Overheard in Boston Camera Shop Today: How would you have responded?

Walked into a camera shop near Faneuil Hall in Boston today. Was going to see if they had the 74 mm UV filter for the H9.

Just as I walked in, I heard the guy at the counter, perhaps the owner, hold up a point and shoot and tell a prospective customer, "I would go with a Nikon, that's what I do my professional work with. The reason I would not buy a Sony camera is the same reason I would not buy a Sony car. Sure they make good electronics, and I like their music players. But they are not a camera company, so I wouldn't go with any of their cameras. Now Canon is another camera company you could go with. . . ."

I didn't say a thing, but just turned around and walked out.

How would you have responded?

I would of told him the strengths of a sony cam. I also would of respectively asked him what is wrong with a Sony? And possiblly showed him my best shots.

Those guys must have seen the reviews here on dpreview. Like the camera or not, it's up to the customer, not the opinion of the worker behind the desk.

So that said, I would of also asked him whats so good about Nikon & Canon's P&S range of cameras?

--



Alex Q

(Colors are playful: Sultry Red Oceanic Blue & White Lightning. Silver H5.)
(Brain infection? Thanks Sony.)

I would have said...Aren't you the same guy last year telling a customer not to buy a digital as film is the only way to get a true photograph?
--
Bill B
http://www.pbase.com/bill_b

It's like when I heard the salesman in CompUSA telling a customer that the Mac was mainly a game computer to play with. I informed the salesman that he obviously didn't know his products.
That's why people should log onto forums for technical answers.
--
Kelly Mcguire

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I rarely believe any salesperson. So, I would have ignored him. I think a lot of people feel the same, particularly after you've been stung once or twice before. It pays to do lots of independent research, before you listen to any of those guys.

Perhaps the sales guy has taken pics with the H9, or tried to call Sony customer service. I would never recommend the H9 to anyone. After my H9 experiences with Sony Customer Service, I will never buy another of their products.
--
http://www.joekleon.com

Walked!

Very likely the camera he held up had a Sony sensor and software in it.

People forget that Sony Video almost dominates professional movie and TV work. To assume that Sony knows nothing about still photography, is absurb.

Canon and Nikon are no slouches either. To hang your hat on one or two brands and reject all the rest, just shows your ignorance. We are essentually amatures (even the guys over on the Professional Photographer Forums) when it comes to camera engineering and imbeded software.

Take pictures, keep your mouth shut until you get a Pulitzer.

Walk.

--
-=- Jerry -=-

Visit my Blog with Comprehensive info on
Infrared Photography

http://www.irbuzz.blogspot.com

OK, the guy in the store was pushing Nikon, but that's what all salesmen do. They push what they want (need) to. That don't make it right, but it does happen.

The uninformed consumer will always be a target.

As for what he said, there is some truth there. Sony is an electronics company. They do have experience with high end video stuff (I have used a bunch of it) nice, and well made. Sony consumer cameras? A different story. Case in point, my 707 compared to anything on the shelves today. The 707 was revolutionary and trendsetting. The 707 defined a genre, and my 707, with tens of thousands of clicks, is a perfect as the day it was made. Beautifully designed and manufactured, impecabble fit and finish, class leading image quality. Even by today's standards.

Now I'm not looking to pick a fight here, but the other day I was in best buy and held an H9 in my hands. Nothing personal, but the camera felt cheesy, flimsy and plasticky. Nothing at all like my 707. Build quality of my little Fuji pocket cam is light years ahead of the sony. In my hands, it feels solid and substantial. When I hold it I don't feel the plastic flex like I did with the Sony.

So I kind of agree with the salesman, but for different reasons. It's not that Nikon makes a better camera because they know more about photography, it's that they make a better camera because it's put together better.

Sony quality has really taken a dive.

Basset said:

Walked into a camera shop near Faneuil Hall in Boston today. Was
going to see if they had the 74 mm UV filter for the H9.

Just as I walked in, I heard the guy at the counter, perhaps the
owner, hold up a point and shoot and tell a prospective customer, "I
would go with a Nikon, that's what I do my professional work with.
The reason I would not buy a Sony camera is the same reason I would
not buy a Sony car. Sure they make good electronics, and I like
their music players. But they are not a camera company, so I
wouldn't go with any of their cameras. Now Canon is another camera
company you could go with. . . ."

I didn't say a thing, but just turned around and walked out.

How would you have responded?

Click to expand...

--
rich
http://www.iceninephotography.com

The reason I'm dubious about Sony now is that they're getting to be more like Minoltas. I hope not, but the next issue of the H-series will tell whether the H9 is an aberration or a trend.

--mamallama

Went to a local camera store a week ago to try a Pentax DSLR... In my mind I am ready for one and after spending way too much time doing research, I decided to give the local store a look, and see what lenses they had to go with it.

I am willing to spend a little more to get it from someplace close, and I think that local merchants deserve the chance for my dollars.

