Big box stores aren't always the cheapest
As you scramble through the stores for last minute Christmas shopping, beware of buying your photo equipment at big box stores. I have had a number of students who had problems with photo gear they bought at Future Shop, Costco, Best Buy, London Drugs, WalMart and the like. These aren’t dedicated photo retailers and they sell consumer-grade equipment for the most part. Typically they don’t know much about what they are selling, and they tell you what you want to hear. Some of the problems I have heard about are:
- up-selling people something they didn’t need like extra lenses and cheap UV filters
- selling crappy accessories like no name tripods that don’t fasten the camera properly – lots of complaints on this one
- malfunctioning cameras that no one knows how to deal with when you bring them back
- lousy and rushed service overall
In Calgary the prices at major photo retailers will usually be lower than the box stores without even asking.
A couple of years ago I was in the market for a high-end compact camera to take on vacations. It was advertised in the weekly flyers on sale for $499 to $549. When I got to the photo store I was thinking I’d have a closer look and if it was a lot more than $499, I’d turn around an buy it at the other place. To my delight, I was told the price was $482! Even less than the “on sale” prices I had seen in the flyers that morning. Plus, I got a whole load of extras thrown in for the store’s Christmas promotion. I didn’t even have to ask if they’d match the box store flyer price. The lesson I learned that day was to trust my photo retailer for the small as well as the large purchases.
Incidentally, my favourite photo retailers in Calgary are:
These retailers support the local photographic community by sponsoring student photo exhibits, trade events, and participating in city-wide photography festivals. And, they will give you a student discount if you ask, so don’t forget your ID.
When was the last time Future Shop organized a book signing for an up-and-coming local photographer?
Visit and support these stores often and get to know one or two sales reps a bit. The next time you are in the store they will remember you and you will have a wonderful time spending your money. It’s a lot easier to part with your money if you get a higher perceived value for it and have a learning experience while you’re at it.
So before you go loading up your credit cards at the nearest mall, head out to your local independent photo retailer and discover a whole new community of experts on cameras, lighting, printing and more. And get yourself a good tripod while you’re at it!
