Bad experience at CP Marina

[Romulus]

the RRP for the 550EX is definately more than $630. I remember it something like $670-$690. The best deal I got was at TCW where I was "allowed" the 550EX at $580 if I got a BG-ED3 from them too.

Anyway, it does help to ask around first. Get equotes, go to AP, etc just to inquire before going down to buy. Takes effort and time but it can save you $.

If you disregard CP and AP... you'll have very few left to buy from!

 

[midnitesun]

Don't know whether it is like to like but I just bought my 10d at Alan's photo as SLS for 2680 and the Transend CF 1gig cost for only 440.

 

[midnitesun]

Don't know whether it is like to like but I just bought my 10d at Alan's photo as SLS for 2680 and they sold me Transend CF 1gig for 440.

 

[kifo]

Thanks for all your replies.

I never said I was going to write off CP. I also never imply that what they did was wrong. All I intended was to relate my "bad" experience at CP Marina to new users on this forum and hope that they learn something from my rather "expensive" mistake.

Actually, to be more accurate, some users here got the Vtage battery for only $27 at CP. So I paid an "extra" $19. Plus that "extra" $30 for the flash and "extra" $15 for the compact flash, I paid an "extra" total of $64. That equote saved me $40 over tha quote I was given at the shop. So the balance is still negative -$24.

I am not really that sore about the measly $24. All the time there I tried to bargain but the salesman wouldn't bulge and kept saying that is the lowest he could offer. The thing that stikes me is that unless I get an equote from CP before hand, there is no way to guarantee that I can have an honest transaction with the salesman in the shop. I have bought thousands dollar worth of equipment from CP and that time I went to the effort to get quotes from CP, AP and MSColor. CP's quote was the best and so my business went to them. This time , I suppose I was under the naive idea that CP will always give me the best price. and got stung.

Why Marina and not Peninsula? My experiences at Peninsula has always been more positive. I get the feeling that they will try to give you the best price so as to get your business (when thay know you are serious about the purchase). But the experience at Marina seems to tell me that you either buy it at their quoted price or you leave. Maybe they only reserve their best prices for their regulars.

Maybe this is just my luck or bad timing.
Nevertheless, I am sorry of anybody feels that my initial post came across too strongly. This is a forum for users new and experience and I think my experience was worthy of sharing. The freshness of the whole incident must have biased and skewed the choice of words in my post and I apologise.

As they say, "there are many lessons in life."

:sweat:

 

[hongsien]

Originally posted by rueyloon
recently there has been a few reports of bad experiences and I find it very unfair to the shops.

I dun think the shop has the responsibility to quote you the CHEAPEST price in Singapore. They are doing a business, they quote you a price if you not happy, you don't have to buy.

I believe from your mail, the difference from the other quotes you read is just 30+15 = $45


You can always take your money to other places that you're happy with. Prices at CP is resonable, definately not the cheapest but you know you won't get conned.

Even prices of food in different McDonalds differs, prices of stuff in NTUC vs Carefour differs this does not mean they are cheating anyone.

Y equotes ? the same reason Y fast food chains give out coupons..... staggered pricing... (or something, I only did 6 months of economics hehehe)

If you can wait, you'll get a slightly better price, else... still a resonable price.

Agree on that! I haven't heard anyone (or am I missing some postings) screaming when MS color or Allan photo is quoting higher prices.......if you want to save, you have to do your work and compare, isn't it fun to be able to find the lowest prices? Make it a fun thing, lah! You know why women like shopping?............

I am a chocolate lover (well to be exact: 'after eight' addict) and a small box of these costs at Cold Storage SGD 7.40 while a double amount of thie same chocolates at this chinese supermarket at the new Little India shopping/food court complex costs only SGD 6.90!!! (for double the amount of the same!!)
make a guess where I buy those chocolates........

