John 3:16

[sheldon22]

Well, that's bad when they themselves don't honor their own eQuote. Even if it is a mistake, they should be able to absolve it as their profit margin is definitely not just $30.

I guess you treat them as old friend but they did not think of you as an old friend (customer). So no need to be paiseh since they are just treating your acquaintance as business transactions.

ya, i think so too... :think: thanks for reminding me that CS


:gbounce:

 

[donut88]

I went there twice after reading so much good reviews on them on this forum.

The first time: the shop was almost bursting with people. I gathered that they wouldn't have time for my queries on a D90, so I left.

The second time: I wanted to make sure that it wasn't becos they ignored me becos I was a female, so I waited for just a while and fortunately, one of them asked if he could help. But I also walked out not buying a thing bcos they didn't have stock and their price for a D90 was higher than some shops I'd enquired.

I didn't go back there since becos I thought the shop was overrated. Maybe they are helpful, but the prices certainly don't appeal to me.

J316 really need to manage their time with each customer. I observed their style of 'entertaining' customers once and if you ask any sales guru or corporate strategy marketers, they will tell you that J316 has very bad time management and counter-productive.

J316 may think that they are doing very well in engaging customers with their queries and giving good sales experience, but they are also pushing away more customers who are waiting in line.

There are always ways of ending their conversations with each customer politely so that each customer feels that they are been served well, and yet they dun feel J316 is chasing them away.

Who would want to wait 30 mins to 45 mins, just to wait for their turn, in any retail purchases, and this doesnt even include TCSS time with sales ppl?

J316 has to learn this technique.

More and more shops are setting up around them. If they can't beat J316 in prices, definitely they can beat J316 in service and turnover time.

 

[phoakm]

what happened bro? why so angry? :think:

Unpleasent event. I ordered the pelican case on 12 sep 09. Told Sam that I want a pelican with dividers. He mentioned he will order for me and it will come in a months time. I paid the $90 deposit with an receipt issued to me.

During the month I visited once, he mentioned the item did not come in. I also called his mobile and shop number, either busy or no answer. During this period, I was thinking he did ordered the item and it will come in the months time.

On 12 Oct 09. I went to his shop to collect the item with a friend. He said it will take another week. I was surprised as I was expecting the pelican case is here. And I recall that a friend of mine had mentioned the case with dividers are available in the market a week before the date and it is the same shop that John get their pelican from. No choice, I ask for the refune of the $90 and he gladly return.

Throughout the whole scenerio, I believe he did not order the pelican case, which show no sincerity to the customer. From his behaviour, he does not even care. My friend witness that.

I will not order the item from them again. Their actions insulted me.

 

[coolsigg]

Unpleasent event. I ordered the pelican case on 12 sep 09. Told Sam that I want a pelican with dividers. He mentioned he will order for me and it will come in a months time. I paid the $90 deposit with an receipt issued to me.

During the month I visited once, he mentioned the item did not come in. I also called his mobile and shop number, either busy or no answer. During this period, I was thinking he did ordered the item and it will come in the months time.

On 12 Oct 09. I went to his shop to collect the item with a friend. He said it will take another week. I was surprised as I was expecting the pelican case is here. And I recall that a friend of mine had mentioned the case with dividers are available in the market a week before the date and it is the same shop that John get their pelican from. No choice, I ask for the refune of the $90 and he gladly return.

Throughout the whole scenerio, I believe he did not order the pelican case, which show no sincerity to the customer. From his behaviour, he does not even care. My friend witness that.

I will not order the item from them again. Their actions insulted me.

Can feel your frustration on this issue...

Sad to say, I witnessed a similar experience when another friend was buying a L lens from them. He was told that item had arrived but went down several times without being able to collect the item.

He was really frustrated, not to mention the time wasted while waiting for his turn in the shop.

 

[faineant]

Just go to MS at AMK, down-to-earth and pricing is not bad. Well at least I've not had a bad experience before.

 

[Simon_84]

no offense, but i feel that most of their items are a bit overpriced like the s90 and lx3...

 

[faineant]

no offense, but i feel that most of their items are a bit overpriced like the s90 and lx3...

MS? or J316?

If that was for MS, I've always gotten good prices with MS for SLR's. Not sure about other categories of cameras. +- $50 is acceptable to me for SLR prices.

No offence taken, I don't work for them. I've just had no problems with them unlike other "notable" shops that's all, not saying MS is the best.

Cheers mate.

 

[Simon_84]

MS? or J316?

i mean J316.

MS wise, their pricing almost the same as OP.
can't comment on MS but OP is not bad also, can browse their shop until you happy then ask questions.

 

[qingtian]

Their actions insulted me.

Agreed on this...
This is what I feel when I went to made purchases for the 7D Battery Grip at John 3:16
I feel kinda insulted when I request to take a look at the battery grip before making my purchase in which I am willing to pay a diff of $20 - $30 diff in pricing as compare to other shops.

When inquired to take a look at the 7D Battery Grip, Leslie look annoy and told me that they don't have stocks for the 7D battery grip.

But 15 mins ago before I ask Leslie... Samuel told me they have the stocks.
At the same time, I am also seeing that there are stocks of the 7D Battery Grips being displayed on their shelving...

With this unpleasant experience, I told myself I will not go back to J316 for anymore purchase...

Frankly speaking, I am alot happier when I got my 7D with L Lens from SLR Revolution.
1) No long waiting time...
2) Pricing is the cheaper as compare to the rest...
3) Services is great! Their sale staff are patience and not pushy...

