Closing down shop!

[SundanceStudios]

Just wondering how many here have been affected the hardest with the economic down turn? I had a shop in a semi-low income area, and this has pretty much been the end of that with a sharp drop of business in the last 7 months.

Also, how do you appraise your current stuff to sell on eBay? I googled a lot of the things I'll be selling, but couldn't really find any prices for it.

[mattograph]

Dude, sorry to hear about your luck. Best of luck to you.

[PeaceFire]

That really sucks, I'm sorry to hear that. :( As for prices, check out Amazon and see what gear is being listed for new and used (since they list both from several sources like Adorama and B&H) and price it from there. Usually that's a bit higher then what you can sell it for privately, though.

[airfrogusmc]

Really sorry to hear this..

GOOD LUCK.

[SundanceStudios]

Thanks for the words of support, and places to check for prices

[seth-trenda]

Sorry to hear that! I would check and see what they are going on ebay for. Thats what I do.

[LostShootingStar]

That's really sad to hear, hope everything works out! http://m08o1124znfu179.imageshacknow.info/img/2465/o09a0208gstn/POTNsmile.gif

[JMHPhotography]

I hate the economy... :(

[nprdavid]

am I going to be the first one to say that after 30 days and posts they can sell here?

classified (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=584522)

sorry to hear about closing down

[stathunter]

Yep the economy is a real stinker.......but no matter what keep a positive attitude. Things happen for a reason--- and all we can control many times is HOW we deal with what is tossed at us.

I just sent you a pm--

[Tcon]

Yep the economy is a real stinker.......but no matter what keep a positive attitude. Things happen for a reason--- and all we can control many times is HOW we deal with what is tossed at us.

I just sent you a pm--

Sounds like a quote from Victor Frankl's Man's Search For Meaning :D (one of my all time favorites)

Sorry to hear about your shop,
Rene

[Jon Foster]

We lost 3 studios in our area recently too. A real bummer.

If you are looking for price points on your equipment try doing a E-Bay search on your items but look at the completed auctions. It's a check box in the advanced search area. This will tell you what the items actually sold for or if the items even sold at all. Looking at how much things went for is a far cry from looking at the regular listings.

Sorry about your business.

Jon.

[Apexer]

Dang....are you sure you can't hang on for a bit ? Or at least hang onto your equipment ? One thing about the US, we are a resilient people, as is our economy. Things will get better.

[ultra big al]

OK I for one am a bit confused you just joined the forum yesterday and have two post both related to your closing shop because of a downfall in business and then your link to your E bay ad has you selling the Mamiya because you say your moving on to larger projects because of your success also you have your own studio but dont know what your equipment is worth? just doesnt seem to fit to me thats all.
Alan

[mattograph]

Hmmmm.......

[sapearl]

Well, it's true the post here doesn't quite match the "tone" on the Ebay ad, but maybe he's just trying to put an optimistic positive spin on a bad situation?

I agree the "success" part does strike one as being a bit misleading after what was said here, but hey, that's all part of the Ebay advertising thing.;) The fact is times are tough and I've seen photogs here close up their studios. Either way I wish you the best Sundance, and hope other projects work out for you.

OK I for one am a bit cofused you just joined the forum yesterday and have two post both related to your closing shop because of a downfall in business and then your link to your E bay ad has you selling the Mamiya because you say your moving on to larger projects because of your success also you have your own studio but dont know what your equipment is worth? just doesnt seem to fit to me thats all.
Alan

[Apexer]

The plot sickens......

[Tigershark]

very interesting indeed

[chris1965]

When times get hard you have to get out and hussle up work. my appointments are down dramaticaly. ive been lucky hitting group team shots for karate studios and team sports.

[HelenOster]

for prices, check out Amazon and see what gear is being listed for new and used (since they list both from several sources like Adorama ......

You need to be aware that the selling price of a used item listed by Adorama, is going to be approximately 30% more than we buy it in from a customer, to cover our departmental and advertising costs etc.


Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen.oster@adoramacamera.com
www.adoramacamera.com

[mattograph]

You need to be aware that the selling price of a used item listed by Adorama, is going to be approximately 30% more than we buy it in from a customer, to cover our departmental and advertising costs etc.


Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen.oster@adoramacamera.com
www.adoramacamera.com


And profit, I hope! :)

[stathunter]

Sounds like a quote from Victor Frankl's Man's Search For Meaning :D (one of my all time favorites)

Sorry to hear about your shop,
Rene

Interesting-- I have never heard of Victor Frankl -- will have to look him up.


Sounds like the original poster may not be as prepared for these difficult times as he/she should. Let me explain a little. Even though we are photographers and our industry has been around for a long time but the people who survive in the industry change and adapt.
It appears that the poster has never used Ebay before-- they have sold nothing and have zero rating. That makes me think that they may not be using the internet effectively or have experimented with the web. The poster does not even know the value of the equipment they are trying to sell. That leads me to believe they may not be on the leading edge of business. And lastly I sent them a note that I am willing to purchase items and yet to hear anything back -- maybe they are not responsive to their customers.
We need as business people to change and adapt. The dinosaurs did not adapt well either and look what happened to them.

