If they don't, they depend on their clients loyalty and that in turn depends on their service.

I get much better service on this forum! Also I tend to buy second hand.

With a shop you pay for advice and convenience. If you have time to check prices, chances are you won't buy there, so I think they know their market and exploit it to the full. It's the same with all businesses.

To be honest, there are so few left that it makes little difference. Certainly the one local to me is full of point and shoots. There were also far too many staff milling around and staring at computers.

If you want to give to charity, give to charity.

Graham


at my local shop some of the guys will tell you not to buy sigma if you are buying third party.

when i was looking at the 17-55 two of the fellas said it was not a great lens and one advised that i get the 16-35.

one salesman told me to use the cheapest UV filters because it really makes no difference (some people believe this).

i always ask what DSLR a salesman owns and not one owns a DSLR (that i've asked).

i shop at my local camera store for necessities and when i gotta have something now.

i don't go there for advice or fellowship or any sense of loyalty.

ed rader

[MeNiS]

i buy all my gear online.....at the cheapest deal i can get from a reputable store. no store loyalty for me.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Basically I go by what I can get it from bh for. If the price is really comparible, I will buy local. But if I can wait for the product and the tax that I pay local will not be comparible to the shipping I would pay, then I will buy from bh.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I get my gear from B&H in 2 days or less, ground shipping. Plus, I don't have to pay for gas (my "local" store is about 35 miles away, and very expensive). I wouldn't buy local even if I had to have it.

If I had a truly "local" store, I wouldn't pay more than B&H cost plus 3x shipping cost.

[gjl711]

I use my local Wolf camera often for the small stuff like if it’s less than $100 total. Just picked up a bag there. It was about $5 more than online but being able to try it on for size and fit was well worth the $5. If the purchase is going to be sizable then I almost exclusively go online and look for the lowest price amongst just a handful of online stores.

[sheawyatt]

Ha, local? You're kidding right? In Canada almost everything is marked up so high it hurts. Example: I'm shopping around for a 055MF4 tripod - $480 CAN at a local store, $334 Can from B&H. Even with shipping, it is 40% more to buy locally. The only local purchases I've ever made are used gear, for cash, from other photographers, never from the used section in a store.

[mcmadkat]

I never buy from my local camera shops, prices are 30% over web, and a 50 mile drive is not worth it.

Plus I buy 99% of my gear 2nd hand, and save loads!

[BTBeilke]

In my area, we have a really good local store. They don't advertise it, but when I asked if they did any internet price matching, the owner told me he would sell me anything for $10 over the B&H price as long as I pay cash (no credit/debit cards due to the transaction fee they have to pay). Of course, sales tax can be an issue. But I'm sure you all know that many states require you to declare anything bought out of state on your income taxes (even if you drove to another state and bought something in a real store). And I'm sure that all of you in those many states actually do track and report such purchases. ;)

Plus, most of the salespersons at this store are actual photographers and seem pretty knowledgeable. And they will make sure that your receipts have the proper dates on them for rebates and such. ;) So, I try to support them when it makes sense for me. However, when I bought my 5D, the tax issue just added too much to the price, so I bought from B&H.

[Mac]

My local camera shop sucks...he marks some of his stuff up over the MSRP, and his selection is nothing. Of course he is mainly a studio that tries to sell gear.

Now within 2.5 hours of me are 2 good shops. One shop will knock his price down for me on big items...I bought my 100-400 from him for only $50 more then BH. I pick up little items all the time from him. Of course his service is awesome, as well as selection...so I don't mind paying a little more for that. So if I am in the area, and need to snag something, I have no problem stopping in and paying a little extra.

[303villain]

I know im going to sound like an A-hole here, but I never shop at any of my local stores for cameras or lenses. None of them have half a clue about what they're talking about. I had a guy at a local store tell me not to buy a 5D because it was basically a 30D with more megapixels and his buddy bought one and it blew up 2 580ex's. BLEW THEM UP!? They tried to tell me that there was no reason to buy an L lens unless I was a full time pro and that I was wasting my money....

Some of the shops around here have reasonably knowledgeable staff but prices are usually about 20% higher than BH or adorama. I buy from them.

Funny thing is...I just applied for a job at one of the *more* reputable local shops because Im in dire need of a job. Ill probably still buy from BH cause im sure the employee discount isnt that great!

[ACDCROCKS]

Tax alone gets me.

