Bad experience with Alan Photo-Funan

[maxtheevil]

me too, when cathay photo matches the internet prices, i get it from them.

i like to buy from john 3 : 16, but they are priced too high...

not when i can get it online cheaper...

 

[luntut]

my favourite AP-F.

one of the shops that bl**dy h*ll ignored me cos i walked in dressed in berms, singlet and slippers. asked for price, replied me 4 numbers, and turned away.

what, think i cannot afford to buy anything isst.

boy, was i cheesed off or was i cheesed off.

that was the final straw for me.

 

[maxtheevil]

bro,

haha, just do what i did...

they told me the price of an item is "one thousand something"

so i replied, "so what is the exact price? or do i just pay u a random figure?"

haha, the look on the lady boss face was priceless...

sometimes, just need to talk to these ah-beng / ah-lians with authority and then they would wake up and know who's boss...

i got the exact figure then.

that said, if u are frightened to shop online,

go to alan photo or ms colour, they have lower prices if u bargain and tell them the prices of competitive shops.

both of the above shops tactics are price penetration, so it would still be around for some time.

went to ms colour, the main brand, the balding chinese guy remarked to a customer, "want to complain online? go ahead"...

it's not like they don't know we know that they are a bunch of people who don't know what they are selling.

but price wise, if u are not buying it online, the 2 shops can give u a better price, if u know the market price.




question,

why are u living in fear? when u know that online shopping is cheaper?


but that said, as consumers, each has a different consumption mindset.

 

[Octarine]

We need shops such as B&H or Adorama that listed the price on the internet and sell to anyone at the same price. That will be the Utopia but Utopia is a fictional island...

It works in other countries as well. Good sales attitude and helpfulness will make the difference finally. Online shops are good for those who want to hunt the lowest price. Shops with sales person will still have their business if they can offer more than just printing receipts and collecting money. But that needs a bit more thinking than what is reported here about AP and some other shops. John 3:16, OP and some others have learned that lesson already.

 

[maxtheevil]

It works in other countries as well. Good sales attitude and helpfulness will make the difference finally. Online shops are good for those who want to hunt the lowest price. Shops with sales person will still have their business if they can offer more than just printing receipts and collecting money. But that needs a bit more thinking than what is reported here about AP and some other shops. John 3:16, OP and some others have learned that lesson already.

agree

what is OP btw?

 

[doodah]

bro,
went to ms colour, the main brand, the balding chinese guy remarked to a customer, "want to complain online? go ahead"...

That's strange. MS Color services were pretty good couple of years ago when I was there.

what is OP btw?

Orient Photo @ Sim Lim Square.

Honestly, I have not encountered poor service in any camera shop except Alan Photo @ Funan.

 

[maxtheevil]

hmm, considering that ms colour tried to smoke me, telling me that an item i was looking for came in one size only...

well, as consumers, need to go online to surf and do hw first. otherwise, can get conned by them intentionally or unintentionally.

 

[cg171s]

hmm, considering that ms colour tried to smoke me, telling me that an item i was looking for came in one size only...

well, as consumers, need to go online to surf and do hw first. otherwise, can get conned by them intentionally or unintentionally.

hmm... reading from your posts, looks like you really have bad experiences with most of the camera shops here in sing... :sweat:

 

[aspenx]

hmm... reading from your posts, looks like you really have bad experiences with most of the camera shops here in sing... :sweat:

Maybe cos he looks gina like me and these people think we can't afford their stuff because the price "thousand something". :dunno:

 

[LBL2009]

Giving poor service, rude and they are still around. This tells me they make their money from tourists. Local is not their target customers.

 

[Spaniard]

I also had a bad experienced last weekend with AP F. Wanted to buy a Canon 17-40mm L lens. Ask one young chap...can't remember his name. A bit fat, always give you that face like you owned him money. I asked him about the price for the lens. Look at me from head to toe...I was dress in short and polo and sneakers...

He said...wow!!!!! that's lens very expensive. What camera are you using now?
I said...no need to know what camera I use. Told him off...you mean high-end model DSLR than can buy that lens is it. F___K him man!!!

 

[heshanj]

i havent called em up, but i purchased my 50mm 1.8 canon lens from alan photo sim lim.. terrible service - the guy was sarcastic, lazy, and very impolite.. never going there ever again..
i, too, am looking at ebay stores in HK.. stuff like filters look damn cheap and shipping is free too.. but thumbs up to cathay photo, the other store i went to to purchase stuff.. excellent service, friendly without being overfriendly, and pretty good price too.. worth paying a few dollars more for the service

 

[Freakie]

Orient Photo @ Sim Lim Square

Went to this shop and found that their pricing for lenses are cheaper. And the Chinese sales seems to be ok..

Any comments?

 

[spheredome]

All these attitude issue is likely to be caused by design of the store. AP, MS (AMK hub) and BP are of legacy design in nature. Thus the life in the store is boring and non encouraging for younger sales person. And because 10/10 customer walks in will have the first perception that sales person it up to no good, the likelihood for a success sales is low to begin with. This adds to their cold attitude.