Hong Sien

 

[Revo]

Originally posted by hongsien
Agree on that! I haven't heard anyone (or am I missing some postings) screaming when MS color or Allan photo is quoting higher prices.......if you want to save, you have to do your work and compare, isn't it fun to be able to find the lowest prices? Make it a fun thing, lah! You know why women like shopping?............

I am a chocolate lover (well to be exact: 'after eight' addict) and a small box of these costs at Cold Storage SGD 7.40 while a double amount of thie same chocolates at this chinese supermarket at the new Little India shopping/food court complex costs only SGD 6.90!!! (for double the amount of the same!!)
make a guess where I buy those chocolates........

Hong Sien

Same addict here....

the shop u are talking abt is Sheng Song/Siong (cant remember the name...)?

 

[hongsien]

Originally posted by rueyloon
recently there has been a few reports of bad experiences and I find it very unfair to the shops.

I dun think the shop has the responsibility to quote you the CHEAPEST price in Singapore. They are doing a business, they quote you a price if you not happy, you don't have to buy.

I believe from your mail, the difference from the other quotes you read is just 30+15 = $45


You can always take your money to other places that you're happy with. Prices at CP is resonable, definately not the cheapest but you know you won't get conned.

Even prices of food in different McDonalds differs, prices of stuff in NTUC vs Carefour differs this does not mean they are cheating anyone.

Y equotes ? the same reason Y fast food chains give out coupons..... staggered pricing... (or something, I only did 6 months of economics hehehe)

If you can wait, you'll get a slightly better price, else... still a resonable price.

Agree on that! I haven't heard anyone (or am I missing some postings) screaming when MS color or Allan photo is quoting higher prices.......if you want to save, you have to do your work and compare, isn't it fun to be able to find the lowest prices? Make it a fun thing, lah! You know why women like shopping?............

I am a chocolate lover (well to be exact: 'after eight' addict) and a small box of these costs at Cold Storage SGD 7.40 while a double amount of thie same chocolates at this chinese supermarket at the new Little India shopping/food court complex costs only SGD 6.90!!! (for double the amount of the same!!)
make a guess where I buy those chocolates........

Hong Sien

 

[star]

So, where is the place to get the best deal?

Where will u all recommend to get the most reasonable prices?
I dun want to get koutok.
:cry:

 

[RuthBaby]

AP quoted me 650 while CP 600...

 

[ST1100]

Originally posted by hongsien


I am a chocolate lover (well to be exact: 'after eight' addict) and a small box of these costs at Cold Storage SGD 7.40 while a double amount of thie same chocolates at this chinese supermarket at the new Little India shopping/food court complex costs only SGD 6.90!!! (for double the amount of the same!!)
make a guess where I buy those chocolates........

Hong Sien

Erm, can share with us where to get After 8 at $6.90?

i had suggested to the admin/moderators to start a price list page, at least for major items like bodies and lenses, something like what hardware zone has. At least it'll save us a lot of time and legwork when we're planning which lenses to get and where. And no, i don't know if they're taking up my suggestion.

 

[sehsuan]

kifo, i'm one of those to get 27 bucks for the v-tage batteries

but seriously, you should consider what you can find on canon sg's site at http://www.canon.com.sg/digitalcamera/lenses_specs.html

Speedlite 550EX - Battery Size: 4 x "AA" ( Not Included ) - S$860

Be thankful there was the $100+ saved in the first place

personally, though i can't vouch i'm getting the dead lowest prices each time i pop by CP PP, i am glad to have a very positive customer relation there with one particular salesperson. he was recommended by another CS member, and he's pretty much helpful - so if the items come up a little more expensive, by say, $10 on a $100 item, i can close my eye. people still have a living to make, you know

and of course, i'm basing my buy on the "average market price" that i'm reading off CS.

 

[kifo]

Originally posted by hongsien
Agree on that! I haven't heard anyone (or am I missing some postings) screaming when MS color or Allan photo is quoting higher prices.......

I always have the impression (as I related earlier) that AP and MSColor prices are usually not as low as CP. Sometimes, I am willing to pay a higher price for better services or for other important reasons. As I said, my impression is naive and has since been proven wrong.

