Almost bought 40D Friday, had one in hand.. but

I went into a local Camera store in Tampa ("NTP" I'll call them) to buy a 40D Friday, had cash in hand, and as bad as I wanted it I ended up leaving without one because the customer service was so bad.

I spent over 15 minutes in the store, playing with the 40D.. I must say I LOVE the new features of this camera, the viewfinder is a substantial upgrade IMO, the live view is what I've always wanted in my 30D, and the 3" screen is awesome, not to mention all the other upgrades that I have been itching to get since I heard about the new 40D.

When I was done inspecting the 40D and ready to buy, no one would give me the time of day - The 3 or so store clerks were talking it up with people that didn't seem interested in buying, all the while glancing at me with quick looks and not offering to help me or ask me if I wanted to buy... The entire staff seemed pretty snobby. I spent 5 minutes trying to get the attention of someone to buy from (seeing if they would at least acknowledge me, lol) to no avail.... I couldn't believe it!

While I was there there was also a guy buying a 1Ds Mark II for a "special price" and being intrigued I commented on how I could get a deal... the guy behind the counter said "spend a lot of money here" then walked off... LOL. The guy buying the Mark II bragged to another guy there about his "L" lenses and other equipment, even though no one had asked. For some reason I thought this was quite humorous, people hanging around a photo shop and bragging about all the equipment they have... even if no one asks The clerks certainly gave him attention.

Now I know I'm an amateur but I spend a lot of money on my cameras and glass, and I'm currently in the market for several more lenses (a couple of grand worth) plus a 40D, I guess that's not enough to even get acknowledged there I have some very nice overtime money coming and will be buying a few more "L" lenses but it won't be from them either.

So as bad as I wanted the 40D, I refused to give them my money. Some people on here may have just sucked it up and bought it from them and never returned, but I felt that I was snubbed for some reason and that was enough to convince me never to spend another dime there. Everyone will have the 40D's in the next week or two, so I refuse to reward them with my money for terrible customer service.

Going to stick with other camera shops and buying online, never any problems there and they WANT my money

[/end rant]

That's terrible. I'm sorry to hear that. I am in Tampa quite often since I have family there. I suppose I won't be spending any time in that shop!

I don't blame you, I just don't feel right giving a company like that my hard earned cash! It's all about customer service

I probably would have sucked it up and still bought from them....Ill always try to buy local...I hate the wait....doesnt matter if the cs is not up to par....as long as I get what I want.

Sorry to hear it happened.

...

They suck.

sorry to hear that. samy's camera here in l.a. is just the opposite. I was only buying a lowly 30D and 17-55IS and they were super cool. There were a dozen or more customers in the store too and the service was outstanding.

Hockeyphoto wrote in post #3843262
When I was done inspecting the 40D and ready to buy, no one would give me the time of day - The 3 or so store clerks were talking it up with people that didn't seem interested in buying, all the while glancing at me with quick looks and not offering to help me or ask me if I wanted to buy... The entire staff seemed pretty snobby. I spent 5 minutes trying to get the attention of someone to buy from (seeing if they would at least acknowledge me, lol) to no avail.... I couldn't believe it!

I always love posts like this.

What I find particularly hard to believe is that you have the nerve to say that the staff seemed snobby.

Have you ever worked in retail? Had one of the clerks walked away from a person that you thought wasn't interested, that would've been poor customer service. Maybe the person was interested, maybe they weren't, but a salesman should never just walk away from a customer to engage another customer unless the business with the first customer is concluded, or it's at a point which permits the salesman to help a second customer. What you think doesn't really matter. The salesman has to make the call. You think it was poor customer service because you didn't get helped. How do you know the "disinterested" customer wasn't talking to the salesman about ordering a couple of MKIII's or a 400mm f/2.8? Should that customer have waited until you were helped with your 40D?

Sorry, but I think you shot yourself in the foot. All too often, retail customers believe they're the only one in the store that needs help. You could've had the camera you wanted, but you couldn't wait an extra few minutes for another customer to be helped...

Steve Parr wrote in post #3843451
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I always love posts like this.

What I find particularly hard to believe is that you have the nerve to say that the staff seemed snobby.