[Jim G]

For me... the local store (there's only one decent local store other than JB Hi-Fi which has about the same prices) wanted $2300 for the 24-70 and $1600 or $1699 for the 135L - which could be ordered online for $1780 and $1289 respectively. For $20 shipping for the both of them onto my doorstep in 20 hours the $800 odd savings is a no-brainer... even if there's a problem and I have to ship back and forth once or twice I still come out WAY ahead. That saved money will go a long way towards another lens or a new body...

Don't get me wrong, the local store is full of really nice people and I have a lot of fun hanging out there chinwagging about photography (and buying CF cards, they have very good prices on those) but when there's an option that's $800 cheaper for two lenses...

It's probably this thinking that killed off cornerstores. ;)

[mmahoney]

Most local stores really don't have the profit on sales to allow a lot of discounting and mainly try to capture the amateur market like point & shoot or low-end DSLR sales where the buyers are less price savvy.

I've not been in a local store for over three years, except once about two months ago for an emergency umbrella bracket purchase .. which was $55 :evil: and the same one online is $15 :confused:

B&H for me,
Mike

[HoRnYTuRbO]

i always buy from B&H cuz if i order it early i can get it the next day without paying the nextday fee and state tax =P

[braduardo]

I buy some of my film stuff at my local shop, and once in a while I will pick up something cheap there, but there is NO way I would shop there for major purchases. The markup is unreal. $600 over B&H for a 5D, $400 over B&H for a 70-200 f2.8 IS, $1300-1400 for a 30D... Why even bother? Once you throw in sales tax, the cost is just stupid.

When I bought my flash, I asked them about price matching, and they told me they would match the only other local shop (and the big box stores). They were nice enough to offer to drop from $299 for the 430EX to $279. So I went to Sam's Club and bought it for $239...

[CoolToolGuy]

Fo me, it varies. Other than the Ritz in every mall (rarely worth going there), there are two businesses worth going to - Penn Camera/Camera Mart & Service Photo. For quite a few things Penn Camera meets or beats the B&H price. After that, it sometimes helps seal the deal for the shop if I can touch, feel, and take it home today - even if they are higher than an Internet price. Service Photo is a bit snobbish and way overpriced, so I have never gotten anything of signifigance there.

Once I go online, I rarely stray from B&H - its not worth taking the risk. If B&H is out of it and I see it someplace else that I can trust I'll get it from them.

I would like to see the local shops be able to compete and survive, as it is nice to have a good one nearby when you need something. Plus, they are part of the local economy, and that makes for a better place to live.

My 2 cents.

Have Fun,

[dave kadolph]

Depends

Bought a refurb 24-70 that went south just a few months out of store warranty and my local shop in Grand Rapids made it right with no questions asked.

Have purchased both local and online but with service like that buying in your hometown looks a lot better.

[jarias]

I always give my local store the option 90 percent of the time the match the price and they also got me a mark III when all the shops have started selling them online (ebay)since they can get 1300 over retail. I think if you devolope a realation with them they will do what they can to keep you as a customer.

[gjl711]

.. I think if you devolope a realation with them they will do what they can to keep you as a customer. That may be true for mom and pop shops where you can have that time and develop a relationship, but the couple of stores around here are chains. Though I do not frequent them on a weekly or even monthly bases, pretty much every time I walk in it's all new sales people. Makes it about impossible to develop a working relationship.

[ibdb]

I am considering a purchase on-line that would run a little under $1100.

The nearest shop (an overpriced chain) doesn't carry it, and the person I spoke to didn't have any idea if they could order in the item or not, as they'd just started and didn't know anything about the ordering process. :rolleyes:
The next nearest shop (another overpriced chain), carries it, but didn't have any in stock, wouldn't order it, didn't know when they'd have any in stock again, and couldn't be bothered to find out. :evil:
The next nearest (25 mile round-trip) local shop couldn't quote me a price, as they don't carry the item, would have to special order it, and can't even be sure what the cost to them will be until after they order it, so they couldn't even guess at my cost. ???
The next nearest shop (getting into the 30 mile round-trip range) also doesn't have it, but can order it, and expects the cost to me out the door to be about $1600. :(
The next nearest shops would be 50+ miles round-trip, and remain in the $1600 - $1700 out the door range. :(:(I buy local whenever I can, but for a 50% premium for next to no value added, there's no way. . .