Store wouldn't power on 10D

[Peter166631]

I stopped by Cord Camera in the Indianapolis area to inquire about the 10D. They were out of stock at the time, so I called back a couple days later.

Luckily they had one in stock, I said I would be right over to look at it, but, I asked if the battery was charged up and ready to go (I didn't want to drive over there for nothing). The sales lady at Cord said they would not charge up the battery nor would they allow me to power on the camera, it would be sold without powering it up!

Are they acting that way because the 10D's are flying off the shelves?

I told her they wouldn't be getting my business. I went straight to Robert's camera in downtown Indy. They had a 10D in stock and let me play with it as long as I wanted. I took some test pictures of by son on a Microdrive that I brought with me. Nice people. Screw Cord, I won't be buying there.

 

[pdqgp]

perhaps they were just simply waiting on the 10D's to be in stock.....I know them quite well as they are a customer of mine....and they have them available and can get one from another location or their main warehouse in just a day or so.

IMO, they probably would rather wait until they have more than just one in stock just in case they do have someone who wants to buy it as it sits unopened.

I can't really comment as I don't have all the details, but normally they do have them charged up and ready to go.

I stopped by Cord Camera in the Indianapolis area to inquire about
the 10D. They were out of stock at the time, so I called back a
couple days later.

Luckily they had one in stock, I said I would be right over to look
at it, but, I asked if the battery was charged up and ready to go
(I didn't want to drive over there for nothing). The sales lady at
Cord said they would not charge up the battery nor would they allow
me to power on the camera, it would be sold without powering it up!

Are they acting that way because the 10D's are flying off the shelves?

I told her they wouldn't be getting my business. I went straight to
Robert's camera in downtown Indy. They had a 10D in stock and let
me play with it as long as I wanted. I took some test pictures of
by son on a Microdrive that I brought with me. Nice people. Screw
Cord, I won't be buying there.

--
-tim

Canon 1 0 D, 24-70mm/f2.8 L-Series, 75-300mm/f4-5.6 IS, Sigma 20mm f1.8 EX, Canon 4 2 0EX Speedlight
Sony 7 1 7, Nikon 9 9 5 & Konica KD-4 0 0 Z
Accessories....tons of course
http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp

 

[510picker]

Nice to see other people from the Indianapolis area here. I bought my current camera, Fuji S602, from Cord in Greenwood. I would love to have a Canon 10D, but I can't justify it right now. I work down the street from the Cord on 38th street. If I had been told that I could not try out a camera that cost $1500 I would have went elsewhere also. That is poor business in my book.

IMO, they probably would rather wait until they have more than just
one in stock just in case they do have someone who wants to buy it
as it sits unopened.

I can't really comment as I don't have all the details, but
normally they do have them charged up and ready to go.

I stopped by Cord Camera in the Indianapolis area to inquire about
the 10D. They were out of stock at the time, so I called back a
couple days later.

Luckily they had one in stock, I said I would be right over to look
at it, but, I asked if the battery was charged up and ready to go
(I didn't want to drive over there for nothing). The sales lady at
Cord said they would not charge up the battery nor would they allow
me to power on the camera, it would be sold without powering it up!

Are they acting that way because the 10D's are flying off the shelves?

I told her they wouldn't be getting my business. I went straight to
Robert's camera in downtown Indy. They had a 10D in stock and let
me play with it as long as I wanted. I took some test pictures of
by son on a Microdrive that I brought with me. Nice people. Screw
Cord, I won't be buying there.

--
-tim
Canon 1 0 D, 24-70mm/f2.8 L-Series, 75-300mm/f4-5.6 IS, Sigma 20mm
f1.8 EX, Canon 4 2 0EX Speedlight
Sony 7 1 7, Nikon 9 9 5 & Konica KD-4 0 0 Z
Accessories....tons of course
http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp

 

[Scott W]

It is one thing to have a demo camera when it is a model that is always in stock. But when you have a rare camera like a 10D, I would not open it unless someone buys it. By opening it, they run the risk of not being able to sell it at full price. Would you want to pay 1500 dollars for a camera that has been used who know how many times???

I don't think so.

So, when you only might get one camera in at a time, you don't open it. Else you would be loosing money on every one you get because somebody would want a discount for the camera being used.

 

[Lecter]

where the sun doesn't shine..

rare Camera... sheesh....

I had the same argument with an idiot shop in Hong Kong. I said take it out and fire it up (this was for a 1D when it first was introduced) and I'll buy it.

