Charging for advice on buying a camera

My nearest good camera shop apparently now charges people $30 for advice when buying a camera so they are not loosing money to people who will come in, pick their brain and then go buy it online!

Trying not buying - Aussie retailers fight back against time-wasting internet users | thetelegraph.com.au

Is this fair enough? if not how should a camera shop compete against grey and parralel imports and online shopping?

Sounds like a good idea. Do they refund if you buy the camera there? - Terry

The article doesn't say, but I would assume so.

And to think, they can get it for nothing here and it is probably better advice. The sales people in the store will only recommend what they sell, Jeff

I have done this in the past at a camera store. I kind of felt bad about it for a while. Right up until I was able to save $55 by ordering 1 item online. I'm all for supporting the local businesses, but that was just too much. $55 more of a big ticket item wouldn't be a big deal, but for a camera bag that only cost about $125 that seems to be a bit extreme.

Now I do almost all of my research and shopping for camera gear online now. The closest local camera store for me is still an hour away. I do stop there once in a while if I happen to be in the city, but I never make a special trip to go there. I do like the store, but as my photography has grown, so has my desire for higher end gear that they don't carry.

I'd be curious to see what happens to sales. I get it. I'm actually the opposite. I do all my research here, then go to the local shop to purchase even if it's a couple bucks more. I like having a relationship with the staff.

I can't aford to pay for advice. I always research everything I buy myself. I vary rarely buy anything local. Forgive me, but I just don't trust retailers as it is, let alone being charged to hear a sales pitch.
I would end up cross referencing the advice at any rate.
I myself always give free advice with regard to my PC repair clients. I believe everything is overpriced as it is and that by keeping my advice free...people can see that I genuinely care for them and also have a love of what I do.

Using a local shop can also help when you hae trouble.
My new 1DmkIIN had a mis-registration of the focus indicator led lit points compared to the actual AF points (by about 1/2 the width of the rectangle) and my "local" store 60 miles away just swapped the body no questions asked. I used them because they are a Canon Pro dealer.
Lower value purchases I'll buy online.

I buy some things on line but the last two cameras and one lens I have purchased at Calagaz in Mobile, Al. They are about an hour away but they have had what I wanted in stock and matched or beat the price of on line dealers. When I purchased my Nikon D7000 all the on line dealers had them on back order with no idea of when they would be available and Calagaz had two new ones in the box plus the demo. Got it the week before I went on my last vacation when I needed it and didn't have to wait.

I do most of my research on line and here at the forums. I like getting information from people that actually use the equipment and not just sell it, Jeff

Well, since I only live 30 min away from Port Authority in NYC by bus, and then a 10 minute walk to B&H, I do most of my "looking" and trying out right there. They have knowledgeable sales persons, and they don't pressure you into buying anything.

The glitch is that you usually spend more than you anticipated even though their prices are probably less than many of the online stores. And - it is not because they try to sell you something - you can walk away without spending a cent - if you have the will power to do so! The reason a customer buys so much there is is due to the fact that there is sooooo much to choose from - and there is soooo much to look at - and it is soooo much fun! :thumbsup:

Liz

Time wasting Internet users.......they say.....
Thank God I learned NEVER to buy a telescope from a camera shop!
That about sums up the advice you could expect from such a retailer.

wow.....all of a sudden my internet bill is a bargain of unlimited information vs their one time service for $30.

I don't blame the camera shop for trying to charge for the service, but at the same time they need to realize that they have to at least be somewhat competitive with online retailers if they intend to stay in business. It is awfully hard to "get the feel" of equipment by looking at a website, and when you need something right away, nothing beats a local source. In my case, the last two cameras I purchased I researched online, then handled them at the only two real camera stores remaining in my state. When I was ready to make the purchase, I gave them the opportunity to get my business if they would drop their prices to be close to what I could buy the identical units for from B&H or Adorama. In both cases, one store matched the price on the 7D and the other store matched the price on the 5D2. I've done the same on lenses and accessories, with pretty good results.

I wonder how that's working out for them.

I can't imagine giving business to someone who upon my 1st questions tells me that I must agree to either make a purchase or their would be a fee for giving me advise on what I'm not sure I want. I'll instinctively say no

is the fee per product or product type i.e. If the salesperson advises me on camera body would s/he have to charge another consulting fee if I start asking questions about lens.