Should we try to haggle at the Local Camera Store using Amazon's prices?
May 10, 2011 5:24 PM Subscribe
My husband is in the market for a new camera. There's one camera store in town that carries the cameras he's considering. The camera store is asking $100 more than Amazon. Should he tell the camera store what Amazon is charging? (I.e., try to haggle?)
This is the only decent camera store in 400 miles, as far as I know. My husband is planning to go into the camera store to spend some time messing about with the three cameras he's considering (one in particular), since it can be hard to figure out this sort of purchase without holding the camera (with a battery!) in your hand. Walmart and Fred Meyer don't carry the cameras, and Sears isn't willing to install batteries in their demo models (and they don't have all the ones he's looking at. )
It seems really gauche to say to the camera store guys "hey, I'd really like to buy from you, but Amazon will sell me this for $100 less...". On the other hand, he'd like to support local businesses and not waste their time. On the other other hand, $100 is $100.
(for what it's worth, the cameras in question are the Olympus EPL2, the Sony A33, and the Sony A55)
This is the only decent camera store in 400 miles, as far as I know. My husband is planning to go into the camera store to spend some time messing about with the three cameras he's considering (one in particular), since it can be hard to figure out this sort of purchase without holding the camera (with a battery!) in your hand. Walmart and Fred Meyer don't carry the cameras, and Sears isn't willing to install batteries in their demo models (and they don't have all the ones he's looking at. )
It seems really gauche to say to the camera store guys "hey, I'd really like to buy from you, but Amazon will sell me this for $100 less...". On the other hand, he'd like to support local businesses and not waste their time. On the other other hand, $100 is $100.
(for what it's worth, the cameras in question are the Olympus EPL2, the Sony A33, and the Sony A55)
I don't think there is any point to bargaining with the local camera store. Amazon.com is cheaper because they don't have to pay for a storefront and floor models.
One reason that it might be worthwhile to buy locally (and pay $100 extra) is if your husband could use some assistance or support with the camera. I know my local camera stores will happily provide assistance and basic training (this is how you do X, Y, Z, here is how you access A, B, C) and if your husband wants hands-on help down the road, having a relationship with the local camera store could be useful.
OTOH, all the information they would provide is also easy to find on the web in places like DPreview.com.
So, it is a toss-up of where to buy the camera, but I absolutely wouldn't say, "I'd like to buy this camera from you, but it is $100 cheaper on Amazon.com" unless they have a price-matching policy that includes online purchases.
posted by arnicae at 5:35 PM on May 10, 2011
One reason that it might be worthwhile to buy locally (and pay $100 extra) is if your husband could use some assistance or support with the camera. I know my local camera stores will happily provide assistance and basic training (this is how you do X, Y, Z, here is how you access A, B, C) and if your husband wants hands-on help down the road, having a relationship with the local camera store could be useful.
OTOH, all the information they would provide is also easy to find on the web in places like DPreview.com.
So, it is a toss-up of where to buy the camera, but I absolutely wouldn't say, "I'd like to buy this camera from you, but it is $100 cheaper on Amazon.com" unless they have a price-matching policy that includes online purchases.
posted by arnicae at 5:35 PM on May 10, 2011
It'd be more than $100 when you take into account that Amazon doesn't charge sales tax in most states (or shipping, if you take the extra few days and go Super Saver). I wouldn't be at all embarrassed about bringing this up to the store manager once your husband's made a decision on which camera he wants to get, but I also wouldn't expect them to cave on the price. If it's a big-name camera store or a franchise or something along those lines, the prices are probably set at the corporate level and they probably don't have any haggling discretion. But you never know, and I don't think it's gauche to bring it up when there's that much money at stake. Maybe in lieu of reducing the price, they can give him a ten-year warranty or something like that, which might be worth the equivalent of the price difference.
posted by Gator at 5:35 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by Gator at 5:35 PM on May 10, 2011
Buy camera from Amazon. Buy ~$100 worth of accessories from local camera store.
posted by matlock expressway at 5:41 PM on May 10, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by matlock expressway at 5:41 PM on May 10, 2011 [5 favorites]
So you want the benefits of a brick and mortar can try it out store, but don't want to pay the expense that entails? That reminds me of this sign that floated around the net a while ago regarding Borders/Amazon.