He refused and I was quite indignant... open it up or no sale. After all, popular camera or not a 1D was $5500 US back then and the 10D is 13-1500 US now, not THAT many buyers walking in who are serious.

Had the same trouble with cars once, went in to buy an M3 BMW but they wouldn;t let me test drive it. Went round the corner and test drove an XK8 Jaguar and it was in my Garage a week later (well the Black on was)

CUSTOMER SERVICE, someone should shout it at these galoots!!!

It is one thing to have a demo camera when it is a model that is
always in stock. But when you have a rare camera like a 10D, I
would not open it unless someone buys it. By opening it, they run
the risk of not being able to sell it at full price. Would you
want to pay 1500 dollars for a camera that has been used who know
how many times???

I don't think so.

So, when you only might get one camera in at a time, you don't open
it. Else you would be loosing money on every one you get because
somebody would want a discount for the camera being used.

 

[Scott W]

That is the beauty of being able to choose. They choose to not take a profit hit, and you can choose to not buy from them. But, every Tom, **** and Harry who come in and ask to play with the camera isn't going to buy it. They just want to say they held a digital SLR. So why should a store lower it's profits on a camera that they can sell easily.

And trust me, there will be plenty of people willing to buy it without seeing it first.

 

[Mark Meyer167029]

Well From A Profit standpoint that is short term thinking. The store is selling a hobby when it sell this D-SLR to a customer. By That I mean there are lots of add-on's to make money from. Repeat customer are always my best friend and I will always take a small hit to start a process where by I create one. Not to even bring up the PR issuess generated in a transaction like this one. For my money the store created bad PR, showed narrow vision in dealing with the customer, and passed up what would have at worst been a small profit with a shot a more later. I've Seen Better CUSTOMER SERVICE, Don't forget they service us not the other way around. Thanks Mark

Scott W wrote:
That is the beauty of being able to choose. They choose to not
take a profit hit, and you can choose to not buy from them. But,
every Tom, **** and Harry who come in and ask to play with the
camera isn't going to buy it. They just want to say they held a
digital SLR. So why should a store lower it's profits on a camera
that they can sell easily.

And trust me, there will be plenty of people willing to buy it
without seeing it first.

 

[Paul Grupp]

The problem is, there are two types of buyers out there, with mutually incompatible hang-ups. One group of buyers refuses to even think about buying something if they can't take it out of the box and play with it before they make their mind up.

The other group refuses to buy something if there is the slightest evidence that the box has been opened.

Personally, I don't understand why they don't have a demo unit on the shelf, but if they don't, I think they are wise to not let you open it -- if I shopped a store that let me play with "new" merchandise, I have to admit -- I wouldn't shop there again.

Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp

I stopped by Cord Camera in the Indianapolis area to inquire about
the 10D. They were out of stock at the time, so I called back a
couple days later.

Luckily they had one in stock, I said I would be right over to look
at it, but, I asked if the battery was charged up and ready to go
(I didn't want to drive over there for nothing). The sales lady at
Cord said they would not charge up the battery nor would they allow
me to power on the camera, it would be sold without powering it up!

Are they acting that way because the 10D's are flying off the shelves?

I told her they wouldn't be getting my business. I went straight to
Robert's camera in downtown Indy. They had a 10D in stock and let
me play with it as long as I wanted. I took some test pictures of
by son on a Microdrive that I brought with me. Nice people. Screw
Cord, I won't be buying there.

 

[DavidP #28649]

If I were going to buy local to get "service", I'd sure want to be able to open up a camera or lens (the box that I intended to buy) to do a quick test to make sure there were no OBVIOUS problems.

Why wait to get home to find out about those?

I guess you could buy the danged thing, open it up right there, and test it, and THEN return it.

The problem is, there are two types of buyers out there, with
mutually incompatible hang-ups. One group of buyers refuses to even
think about buying something if they can't take it out of the box
and play with it before they make their mind up.

The other group refuses to buy something if there is the slightest
evidence that the box has been opened.

Personally, I don't understand why they don't have a demo unit on
the shelf, but if they don't, I think they are wise to not let you
open it -- if I shopped a store that let me play with "new"
merchandise, I have to admit -- I wouldn't shop there again.

--
The Lowest Paid Concert Photographer Around
http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/artshow/final.htm
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Where's the 'forum police' when you need them?
So many off-topic posts, yet they only complain about mine?
Nah, this couldn't be a personal vendetta.