Have you ever worked in retail? Had one of the clerks walked away from a person that you thought wasn't interested, that would've been poor customer service. Maybe the person was interested, maybe they weren't, but a salesman should never just walk away from a customer to engage another customer unless the business with the first customer is concluded, or it's at a point which permits the salesman to help a second customer. What you think doesn't really matter. The salesman has to make the call. You think it was poor customer service because you didn't get helped. How do you know the "disinterested" customer wasn't talking to the salesman about ordering a couple of MKIII's or a 400mm f/2.8? Should that customer have waited until you were helped with your 40D?

Sorry, but I think you shot yourself in the foot. All too often, retail customers believe they're the only one in the store that needs help. You could've had the camera you wanted, but you couldn't wait an extra few minutes for another customer to be helped...

Your bad. I know exactly what store he's talking about. You don't (or if you do, you don't suggest that you do). They ARE very snobby in there. It don't mean jack about working in retail. If they let him handle and touchy-feely with a 40D, that means someone had to have GIVE IT TO HIM from behind the counter. I can just see what happened. A preferred customer (who spends bucks in the store) walks in, and it's who can get to him first, who can get the commission.

Not trying to start a fight here, but I see where the OP is coming from, and how disappointing it is. Retail isn't what it used to be. I don't care what you say about it. Customer service is way down, in more ways than one. The addage of the "customer is always right" ain't so right anymore.

To the OP - great camera store in St. Petersburg, down on Central Avenue. Don't remember the name, it's been awhile since I was there, but they are friendly, well staffed, knowledgeable, and you'll feel right at home in there. Check them out.

Steve Parr wrote in post #3843451
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I always love posts like this.

What I find particularly hard to believe is that you have the nerve to say that the staff seemed snobby.

Have you ever worked in retail? Had one of the clerks walked away from a person that you thought wasn't interested, that would've been poor customer service. Maybe the person was interested, maybe they weren't, but a salesman should never just walk away from a customer to engage another customer unless the business with the first customer is concluded, or it's at a point which permits the salesman to help a second customer. What you think doesn't really matter. The salesman has to make the call. You think it was poor customer service because you didn't get helped. How do you know the "disinterested" customer wasn't talking to the salesman about ordering a couple of MKIII's or a 400mm f/2.8? Should that customer have waited until you were helped with your 40D?

Sorry, but I think you shot yourself in the foot. All too often, retail customers believe they're the only one in the store that needs help. You could've had the camera you wanted, but you couldn't wait an extra few minutes for another customer to be helped...

Steve, that's your opinion, I am drawing my opinion on the totality of the circumstances, not a brief synopsis of someone's experience. While posts of my nature bother you, your ability to discount someone elses so quickly tells me something about you. Why do you question my accessment of the staff?

Yes I worked a retail job in the past, and I am capable of seeing how the Staff handled me in that particular situation, given the full circumstances of what was going on in the shop and what other customers were doing. They were not too busy to handle me, and did not walk away from anyone to help me out... quite the contrary. They let me examine the camera on my own, which I didn't have a problem with, it was the arrogance and lack of acknowledgement that followed that bothered me. It WASN'T because they were busy helping customers, and others in the store came in AFTER I was already there, ready to buy, thank you very much.... I was in the store for 20 minutes, I knew what was going on.....

I really wish my post was "Another new 40D" with my review and lots of pictures and side by side comparisons to my 30D, but instead this is all I have....

And if you think it wasn't dissapointing to be waiting for something for months and give it up just because I didn't understand the stores situation, that's crazy. It took a lot to walk out of that store w/o my new 40D, I wanted it BAD. Trust me when I say the staff would have had to MISTREAT me for it to get to that...

That's all I'm going to say about that. Have a nice day!!

Steve Parr wrote in post #3843451
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I always love posts like this.

What I find particularly hard to believe is that you have the nerve to say that the staff seemed snobby.