[sapearl]

Couldn't agree more with you Scott...... wise words.

I came late to the digital game, a mere 3 years ago. I was hesitant to give up my beloved Hasselblads and was ignoring the handwriting on the wall. Once I mentally switched gears though it was full speed ahead...... made much less painful with the help of all the knowledgeable, talented, responsive and generous people here.

Looking back, it was a wise move on my part and the timing was almost TOO late. I am not making as much money as my tax guy says I should, but by changing and adapting I at least have the ability and understanding to effectively compete ;).

.....We need as business people to change and adapt. The dinosaurs did not adapt well either and look what happened to them.

[S7000]

Interesting-- I have never heard of Victor Frankl -- will have to look him up.


Sounds like the original poster may not be as prepared for these difficult times as he/she should. Let me explain a little. Even though we are photographers and our industry has been around for a long time but the people who survive in the industry change and adapt.
It appears that the poster has never used Ebay before-- they have sold nothing and have zero rating. That makes me think that they may not be using the internet effectively or have experimented with the web. The poster does not even know the value of the equipment they are trying to sell. That leads me to believe they may not be on the leading edge of business. And lastly I sent them a note that I am willing to purchase items and yet to hear anything back -- maybe they are not responsive to their customers.
We need as business people to change and adapt. The dinosaurs did not adapt well either and look what happened to them.

All valid points, however when you have a shop front, generally you're not thinking too much about the internet. Secondly, If you're selling from your shop front at asking price, you're not thinking about the internet. Thirdly, the reason most shop owners don't deal with Ebay is, everyone wants everything for nothing, and that's usually going to be around your cost price. If you're selling everything at cost, it's not worth getting out of bed in the morning...

Finally, as much as business needs to adapt, it needs to adapt properly, and in a profitable way (again, otherwise it's not worth getting out of bed in the morning).

Wait no. The dinosaurs were apparently wiped out by a meteor hitting earth. Whether they adapted of not, there's not much that could of stopped it happening... ;)

Ok. finally, to the OP. Good luck with your sales, I can't offer you any advice on Ebay because every day offers a different result. :)

[Gentleman Villain]

Wait no. The dinosaurs were apparently wiped out by a meteor hitting earth. Whether they adapted of not, there's not much that could of stopped it happening... ;)


damn straight and an excellent analogy! Right now, the meteor hitting the earth is the inevitable collapse of the US dollar. I wonder how many photographers have figured the end of fiat currency into their business model? Judging from what I've read in forums...not too many people are even aware that the meteor is coming

[mattograph]

damn straight and an excellent analogy! Right now, the meteor hitting the earth is the inevitable collapse of the US dollar. I wonder how many photographers have figured the end of fiat currency into their business model? Judging from what I've read in forums...not too many people are even aware that the meteor is coming

If that happens, being a photographer will be the least of your worries.

[Gentleman Villain]

If that happens, being a photographer will be the least of your worries.

I agree and would like to add that

if = when

[mattograph]

I agree and would like to add that

if = when


*memo to self. Rent Mad Max. Take notes.*

[Odie23]

damn straight and an excellent analogy! Right now, the meteor hitting the earth is the inevitable collapse of the US dollar.


I disagree with you to an extent. While it's true that the US dollar is in a tailspin, I do not see a total collapse of just the US economy. The dollar will greatly de-value, maybe to a two to one or at worst a three to one loss. (ie, it takes three dollars to buy what once cost one dollar) However, this is occuring globally. It won't be as bad as when Mexico's economy collapsed several years ago and the rest of the world kept pressing on, leaving Mexico close to a third world nation status. Today the 20 most industrilized nations on the planet are all dealing with recession (a downside to the global economy) and will realistically face a global depression similar to the US in the 1930's. The "plus" of this is that all economies will devalue to an almost equal exchange. (Look at the exchange rate for the US & Canadian dollar for an example of this occuring.) This global recession will prevent the US dollar from a complete collapse, but it will drastically retard the US dollars rebound as well. Will it get better? Yes, eventually. But the nations economy will not return to the "way it was" a few years ago. At least not in our lifetime.

So, keeping this tied to a photography forum, the cost of cameras will go up in the next few years.

Odie

[stathunter]

All valid points, however when you have a shop front, generally you're not thinking too much about the internet. .....

Phil -- Please do not take this the wrong way but this is where I disagree. The web is more vital tool for a brick and mortar location as any other type of business. Too many people have what I would call old school mentality about business.
The internet is where there is tons of information on many things, customer trends, pricing, competition, learning new skills, researching your customer, targeting your customer, marketing to your customer, etc etc.
If someone's business is stuff for example-- then even though you do not sell on ebay-- look on ebay and sell a thing or two-- understand how the process works. Also understand what other stuff customers are buying -- so when a customer calls you and says "oh, I can get that on ebay for less , yada yada" --- You can respond with information--- Yes Mr. Customer you can buy that on ebay but it does not come with a warranty or do you know the difference in quality in that product, or you might buy an inferior product etc etc.
Many companies fear the internet. No matter how dinosaurs died the key is they are gone--- and well we as humans are not. Adapt or die.