 

[Petteri Sulonen]

pgrupp wrote:
[snip]

Personally, I don't understand why they don't have a demo unit on
the shelf, but if they don't, I think they are wise to not let you
open it -- if I shopped a store that let me play with "new"
merchandise, I have to admit -- I wouldn't shop there again.

This is something I completely fail to understand. What possible difference can it make if someone's snapped a few pictures with it in the store?

Personally, when buying used lenses, I look for the trashy-looking ones, even with minor damage to the front element. One, they're cheap, and two, they're certain to work -- as they've clearly been used to take pictures.

A "mint" condition used lens is far more likely to be a duff copy than a well-worn one anyway.

(And no, I wouldn't ask for a discount because the box has been opened.)

Petteri
--
Portfolio: [ http://www.seittipaja.fi/index/ ]
Photo lessons: [ http://www.seittipaja.fi/lessons/ ]

 

[Scott W]

The store has only one camera. It is a hard to get camera because Canon can't make them fast enough. So, this store puts it out on display (as you guys want) and 12 people come in just to play with it, even though they know they can't afford it. Now, you, lucky number 13, come in and want to buy it. But you notice that it has 2341 pictures already taken, and there appears to be fingerprints on the camera. Now, you need to ask yourself, are you willing to pay the $1499 for the camera still? I mean, it was YOU who would only shop at a camera store that will let you play with it, and it is YOU who want the camera store to put out the only one they have.

See, the problem is, the camera store would love to put one out so potential customers can be hooked on the camera. And, if the store had 14 in stock it probably would. But todays average customer is so cheap with their money that they want everything, but don't actually want to pay for it (gotta love customers).

So the store gets one camera in, customers demand to see it, the store puts it on display, and then 4 customers later they get a customer who wants to buy it, but for 10 percent off because it is "used". So now the store has to take a 150 dollar hit on profit.

Next week, they get one more in. Customers want to come in and play with it. The 7th customer wants to buy it, but only if the store takes 10 percent off. Another 150 bucks down the drain.

Now, if the store had 14 in stock, they could put one out, let customers demo it, and sell them a new one. And this way, when the next model comes out from Canon, they only have to sell ONE camera at 10 percent off, not all of them.

Do you get my point now?

Personally, if it was a limited stock item, I would make you buy it, and give you a good return policy if you don't like it. Mainly because I am confident you will enjoy the camera. That way I don't have to eat the profit, and I also don't have to have 12 people come in and mess with the camera even though they know they can't afford it.

 

[Billie]

have discussed this very issue. Most often it's by people who are nervous about purchasing a camera that's obviously been opened. If the store opens it for you and you then decide not to buy, they've got a "used" camera on their hands and will be forced to discount.

I've even heard of a case of a customer going into the camera shop, and he asked to see a camera. After removing it from the packaging and giving it a run through, he handed the camera back and said he would take one, but wanted one that hadn't been opened yet!

If you purchase the camera and there's a problem, simply exchange the camera or get a refund.

--
Kind Regards,
-Billie
http://homepage.mac.com/brkhan/Menu14.html

I stopped by Cord Camera in the Indianapolis area to inquire about
the 10D. They were out of stock at the time, so I called back a
couple days later.

Luckily they had one in stock, I said I would be right over to look
at it, but, I asked if the battery was charged up and ready to go
(I didn't want to drive over there for nothing). The sales lady at
Cord said they would not charge up the battery nor would they allow
me to power on the camera, it would be sold without powering it up!

Are they acting that way because the 10D's are flying off the shelves?

I told her they wouldn't be getting my business. I went straight to
Robert's camera in downtown Indy. They had a 10D in stock and let
me play with it as long as I wanted. I took some test pictures of
by son on a Microdrive that I brought with me. Nice people. Screw
Cord, I won't be buying there.

 

[DavidP #28649]

Return for any reason?

Cool.

I'll take one please.

Play with it for a week.

Return it because I "don't like it".

Will it be easier to resell that one (or harder?) than if you'd let me use it in the store for a bit?

Personally, if it was a limited stock item, I would make you buy
it, and give you a good return policy if you don't like it. Mainly
because I am confident you will enjoy the camera. That way I don't
have to eat the profit, and I also don't have to have 12 people
come in and mess with the camera even though they know they can't
afford it.

--
The Lowest Paid Concert Photographer Around
http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/artshow/final.htm
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Where's the 'forum police' when you need them?
So many off-topic posts, yet they only complain about mine?
Nah, this couldn't be a personal vendetta.

 

[DavidP #28649]

I think we can shoot people for things like that, no questions asked. LOL.

