plichtas
Well-known member
Is it a good idea to get advice on cameras from Best Buy or Circuit City?
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Is Best Buy or Circuit City a good place to get info on cameras
- Thread starter plichtas
- Start date
Jeremy
Senior Member
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Jeremy
Supr X
Senior Member
. . . hmm
In person at the store:
No with an exception. I would suggest going to the store to hold the camera and to get a basic feel for overall camera performance. Other than that, no. Too many sales kids pushing megapixels specs in the stores
At the website to get specs, etc: Yes
You can get decent camera info at the sites
Best bet is to check sites like this for reviews
No with an exception. I would suggest going to the store to hold the camera and to get a basic feel for overall camera performance. Other than that, no. Too many sales kids pushing megapixels specs in the stores
At the website to get specs, etc: Yes
You can get decent camera info at the sites
Best bet is to check sites like this for reviews
M
Mark B.
Guest
Honestly, I can't believe someone would be serious asking this.
Mark
Mark
Montana500
Veteran Member
Maybe they are not a mastermind photo genius like you.
It is a great place to go and physically see the various cameras. I remember being absolutely positive I wanted a G5 or Sony DSC-V1 after they first came out so I went to CC to check them out. I didn't like either one and held off buying until the Pro1 was released. It is also a good place to buy if you "need the camera today" and can't wait for mail order.
I agree with the other posters here regarding the sales staff. Pathetic really. The last time I was in CC I was listening to a sales idiot talking to some customers about which "Canon" to buy. I was so disgusted at the sheer ineptitude of the sales person that I intervened to give some people the real scoop on several of the cameras:
"No that's not right, that ones uses AA batteries, and no, the A630 does not have IS, but the A710 over here does, and no, that is not a DSLR it is an S3IS...DSLRs are over there, etc." In a span of 15 minutes "I" sold three cameras and had a crowd of customers around me. The sales people know absolutely ZERO.
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G7 * Olympus UZI
I want a Leica M8, but I'll settle for a G7
I agree with the other posters here regarding the sales staff. Pathetic really. The last time I was in CC I was listening to a sales idiot talking to some customers about which "Canon" to buy. I was so disgusted at the sheer ineptitude of the sales person that I intervened to give some people the real scoop on several of the cameras:
"No that's not right, that ones uses AA batteries, and no, the A630 does not have IS, but the A710 over here does, and no, that is not a DSLR it is an S3IS...DSLRs are over there, etc." In a span of 15 minutes "I" sold three cameras and had a crowd of customers around me. The sales people know absolutely ZERO.
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G7 * Olympus UZI
I want a Leica M8, but I'll settle for a G7
bryan busovicki
Senior Member
With all due respect to the BB and CC employees......No!!!!!
I am sure there are exceptions, but most are young kids with no photographic experience. They typically either read the price tag with the info or the little card attached to some new cameras.
I am sure there are exceptions, but most are young kids with no photographic experience. They typically either read the price tag with the info or the little card attached to some new cameras.
Philnw2
Senior Member
I would say no as well. Our local CC had a very small selection of cameras, the Best Buy had the largest selection of cameras, but i have to agree with others, the knowledge of the sales staff was pretty unsophisticated. One of the sales staff at Best Buy was very kind to me and she had just bought a Sony H5, but didn't seem to be aware of the trade-offs. Also, BB didn't have a Canon A710. I found that in the Office Depot Store.
I've found that the local office depot store to have occasional sales that are very good. That resulted in me buying my last computer from them and after that a laptop a few years later. Unfortunately they were sold out of the A710 which they were selling for $279, which is lower than some online places. Again, the knowledge is nowhere as good as you'll find online like in this forum.
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Phil
I've found that the local office depot store to have occasional sales that are very good. That resulted in me buying my last computer from them and after that a laptop a few years later. Unfortunately they were sold out of the A710 which they were selling for $279, which is lower than some online places. Again, the knowledge is nowhere as good as you'll find online like in this forum.
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Phil
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gail
Guest
It's really wrong to generalize when responding to a question like this. I've been helped by some who know nothing and others who have been quite knowledgeable. You can get poor advice in any store, including camera stores. If you buy online you may get no advice.
The best defence is to educate yourself before you head to a store.
