Stupidly funny things overheard at your local camera store

I'm 18, yeah. And I mean I don't look like I just got out of elementary school or anything either. This was at Future Shop, not a camera store (I've never had a problem at say Henry's, they're always pretty cool). I've been in a few times since as they have a 7D body on display (just curiosity). Same guy there every time and I've not said a single thing to him.

KeKeKumba wrote in post #8940395
When I was buying the nifty fifty not too long ago I asked to see the 50mm f/1.4 as well and then the 70-200 f/4. The guy wouldn't even let me touch the 70-200, and said it was for 'serious photographers only' a

Not sure what his problem was either, but in their store if you happened to drop that lens and break it, you would not have to pay for it. That is likely his concern. Customers inside of stores that accidentally break something do not have to pay for the item though they are sometimes coerced into paying.

I'll give some examples from the other side of the counter...

There was a customer who brought in some film (lots) and was wondering how quickly it could all be processed; she insisted that I take the film with me to the lab so they knew exactly what it was. So, I grabbed a roll, and went back to the lab to see how long it would take. On my way back out into the store, I dropped the roll onto the ground. The lady got hysterical: I had ruined her prints! Now they were all out of focus!!!
The store manager came over, picked up the roll, shook it slightly next to his ear, and responded: No, I think it will be fine. She didn't believe it until the prints were made.
...

The camera store I work for sells protection plans that cover just about everything. A guy came in, baggie with electronic parts in it, wondering if the plan would cover his dog getting a hold of it. We laughed until he dumped out the bag, showing the various electronic bits mangled, and with bite marks all over them. Knowing the answer didn't matter, I jokingly asked: "Is this all of it?!" As I start to laugh, the guy stopped dead, and responded: "Oh...... Do you need that? I can have the rest tomorrow."

bjyoder wrote in post #8944490
I'll give some examples from the other side of the counter...

There was a customer who brought in some film (lots) and was wondering how quickly it could all be processed; she insisted that I take the film with me to the lab so they knew exactly what it was. So, I grabbed a roll, and went back to the lab to see how long it would take. On my way back out into the store, I dropped the roll onto the ground. The lady got hysterical: I had ruined her prints! Now they were all out of focus!!!
The store manager came over, picked up the roll, shook it slightly next to his ear, and responded: No, I think it will be fine. She didn't believe it until the prints were made.
...

The camera store I work for sells protection plans that cover just about everything. A guy came in, baggie with electronic parts in it, wondering if the plan would cover his dog getting a hold of it. We laughed until he dumped out the bag, showing the various electronic bits mangled, and with bite marks all over them. Knowing the answer didn't matter, I jokingly asked: "Is this all of it?!" As I start to laugh, the guy stopped dead, and responded: "Oh...... Do you need that? I can have the rest tomorrow."

Maybe that lady thought her camera was an etcha-sketch.

DStanic wrote in post #8933980
Years ago I tried to get a job at futureshop- went to one of those job fairs. They never called me back for an interview. Maybe cause I know too much...

I had the same situation happen to me at Ritz. I was looking for a job during one of my p[periods of layoff from the aviation industry and I went to one store with my resume. The manager at that store told me he didn't have any openings, but sent me to another store where his wife was the manager. I left my resume with her but never got called back. I think it was for the same reason...

Same here, when I applied at ESPN and SI.

JWright wrote in post #8947897
I had the same situation happen to me at Ritz. I was looking for a job during one of my p[periods of layoff from the aviation industry and I went to one store with my resume. The manager at that store told me he didn't have any openings, but sent me to another store where his wife was the manager. I left my resume with her but never got called back. I think it was for the same reason...

Ben- at what store do you work?

And as for dropping off resumes/appls, people don't automatically call you. Trust me, I don't know to how many places I've applied since June...

When i went to a camera shop out of town where i live, shopping with the other half, i wanted to buy a quick draw camera bag just for when i go walking with the dogs and what not.

You know just a small simple bag, that you can quickly pull the camera out. Anyway took a small lowpro bag to the desk it was i think £79 or something. The old guy said:

"is this for a DSLR sir"

Me - "Yes, Just a small Canon 450D, just for walking around etc.."