I've even heard of a case of a customer going into the camera shop,
and he asked to see a camera. After removing it from the packaging
and giving it a run through, he handed the camera back and said he
would take one, but wanted one that hadn't been opened yet!

--
The Lowest Paid Concert Photographer Around
http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/artshow/final.htm
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Where's the 'forum police' when you need them?
So many off-topic posts, yet they only complain about mine?
Nah, this couldn't be a personal vendetta.

 

[Rune Moberg]

If I were going to buy local to get "service", I'd sure want to be
able to open up a camera or lens (the box that I intended to buy)
to do a quick test to make sure there were no OBVIOUS problems.

Why wait to get home to find out about those?

My local camera shop is a 20 minute walk from me (and on the way to my favourite restaurant), so for me this isn't a big issue. (observe: this is partly why I don't own a car! )

Their policy (pretty much dictated by the law anyway) allows me to exchange the item within two weeks for no specified reason. ("I didn't quite like the colour on the logo" is reason plenty good enough)

That said, they all know me anyway, so I'd be surprised if they didn't let me play with it a little. As long as I don't make any "hynf-hynf" noises and drool while "playing with it"...

--
Rune '

 

[Matt Mikulla Photography]

I have dealt with cord on occassion. Most Cords are just small shops that cary film and a few cameras. The staff is usually clueless. However, there is usually one or two cords in a city that cater to professionals and serious photographers. I have been to the Cord on 86th and they had a demo to play with. If you are ever in Columbus OH try the Cord of 5th ave.

 

[Peter166631]

It was the one in Greenwood. I have been to the one on the north side of Indy and it's a real "pro" shop. I was a little taken-a-back when I went into the one in Greenwood expecting it to be like the one on the north side. It's more of a "drop-off-your-film for grandma" type of place.

With all of the people reporting focusing problems with this model, I would be stupid not to try out the camera before I bought it, no?

I have dealt with cord on occassion. Most Cords are just small
shops that cary film and a few cameras. The staff is usually
clueless. However, there is usually one or two cords in a city that
cater to professionals and serious photographers. I have been to
the Cord on 86th and they had a demo to play with. If you are ever
in Columbus OH try the Cord of 5th ave.

 

[DavidP #28649]

My local camera shop is a 20 minute walk from me (and on the way to
my favourite restaurant), so for me this isn't a big issue.
(observe: this is partly why I don't own a car! )

Their policy (pretty much dictated by the law anyway) allows me to
exchange the item within two weeks for no specified reason. ("I
didn't quite like the colour on the logo" is reason plenty good
enough)

That said, they all know me anyway, so I'd be surprised if they
didn't let me play with it a little. As long as I don't make any
"hynf-hynf" noises and drool while "playing with it"...

There aren't any such laws here. And the closest camera store that would STOCK a Canon DSLR here is an hour DRIVE from me.

--
The Lowest Paid Concert Photographer Around
http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/artshow/final.htm
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Where's the 'forum police' when you need them?
So many off-topic posts, yet they only complain about mine?
Nah, this couldn't be a personal vendetta.

 

[Lecter]

it's plainly rediculous not to allow a purchaser the opportunity to check it out.

there's plenty of shops about (globally) so I'd shop around. I never want anything so badly that I'll put up with Cr@p customer service.

For sure!!

Cool.

I'll take one please.

Play with it for a week.

Return it because I "don't like it".

Will it be easier to resell that one (or harder?) than if you'd let
me use it in the store for a bit?

Personally, if it was a limited stock item, I would make you buy
it, and give you a good return policy if you don't like it. Mainly
because I am confident you will enjoy the camera. That way I don't
have to eat the profit, and I also don't have to have 12 people
come in and mess with the camera even though they know they can't
afford it.

--
The Lowest Paid Concert Photographer Around
http://www.neonlightsimaging.com/artshow/final.htm
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Where's the 'forum police' when you need them?
So many off-topic posts, yet they only complain about mine?
Nah, this couldn't be a personal vendetta.

 

[herb kauhry]

You know those folks in Car-Mel have the money, so they get all the big stores.

Personally I never waste time, and go straight to Roberts downtown. Whatever it is I need, they'll have it - and the answers to any question I can hit them with. They had a 10D almost from the launch date, but at $1499 I wouldn't have gone with them at that price.

Unfortunately, I've found decent prices to be a hit-or-miss affair at Robert's, mostly misses the last few times. But since they are really close, i always stop in there first.

Don

--
'Have you lived there your entire life?'
'No, not yet.'