Within the first minute the salesman had told me that what I really should be looking at was the Nikon and Canon. Told me why he thought they were much better than the camera I wanted. Proceded to tell me that the Nikon D40x can auto focus with any Nikon lens made after 1995 ! (it can not) And that the Canon xti kit lens was so good, that most people never need another lens. (also a bit of a stretch to say the least)

When I explained that I had done my research and wanted the Pentax for its image stablization that is compatable with all pentax lenses, he informed me that that was all well and good, but that "they" did not even stock lenses for the Pentax, but that he could order them for me. This from a camera store with the K100d and K10d sitting on the shelf. I just shook my head and left.

Here is someone left in charge of a "CAMERA STORE" who is doing their best to talk someone out of a sale. Actually arguing about the Nikon D40's lack of a focus drive motor. Giving total wrong information and more importantly, pushing the Nikon and Canon kit combos that I could walk across the street to the Cicuit City and get for $150 cheaper. The exact CC where I bought my H2's

I feel like calling the owner/manager and letting them know why they are not getting my business and why I ended up ordering from internet...

But then, I figure if that is the kind of training, or lack there of that they give to their sales staff, then maybe they get the business they deserve.

I have bought five of my 6 cameras from local brick and mortar stores... I actually prefer it. But not this time.... Maybe never again.
--
gus
Get what makes you happy...
Anything less makes you less happy!

... I would have given the customer my business card and told him to check out my web-site.

Most of my images are from Sony's. As I make my living from my images, well, I guess that would make me a professional :
--
Rgds, Dave.
Have fun - take lotsa pix.
http://www.pixplanet.biz
http://pixplanet.fotki.com

Salespeople are NOT (automatically) photographers..... When will people learn?

Just because he WANTS to sell you a Blue-ray player, does not imply he own's one or have ever used one.

They are SELLERS and just wants to SELL you stuff. (Granted, salespeople like that never sell anything to me....at least not twice.

(nuff said.....)

In the first place if the saleman was a professional photographer and is now selling cameras on commission, it is worthy labor but hardly an advertisement for his professional photographic capabilities.

Second the salesman is selling what the boss said is inventoried, and his commission is perhaps increased if he can move a few. He, the saleman, has no choice. He sells what the boss wants. I used to do that for a living back in the day. Was lousy at it, because I told people what was junk and what was not, and surely lost sales as a result.

Customers very often arrive at a store ready to buy right now, before the wife knows he has the extra cash. They, more than 80% of the time, even know what they want after intensive middle of the night internet research. So smart sales people ask what they are interested in, and move in that direction whether they personally think the camera is junk or not. Make the customer happy to part with their money.

Sony is a fine company. They did make the 707, and it was/is a fine beast. They could do it again, and may, but it appears the H-9 has missed the mark on the most important part of any camera's function, taking great pictures continuously.

Rives

It is quite annoying to me when a salesperson makes no attempt whatsoever to determine whether or not I know anything at all about digital cameras. I'm only a bad amateur, but I do know more than the average person who thinks the more MP's, the better the camera. I just hate it when I already know what I want and they start giving me their ill-informed pitch about whatever that particular store is currently pushing.

Now, regarding the shop in Boston, I would have gone right on in if I had something I wanted in there. Who cares, really, what the camera shop salespeople are saying to other customers as long as they listen to you and do their best to help you get what you came for? If the salesperson is not knowlegeable enough to help, then move on.

DD

I likely would have just ignored it with a grin, because most consumers think similarly to the way that salesman thought - and I just don't worry about everyone else's me-too philosophy of liking or buying what's popular. It may have been Nikon or Canon at this camera store, or maybe it's Toyota, American Idol, or MacDonalds...there are always people who buy what's popular without considering whether or not it's actually better or worse than an alternative. It doesn't make it a bad decision - it just limits their experience to the wider world which is filled with lots of great choices. Oh well!

But if I felt the desire to respond, I'd probably counter with this:

Basset said:

The reason I would not buy a Sony camera is the same reason I would
not buy a Sony car. Sure they make good electronics, and I like
their music players. But they are not a camera company, so I
wouldn't go with any of their cameras. Now Canon is another camera
company you could go with. . . ."

Click to expand...

Since a digital camera is as much an electronic device as it is a camera, relying as it does on an electronic sensor to read the incoming light information and use internal programming to process and output the photograph, and since Sony makes more than 80% of the compact sensors used in digital cameras INCLUDING that Nikon and Canon you mentioned, I'd consider Sony a pretty smart choice for someone buying a digital camera.

And since Sony doesn't have any specific historical experience designing excellent optics like Nikon and Canon, it's a good thing they decided to leave the lens design up to Carl Zeiss, a German company known as one of the top lens manufacturers in the world. Smart electronics companies, like Sony and Panasonic, hire camera and lens companies to design the optical parts, while they use their superior electronic experience to create the best sensors and internal electronics.

