How do you guys handle rude Nikon shooters?

I used to work at major chain camera store years ago and if I recall Canon or Nikon (can't remember) would have big sales incentives. So the sales staff would push one brand over another, by telling the customer some BS story how this was better at metering, etc.

Considering how even things are, I wouldn't have doubted the sales staff was getting a bigger kick back from Nikon than Canon.

James P wrote in post #9920271
While purchasing my new 50D, the salesman, who had already been informed that this wasn't my first Canon, starting dissing Canons in general. He went on and on about how Nikon's flash and auto focus are superior to Canon. I had it in mind to rip him a new one, but I was so happy with my new toy, I wasn't about to let him rain on my parade. I was wondering how the rest of you would have handled this clown?

Did he work at Henrys? The first time I looked at the 7D (relatively soon after it came out) the sales girl let me play with it and still mentioned that she prefers the AF and colors of her D300. I really question whether she even got a chance yet to adequately test the AF of the 7D at that point!

And I agree, canceling the sale or returning it and talking to the manager would surely ruin his day... lol

I wouldn't have done anything.. If it was still convenient to purchase there, I would have just bit my tongue and bought it.

When I bought my wife's minivan with an on-board GPS (the kind with the software and maps loaded on a hard disk, no DVD provided) I asked the salesperson "When it comes time to upgrade the maps, what will the upgrade look like, will it still come on a DVD?" His answer surprised me: "You don't ever have to upgrade this. The maps and software are all on the satellites and are upgraded automatically." My response.. "Cool." I still bought it. BTW, the upgrades come on a DVD with an install program which loads them onto the hard drive.

Sometimes a knowledgeable salesperson is critical, sometimes it is not. If you are knowledgeable, it is not.

James P wrote in post #9920271
While purchasing my new 50D, the salesman, who had already been informed that this wasn't my first Canon, starting dissing Canons in general. He went on and on about how Nikon's flash and auto focus are superior to Canon. I had it in mind to rip him a new one, but I was so happy with my new toy, I wasn't about to let him rain on my parade. I was wondering how the rest of you would have handled this clown?

Walk out and spend your cash elsewhere. Sales staff are there to serve you, not to try and enforce their half-cocked opinions on you.

Most of them don't know a camera from a Cheese Sandwich anyway.

Smile and let him/her run their mouth, as long as he/she is bringing me my gear.

The next time I got an itch to go to that store to buy anything, I'd order from B&H instead.

At the camera shop I used to work at, we all had opinions. They weren't like this, though. We actually knew the strengths of which camera, would take a D5000 over a rebel XS but not a 50D, and actually gave good advice knowing both brands are good.
I just wouldn't buy anything from someone like this.

He's a salesmen, he's going to push whatever gives him the higher profit %. Just ask him what he shoots inside the store all day.

JWright wrote in post #9921337
I would have just set the camera down on the counter and walked out...

agreed.

I'd have flipped him the bird too but not buying the camera and reporting him to his manager would have been better.

opinions are like a#$holes everyones got one

How bout extending your middle finger ?

"Well, that all is nice to know, but I bought my Canon because of the superiority in low noise at high ISO at the time. Now would you like to sell me my stuff, or lose the commission?!"

I'm a little surprised at everyone's "knickers in a knot" over this. What happened to not letting your environment control you? It's like this place is filled with hormone ridden teenagers who cannot function in this world without drama.

You are a consumer. He is a retailer. It's his job (whichever company pays the perks to sell more) to upsell, refocus etc...but it's completely within your power to simply say "no thank you, I'm not interested". Done deal.

Your desire for a canon is not "lessened" by his opinion that a nikon is better.

But being a free country...everyone is allowed opinions. So ignore them, shop elsewhere, move on...but dudes...get over it. Life it way too short to care a fig what anyone else thinks of what you buy (good or bad).

Amen Permie!!

I'd have just asked for a bigger discount so they could get the lower quality merchandise off the shelf.

Next time someone starts giving you a hard time about brands, ask them:

What brand of camera took that famous picture of Lee Harvey Oswald getting shot?

What brand of camera got that famous photo of Marylinn Monroe over the street vent?

Which brand of camera got the last skanky photo of the latest Hollywood startlett making a fool of herself?

Get my point?

But then you can ask, "Guess which brand of digital camera was the first in history to get the official presidential portrait?"

That's right: Canon 5D Mark II.

I work at Best Buy. I'm a camera salesmen, but we are NOT on commission. So, when a customer asks me which is better, I ask them what they like to shoot, what gear they own, then recommend the current model in the proper price range from either side that will accomplish what they are trying to do. Camera bodies don't matter much anyways. When you are investing in a camera company, you are investing in glass, not bodies. Of course one brand will have a better body at a better price point this year. What about next year? or after that?