 

[kifo]

Originally posted by sehsuan
but seriously, you should consider what you can find on canon sg's site at http://www.canon.com.sg/digitalcamera/lenses_specs.html

Speedlite 550EX - Battery Size: 4 x "AA" ( Not Included ) - S$860

Be thankful there was the $100+ saved in the first place

personally, though i can't vouch i'm getting the dead lowest prices each time i pop by CP PP, i am glad to have a very positive customer relation there with one particular salesperson. he was recommended by another CS member, and he's pretty much helpful - so if the items come up a little more expensive, by say, $10 on a $100 item, i can close my eye. people still have a living to make, you know

I think nobody on this forum who reads the postings here will be paying $860 for the flash. I use (or intend to anyway) this forum so that I can keep myself up-to-date on latest developments and equipment prices. I believe you do the same too. We all are here to chit-chat, discuss, share and bitch about the latest hardware, latest promotions, etc.

What I had experienced in the shop a few days back was not a happy one and I shared that experience thinking others (like newbies) can eventually benefit from my experience. I am sorry if what I shared does not seem to be too agreeable with everyone but I think this is the nature of the internet forum.

As far as fairness to the shops goes, I think I have reported the whole incident factually, have not intentionally left out or distorted any facts. And as many here has already pointed out, the salesman was simply doing his job and he has done nothing wrong.

Anyway, I am glad for all the replies here, either trying to explain the situation or sharing other insights. Because of all your replies, we have hopefully enriched some other readers experience and understanding a little bit.

 

[Pegasus]

Originally posted by kifo
Thanks for all your replies.
.. there is no way to guarantee that I can have an honest transaction with the salesman in the shop.

Hello, honest transaction? What do you mean by honest transaction? They name the price, it's up to you to get it or not, rite? Did they force you into buying? Probably Not. So what's so "dishonest" about their practice? The only thing you can blame is yourself. Don't go around blaming others for your misfortune.

Apparently you don't have the making of a businessman. Sorry, if I offended you.

 

[fighthefuture]

i had some problems myself at cp marina... went there recently to look for a 82mm filter. The salesman said to me that they dun have it.

My next logical qn was: do they have the filter at cp peninsular? And he said dunno.

So my next next logical qn was: can you help me check and call them if they have?

And he said i better go down myself *arghhhhhh* :mad2:

 

[MrBig]

Originally posted by kifo
Just went to get a Canon 10D 2 days ago.

I went armed with an equote for the 10D for $2,640. The salesman at first quoted 2,680. I told him I have an equote, so he took a look at it quietly and said that he will give me the camera at that price.

I also wanted to buy the 550EX and an extra battery. He quoted me $630 for the flash and brought a 3rd party V-tage which he says is cheaper at $46. I was unsure about all these prices and blur blur agreed.

Then he offered to sell me the Hagiwara 512MB CF for $230. Although I knew I could get a 512mb for much cheaper at Sim Lim, I am not sure about the Hagiwara brand and it was already late so I agreed again without barganing!

After I did a search on this forum then I realise that some of you have bought the flash and the battery from CP at a much lower price!

Although I have bought many stuff from the CP at Peninsula many times, this was my first time at Marina and never have I imagined that the difference is so great!

This is the end of CP @ Marina Square for me.

I hope all of you reading this learn a few valuable lessons from my expensive mistake.

Haiz...

haha! u shld get equotes 4 everything b4 going there

if i'm the sales guy of cos i'll charge u more on the accessories since u do not hv equotes for those items

use brains next time ok
;(

;p

 

[Winston]

Originally posted by Snowcrash
But one never factor in the amount of time needed for the above.

So how much is your time worth? - 'eg. $10per hour?'

I disagree, sometimes the amount you can save is really a lot if you add it up.

I wanted to buy a Tamron 28-200 f/3.8-5.6 and went to CP Peninsular as I working in the city and it is nearer.

Walked in and asked one of the salesman for the best price.

