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B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 26th 07, 03:26 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Matt Clara
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Posts: 626
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

Yes, Castle Photo of Lansing, in business for over 25 years, is closing its
doors. I did buy all my darkroom chemistry from them, but B&H and all the
rest (meaning Adorama and a couple others) can't be beat for most items,
including paper, even though it commands a premium in shipping 'cause it's
quite heavy. Castle Photo was a great resource, though (if you talked to
the right individuals), and I will miss them.

The one good thing to come out of this is great sale prices as they seek to
dump their inventory. I picked up a bunch of stuff there yesterday for
40-50% off, including this ballhead for my medium and large format
equipment:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sku=272989&is=REG (cost me $75--they
normally charged $125 for it). Also, a couple filters, some photo paper,
two fidelity 4x5 holders, a strobo frame reflective light modifier, and a
couple other odds and ends. Paid $250 for what would have cost me $450 (at
their prices, anyway).
Yes, yes, I know--I'm part of the problem.

--
www.mattclara.com


  #2  
Old May 26th 07, 03:45 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with myhelp, unfortunately)

Matt Clara wrote:
Yes, Castle Photo of Lansing, in business for over 25 years, is

closing its
doors. I did buy all my darkroom chemistry from them, but B&H and

all the
rest (meaning Adorama and a couple others) can't be beat for most items,
including paper, even though it commands a premium in shipping 'cause

it's
quite heavy. Castle Photo was a great resource, though (if you

talked to
the right individuals), and I will miss them.

The one good thing to come out of this is great sale prices as they

seek to
dump their inventory. I picked up a bunch of stuff there yesterday for
40-50% off, including this ballhead for my medium and large format
equipment:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sku=272989&is=REG (cost me $75--they
normally charged $125 for it). Also, a couple filters, some photo

paper,
two fidelity 4x5 holders, a strobo frame reflective light modifier,

and a
couple other odds and ends. Paid $250 for what would have cost me

$450 (at
their prices, anyway).
Yes, yes, I know--I'm part of the problem.


We're all part of the problem, but I don't think B&H is the culprit.
There is a general decline in the number of people who do darkroom work.
There is a general decline in the number of people who do prints at
the store. People are getting great (to them) photography from P&S
cameras and they can send the files to Wal*Merde and drugstore chains,
and others and pick up their $0.19 prints the next day... this after
doing whatever suits them in photoshop...

The two store/labs closest to me have closed, one was an E-6 processor.

A third store, a Nikon specialist, is now an "Apple Authorized Reseller"
and the Apple area of the store is about 2/3 of the customer walkin
area. They also process E-6. They do stock 120 negative but not 120 E6...

The times they are a changin and it is due to the internet, digital and
the fast paced lives that people live.

Cheers,
Alan

--
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  #3  
Old May 26th 07, 06:06 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
=\(8\)
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Posts: 186
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

Thats the problem with local shops they don't feel that they have to compete
with the places on the internet. A local store here closed up after nearly
50 years because they didn't feel they had to compete. They sold everything
at suggested retail, all sales were final even if a product was defective
they wanted you to deal with the maker, etc. I told them that they can do
that and stay in business and they couldn't now they are gone.

We have one more store here a Shutterbugs they charge suggested retail for
nearly everything, they too didn't have a return policy until I e-mailed
them and told them that without a return policy I would have to continue to
shop online so they now have a 15 day return policy though the stress that
it isn't to be used to buy something, test it out and then return it if you
don't like it. It is incase there is something wrong with the item
(defective).

It floors me how many local stores simply don't get it. I will always shop
online when I can get a better deal. They need to understand this or they go
bye bye plain and simple. I have no sympothy for businesses this stupid.
This is a global world now when it comes to shopping we don't have to put up
with high priced local stores with poor customer policies, support and
before sale support. Screw'em is what I say if they can't keep up or are too
worried about the extra couple of bucks.

=(8)

  #4  
Old May 26th 07, 06:12 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with myhelp, unfortunately)

=(8) wrote:
I told them that they can do that and stay in business and they couldn't
now they are gone.


So you gave bad advice?

;-)

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.
  #5  
Old May 26th 07, 06:24 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Oliver Costich
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Posts: 204
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

On Sat, 26 May 2007 10:26:33 -0400, "Matt Clara"
wrote:

Yes, Castle Photo of Lansing, in business for over 25 years, is closing its
doors. I did buy all my darkroom chemistry from them, but B&H and all the
rest (meaning Adorama and a couple others) can't be beat for most items,
including paper, even though it commands a premium in shipping 'cause it's
quite heavy. Castle Photo was a great resource, though (if you talked to
the right individuals), and I will miss them.

The one good thing to come out of this is great sale prices as they seek to
dump their inventory. I picked up a bunch of stuff there yesterday for
40-50% off, including this ballhead for my medium and large format
equipment:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sku=272989&is=REG (cost me $75--they
normally charged $125 for it). Also, a couple filters, some photo paper,
two fidelity 4x5 holders, a strobo frame reflective light modifier, and a
couple other odds and ends. Paid $250 for what would have cost me $450 (at
their prices, anyway).
Yes, yes, I know--I'm part of the problem.


The real culprit in the demise of the local photo store is Ritz in its
various guises. In south Florida, where there millions of people,
there are about 4 real photo stores and all are more than 25 miles
away (far north or south), if you exclude the Ritz/Wolf ones.
  #6  
Old May 26th 07, 06:58 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Paul J Gans
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Posts: 719
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

In rec.photo.digital.slr-systems Matt Clara wrote:
Yes, Castle Photo of Lansing, in business for over 25 years, is closing its
doors. I did buy all my darkroom chemistry from them, but B&H and all the
rest (meaning Adorama and a couple others) can't be beat for most items,
including paper, even though it commands a premium in shipping 'cause it's
quite heavy. Castle Photo was a great resource, though (if you talked to
the right individuals), and I will miss them.


