Having long been a proponent of supporting local camera shops, I had a rude
awakening today. The salesman (who knows me well) at the store where I've
spent thousands of dollars for Nikon bodies and lenses over the years
refused to let me see a F-5!
I was trying to decide if I wanted a new F-100 or if I should spend the
extra money for the F-5. I've handled the F-100, but not the F-5 and was
wondering if the weight difference would sway me. I was told that it was
the store policy that if a customer handled the F-5 he would have to buy
it!?! At first I thought he was joking and laughed. He said that if they
let "just anyone" handle it they would have to spend a lot of time with
gawkers. I explained that I had probably paid a good portion of his kids
college fund with the money I'd spent in the store. He shrugged his
shoulders and asked if I wanted him to ring up the camera. "No thanks," I
responded sarcastically, "I'll just buy it mail order..."
As I walked out of the store stunned, I wondered why anyone should bother
supporting this kind of attitude? If this were an isolated incident I would
let it pass. But its not. It seems like every time I go in for an item, it
needs to be special ordered. The last time I ordered some Ilford products I
waited ten days before calling in to check. I was told the order had not
yet been placed as they had not reached the minimum order amount! This
isn't just one store. I patronize several area shops.
Several weeks ago the "new guy" behind the counter was surprised as he
watched me change lenses on my N-90s with film in the camera. He told me I
had ruined the film inside by taking the lens of the body and letting light
inside! This seems to be the level of knowledge that is getting more common
these days.
I know there are still shops where you can find well informed, courteous
people, but the numbers seem to be dwindling.
Discouraged,
Kevin
