High price at MS Color now?

[C J GOH]

Anyone kena Parisilk before?

Quoted me SIGMA 50mm f2.8 MACRO at $420. Then during purchase, he (Kelvin) says it is $440 because of GST!

$20 is not much, it's just the ethics I don't like...If they want $20 more, just quote with $20 more.. don't quote low then pump up on purchase time!

Hate this kind of tactics!

 

[cjl]

They do not give this kind service to first timer. :bsmilie:

They did that to me. I was there to get my FZ50 through

1st, I believe its the lady boss and those old birds who provide good services. When i got my cam that nite, Aunt Florance was there. When I got my 3rd part batt a few days ago, the store was only with some younger staff.

This kind of double standard is unavoidable unless the lady boss mend the stores, and it isnt possible

 

[DeSwitch]

Autually I like their service, always get priority service and have drinks and food (somtimes). Get to test out their stuff without obligation.

Yup, and i can test the gears without the supervision of the staff. Its a free and easy testing. other shop i went let me test but their eyes always on the gears. An best is there is no obligation to buy.

Some shop cut my throat the last time i need a fresh set of battery urgently. and another did that when i purchase my flash extender.. but its a few dollars only. These 2 shops are the more famous shop the CSer goes in the city.

 

[delfichoc]

wah.. i think better feedback to their boss.. how can 2 different shops under same boss quote differently ? confused lah !

It is possible that two shops quote diff price, even tho they are under the same boss. it depends on who is the one quoting. diff salesperson quote differently. unless u go for RCP at courts or harvey. fixed price. u have to do your homework before u start shopping for gears.

 

[delfichoc]

Anyone kena Parisilk before?

Quoted me SIGMA 50mm f2.8 MACRO at $420. Then during purchase, he (Kelvin) says it is $440 because of GST!

$20 is not much, it's just the ethics I don't like...If they want $20 more, just quote with $20 more.. don't quote low then pump up on purchase time!

Hate this kind of tactics!

quoting of price before gst is not uncommon. u have to ask if it is before or after gst, just to double check. n of cos, the salesman should be kind to let u know whether it is before or after gst, to avoid miscommunication.

 

[cherkel]

It is possible that two shops quote diff price, even tho they are under the same boss. it depends on who is the one quoting. diff salesperson quote differently. unless u go for RCP at courts or harvey. fixed price. u have to do your homework before u start shopping for gears.

not true fix price. encounter before that different saleman can quote different price too.
of course depend on ur mode of payment too..

 

[cherkel]

At MS, if you nt happy with the price,can ask them to ask their boss about the price.
I went to their shop like once a week. Dont find any price different before and after.
Actually, that apply to CP also. So there is no different.
Most important, do ur homework before u approach.

They have never quote me prices before GST,prices always included GST.
Maybe there is a misunderstanding there.

 

[delfichoc]

not true fix price. encounter before that different saleman can quote different price too.
of course depend on ur mode of payment too..

fixed price at harvey and courts. not fixed price at camera shops such as MS color, AP, CP etc. diff salesman quote differently. of cos such shops expect u to pay by nets or cash, since they already quoted low, impossible for them to absorb the 2 or 3% unless they quoted u high enough to absorb. just like harvey and courts.

 

[fuzzyfish]

MS quoted me tamron 17-50 f/2.8 @ $680 when other places like TK was offering $660. BUT, for $680, she would throw in a standard UV filter. Even said "not that they don't want to, but they couldn't sell at $660". Wonder why.....

 

[ivancen]

glad i saw this thread, could contribute.

Always had high regard for MS Colour. So when i wanted a digicam, i asked for e quote. Then telephone quote but sadly prices are higher. They quoted best price $980 or something close when SLS happily quote $950 and looks willing to go a bit further. So I think all the observations by the bros are correct. I'm sad for MS Colour.

 

[tpchsg]

Well, it is always good to get multi quotes before heading down to any shop to make the purchase..... Let your fingers do the walking. I have very good experience everytiime at MS Color simply because I always look for the same person, the store manager. Once you have the rapport, the rest is easy. It is the same anywhere.

 

[Bean]

Lower quotes (telephone or salesmen) do not neccessary mean lower buying price.

Some shops quote lower than market rate to tempt you to their shops (BAIT), and when you are there, they might pressure you to buy accessories or convince you (SWITCH) to other models which you have not done your homework but have much higher profit margin.