The one good thing to come out of this is great sale prices as they seek to
dump their inventory. I picked up a bunch of stuff there yesterday for
40-50% off, including this ballhead for my medium and large format
equipment:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/sitem/sku=272989&is=REG (cost me $75--they
normally charged $125 for it). Also, a couple filters, some photo paper,
two fidelity 4x5 holders, a strobo frame reflective light modifier, and a
couple other odds and ends. Paid $250 for what would have cost me $450 (at
their prices, anyway).
Yes, yes, I know--I'm part of the problem.


No. We all are. The world is changing and those of us over 25
have a hard time keeping up.

I have no idea what shopping will look like in 2015, but I'm
quite sure it won't look anything like it does today.

--
--- Paul J. Gans
  #7  
Old May 26th 07, 07:03 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Paul J Gans
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Posts: 719
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

In rec.photo.digital.slr-systems "=\(8\)" wrote:
Thats the problem with local shops they don't feel that they have to compete
with the places on the internet. A local store here closed up after nearly
50 years because they didn't feel they had to compete. They sold everything
at suggested retail, all sales were final even if a product was defective
they wanted you to deal with the maker, etc. I told them that they can do
that and stay in business and they couldn't now they are gone.


We have one more store here a Shutterbugs they charge suggested retail for
nearly everything, they too didn't have a return policy until I e-mailed
them and told them that without a return policy I would have to continue to
shop online so they now have a 15 day return policy though the stress that
it isn't to be used to buy something, test it out and then return it if you
don't like it. It is incase there is something wrong with the item
(defective).


It floors me how many local stores simply don't get it. I will always shop
online when I can get a better deal. They need to understand this or they go
bye bye plain and simple. I have no sympothy for businesses this stupid.
This is a global world now when it comes to shopping we don't have to put up
with high priced local stores with poor customer policies, support and
before sale support. Screw'em is what I say if they can't keep up or are too
worried about the extra couple of bucks.


I agree with you about what is going on, but I think you
miss something important. A dealer that can order 1000
of a given lens will get a better price than a dealer who
orders 5.

The local guys will always have higher prices than the volume
sellers.

That battle has, in my opinion, already been lost by the locals.
The next battle will be over delivery systems and buying from
the on-line store with the best reputations *and* the best
delivery systems.

--
--- Paul J. Gans
  #8  
Old May 26th 07, 07:15 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Scott Schuckert
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Posts: 368
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

In article , 8\
wrote:

It floors me how many local stores simply don't get it. I will always shop
online when I can get a better deal. They need to understand this or they go
bye bye plain and simple. I have no sympothy for businesses this stupid.
This is a global world now when it comes to shopping we don't have to put up
with high priced local stores with poor customer policies, support and
before sale support. Screw'em is what I say if they can't keep up or are too
worried about the extra couple of bucks.


Well... if your local store charges list and didn't allow returns,
that's pretty extreme; BUT:

A small local camera store can never really compete on price. The
economics of purchasing and business expenses make it impossible.
They'll ALWAYS be higher, and must find ways to justify it; hopefully
ways that are cheaper than simply lowering the price.

This can be a better showroom, more knowledgeable employees; heck, even
a lounge/gallery with free coffee. All trying to win the customer's
business and loyalty.

And you know what? None of it means anything. Every year, customers pay
less and less attention to anything but the absolute lowest price. The
result is that the customer will never be able to handle cameras before
purchase, or ask questions after, because the local camera stores are
gone.

Does that make price conscious consumers part of a problem? Not really;
they're just voting for what kind of buying experience they want, and
will get.

Me, I wish it was otherwise, but my stores closed a long time ago. Much
as I loved the business, and honor the current survivors, the small
local camera store is a "dead business walking."
  #9  
Old May 26th 07, 08:24 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Happy Traveler
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Posts: 30
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

With the states pushing online retailers to collect their sales tax (and
some large retailers already complying), the equation is changing back in
favor of the locals. I priced several carbon fiber tripods and ballheads
yesterday in a local store, then compared to B&H. In most cases the
difference was between zero and $10. And then there is shipping: the
expense, the delay and the hassle if you are not at home when the brown
truck arrives. Not to mention that for items like a tripod, where ergonomics
is so important, putting your hands on the product before purchase is
crucial.
True, B&H has a much larger selection, but oddly enough, they were out of
stock on half of the items that the locals had on the shelf.


  #10  
Old May 26th 07, 09:23 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.large-format,rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
David Dyer-Bennet
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Posts: 1,814
Default B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with myhelp, unfortunately)

Happy Traveler wrote:
With the states pushing online retailers to collect their sales tax (and
some large retailers already complying), the equation is changing back in
favor of the locals. I priced several carbon fiber tripods and ballheads
yesterday in a local store, then compared to B&H. In most cases the
difference was between zero and $10. And then there is shipping: the
expense, the delay and the hassle if you are not at home when the brown
truck arrives. Not to mention that for items like a tripod, where ergonomics
is so important, putting your hands on the product before purchase is
crucial.


That last is a big point; one of my rules for myself is that if fondling
the merchandise in a local store was an important part of the buying
decision, they deserve the business. If they go out of business, I
won't be *able* to fondle the merchandise before buying. So bags and
tripods and such tend to be purchased locally. And sometimes they have
the right price on cameras and lenses, too.
 




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