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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / Australian Photography / February 2007I need your Help
Hi all in aus.photo I have been given an opportunity to significantly help shape the knowledge and training of a major Australian speciailist photo retailer (who will remain nameless). I am in the process of building their training program especially in knowledge. my question is this..... what is the biggest missing component from most photo retailers... that you would expect them to know and be able to assist with? please do not give knowledge as an answer.... please be specific e.g older film cameras... medium format etc obviously, someone who entered photography in the digital age will not get to know all the film cameras in a month.... but in the long-run..... please be serious on this.... it is your chance to have a degree of input into what you should expect from s specialty retailer. ##################### on another note..... what lab service is sadly missing (not due to exccessive cost) from most retailers, which you would like to see, and see done well? I obvioulsy have a pretty good idea on both of these.... but perhaps I have not considered something. your help would be appreciated........ even d-macs ;) kosh > ##################### > > on another note..... what lab service is sadly missing (not due to > exccessive cost) from most retailers, which you would like to see, and see > done well? E6!!! Can't get it outside the capital cities :( >> ##################### >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > E6!!! > Can't get it outside the capital cities :( hmmm, it would be nice. Unfortunately the machines become extraordinarily expensive to run if they do not have enough roles put thru them. simply put, there are not enough roles in most locations to keep a machine running profitably at a price most people would be happy to pay. In the on-going drive for cheaper everything, this is one of the casualties. I was speaking with someone who looks after film processors for many labs...... he shut down 7 in December alone... .and that was just c-41. !!!! do Vanbar offer a mailout service? they have quite good results..... we used to outsource to them and were quite pleased. thanks for the input. kosh > Hi all in aus.photo > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > what is the biggest missing component from most photo retailers... that > you would expect them to know and be able to assist with? Common sense. > > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Common sense. You're not wrong there. > >>what is the biggest missing component from most photo retailers... that > >>you would expect them to know and be able to assist with? > > > > Common sense. > > You're not wrong there. Yes he is, "common sense" is a contradiction of terms :-) MrT. > Hi all in aus.photo > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > kosh I think there are at least three types of retailer: The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads (Teds, Kodak Express), those that cater for pro-sumers as well as mum and dads (Camera House, Michaels, Kirks) and those catering for the professionals (Vanbar etc) Which level are we aiming at? I have always aligned myself with the middle and go to CameraHouse level of expertise. They seem to have staff that know what they are talking about and have a good range of cameras and equipment to choose from. I have tried to talk D200 level at Teds and gotten nowhere (when I eventually get served - bit of a sore point there) They are good with the compacts, lousy with DSLR's. For service I would like it to be easier to send files online for printing (locally) and have access to large format printers. > I think there are at least three types of retailer: > The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads > (Teds, Kodak Express), those that cater for pro-sumers as well as mum > and dads (Camera House, Michaels, Kirks) and those catering for the > professionals (Vanbar etc) Which level are we aiming at? I think S4 summed it up well, you just have to accept (to a point!) that these stores tend to gravitate themselves into a market, and have *just* enough knowledge to survive in that market. Sadly in the Brisbane CBD I haven't found a decent camera shop - I find myself wincing as I overhear salespersons talking to customers, especially when it comes to topics like IS (why do they never seem to mention it only helps with camera movement?). These are places like Ted's, Camera House, Harvey (choke) Norman. I don't know the Brisbane market that well yet, but I'm praying that there are some 'proper' shops manned (sorry, personned) by people who won't dribble sh|t to me.. Recommendations welcomed..? For the record, I think my favorite shops of all time were James Place Cameras and Photographic Wholesalers - both in Adelaide when I lived there some years back. Why? Those staff knew their stuff, and clearly *were* photographers first, salespersons second. >> I think there are at least three types of retailer: >> The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > manned (sorry, personned) by people who won't dribble sh|t to me.. > Recommendations welcomed..? In Brisbane head straight for Photo Continental at Mt. Gravatt. >>>I think there are at least three types of retailer: >>>The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > In Brisbane head straight for Photo Continental at Mt. Gravatt. Yeah they've been there for years. I haven't used them myself but it's good to know they're there. >>>I think there are at least three types of retailer: >>>The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > In Brisbane head straight for Photo Continental at Mt. Gravatt. Yep... I agree whole heartedly. when going to PMA/PICA show in Brisbane, we always made a point of making the trip in to check them out. I have not spoken with them, but from everything I gather, they know their stuff! kosh >> I think there are at least three types of retailer: >> The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > only helps with camera movement?). These are places like Ted's, > Camera House, Harvey (choke) Norman. I agree. I stepped up from a p&s to a Canon 350D about a year ago now. I had been reading this NG for a while, & had read enough about the camera to decide this was what I wanted. I finished up buying from Domayne because they had a special on, ( didn't want to go near a specialty camera shop for fear of sounding like an idiot). I asked the salesman the following questions:- What about dust on the sensor? A) Nah, very rare unless you are changing lenses outdoors in windy conditions etc. What are the advantages of RAW vs JPG, & how many RAW pics can I get on the 1Gb memory card? A) Why do you ask about RAW? Not necessary, JPG is just fine! With my p&s, I had close-up lenses to get "macro" shots. Will I need to buy additional lenses for this camera? A) Nah, with the 75-300mm kit lens, you can get just as good pics! I have read about lens-hoods & lens flare, should I buy a lens hood? A) Nah, i've never bothered with them, & have had no probs. I bought the camera package & now, a year later, I have:- Had to clean the sensor & mirrors a couple of times, Have bought both a 50mm fixed lens & a 100mm Macro lens,am saving up to buy a 100-400mm "L" series, Have lens-hoods for all my lenses, Am now starting to experiment with manual settings & shooting in RAW. In summary, I guess I should have been brave enough to visit a specialist camera store, but still think that at the time I would not have taken enough info in. So I guess it would be hard to set up a shop that caters to *everybody* unless you could gauge their level of knowledge early, & step down or up accordingly. For mine, this & other photography NG's have taught me more than a sales person ever could! I don't know the Brisbane market > that well yet, but I'm praying that there are some 'proper' shops > manned (sorry, personned) by people who won't dribble sh|t to me.. