Anyone still buys from camera shops?

[Sion]

With online shops and ebay anyone still buys from camera shops?

In Sydney CBD we once had something like 11 shops with two having enormous floor space. I think we now have only three left.

I buy most from ebay. With cheap made-in-China accessories I usually buy more to keep for spare.

I must say camera shops are a good place to physically handle and check up a camera or lens you want to buy online. However they have to pay for the rent and wages too.

 

[Rashkae]

For local warranty, yeah the local shops are thriving. And its not always cheaper than ordering from abroad + shipping.

 

[diver-hloc]

Depends on item... spare batteries, filter, chargers, cleaning product... etc, I may order from online stores if there is a saving... but for camera and lens... still prefer to physically handle and test the item before putting my $$$ down. :think:

 

[Sion]

For local warranty, yeah the local shops are thriving. And its not always cheaper than ordering from abroad + shipping.

There is a new kind of online shops here. They maintain a physical shop with displays where you personally pick up what you order online thus saving postage.

I think it is probably due to the physical size of the place. Online shopping doesn't seem to be as popular in concentrated city states like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Many ebay sellers are selling their goods postage free now for smaller items.

 

[Bukitimah]

I guess singapore will always be a little different. Being small or I should say, tiny, it is easy to drop by to feel the product. When you are big, traveling is cost and time.

I am still very traditional, I want to feel the product not looking via web sites.

 

[Shizuma]

The only stuff i dare to online are those which are not easily breakable. Like chipped adapters.

 

[bonrya]

I miss jb hifi...

 

[allenleonhart]

The only stuff i dare to online are those which are not easily breakable. Like chipped adapters.

how do you break something thats already broken? :bsmilie:

 

[ricohflex]

Shopping experience in Sydney cannot compare to Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

 

[felixcat8888]

With online shops and ebay anyone still buys from camera shops?

In Sydney CBD we once had something like 11 shops with two having enormous floor space. I think we now have only three left.

I buy most from ebay. With cheap made-in-China accessories I usually buy more to keep for spare.

I must say camera shops are a good place to physically handle and check up a camera or lens you want to buy online. However they have to pay for the rent and wages too.

I still buy from shops.

 

[Halfmoon]

I still buy from shops.

Prefers shop........ maybe can explore accessories online....

 

[nitewalk]

I buy from BnS :bsmilie:

 

[inovva]

if you buy from camera shops, you can check it before you buy

just make sure there is warranty or return policy if you buy online

 

[Sion]

Which part of Sydney CBD? I think there are a few shops near World Square?

3 big shops I know of:

1. Paxton near Wynyard station.
2. Ted's behind Woolie.
3. Camera House at Kent Street

 

[trd2970]

I buy from shops locally if urgently need the gear. If can wait and price is more attractive, I'll get from overseas shops.

Not that I don't support local biz but sometimes the local prices are just too much.

 

[CyrusC]

What i usually do is go to the shops physically and play around with the cameras, and once i decided what to get, i will get it online coz it is so much cheaper getting it online.

 

[trd2970]

What i usually do is go to the shops physically and play around with the cameras, and once i decided what to get, i will get it online coz it is so much cheaper getting it online.

In countries like japan where most stores have demo sets for customers to try that's fine. In sg most electronic stores don't have live working demo sets.

I am quite worried abt getting "blacklisted" by local shops for asking to play with their cameras.

 

[ManWearPants]

If the shop hires a few xmm for me to tfcd for a while. Yes. They need to value add other than relying on local warranty to protect their business.

Most are just retail fronts whose sales don't even want to attend to your questions. Then why pay more?

 

[Dfive]

With online shops and ebay anyone still buys from camera shops?

In Sydney CBD we once had something like 11 shops with two having enormous floor space. I think we now have only three left.

I buy most from ebay. With cheap made-in-China accessories I usually buy more to keep for spare.

I must say camera shops are a good place to physically handle and check up a camera or lens you want to buy online. However they have to pay for the rent and wages too.

I support shops ONLY...... shops = jobs !

Online shopping will never have a place in my wallet.

 

[digitalphoto]

Expensive gears better get from shop!!! Have bad experience getting online