He quoted me $420. I was quite shocked as I know it should be less than $400 and maybe even lower than $390.

I tried to ask him to give me a better price but the price did not change.

I did not buy the lens and I got it for $50 less than the price quoted elsewhere.

$50 is big saving, considering I was only buying one item.

I did not use e-quote as I feel CP take their own sweet time to reply e-quotes (sometimes more than 2 weeks) and when I am the customer, I would not want to patronise a shop, which only gives discount to customers who can afford to wait 2 weeks for an email telling them a cheaper price.

If CP can give me a good price over the counter, I would gladly make all my other purchases from them and even recommend my colleagues as it is near to their workplace.

But looks like it's only cheap with an e-quote which you need to wait patiently to get.

I am sure if you have got the cash to get a DSLR, you will not want to wait so long for an e-quote before you get one.

you would want to pop into the shop and be quoted a fair price for it.

Afterall, if you liked a shop, then it is likely all the lens, flashes, filters, camera bags, tripods, monpods...etc will be bought from the same shop.

 

[Winston]

Originally posted by fighthefuture
i had some problems myself at cp marina... went there recently to look for a 82mm filter. The salesman said to me that they dun have it.

My next logical qn was: do they have the filter at cp peninsular? And he said dunno.

So my next next logical qn was: can you help me check and call them if they have?

And he said i better go down myself *arghhhhhh* :mad2:

That's lousy service. Maybe it's because you are only buying a filter and not an expensive DSLR.

A phone call or fax is only minutes of effort but it adds value to the service.

He could have called CP Peninsular and if they have, ask them to reserve one for you and wait for you as you make your way to peninsular plaza.
If those guys at CP Peninsular, can pack the filter and wait for your arrival, I am sure this level of service will impress you to continue buying from their shop.

A phone call, and a 20-25 min wait for a customer to go from Marina to Peninsular may not cost much money, and may win a happy customer.

It does not matter if the customer is buying a filter or lens.

 

[chaotic]

these business segment their customers. they know there are people with varying capabilities to pay for the same product, so to maximize profit, they have to try an expensive price on you first and cut down if they find that you are price-sensitive. so the only way to get the "cheapest" price is to do homework and ask around before buying. no one is out to cheat anybody. they just want to earn money just like you want to save money.

 

[Winston]

Originally posted by chaotic
these business segment their customers. they know there are people with varying capabilities to pay for the same product, so to maximize profit, they have to try an expensive price on you first and cut down if they find that you are price-sensitive. so the only way to get the "cheapest" price is to do homework and ask around before buying. no one is out to cheat anybody. they just want to earn money just like you want to save money.

If they have that kind of mentality, then it's tough luck for them.

If I walk into a shop and ask for a best price, I expect it to be a best price.
I trust them to give me their best price.


If their "best price" is higher than an e-quote price and they hope I get suckered into paying for it.

Then the trust between the consumer and seller is broken.

I would not trust them to quote me best prices for other items in the shop, right?

A $50 difference is all it takes for me to lose trust in CP's "best price" system.

Is it worth it to lose one customer and maybe even more if he tell others not to buy there, just because the shop feels I can be suckered into buying something priced a little more expensive?

I like to enter a shop and act like I know nuts about the stuff I buy, just to test if the shop is an honest one who gives good price to walk-ins or trying to "maximise" their profit on suckers like me.

It is interesting to see, those PC salesmen trying to sell you products that they have little knowledge of, maybe they memorise the specs and just spit them out.


And if another shop can give me an "e-quote equivlant" price w/o me waiting for an e-quote, I would be a regular at there and if my friends and colleagues ask me for a good place to buy cameras and accessories.

Rather than telling them, "please find a PC, go online, send a request for quotation for ALL the items and accessories you are buying, wait for it to reply, print the e-quote, take the printout like a discount coupon and go CP to get the BEST price there is"

I might as well tell them to go to XYZ camera shop and get a good price instantly, buy the item and enjoy shooting.