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > there some years back. Why? Those staff knew their stuff, and > clearly *were* photographers first, salespersons second.  Signature>>>M.J.Wyllie.<<< >>> I think there are at least three types of retailer: >>> The one that has a majority of point n shoots catering for mum and dads [quoted text clipped - 59 lines] >> there some years back. Why? Those staff knew their stuff, and >> clearly *were* photographers first, salespersons second. If the shop is any good, they relish the opportunity to help educate people who want to learn. T he worst customers to deal with are either know it all's who are not prepared to listen, or people who don't know jack, but are not prepared to listen to a photographers recommendation, cause they looked up some review on the net...... not all cameras suit everyone! while specialist photo stores can be a bit daunting..... they generally find it refreshing to discuss actual photography. If you don't get this.... you are either dealiing with the wrong person, or you need to find another store! kosh >> Hi all in aus.photo >> [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > For service I would like it to be easier to send files online for > printing (locally) and have access to large format printers. thanks for that..... good info... I agree entirely >what is the biggest missing component from most photo retailers... people with genuine knowledge.. Not just "Oh I have one of those myself".. Like how many what accessories are available, when they are available, prices, not having to go make 39039843948 phone calls or "I'll just ask".. What cards does it take, and up to what size. Whats the warranty.. basically, knowing EVERYTHING about what they are selling... I shouldnt have to 'go home and look on their website'... >>what is the biggest missing component from most photo retailers... > > people with genuine knowledge.. Not just "Oh I have one of those > myself".. sometimes it's true! > Like how many what accessories are available, when they are available, > prices, not having to go make 39039843948 phone calls or "I'll just > ask".. if they were properly organised.... they should have access to this information quickly. What cards does it take, and up to what size. Whats the > warranty.. essential knowledge (cards)..... though I was working on a warranty database to get firm information for a service department. 3 calls to kodak could not get an answer other than "it's made overseas, so it must have an international warranty!" finally after 2 weeks and 5 calls I wound up speaking to the Kodak proffesional services national sales manager to get an answer to a simple question. distributors do not make life easy sometimes..... but I was doing all this to have the answers when asked! also, I have found some retailers carry legite stock, and grey imports.... in some cases you rwarranty comes fown to the serial number! Pretty confusing for a newbie. > basically, knowing EVERYTHING about what they are selling... I > shouldnt have to 'go home and look on their website'... comprehensive... I would agree. Everything can be a big ask, especially when you have to know every brand on the market, every model produced... and if you do second hand, then every camera made for the last 30-40 years.... along with medium format... it's a lot to take in. Today alone, I was discussing Hasselblad, Leica, Canon, and then someone had a Pentax LX.... this said, if you were talking about an entry level slr such as the 400D..... knowing every function is essential.... expecially what it does not do, and why it may be necessary to go the next step up! and finally... if they don't bloody know the answer, they should admit it.... and be prepared to look it up and learn for future reference! They should be looking it up for you on the spot and have the answer for you.... to send you away to do your own research is unforgiveable. Unfortunatley it's hard to ensure all staff offer the same level of service all the time...... but we can try! :) thanks for your thoughts. kosh > >what is the biggest missing component from most photo retailers... > people with genuine knowledge.. Not just "Oh I have one of those [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > basically, knowing EVERYTHING about what they are selling... I > shouldnt have to 'go home and look on their website'... Everything? There are about a dozen major brands of compact camera manufacturers, plus another half dozen or so fringe brands. Each brand has typically 5-10 models within their range, so it's probably well on the cards that a largish store could have 80-100 different models of camera. Each model has an average lifespan of 6 months (some as low as 3 months) - do you seriously expect a single person to be able to know EVERYTHING about 100 different cameras, and to repeat the exercise every 3-6 months? Add to that half a dozen brands of DSLR's, with 3-4 models per brand, dozens of lenses per brand, dozens of other accessories... I think you get the picture. Having the information available is fair enough, but it's not feasible to expect someone to know EVERYTHING about them. Sometimes though even having access to the information is difficult. For example some suppliers don't provide a list of accessories. It would be nice if they would have a sheet listing all the accessories available for a certain model and their pricing but a lot don't. One Australian distributor for one of the major Japanese brands in particular comes to mind as about the worst for this. They don't provide any form of accessory listing, price list, nor do they provide brochures (not even web brochures) for their products. Getting access to the detailed specs is often very difficult and sometimes comes down to attempting to translate foreign web pages. Prices of accessories will change week to week - they don't publish a price list, so the only way to get a price on an accessory is to phone them every time. It doesn't amount to good customer service but there's not much can be done about that. |
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