"Oh you dont want this one then, you need this one here"

Me - "No its ok, thats a camera bag for stroage, i wanted this one to get the camera out quick if i needed too"

"you can get your camera out of this bag even quicker, much simplier"


So he wanted me to buy a camera bag 4x the price of the bag i picked up, that had a million pockets for lens that i dont own, and you had to put it down, un zip the top, remove a lens shelf to get to the camera that could ownly be stored without a lens on????

Never the less, i went back to my local camera shop who had the same bag i was looking, he gave me 10% discount and a free rocket blower for my sensor all for shopping localy

Anyone think they get a better commission on the expensive bag?

May not be commission... most sales people are encourage to up-sell on all items, especially accessories.

Sometimes I wonder if any of these sales people are actually into photography??

What qualifications do you need to be a camera store sales person??

KeKeKumba wrote in post #8940395
When I was buying the nifty fifty not too long ago I asked to see the 50mm f/1.4 as well and then the 70-200 f/4. The guy wouldn't even let me touch the 70-200, and said it was for 'serious photographers only' and that they had much cheaper alternatives. Instead of saying something, I just ignored him and grabbed some random Nikon body to check out (lol). He left the lens on the counter, so I picked it up and the guy literally turned back around and tried grabbing it out of my hands. Not exactly sure what his problem was. I should have grabbed it and bolted for the door as a joke.

If that was me I would've been tempted to go all Kanye West up in his shop.

"MF' do you know who I am?? I'm KARL JOHNSTON, B*!"
'From Grand theft Auto san andreas?'
"Uh sure...."

then bust out my 50D and hosed the place in a flurry of 6.3 FPS...

yogestee wrote in post #8957437
Sometimes I wonder if any of these sales people are actually into photography??

What qualifications do you need to be a camera store sales person??

Even though I started the thread, I think we're lucky here in Vancouver to have multiple shops like Leo's and BeauPhoto that have sales people that are all diehard photographers.

I've over heard and been told directly at least half a dozen times in places like ritz camera and BB that if you want better pictures you have to get the highest MP camera you can afford haha

Ive also noticed a trend of sales people trying to talk me out of my purchases but not to up sell me. I went into gamestop a few weeks ago and asked for an xbox360 and the guy replied "you dont want that"
I said "excuse me yes I do my old one broke and i want a new one"
His reply was "bring in the old games we'll buy them and you can buy a PS3, youll be happier" I walked out haha

Then yesterday i stopped in my local cellphone retailer and asked if they had the new touch pro 2, the guy says " you dont want that phone its only good for people who travel out of the country" again i walk away haha

yogestee wrote in post #8957437
Sometimes I wonder if any of these sales people are actually into photography??

What qualifications do you need to be a camera store sales person??

Unfortunately none!

TheHoff wrote in post #8957568
Even though I started the thread, I think we're lucky here in Vancouver to have multiple shops like Leo's and BeauPhoto that have sales people that are all diehard photographers.

The bricks and mortar camera stores here are not bad (Jessops and Calumet). They dont tend to upsell to much but they do try to get you buying accessories (filters seem to be a favourite - might be something to do with the % markup!)

Mike Photo wrote in post #8957713
I've over heard and been told directly at least half a dozen times in places like ritz camera and BB that if you want better pictures you have to get the highest MP camera you can afford haha

Ive also noticed a trend of sales people trying to talk me out of my purchases but not to up sell me. I went into gamestop a few weeks ago and asked for an xbox360 and the guy replied "you dont want that"
I said "excuse me yes I do my old one broke and i want a new one"
His reply was "bring in the old games we'll buy them and you can buy a PS3, youll be happier" I walked out haha

Then yesterday i stopped in my local cellphone retailer and asked if they had the new touch pro 2, the guy says " you dont want that phone its only good for people who travel out of the country" again i walk away haha

If anyone tried that with me - i would simply walk away - im there to spend money on what I want and not what they want to sell me. I am a great believer in the ethos that there are plenty of shops looking for my money so I will spend where i want and on what I want.