I hate buying a $10 cable from the local computer store as much as the next guy if I can get it online for $2, but I'll buy it when I need to because I can get it right away. Same day purchasing and the ability to see it before you buy it cranks up the price, there's no escaping that. Maybe offer to meet them in the middle. But to expect them to meet Amazon's price but provide better service is just insulting.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:48 PM on May 10, 2011 [4 favorites]
I hate buying a $10 cable from the local computer store as much as the next guy if I can get it online for $2, but I'll buy it when I need to because I can get it right away. Same day purchasing and the ability to see it before you buy it cranks up the price, there's no escaping that. Maybe offer to meet them in the middle. But to expect them to meet Amazon's price but provide better service is just insulting.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:48 PM on May 10, 2011 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: For what it's worth, there's no sales tax at Local Camera Store (which I don't think is a franchise), and, of course, no shipping from Amazon. And we don't have the extra $100 budgeted for this (as it is, the camera he seems to be settling on is right at the top of the budget....on the other hand, you don't want to buy a camera that is obsolete when you buy it!)---and if we did, then there would be no question as to which camera to buy, we'd get the fancier one, and be back at the same question.
posted by leahwrenn at 5:49 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by leahwrenn at 5:49 PM on May 10, 2011
Sorry, but I think it's unethical to take advantage of "messing about" with several different cameras in a brick-and-mortar, pay to carry inventory and employees store, and then demand the same price as take-it-or-leave-it Amazon. Do it one way or the other.
I'm a diver, and scuba gear is much cheaper online. When I know exactly what I want, I go for the best price. When I want advice on a regulator and to compare various models in person, I consider the higher local store price to be fair for the extra services.
IMO, it's not fair to have it both ways.
posted by cyndigo at 5:53 PM on May 10, 2011 [17 favorites]
I'm a diver, and scuba gear is much cheaper online. When I know exactly what I want, I go for the best price. When I want advice on a regulator and to compare various models in person, I consider the higher local store price to be fair for the extra services.
IMO, it's not fair to have it both ways.
posted by cyndigo at 5:53 PM on May 10, 2011 [17 favorites]
My husband is planning to go into the camera store to spend some time messing about with the three cameras he's considering (one in particular), since it can be hard to figure out this sort of purchase without holding the camera (with a battery!) in your hand.
That's what you are paying the extra for, really.
posted by carter at 6:18 PM on May 10, 2011 [7 favorites]
That's what you are paying the extra for, really.
posted by carter at 6:18 PM on May 10, 2011 [7 favorites]
If you're going to go in to check out the camera and ask for advice, you should plan on buying it at the store. It's worth asking if they'll price match with Amazon. If they will, yay! (And you should do them a favor by buying accessories from them instead of getting them a couple bucks cheaper online.) If they can't match it, they can't match it. If you absolutely can't afford what they're charging, order it from Amazon. If you decide you don't like it, return it to Amazon.
Don't go in to learn about the camera it if you can't afford to pay what they're charging. They have bills to pay too, and they're not in the market to help you figure out what to buy from someone else. They're in the market to sell you stuff.
posted by AlisonM at 6:21 PM on May 10, 2011 [3 favorites]
Don't go in to learn about the camera it if you can't afford to pay what they're charging. They have bills to pay too, and they're not in the market to help you figure out what to buy from someone else. They're in the market to sell you stuff.
posted by AlisonM at 6:21 PM on May 10, 2011 [3 favorites]
It seems really gauche to say to the camera store guys "hey, I'd really like to buy from you, but Amazon will sell me this for $100 less...".
Yeah, please don't do this: it is TACKY, TACKY TACKY, and the world is already full of assholes who do it. Believe me, if Local Camera Store is selling that camera for the lowest price they can already.
posted by Violet Hour at 6:21 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, please don't do this: it is TACKY, TACKY TACKY, and the world is already full of assholes who do it. Believe me, if Local Camera Store is selling that camera for the lowest price they can already.
posted by Violet Hour at 6:21 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
re: tacky - I've worked in retail for way too long, but I will say that price matching has become sort of standard. Saying "do you guys price match?" is a LOT less tacky than "hey, soooo, hey, yeah, you're cool, but there's this Amazon place that is cheap, hey...."
