Do not go to the camera workshop in peninsular!

[canonwhale]

Hello clubsnappers, i just went down to peninsular to check out the tokina 10-17mm lens. i brought my 40D and my 5DM2 bodies down hoping to try the lens on my camera bodies. I went into the shop and I enquired about the lens. So I asked the man if I could try the lens on and he told me that I had to buy it if I tried it. I knew something was fishy because I have read here that I should not buy from a shop that doesn't allow me to try the lens. Soon after that, the man asked me what camera body I had and I, thinking maybe he'll let me try it if he knew i wasn't playing around with him, I told him I had the 40D and the 5DM2. He started opening the box and told me I could try it. He didn't let me put the lens on myself claiming that if I used it then it'll be like selling it to other people second-hand and i was like what?! are you kidding(obviously i didnt say that!). So he asked me what was my chances of buying the lens and I just said 80% althought if i get it like tmr or smth i wont go back... While I was trying it on my 40D, he told me to leave my bag with my 5DM2 in it and try the lens outside the shop. When I was done testing it out, he chased me out of the shop telling me to try more(ironic, i thought he said no trying?!). I had this feeling that he wanted to take my 5DM2 or something like that, I just could sense it so i watched him through the lens. He offered me 900 for the lens which i thought was okay but i'm not too confident i'll get what i pay for(warranty and all) especially cos this is a second and first hand shop so you also won't know if they put a second hand lens inside. Two mins after i came back in, another man came in and enquired about a lens asking another shop keeper to let him try the lens and the guy did it willingly and i was like WTH?! So while i was leaving, I tried to sound like a rich man son and pretended not to know anything about the prices and stuff hoping to see his true colors then he asked me what lens i had and i started naming all the expensive lenses that belong to my dad-17-40L f4, 24-105L f4, 100-400L f4-5.6, 70-200L f4, 135 f2. He then became serious and he told me that if i buy i must go back to him cos he gave me a "student" price! Overall i'm very dissatisfied with this kind of service, even though i'm a secondary student, i think shopkeepers should respect me when i walk into the shop and treat ALL equally! I WILL NOT EVER GO BACK TO THIS SHOP AS I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE EVEN LEAVING MY BAG INSIDE THE SHOP. THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK SHOULD THE MOST BASIC OF EVERY SHOP THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO LEAVE YOUR STUFF IN THE SHOP FEELING AT EASE THAT THE PERSON ATTENDING TO YOU WOULD HELP KEEP AN EYE RATHER THAN ANOTHER BURDEN TO WORRY ABOUT.
p.s i was NOT over paranoid! i'm normally very chill with such things



I want to hear from you. please share your experiences with this shop. thanks!

 

[limwhow]

Strange.
I have been buying my equipment from them for years.
I don't want to sound like I'm taking sides, but I guess these guys at The Camera Workshop must have also had their fair share of difficult customers. Again, no offence here at all.
I can understand how you feel. But I think after a while, when they know you well enough, they should be much less defensive. My experience with them has been very good. I usually look for Daniel. Good service. Knowledgeable.
You know, life is just like that. There are some sellers whom you will never like, and there are some sellers whom you will click right from the first moment.
My humble opinion.

 

[canonwhale]

Hi nice to hear that from you. I mean maybe it's cos i'm just a student so they dont give two hoods about me. I really hate this feeling when i walk into camera shops because sometimes these people tend to look down on me thinking i'm just asking them the lens prices for fun. This is actually the second time this is happening when i cannot try a lens. I think it's nice to hear that at least they're not doing the same to everyone cos this won't be something very nice

thanks for your opinion!

 

[night86mare]

Hi nice to hear that from you. I mean maybe it's cos i'm just a student so they dont give two hoods about me. I really hate this feeling when i walk into camera shops because sometimes these people tend to look down on me thinking i'm just asking them the lens prices for fun. This is actually the second time this is happening when i cannot try a lens. I think it's nice to hear that at least they're not doing the same to everyone cos this won't be something very nice

when you care too mcuh about what people think of you,

it shows.

dignity and confidence is self-given, when you realise that it will be easier for you.

 

[canonwhale]

yeah i don't but if they don't give you the service you expect, you feel irritated. It not so easy as walk in, see and enquire and walk out. The people in it just don't care thinking you're just there to disturb them which sometimes gets on my nerves cos i can't get things done especially when they take their sweet time to check the prices and sip their coffee. a problem i do not have at parisilk, they treat me well with respect, won't mind paying more(if i have to) to get these kind of service.

 

[night86mare]

yeah i don't but if they don't give you the service you expect, you feel irritated. It not so easy as walk in, see and enquire and walk out. The people in it just don't care thinking you're just there to disturb them which sometimes gets on my nerves cos i can't get things done especially when they take their sweet time to check the prices and sip their coffee. a problem i do not have at parisilk, they treat me well with respect, won't mind paying more(if i have to) to get these kind of service.

the most dangerous salesmen are the ones who slowly butter you up

the moneychangers that smile the most, are often the ones that give you the worst rates.