These bait and switch strategy is very common in many shops in SLS and Lucky Plaza etc... So instead of just lookiing at the price alone, the more important thing I feel is the trust, honesty and the services of the shop and its staffs.

End of the day, I would value the long-term friendship with a shop more than just the extra $5-$20 discount.

 

[DeSwitch]

Lower quotes (telephone or salesmen) do not neccessary mean lower buying price.

Some shops quote lower than market rate to tempt you to their shops (BAIT), and when you are there, they might pressure you to buy accessories or convince you (SWITCH) to other models which you have not done your homework but have much higher profit margin.

These bait and switch strategy is very common in many shops in SLS and Lucky Plaza etc... So instead of just lookiing at the price alone, the more important thing I feel is the trust, honesty and the services of the shop and its staffs.

End of the day, I would value the long-term friendship with a shop more than just the extra $5-$20 discount.

Very true. Most of the shop i go to in SLS did that to me. Tot i newbie or what. I always gets Black & white quote from the boss through SMS or email. At ppoint of purchase, no need to argue. Any salesman who tries to get me to buy other thing beside the thing i want to buy will regret cos I will not buy anything at all. That is my policy, even if the price sounds cheap. Bottom line is do yr homework and dont be tempted by freebies. If salesman says its the last few sets or last offer, thats hint to con you. Good salesman always ask you to consider and come back to him, not forcing you to buy on the spot.

 

[emerson_chew]

the reason might be due to the new opening outlet at AMK hub

 

[ExplorerZ]

They do not give this kind service to first timer. :bsmilie:

I only went there to buy my stuffs 3 times... first was 70-300, no problem with their services... and that was my first time visiting the shop as well.

 

[drewdam]

selling price for diff item has diff from shop to shop....shopA may have a better quote from the agent for certain item that's y they can selling chearper then shopB but not all items they can get goods price...volume is one of the reason.

will u consider them selling at good price if i tell u i bought 1 of the item at $28 cheaper than one of another CSer favr in town that quoted me at $120.

 

[ianpaice]

Too bad service level going down cos that will affect the loyalty of their customers.

If price at MS Color is not as competitive, then too bad as they will start to lose business.


I do not believe in telling a shop that "why your price higher than this shop?", OR "The cheapest i asked around is $XXX, how much do you sell?".

We should not expect every shop to sell at the SAME price. They do their own math and determine what profit margin is comfortable for them. Therefore it is most unreasonable to tell one shop that he should be selling lower just becos another shop does.

Buying trend are so different from the old days. In the past, customer-seller relationships help to establish their loyalty to the shops. Nowadays it is simply numbers to the customers; who sell cheapest I buy from who.

My personal experiences:

Good service - TK Photo, MS Color (In the past?)
Good price - TK Photo (Some items), Alan Photo (SL), Parallel Importers (Oracle)

 

[xtemujin]

I didn't know about MScolor until I became a Clubsnap member, from then onwards, I've bought a few camera from them.

I bought a Panasonic LX2 last year and got an equote without GST from MScolor, the price was higher then the price I asked at Alan Photo SLS.

This year, MScolor equote includes the GST. I concur that the price at MScolor has risen up but at the end of the day, it's up to the customers. However, customer service from Florence is still good to go.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[VSonic06]

MS quoted me tamron 17-50 f/2.8 @ $680 when other places like TK was offering $660. BUT, for $680, she would throw in a standard UV filter. Even said "not that they don't want to, but they couldn't sell at $660". Wonder why.....

Minimum price control by Tamron?

The prices I get at MS is generally lower than CP except for certain accessories. IMHO some CP staff seem to have that ATAS attitude especially when you're dressed a wee bit too casual.

Don't usually bother with e-quotes or whatsoever...just call to ask if they have stock, then go down to discuss price or if the price is right just get them to reserve the item.

 

[eng_keow]

Anyone kena Parisilk before?

Quoted me SIGMA 50mm f2.8 MACRO at $420. Then during purchase, he (Kelvin) says it is $440 because of GST!

$20 is not much, it's just the ethics I don't like...If they want $20 more, just quote with $20 more.. don't quote low then pump up on purchase time!

Hate this kind of tactics!

Me kenna b4 as well, but sales person point to paper on the wall at the back:- "All prices quoted are before GST". Kenna keep my mouth shut.