They either will or they won't. Go in expecting to pay their price, and if they'll price match for you, yay! I know my employer will *sometimes* price match, but not if they lose money on it. it's a case-by-case sort of thing, and how smooth you are has nothing to do with it. Just ask and don't be a jerk.
But I'll repeat: if you can't pay what they're charging, don't waste their time.
posted by AlisonM at 6:29 PM on May 10, 2011
They either will or they won't. Go in expecting to pay their price, and if they'll price match for you, yay! I know my employer will *sometimes* price match, but not if they lose money on it. it's a case-by-case sort of thing, and how smooth you are has nothing to do with it. Just ask and don't be a jerk.
But I'll repeat: if you can't pay what they're charging, don't waste their time.
posted by AlisonM at 6:29 PM on May 10, 2011
If your husband wants to check out the cameras, he should pay the local store their full price. That extra $100 is the cost of being able to check out the cameras.
As Tim O'Reilly says, you should Buy Where You Shop:
O'Reilly had some more to say on the subject in 2009, Why Using ShopSavvy Might Not Be So Savvy.
Sure, it's easy to pocket the hundred bucks. But if you want the local camera store -- or the local bookstore or the local jeweler -- to stay in business, you need to give them your business. That's part of the cost of keeping your local economy going, and it's part of the cost of being able to check out the cameras, books, rings, whatever before you buy.
posted by alms at 7:00 PM on May 10, 2011 [4 favorites]
As Tim O'Reilly says, you should Buy Where You Shop:
A few months ago, I was talking with one of my most loyal retail customers, a specialty computer bookstore in Massachusetts. "We survived the chains, and we survived Amazon," he said, "but I don't know if we're going to survive the online discounters. People come in here all the time, browse through the books on display, and then tell me as they leave that they can get a better price online."[Note: I believe that this bookstore was Quantum Books in Kendall Square. It did not end up surviving.]
Now, you might say, as the Hawaiian proverb notes, no one promised us tomorrow. Businesses, like individuals and species, must adapt or die. And if the Internet is bad for small, local retailers, it's good for the online resellers and it's good for customers, right?
But think a little more deeply, and you realize that my friend wasn't complaining that people were buying books elsewhere. He was complaining that people were taking a service from him--browsing the books in his store--and then buying elsewhere. There's a world of difference between those two statements.
O'Reilly had some more to say on the subject in 2009, Why Using ShopSavvy Might Not Be So Savvy.
Sure, it's easy to pocket the hundred bucks. But if you want the local camera store -- or the local bookstore or the local jeweler -- to stay in business, you need to give them your business. That's part of the cost of keeping your local economy going, and it's part of the cost of being able to check out the cameras, books, rings, whatever before you buy.
posted by alms at 7:00 PM on May 10, 2011 [4 favorites]
Another option you have is to see if the camera store will give a discount for paying in cash. Credit cards take a sizable percentage of every sale (I think AmEx is something like 5%), and in my experience, small local shops are happy to charge less than sticker price for cash in hand.
posted by phunniemee at 7:20 PM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 7:20 PM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
It seems really gauche to say to the camera store guys "hey, I'd really like to buy from you, but Amazon will sell me this for $100 less...". On the other hand, he'd like to support local businesses and not waste their time. On the other other hand, $100 is $100.While that phrasing is a bit tacky, there is absolutely nothing wrong with saying "this is $100 cheaper online, I appreciate that you provided the service of letting me fondle the camera in person. Is there anything you can do to bring the price down?" Then, whether or not they lower the price, you buy it there.
posted by fief at 7:27 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think it's completely acceptable to go in and try the cameras and to ask if they'll price match. My LCS does this, they won't beat prices but they'll match prices. I think the thing to remember - both for you and also for the retailer - is that you're not making just one purchase. You'll likely be buying accessories in the future, then maybe another new camera etc. That $100 is goodwill they invest into a relationship with you for many more purchases to come.
Anyway, that's my experience.
posted by dismitree at 7:31 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyway, that's my experience.
posted by dismitree at 7:31 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
I recently read a newspaper article about a similar situation. Ski shops (here in Australia) are considering charging a $50 fitting fee because they're literally losing money paying for staff to spend time to determine the perfect ski boots for a customer, when the customer ultimately walks out of the store without purchasing from them. Instead they buy the boots - recommended by the qualified trained bricks'n'mortar staff member - via the 'net.
