Mediocre Sales Staff

Newer members often state that they think their question is too basic, or stupid, or whatever, to be posted. Nothing could be further further from the truth in any section at DSLRUsers.com, but especially here. Don't feel intimidated. The only stupid question is the one that remains unasked. We were all beginners at one stage, and even the most experienced amongst us will admit to learning new stuff on a daily basis. Ask away! Please also refer to the forum rules and the portal page

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is. Please also check the portal page for more information on this.

Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby kel88 on Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:50 pm

Ok so I'm looking at upgrading my compact digital to a dslr.
After spending several hours reading through posts here, I have managed to narrow down to a few models so I finally got to the shops to see what the prices were.
I was highly disappointed when I got to the shops I seemed to know more about the cameras than the salesman or woman. I did however get the positive out of the trip as I could get my hands on the different models and find what was best for my hands.
Does anyone know of any great or even decent camera stores that I could get some more info and general help with my decision? I have some idea of what I want but I'm really not so keen on spending all that hard earned cash on such little knowledge of what I'm buying.
I have not yet updated my profile but I live in Canberra so I am basically happy to check out any stores in the ACT. Preferably southside but if there is nothing decent here, I will drive north side to check them out.

Thanks for any help!!
kel88
Newbie
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:31 pm
Location: Tuggeranong, ACT

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby gstark on Mon Feb 09, 2009 11:07 pm

kel88 wrote:I was highly disappointed when I got to the shops I seemed to know more about the cameras than the salesman or woman.


I'm shocked!

I am truly shocked!

:biglaugh:

Does anyone know of any great or even decent camera stores that I could get some more info and general help with my decision? I have some idea of what I want but I'm really not so keen on spending all that hard earned cash on such little knowledge of what I'm buying.


I think that for Canberra, Ted's might be your best bet.

Failing that, come up to Goulburn this weekend, and you can have a play with my D300. Murray may be there with a D3 as well; I could always brung a 30D and a D200 as well, if you twist my arm sufficiently.

More importantly, you can chat with me, and you'll get some good impartial advice.
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22896
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby Mr Darcy on Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:19 am

I think that for Canberra, Ted's might be your best bet.


I agree. I have found the staff at Ted's Civic quite helpful. I was allowed to wander around outside the store taking photos with their cameras before I bought my first DSLR. Yes, I was accompanied by one of the sales staff, but fair's fair. I bought from them even though they were not the cheapest at the time. Such service needs to be rewarded or it will vanish.
I used my own CF card, so was also able to take my photos home & have a close look at them too.
They were also quite conversant with their gear. I had no sense that I knew more than they did.

Don't try for this at lunch time though. Maybe early to mid morning, and try to tee it up in advance.
Greg
It's easy to be good... when there is nothing else to do
User avatar
Mr Darcy
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3414
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:35 pm
Location: The somewhat singed and blackened Blue Mountains

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby christiand on Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:19 pm

Hi Kel88,

I live in tuggers and have a Nikon D200 with good glass.
Give me contact details and we may be able to show you the gear.

Cheers,
CD
User avatar
christiand
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1989
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:36 pm
Location: Tuggeranong, ACT - Canberra

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby tntman on Thu May 28, 2009 11:20 am

Try walking into a Harvey Norman store at 4:30, service doesnt exist in there!

On a 2nd note, I find that most CameraHouse or Paxtons have very helpful and friend staff!
Current Gear - 1D MKIII body, 5D MKII body, 17-40mm F4 L, Canon 70-200 IS F2.8, Sigma 120-400 OC HSM, 580EXII, 430EX II, 430EX. Panasonic G1 twin lens kit (My fav digicam!)
tntman
Member
 
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 9:11 pm
Location: Parramatta, NSW

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby gstark on Thu May 28, 2009 12:10 pm

tntman wrote:Try walking into a Harvey Norman store at 4:30, service doesnt exist in there!


Why wait till 4:30? :rotfl2:

On a 2nd note, I find that most CameraHouse or Paxtons have very helpful and friend staff!


Helpful is good.

So too is friendly.

But what about knowledgable? We were just listening to a tech segment on a Sydney commercial radio station, and the so-called tech specialist managed to get every answer wrong, IMNSHO.
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22896
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby aim54x on Thu May 28, 2009 12:24 pm

gstark wrote:Helpful is good.
So too is friendly.
But what about knowledgable? We were just listening to a tech segment on a Sydney commercial radio station, and the so-called tech specialist managed to get every answer wrong, IMNSHO.


:biglaugh: at the 'tech specialist' but I do work at Camera House when I need to sell my time for money. I will agree about the lack of knowledge that some ppl have and what they can get away with!!!
Cameron
Nikon F/Nikon 1 | Hasselblad V/XPAN| Leica M/LTM |Sony α/FE/E/Maxxum/M42
Wishlist Nikkor 24/85 f/1.4| Fuji Natura Black
Scout-Images | Flickr | 365Project
User avatar
aim54x
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7305
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:13 pm
Location: Penshurst, Sydney

Re: Mediocre Sales Staff

Postby tntman on Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:20 pm

gstark wrote:
tntman wrote:Try walking into a Harvey Norman store at 4:30, service doesnt exist in there!


Why wait till 4:30? :rotfl2:

Ahh-- some people like me dont have much time during the day due to parent commitments so the best time earliest I can get there is 4:30!

On a 2nd note, I find that most CameraHouse or Paxtons have very helpful and friend staff!


Helpful is good.

So too is friendly.

But what about knowledgable? We were just listening to a tech segment on a Sydney commercial radio station, and the so-called tech specialist managed to get every answer wrong, IMNSHO.


It's funny how some camera salesman try to tell me things like this pocket camera can go ISO3200 or 6400! They try to tell me that what it means, is that you can shoot in dark without flash! That was the funniest explanation I've ever had...

You'd be suprised that at Camerahouse, Paxtons, Teds etc that the ladies and gents selling the items there are sometimes semi pro photographers!
Current Gear - 1D MKIII body, 5D MKII body, 17-40mm F4 L, Canon 70-200 IS F2.8, Sigma 120-400 OC HSM, 580EXII, 430EX II, 430EX. Panasonic G1 twin lens kit (My fav digicam!)
tntman
Member
 
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 9:11 pm
Location: Parramatta, NSW


Return to Absolute Beginners Questions

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 19 guests