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gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Canon SD700, S2 & A510; Panasonic FZ3, Nikon 5400
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm
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gail
Guest
I recently bought a LCD HDTV...not an easy task if you haven't kept up with this technology or don't take time to understand all the variables. I visited about six different stores, some more than once, over a four day time period and asked a lot of questions. The help I got at Best Buy was amazing. I doubt I could have found many others as knowledgeable as the three salespersons who helped me.
So again, it's difficult to generalize about salespeople.
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gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Canon SD700, S2 & A510; Panasonic FZ3, Nikon 5400
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm
So again, it's difficult to generalize about salespeople.
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gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Canon SD700, S2 & A510; Panasonic FZ3, Nikon 5400
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm
RF John
Active member
about the same as the LCS but their staff are pretty much useless for anymore than basic questions. The NY photo houses give good prices but they do not have the time to be bothered with tech advice.
My advice is to look for a good LCS, ask their advice and when the time comes to buy - give them the business in return.
My advice is to look for a good LCS, ask their advice and when the time comes to buy - give them the business in return.
Greg Gebhardt
Forum Pro
I know people who have purchased from Circuit City and the items turned out to be used or returned.
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Greg Gebhardt in
Jacksonville, Florida
D Two Xs times 2 (spare)
G Seven
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Greg Gebhardt in
Jacksonville, Florida
D Two Xs times 2 (spare)
G Seven
My 2¢.
Everyone seems too be blaming the sales staff. OK so maybe they aren’t the best for knowledge but if you go in with knowledge that you have learned at a site such as this or others. Or listening to friends and family. And know pretty much what you want than buy it.
With the exception of my very first digital that I bought while on vacation on a Caribbean Island. And that was a whim and I had to take the advice of a sales person (knowledgeable or not) all my other Canons have been bought at BestBuy or Circuit City 5 total.
I’ve been very happy with my purchases at either store.
Price as been good, and if something did not work right at least the return store was local.
So I say learn what you may want about 1 or 2 models than buy the one you want at BB or CC
Kakarp
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Everyone seems too be blaming the sales staff. OK so maybe they aren’t the best for knowledge but if you go in with knowledge that you have learned at a site such as this or others. Or listening to friends and family. And know pretty much what you want than buy it.
With the exception of my very first digital that I bought while on vacation on a Caribbean Island. And that was a whim and I had to take the advice of a sales person (knowledgeable or not) all my other Canons have been bought at BestBuy or Circuit City 5 total.
I’ve been very happy with my purchases at either store.
Price as been good, and if something did not work right at least the return store was local.
So I say learn what you may want about 1 or 2 models than buy the one you want at BB or CC
Kakarp
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ne beginner
Senior Member
... Camera stores, big boxes, mail order. Not always returned, but sometimes opened by the sales folks to show customers. Always look at the box before you buy ... unfortunatelty many camera and lense boxes are not factory seeled. BUT often you can tell just by looking at the box flaps and tabs ... when you open the box, flaps should be stiff and unbent. Then look inside at the contents for signs that things have been repacked.
If I think something has been opened, I ask for another one. You're paying your hard earned money for a new fresh out of the box item.
If it's been opened\returned, and looks OK to you, and you don't mind, you might be able to get a discount. I bought a G5 as a close out from Circut City ... the display model, but with the box and all materials. It was already discounted $75 as a discontinued model, and $100 off as a display model. I got another $100 off after some negotiation ... net was about $225.
One reason I like B&H is that everything I've bought from them has been fresh and unopened ... over the years 4 SLR's, 7 or 8 lenses, 4 or 5 P&S cameras, and assorted flashes, filters, etc. They do enough volume to have fresh stock, and the don't seem to mess around with passing returns off as new ...
If I think something has been opened, I ask for another one. You're paying your hard earned money for a new fresh out of the box item.
If it's been opened\returned, and looks OK to you, and you don't mind, you might be able to get a discount. I bought a G5 as a close out from Circut City ... the display model, but with the box and all materials. It was already discounted $75 as a discontinued model, and $100 off as a display model. I got another $100 off after some negotiation ... net was about $225.
