Stupidly funny things overheard at your local camera store

Seamaster007 wrote in post #9016159
Oh how true the 2nd statement is...

The sad thing is even the children see what a sham it all is.

As is the dancing around the customer is never wrong.

Overhead an 18-year old clerk at a local Future Shop say this to a customer:

"I've been working here for 3 months now, and in that time I've learned everything there is to know about cameras and photography."

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

One local pro shop used to keep a 30x40 inch print from a Nikon D1 (2.7 MP) over the sales desk. Whenever a customer insisted on having only the highest MP model because it "took better photos," that print would come down and the salesman, a pro photographer with over 20 years of experience, would gently explain to the customer that mega-pixels didn't always matter.

The unfortunate effect was that the customers would then head for Future Shop, where they would buy the latest, greatest, highest MP camera from the 18-year old kid who had only worked there 3 months but had still managed to learn everything there was to know about photography and cameras...

The most stupidest thing I heard when my local camera shop when I bought the 400d, "Oh no, the microdrive isn't compatible with the 400d". I laughed and scoffed at them....just as well I was right, hehe

Brikwall wrote in post #9018180
One local pro shop used to keep a 30x40 inch print from a Nikon D1 (2.7 MP) over the sales desk. Whenever a customer insisted on having only the highest MP model because it "took better photos," that print would come down and the salesman, a pro photographer with over 20 years of experience, would gently explain to the customer that mega-pixels didn't always matter.

The unfortunate effect was that the customers would then head for Future Shop, where they would buy the latest, greatest, highest MP camera from the 18-year old kid who had only worked there 3 months but had still managed to learn everything there was to know about photography and cameras...

You see you are never too old to learn something new. He now has gained valuable knowledge as a salesman to add to his photographic experience. If he learns the lessons provided to him.

When I worked in a camera shop I learned a similar lesson. I think it is related to the customer is never wrong idea. If customers have already made up their mind don't fight (or try to educate) with them or you will lose the sale. Certainly don't criticize their choice. They will feel shame to buy it from you and go somewhere else.

There is a difference between selling something to someone and someone buying something from you. A point I made to a customer or two who was not happy with a product they told me was good but did not WANT (or trust) my input.


But I do love the fact that one can work for Future Shop for three months, get paid AND learn everything there is to know about photography and cameras. In three months as well. Really they should be charging people to work there and call it a school not a store.

I'm sooooo disappointed that it's taken me this long to only get this far!

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PhotosGuy wrote in post #9018712
I'm sooooo disappointed that it's taken me this long to only get this far!

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Do I detect a faint hint of sarcasm?

20droger wrote in post #9019275
Do I detect a faint hint of sarcasm?

Very faint...

Just think how far ahead I'd have been if I worked there for a year? Maybe Hollywood! Bollywood!

Let's see, it takes six month to learn "everything there is to know about cameras and photography." So, after a full year you'd be in the realm of avant garde research and experimentation.

Now you've actually been shooting how long? If you had been there all that time people would be using your work as a standard reference, instead of dear old Ansel, and you'd be on a first-name basis with the Pulitzer Foundation.

See what you lost out on by working where you did/do?

Damn, i knew i should have taken that poorly paid job as a counter jockey at (insert large retail chain here).

"I am working for National Geographic now (just as a hobby of course as my work easily surpasses their level due to the 6 months at (insert large retail chain) and it gets boring displaying at the National Gallery every week."

Yeah, but just how many fantastic photos of Scottish sheep can National Geographic publish or display in the National Gallery each week?

Its not the content - its how its taken!

All my photos are award winning - i just have very low judging standards!

I'm still laughing about the etch-a-sketch