(The $50 is refundable if you purchase from the store that took the time to make sure you are correctly fitted.)
I reckon your husband should buy from the local store, but say with a smile, "I could get this cheaper off Amazon but I want to patronise a local business. Anything you could do to lower the price would be appreciated.".
posted by malibustacey9999 at 7:44 PM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
(The $50 is refundable if you purchase from the store that took the time to make sure you are correctly fitted.)
I reckon your husband should buy from the local store, but say with a smile, "I could get this cheaper off Amazon but I want to patronise a local business. Anything you could do to lower the price would be appreciated.".
posted by malibustacey9999 at 7:44 PM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
as one of the owners of a local (non-camera) store, i'd say feel free to ask for a price match, or a discount for cash, but don't get pissy if they say no. don't assume that you know what their credit card processing fees are and feel that you should get that back for paying cash, don't assume you know what their wholesale costs are, and don't assume that you'll catch them on the right day or in the right mood for them to be eager to cut you a break.
posted by jimw at 8:13 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jimw at 8:13 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Asking for a price match makes sense to me. On the other hand, I've gotten FAR more support from my local camera store than I would from Amazon. They've willingly, happily exchanged defective kit without even a question, and the extra $$ I've paid is more than accounted for by the extremely good advice I've gotten from them. Just two months ago, the salesperson I talked to talked me out of buying a $700 lens and said I should buy a $400 lens. I could've gotten the $400 lens for $350 at Amazon, but I probably would have bought the $700 lens. Just a few weeks ago, they pulled my customer records and emailed me the serial numbers of the lenses I'd bought from them when some of my kit was stolen.
If the pricing is outrageously different (several hundred $$), I'll buy online, and I'd feel comfortable asking for a price match where it was close, but I figure I'm paying for service, and (important addition) I make use of that service fairly regularly.
posted by socratic at 8:57 PM on May 10, 2011
If the pricing is outrageously different (several hundred $$), I'll buy online, and I'd feel comfortable asking for a price match where it was close, but I figure I'm paying for service, and (important addition) I make use of that service fairly regularly.
posted by socratic at 8:57 PM on May 10, 2011
One electronics dealers view on the 'sample local, buy via the internet' phenomena.
posted by buzzman at 9:03 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by buzzman at 9:03 PM on May 10, 2011
I've recently returned to photography, after a long time away. I did some research online, narrowed my choice down to three, and then went locally to actually see them. One local shop in particular was helpful, patient, and had various staff members who new all three cameras well. I quite happily paid almost $100 more than the Amazon price for the advice and the time I spent there. I think your husband should do the same.
posted by OneMonkeysUncle at 9:19 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by OneMonkeysUncle at 9:19 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nthing the "Don't go try out the cameras at the local store and then buy online." Very not cool.
posted by BryanPayne at 9:25 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by BryanPayne at 9:25 PM on May 10, 2011
Anything you could do to lower the price would be appreciated.
This is a phrase that will almost certainly assure that you will not get a discounted price in a specialty store, as others have pointed out you're paying slightly more for the expertise and knowledge such a store provides. Will Amazon (or other online retailer) assist you when your new purchase has problems? Fix it when it doesn't work without having to send it through the post to a remote location? Make well-informed recommendations on secondary purchases based on actual experience?
So why should the local brick-and-mortar store match prices if Amazon won't (or more likely can't) match the level of service and experience you'll get from them? Why anyone would even consider buying something as complex and nuanced as a camera from an online retailer is beyond comprehension. There is no accurate comparison.
posted by motown missile at 12:14 AM on May 11, 2011
This is a phrase that will almost certainly assure that you will not get a discounted price in a specialty store, as others have pointed out you're paying slightly more for the expertise and knowledge such a store provides. Will Amazon (or other online retailer) assist you when your new purchase has problems? Fix it when it doesn't work without having to send it through the post to a remote location? Make well-informed recommendations on secondary purchases based on actual experience?
So why should the local brick-and-mortar store match prices if Amazon won't (or more likely can't) match the level of service and experience you'll get from them? Why anyone would even consider buying something as complex and nuanced as a camera from an online retailer is beyond comprehension. There is no accurate comparison.
posted by motown missile at 12:14 AM on May 11, 2011
Please don't do this. If all of the reasons above don't convince you, please read up on amazom's business plan.