Have you ever worked in retail? Had one of the clerks walked away from a person that you thought wasn't interested, that would've been poor customer service. Maybe the person was interested, maybe they weren't, but a salesman should never just walk away from a customer to engage another customer unless the business with the first customer is concluded, or it's at a point which permits the salesman to help a second customer. What you think doesn't really matter. The salesman has to make the call. You think it was poor customer service because you didn't get helped. How do you know the "disinterested" customer wasn't talking to the salesman about ordering a couple of MKIII's or a 400mm f/2.8? Should that customer have waited until you were helped with your 40D?

Sorry, but I think you shot yourself in the foot. All too often, retail customers believe they're the only one in the store that needs help. You could've had the camera you wanted, but you couldn't wait an extra few minutes for another customer to be helped...

I think that it total BS bigtime.

A GOOD salesman that cares about return customers will give the same service even if the customer is buying a microfiber cloth of $5.00.

He's seems to be the type of salesman (and so do you) that is there for the money/sale only. He will tell you what you want to hear. He thinks he can tell if the customer has cash buy looking at the way they dress.

Once I was waiting for a part at the service counter, I had seen a guy dressed like construction worker walk into a dealership and pick up a dodge viper. What does that tell you??? Never judge on image alone.

I would never buy from that store. Try returning a product the next day and see what a story he gives you, if he even talks to you. To me that is scum. I can smell them from a mile.

As far a I am concerned a customer should never beg for attention at a counter. A saleman should be there telling photography jokes, answering questions and just making conversation with all people at the counter as a group. This way no one feels left out. One of those customers will give you a sale without you even knowing it.


A man out taking landscapes with his new Leica drops it and finds the shutter has stuck. All alone he ponders what to do and wishes he'd brought a spare because in the field opposite, a white horse stands beautifully lit in the morning light. A photo opportunity of a lifetime. He remembers passing a camera repair shop and is about to set off when a voice tells him,

"Turn the camera upside down and tap the base"

He tries it and sure enough the camera is working perfectly again and he gets his shot. On his way home he decides to stop at the camera shop just to get it checked over and tells his story to the dealer. The dealer asks him if there was a white horse nearby to which he replies,

"Yes there was"

"Aaaah" says the dealer, "You were lucky it wasn't the black horse, he knows nothing about Leicas".

Thx

I often get the other problem. If I am browsing in a camera shop, especially one of the big chains, some teenage assistant usually rushes over to 'help'. This generally consists of demonstrating his lack of knowledge and trying to baffle me with long words. It can be amusing sometimes to baffle him back with really really difficult technical questions but usually I just ask to be left alone.

We have a store like that here, its called Ritz Camera. And Im in the same boat as you are. They suck at service!

Good customer service is all about engaging the customer. Acknowledging them also. Making constant eye contact. Clearly the OP's shop weren't like this. A shame, they lost out on a sure 40D sale.

I guess they were all excited their broken refurbished 1DSII was finally being sold (gotta go cheap for a reason)

Steve Parr wrote in post #3843451
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I always love posts like this.

What I find particularly hard to believe is that you have the nerve to say that the staff seemed snobby.

Have you ever worked in retail? Had one of the clerks walked away from a person that you thought wasn't interested, that would've been poor customer service. Maybe the person was interested, maybe they weren't, but a salesman should never just walk away from a customer to engage another customer unless the business with the first customer is concluded, or it's at a point which permits the salesman to help a second customer. What you think doesn't really matter. The salesman has to make the call. You think it was poor customer service because you didn't get helped. How do you know the "disinterested" customer wasn't talking to the salesman about ordering a couple of MKIII's or a 400mm f/2.8? Should that customer have waited until you were helped with your 40D?

Sorry, but I think you shot yourself in the foot. All too often, retail customers believe they're the only one in the store that needs help. You could've had the camera you wanted, but you couldn't wait an extra few minutes for another customer to be helped...

Well he did not really, and the shop lost out, so who was the loser, the shop, a good sales person should be able to judge different people needs and try and accommodate them. I see where the OP is coming from and I would have done the same thing, they should have at least had the decency to say sorry be with you in a minute. and who was to say he was not going to spend a few grand, just because he was only looking at a 40D, did not mean he was not going to buy a few L lenses.

After you get your 40D, go back and ask to try some L's on them... then leave without buying. Oh, make sure you let them know where you got you camera, why and why you're not buying the glass too.