As for buying a Sony car...well some people said the very same thing back when a tractor company, and a motorcycle company, and an aircraft engine manufacturer all said they wanted to make cars. Yet somehow most buyers and owners of Toyotas (tractors), Honda (motorcycles) and BMW (aircraft engines) - not to mention Mitsubishi (major conglomerate from banking to computers), Hyundai (major shipbuilder and conglomerate), Lamborghini (tractor company), and many others who are known for excellent vehicles despite not originally being 'car' manufacturers. So if Sony decided to get into the business...who's to say that they wouldn't build the best factory, hire the best engineers, consult with other major manufacturers, and build a great car? And with so much of today's vehicles reliant on electronics...a good, reliable electronics company might be the way to go for the future.

If you want to buy a Nikon or Canon...go ahead. They're fine cameras as well. But it might be better to go through life open-minded and considering all options rather than putting on brand-centric blinders.


That's if I decided to respond.

--
Justin
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

(I'd be honored and overjoyed to have any of my posted photographs critiqued, commented on, or post-processed - I can attribute everything I know about photography to the wonderful people who have done this for me in the past!)

I'd have to walk out.

I sell furniture and bedding, in a retail store. I know my products and I realize that most other retail salespeople don't. Still, I have high expectations, and if I'm dealing with a poser then I'm done with that person.

Here in Chicago, we have (or at least had) a few options. Back in the 90's I bought equipment at Helix, Calumet and the now closed Lincoln Camera shop. The people knew what they were talking about and I didn't feel like I was being snowed. Yeah the guy at Helix sterred me toward Canon. Would Pentax have worked just as well for me? Of course, but this guy was actually a photographer, and he used Canon, and he liked it.

I wasn't comfortable with the NY 800 operations and felt the extra I paid was worth piece of mind. But there were other camera stores in town that really gave me a bad feeling and I never went in a second time.

Changes in the business have now made camera stores obsolete for me. I've bought at Sam's Club, Target, Circuit City, eBay, etc. I don't even bother with camera stores anymore. I can research on the internet. I don't buy high end so the price difference that I call the "camera store premium" isn't worth 10 cents to me.

In fact, I bought my first digicam at Sam's Club and the sales help there was outstanding. I'd still be using that camera today if I didn't drop it.

Sebastian78 said:

Salespeople are NOT (automatically) photographers..... When will
people learn?

Just because he WANTS to sell you a Blue-ray player, does not imply
he own's one or have ever used one.

They are SELLERS and just wants to SELL you stuff. (Granted,
salespeople like that never sell anything to me....at least not twice.

(nuff said.....)

Click to expand...

Sebastion, you are absolutely right. That salesclerk is probably just try to make that 8 bucks an hour and tiny commission in order to pay rent on a funky little over priced apartment.

My lofty ideas of what a camera store should be are not based in reality. The thought that photographers or anyone who knows anything about cameras is going to work for pretzels and peanuts is silly.

This aint Mayberry anymore. Emmit aint coming to my house to fix my toaster and Floyd aint gonna cut my hair...
Thanks for the reality check...

--
gus
Get what makes you happy...
Anything less makes you less happy!

Basset said:

Just as I walked in, I heard the guy at the counter, perhaps the
owner, hold up a point and shoot and tell a prospective customer, "I
would go with a Nikon, that's what I do my professional work with.
The reason I would not buy a Sony camera is the same reason I would
not buy a Sony car. Sure they make good electronics, and I like
their music players. But they are not a camera company, so I
wouldn't go with any of their cameras.

Click to expand...

Haven't checked lately, but as of a couple years ago Sony was the
number one digital camera company (not sure if it was units sold
or dollar/yen volume). Somewhat contradictory to the ploy being used.

In any case, at least in my part of the woods, camera stores that
have been around forever have been dropping like flies. Mostly
just a couple chains (Ritz, etc) and very few remaining independents
remaining. Particularly hated it
when I knew the folk at the one I had been using knew their stuff

and spoke candidly about stuff. Honest, small, and very old suburban independent. They bit the dust about a year ago.

First off, I wouldn't care what the person bought. If they were buying an all-in-one digicam either Sony, Nikon or Canon would do fine - each with their strengths and weaknesses. If they were looking for an SLR, I'd point them towards Nikon or Canon. Sony isn't doing so great financially as a company and profit margins are thing on cameras. They could easily decide to exit the dSLR market and focus exclusively on point and shoot models. There is enough of an installed base of Nikon and Canon users that even if the company went bankrupt tomorrow someone would buy it and continue production.

I really like my F series cameras from Sony, but there was always a glaring flaw that kept it from being perfect. Maybe it was because Sony was thinking like a consumer electronics company rather than a photography company. 99% of their market never hits these forums. 10-20% probably store their photos on the memory sticks and show them to people from the camera's LCD. As much as I would like for them to focus a little more on "photographers", it probably makes better financial sense to focus on the 99% that snap pictures of cats and birthdays.