In short, they began with the intention of losing lots and lots of money while underselling everyone to build market share, and then essentially killing brick and mortar stores.
That said, I work in a local yarn shop, where we offer lots of services, particularly choosing yarns and calculating amounts (in addition to ten minutes of free knotting help if the shop is quiet). When customers come in and fondle 3 yarns for ten minutes or an hour I have to restock it all, and it takes my time away from other customers and the administrative work of the shop.
Being the 'showroom to the onternet' is not sustainable for us, nor for camera shops.
posted by bilabial at 3:51 AM on May 11, 2011
In short, they began with the intention of losing lots and lots of money while underselling everyone to build market share, and then essentially killing brick and mortar stores.
That said, I work in a local yarn shop, where we offer lots of services, particularly choosing yarns and calculating amounts (in addition to ten minutes of free knotting help if the shop is quiet). When customers come in and fondle 3 yarns for ten minutes or an hour I have to restock it all, and it takes my time away from other customers and the administrative work of the shop.
Being the 'showroom to the onternet' is not sustainable for us, nor for camera shops.
posted by bilabial at 3:51 AM on May 11, 2011
I feel that cameras, like cars and furniture, are one of those items that it's ok to try to haggle slightly. However, unlike cars and furniture, there is usually an agreed-upon price from most retailers, especially for brand-new equipment. The Olympus just came out a couple months ago (great camera, by the way, definitely recommend it), so you will pay full retail for it. Paying MORE than full retail seems silly. I would ask if they will match their price - but to whatever B&H is asking for the camera, not Amazon.
If they don't give you the matched price, you can either politely say thanks but no thanks, or suck it up and pay the extra money. I buy most of my camera gear from a local chain and they've always been willing to price match with B&H for the big ticket items like camera bodies. The big markups are usually on need-it-now consumables, anyway - memory cards and things like that.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:11 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
If they don't give you the matched price, you can either politely say thanks but no thanks, or suck it up and pay the extra money. I buy most of my camera gear from a local chain and they've always been willing to price match with B&H for the big ticket items like camera bodies. The big markups are usually on need-it-now consumables, anyway - memory cards and things like that.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:11 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Be advised that the lowest price on Amazon may not necessarily be a reputable business. In the online world, the low price should set off your scam warning bells.
posted by JJ86 at 5:59 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by JJ86 at 5:59 AM on May 11, 2011
When I bought my camera (Panasonic Lumix GH1), I went into the best of my LCS. They didn't have that model (No one nearby did), but they did offer me some good advice. Once I decided what to buy, the price was nearly $300 cheaper online (Adorama or B&H or Amazon - all were similar in price) than having the camera store order it. I
went in there and basically said the following- "I appreciate the advice you offered and I would prefer to support a local shop, but the price difference is quite large. I realize you probably can't match the online price, but I was wondering if you could come a bit closer?" They cut the price (I can't remember the exact amount, but it was something like $150-200 that they cut. I paid more, but not so much more). They seemed to happy to have the sale (even with the discount), and I felt good about supporting a local merchant, even if I had to pay a bit more. When I need some camera accessory RIGHT AWAY, I'll be glad that LCS is still there, even if my smallish purchase was only a small contribution
posted by JMOZ at 6:13 AM on May 11, 2011
went in there and basically said the following- "I appreciate the advice you offered and I would prefer to support a local shop, but the price difference is quite large. I realize you probably can't match the online price, but I was wondering if you could come a bit closer?" They cut the price (I can't remember the exact amount, but it was something like $150-200 that they cut. I paid more, but not so much more). They seemed to happy to have the sale (even with the discount), and I felt good about supporting a local merchant, even if I had to pay a bit more. When I need some camera accessory RIGHT AWAY, I'll be glad that LCS is still there, even if my smallish purchase was only a small contribution
posted by JMOZ at 6:13 AM on May 11, 2011
My experience and answer are virtually the same as jimw's. You can ask politely, with a smile, once. If you are told 'no' then smile and let it go. They are aware of Amazon and their prices and you are not the first to try for a good deal, so they are most likely prepared for it and have an answer ready. Ask as if you were asking about any other policy or service, like 'Do you offer price-matching with other retailers?' They may say 'no' or 'any store within 50 miles' or 'grumble-grumble...ok, what are you hoping to get' or 'no, but we'll throw in [accessories].' Customers who do it like this are generally forgotten. Customers who really push it are remembered, and not fondly. Customers who insinuate that they know how the business is run and how to run it are positively loathed.