I am no going to deny that in all my purchase at Alan Photo in Funan has in most occassion not greeted with smile or any thanks (only once I recall, lucky day). In fact when they handed me my card and receipt, I always in habit thank the store person for their service. Only MS and Courts, Harvey returned their thanks as well.

When I look at SB, while I still don't dare to step into the store because of their past reputation, the light green store and vibrant shirts present the staffs enthusiastic.

However, those normal looking store front with sales person sitting on high chairs in front gives an impression unfriendly and prying.

 

[ManWearPants]

I am a little skeptical about the conversation that took place between the TS and AP but I will still give benefit of doubt. AP has been around for many years, so I don't think they are silly enough to answer their customers that way.

Sorry if this may offend anyone and I may be wrong, but I feel that if I want people to respect me, I should first give them respect. If AP decided to raise price and is more expensive, note it down and update the moderator for the Price Guide. I will not drag CS into it and make CSers look like a bunch of cheapos.

P.S I don't work for AP or any shops.

I sort of agree with this. It's like you go to Ion Orchard to ask the price of a LV bag, then after knowing the price. You tell the sales person, "But Changi DFS selling cheaper wat!". What do you want the sales person to say? On the other hand, if you go to Bangkok "Chatuchak" (dunno how to spell). You can always tell them "piang" and try the walk away. They will ask you to come back and give you the "LV" bag at your price. Sometimes it is also how you say it, where you say it, who you are saying it to and what are you talking about that matters.

Also, can you tell the difference if the other party hang up the phone nicely or slam the phone down? What constitute the action of being rude? didn't say "thank you for calling, bye." or "cheers mate!" ?? Surely you are not expecting the people at Alan photo to say that . I have bought a few things from there. My experience is they are street wise sales people. You have to know your stuff and looks sincere to buy. Be a bit assertive (not aggressive) when negotiating. Use a bit of hokkien and you can knock a bit off the initiate price.

 

[ManWearPants]

However, those normal looking store front with sales person sitting on high chairs in front gives an impression unfriendly and prying.

will it make a difference if the sales person sitting on high chair is a nubile girl wearing a short mini skirt? Why be bothered by impressions? Usually fierce looking people are quite gentle until provoked. But if you go around provoking pple, even nubile girl will turn nasty

 

[john281]

but in your very first post you mentioned "Me: Has the price increased? Its mentioned in clubsnap that you were selling it for 175 earlier"

Thou shalt not use the name of Clubsnap in vain........ it is not an affliation or secret code or signal that gets you a better 'wink wink' price

To many shops: Clubsnap means price comparisons

So best not to say things like "But our online discussions in Clubsnap reported that X Shop is selling at .... prices " etc etc ..... sure bound to upset shop people

If you know what and who is selling at what price.... keep this info confidential to yourself and use it accordingly...... no need 'chak' the salesperson with 'Clubsnap'

Alright smarty pants...whats your point? Clubsnap is an underground forum which should not be referenced to?
On the contrary, I have only had positive responses from the sellers when I mentioned CS earlier...which only proves CS is doing a good job in annoying the bad apples while promoting the good ones!
Moreover I was not haggling...And yes (to all the self proclaimed gurus of negotiation skills and shopping sophistication) I know the price mentioned is only a guide...I was not suing anyone for not giving me the price mentioned in CS...I was just asking if the price has increased ...and when I say that I have to quote my reference, should'nt I? next time I will say "I know it is 175 cause Santa told me so in my sleep last night"
and its all about the shop's basic attitude and not about the price...all that is secondary...

 

[ManWearPants]

Orient Photo @ Sim Lim Square

Went to this shop and found that their pricing for lenses are cheaper. And the Chinese sales seems to be ok..

Any comments?

some are grey sets. That's why the cheaper price. But these chinese are quite patient and knowledgeable. So what does it says about our fellow countrymen? The Indians, Chinese, Phinnoys are waiting to replace you if you can't do a good job

 

[ManWearPants]

Alright smarty pants...whats your point? Clubsnap is an underground forum which should not be referenced to?
On the contrary, I have only had positive responses from the sellers when I mentioned CS earlier...which only proves CS is doing a good job in annoying the bad apples while promoting the good ones!
Moreover I was not haggling...And yes (to all the self proclaimed gurus of negotiation skills and shopping sophistication) I know the price mentioned is only a guide...I was not suing anyone for not giving me the price mentioned in CS...I was just asking if the price has increased ...and when I say that I have to quote my reference, should'nt I? next time I will say "I know it is 175 cause Santa told me so in my sleep last night"
and its all about the shop's basic attitude and not about the price...all that is secondary...

enough said. move on.

 

[iMac08]

some are grey sets. That's why the cheaper price. But these chinese are quite patient and knowledgeable. So what does it says about our fellow countrymen? The Indians, Chinese, Phinnoys are waiting to replace you if you can't do a good job

i second this. stanley and his pal good. show u,leave u alone to play. got qn ask and they answer u. no hagging and no hard selling...some ppl don't like them maybe they speak no gd english..no friendly smile all the time ...but i think they are very sincere...tell them clearly u want grey or local...they won't con u. I also try to be nice...don't test so many things until shiok shiok then say no buy..i only test what i will really buy