 

[canonwhale]

okay it doesn't matter since you don't feel the same way. I'm just letting the other clubsnappers know how i feel so that they can take precaution. it's okay if you dont agree with me because everyone has their own opinion. thanks for your anyways.

 

[night86mare]

hahahaha, well i think very soon you will be getting the people who are less openminded and who will take offense with the attitude you display in your first post

good luck, i rest my case.

just remember, when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you.

self reflection, before you comment on others' actions, examine your own. cheers.

 

[limwhow]

yeah i don't but if they don't give you the service you expect, you feel irritated. It not so easy as walk in, see and enquire and walk out. The people in it just don't care thinking you're just there to disturb them which sometimes gets on my nerves cos i can't get things done especially when they take their sweet time to check the prices and sip their coffee. a problem i do not have at parisilk, they treat me well with respect, won't mind paying more(if i have to) to get these kind of service.

You know something?
Actually it would be real good if every camera shop has some of its staff members monitor our forums.
It is always important to look out for feedback on their services. I am sure every shop owner wants to earn money and profit from his business. If Parisilk is able to be courteous and professional to every one of its customers, I don't see why any other camera shop cannot. It's a matter ot effort and staff training - constant reminder not to belittle those whom, upon first impression, may seem not to be a potential customer.
Don't you worry, Wackyzacky. I'm sure with time and with your accumulated experience in photography with all these lenses you have, you'll become one whom no camera salesperson can afford to ignore.
Truly. My own experience.

 

[canonwhale]

Thanks, feel very encouraged by what you said. It feels/seems weird cos i'm like a kiddo speaking like i know quite a bit. but truly it's because my dad forces me to read a whole lot before i buy anything and although my dad can afford whenever i want it, i have to convince him and tell him why or what makes the product good and also how i can use it.... i'm pretty sure like what yousaid, i'll be a customer no saleman would want to ignore.;p

 

[Cartman2000]

Daniel is the bearded old man?

Sounds weird that the uncle told you to leave your 5D2 in the shop. Not to be rude but your account kinda portrays TCW staff as thieves. I've had bad service rendered to me at this shop before, but not to that extent.:sweat:

 

[limwhow]

Daniel is the bearded old man?

Sounds weird that the uncle told you to leave your 5D2 in the shop. Not to be rude but your account kinda portrays TCW staff as thieves. I've had bad service rendered to me at this shop before, but not to that extent.:sweat:

Nope. Not the senior gentleman with the white beard.
Daniel is the young, slim man not wearing glasses. Fair-skinned.
I have (haha!) no link with the company. But I say from deep within my heart my personal opinion - he's really not bad. I guess perhaps to change anyone's opinion, can try asking for him next time (again, for some, there may not be a next time. But it's just life).

 

[canonwhale]

Hahahha, i guess maybe going back there isn't a bad idea. Oh about the stealing thing, i just wasn't feeling comfortable leaving my camera in the shop not to say they are thieves or what. haha:bsmilie:

 

[RudyTT]

hi TS, I'm sorry to hear of your unpleasant experience.

I myself have had a bad experience there, but then again
bad experiences abound in life. In fact, others might have
had bad experiences with us.

All that said, I hope you'll not let such an incident spoil
too much of your day. It ain't worth it!

Have an awesome weekend ahead!

 

[LazerLordz]

Hahahha, i guess maybe going back there isn't a bad idea. Oh about the stealing thing, i just wasn't feeling comfortable leaving my camera in the shop not to say they are thieves or what. haha:bsmilie:

I think you need to be careful with the choice of words, because they can allude to something that is false and it would not be a nice thing.

Experience is something you will gain as years go by..good luck in your photographic endeavors.

 

[canonwhale]

hi TS, I'm sorry to hear of your unpleasant experience.

I myself have had a bad experience there, but then again
bad experiences abound in life. In fact, others might have
had bad experiences with us.

All that said, I hope you'll not let such an incident spoil
too much of your day. It ain't worth it!

Have an awesome weekend ahead!

hahah what you say is true, you have a great weekend ahead too! cheers!

 

[canonwhale]

I think you need to be careful with the choice of words, because they can allude to something that is false and it would not be a nice thing.

Experience is something you will gain as years go by..good luck in your photographic endeavors.

Hahah thanks for the advice but i was alr trying my best to use better words but i guess i still led others off course... anyways just to clarify, i'm not saying the people at TCW are thieves, just saying i didn't feel comfortable leaving my stuff in the shop.

 

[Cartman2000]

Anyway, have a nice weekend.

 

[canonwhale]

Anyway, have a nice weekend.

same to you!

 

[Lomographer]

i wouldn't say their all bad...

i did buy things from them before and it wasn't so bad as u said it...

maybe yesterday wasnt your day