Ask when the store is empty. Know at what point (15% discount? $50 off?) you will agree to buy. If they don't budge on the price, tell the white lie that they will see through (have to think about it, have to wait for payday, whatever). Actually saying you'll be going somewhere much cheaper now that you've taken up their time and resources is exceptionally rude even when you both know that's what you're doing.
posted by K.P. at 9:37 AM on May 11, 2011
Ask when the store is empty. Know at what point (15% discount? $50 off?) you will agree to buy. If they don't budge on the price, tell the white lie that they will see through (have to think about it, have to wait for payday, whatever). Actually saying you'll be going somewhere much cheaper now that you've taken up their time and resources is exceptionally rude even when you both know that's what you're doing.
posted by K.P. at 9:37 AM on May 11, 2011
Oh, one other reason it's harder to price match as a small business is quantity. If you don't have to maintain a storefront, you can get a warehouse for the same amount. A huge warehouse.
With a huge warehouse, you can store bulk orders of things. And with bulk orders, you often get a quantity discount.
Smaller shops generally don't have the luxury of bulk discounts, for more reasons than just space requirements. Particularly the overhead costs of employees and credit limits.
posted by bilabial at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2011
With a huge warehouse, you can store bulk orders of things. And with bulk orders, you often get a quantity discount.
Smaller shops generally don't have the luxury of bulk discounts, for more reasons than just space requirements. Particularly the overhead costs of employees and credit limits.
posted by bilabial at 11:31 AM on May 11, 2011
Tacky? What's tackier than charging high mark-ups? What does tacky mean? It's sticky, like wet paint? No, of course not. It means nothing. It is dog-whistle bullshit designed to appeal to the snob in you. Forget that noise. Asking for a better price is not "tacky", no wet paint is involved.
The store is there to serve. You have to ask for what you want, they don't have to provide that. If they won't negotiate at all, well, they get used and tossed aside while you order from Amazon. The store's loss. That's life. No tackiness involved. That too, is part of their cost of doing business. Just as all the research into buying a new camera is part of YOUR cost of buying a camera.
Expect something between the 2 prices. If they can discuss this nicely, fine. If they can't, well, Amazon (or some other online retailer). To suggest this is "unfair", well, having people look at stuff then buy elsewhere is part of their cost of doing business. If they don't like it, they can go fry hamburgers or something.
posted by Goofyy at 3:20 AM on May 13, 2011
The store is there to serve. You have to ask for what you want, they don't have to provide that. If they won't negotiate at all, well, they get used and tossed aside while you order from Amazon. The store's loss. That's life. No tackiness involved. That too, is part of their cost of doing business. Just as all the research into buying a new camera is part of YOUR cost of buying a camera.
Expect something between the 2 prices. If they can discuss this nicely, fine. If they can't, well, Amazon (or some other online retailer). To suggest this is "unfair", well, having people look at stuff then buy elsewhere is part of their cost of doing business. If they don't like it, they can go fry hamburgers or something.
posted by Goofyy at 3:20 AM on May 13, 2011
Response by poster: So, my husband went into the LCS prepared to ask if they price matched, and then to buy from the LCS (basically, either way). He asked politely, and got a grumpy response from the guy behind the counter that he'd have to ask his manager, that sometimes they do but blah blah grrr.
But then it turned out that they no longer had the camera in stock (not even the demo model) and had absolutely no idea when they might have it in stock again (nor did they offer to take a phone number to let him know when it was back in stock or anything). So he bought it from Amazon and was left with a kind of a bad feeling about the whole thing.
posted by leahwrenn at 12:34 PM on June 10, 2011
But then it turned out that they no longer had the camera in stock (not even the demo model) and had absolutely no idea when they might have it in stock again (nor did they offer to take a phone number to let him know when it was back in stock or anything). So he bought it from Amazon and was left with a kind of a bad feeling about the whole thing.
posted by leahwrenn at 12:34 PM on June 10, 2011
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He just has to decide if he wants to actually walk away and buy it from amazon for the cheaper price if they don't, or if supporting a local business is worth that extra money.
posted by dirtylittlecity at 5:34 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]