One reason I like B&H is that everything I've bought from them has been fresh and unopened ... over the years 4 SLR's, 7 or 8 lenses, 4 or 5 P&S cameras, and assorted flashes, filters, etc. They do enough volume to have fresh stock, and the don't seem to mess around with passing returns off as new ...
ne beginner
Senior Member
Really the best advice as noted by others on this thread is to do your homework, know what you need, come up with a short list of cameras, then start shopping. Use local stores to "touch and feel", and don't let them sway your decision. Sometimes BB and CC, Ritz, local camera stores, can have a good price, sale, etc ... and there's always the fun of getting the camera that day vs. waiting .. sometimes worth a few bucks.
I used to try and support the local camera stores. Over the years, however, as the business has changed, I find that the sales folks at the few remaining local camera stores have changed as well. On the whole more experienced than what you'll find at Best Buy or CC, but that's no guarentee for the best recommendations and advice. All to often they are pushing what they've been told, or have very biased points of view on what you need based on asking you a few questions. They often know enough to "sell" you into something they have on hand.
Recently I went to the camera local store looking for sensor cleaning supplies ... figured I'd pay more, but could ask some questions and get some good advice (they advertise themselves as experts on DSLR's). It became very clear that none of the 3 people I talked to had any first hand experience cleaning a sensor. AND all they wanted to do was sell me several over priced cleaning products that I had never heard of (after researching here and other sites, I know what he most popular products and methods were, and figured they would be selling those ... they had none of those items!).
I used to try and support the local camera stores. Over the years, however, as the business has changed, I find that the sales folks at the few remaining local camera stores have changed as well. On the whole more experienced than what you'll find at Best Buy or CC, but that's no guarentee for the best recommendations and advice. All to often they are pushing what they've been told, or have very biased points of view on what you need based on asking you a few questions. They often know enough to "sell" you into something they have on hand.
Recently I went to the camera local store looking for sensor cleaning supplies ... figured I'd pay more, but could ask some questions and get some good advice (they advertise themselves as experts on DSLR's). It became very clear that none of the 3 people I talked to had any first hand experience cleaning a sensor. AND all they wanted to do was sell me several over priced cleaning products that I had never heard of (after researching here and other sites, I know what he most popular products and methods were, and figured they would be selling those ... they had none of those items!).
M
Mark B.
Guest
Never been to Best Buy or Circuit City, huh? No genius here, but it doesn't take much to know more than their salespeople, trust me.
Mark
ivan137613
Senior Member
Well if one picks Circuit City to buy their Camera at they should find out if it's one they are planing to close soon. this is what I read yesterday in my news paper.
Maxwell Smart
Senior Member
Genius?- no. Thirteen years old?- probably.
plichtas wrote:
"No, Don't ever fix your camera. My Dad bought a 200 VCR. It broke. He was dumb and paid 200 to fix it."
plichtas wrote:
"Why are Digital Rebels so much more than Film Rebels?"
plichtas wrote:
"Is it true the Ultra II and Extreme III give you much better video quality due to less dropped frames? Will a high speed card give you better quality photos as well?"
plichtas wrote:
"I was told camcorders have great video and bad pictures and that cameras have great pictures and bad video. I was told the companies do that on purpose so you buy one of each?"
RF John
Active member
I'm not blaming them for anything.
However in my experience, as a group they are not knowlegable about any of the products they sell. Whether it is a computer, refrigerator, camera or vacuum cleaner at best the sales staff can be counted on to tell you whether the item is in stock or not. Many of the sales staff are high school age part timers.
For whatever it is worth I have found that cameras, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, etc., can be bought at non-box stores at good prices from sales people who really know their products.
I have listened in on a lot of misinformation being dispensed at Best Buy and Circuit City. As with buying cars, you have to come in prepared and well researched.
However in my experience, as a group they are not knowlegable about any of the products they sell. Whether it is a computer, refrigerator, camera or vacuum cleaner at best the sales staff can be counted on to tell you whether the item is in stock or not. Many of the sales staff are high school age part timers.
For whatever it is worth I have found that cameras, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, etc., can be bought at non-box stores at good prices from sales people who really know their products.
I have listened in on a lot of misinformation being dispensed at Best Buy and Circuit City. As with buying cars, you have to come in prepared and well researched.
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