Thumb up for them!

PS: I am not related to SLR Revolution... Just that I did really have a good experience with them, which the rest are also commenting about.

 

[StevO]

Seriously, I had thought that paying more for the good service/after sale service at J3:16 is justifiable. No matter what, they are more competitive than the "C" Chains across the road. The "A" shop just lack the personal touch and friendly staffs. "M" Shop is okay to me and fair.

Having said that, there are some things that I really do not like about the place. I am sure all regulars know that they LOVE to talk about their customer"...especially "silly /stupid" questions or behaviors from their customers. There appears to be no respect for their customers once they are out of the shop.

There was an incident that while I was waiting, the friendly guy at 3:16 was serving someone who is enquiring about some lens. Obviously, he was a regular from the way they spoke and laugh. I was served next and he started to make fun of the previous customer to me. I can imagine that after I left, the next customer going to have a laugh at me my stupid/silly questions about filters.

I have also seen him picking up a camera from TCW and then shocked to see that I saw him there while I was looking for some accessories...he asked me what i was looking for and then whisper to me to go to his shop to get it ! Imagine poaching customer insider another shop. I declined of course and said I am in a rush.

Look, though we have complains about the shop, 3:16 is still no doubt one of the better shop there. I have no problem getting after sales service abeit I have to wait. No difference from going into service centre anyway. I have gotten cameras from the "A" shop but the next time i went there, it is as if I am a new customer and the smile is simply not there.

End of the day, no one shop is perfect. Not happy go somewhere else...If a shop get complacent, then they suffer...Simple Science and Logic. Its a free market anyway.

End of the day, I will still consider 3:16 over many other shops . Its like buying perfume from DFS or those perfume direct import shop. Same product but different price.

 

[kiwitan]

He is a fool who will not buy from a friendly, cheaper priced shop just right across the lane. Who says good customer service must come with a premium in price and a queue?

 

[nakashimamika]

Unpleasent event. I ordered the pelican case on 12 sep 09. Told Sam that I want a pelican with dividers. He mentioned he will order for me and it will come in a months time. I paid the $90 deposit with an receipt issued to me.

During the month I visited once, he mentioned the item did not come in. I also called his mobile and shop number, either busy or no answer. During this period, I was thinking he did ordered the item and it will come in the months time.

On 12 Oct 09. I went to his shop to collect the item with a friend. He said it will take another week. I was surprised as I was expecting the pelican case is here. And I recall that a friend of mine had mentioned the case with dividers are available in the market a week before the date and it is the same shop that John get their pelican from. No choice, I ask for the refune of the $90 and he gladly return.

Throughout the whole scenerio, I believe he did not order the pelican case, which show no sincerity to the customer. From his behaviour, he does not even care. My friend witness that.

I will not order the item from them again. Their actions insulted me.

Can feel your frustration on this issue...

Sad to say, I witnessed a similar experience when another friend was buying a L lens from them. He was told that item had arrived but went down several times without being able to collect the item.

He was really frustrated, not to mention the time wasted while waiting for his turn in the shop.

 

[IamJeFfy]

interesting that after a shop providing low price and no tricks despite being owned by a notorious shop's owner, there is a lot of cyber bashing on john 316.

granted that john does not provide the best price (they get their shops elsewhere anyway - not directly from nikon/canon) and that they can be a bit talkative and seemingly rude (if u r not used to it),

but can u image singapore's photography scene without john316?

think about it.

disclaimer: i am in no way related to any of the camera dealers in singapore. I have previously made purchases John316, SLR Revolution, AP, CP and even Bally; and received no special attention from them. I am just commenting on the state of health of the Singaporean photography scene.

you are truly an Entertainer indeed.

- but can u image singapore's photography scene without john316?
- I am just commenting on the state of health of the Singaporean photography scene.

you really made my day, thanks for that!

:bsmilie: :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[jeanie]

i used to patronise j316 too, but gave up.

i skimp through this thread and boy...
how familiar all the complaints were...

from my current contact, call them , got stock, reserve for me, i go down, pay, done deal.
transaction done in less than 5 mins.

and yes, j316 prices are always on a high side.and the excuse they give is, they are not like the major players who order in bulk, so they cannot get the stuff at a good price and hence they cant lower their price.

excuses are like 'you-know-what', everybody has one, i think theirs is the biggest.:thumbsd:

 

[exfiltrate]

i was being served, tested a G10, then indicated that i was ready to buy the set, and to start packing up for me. caucasian interupts me to buy a camerabag. i end up waiting 20mins. to pay. G10 = $700 plus , camera bag = $200ish.
says enough. never going back there.

 

[phoakm]

i used to patronise j316 too, but gave up.

i skimp through this thread and boy...
how familiar all the complaints were...

from my current contact, call them , got stock, reserve for me, i go down, pay, done deal.
transaction done in less than 5 mins.

and yes, j316 prices are always on a high side.and the excuse they give is, they are not like the major players who order in bulk, so they cannot get the stuff at a good price and hence they cant lower their price.

excuses are like 'you-know-what', everybody has one, i think theirs is the biggest.:thumbsd:

I never question the price of the product nor negotiate for good offer when I buy cameras or camera equipments from camera shops. Of course, the homework must to be done before approaching them. Normally, I will use prices from oversea as a judgement.

What I am fasturated about is the lack of sincerity in offering a good service to the customer. I do my part in accepting the quoted price that John 3:16 offered and put down the deposite to show my interest. But they did not honour the transaction.

From the receipt issued, only scribble the item I am buying and doesn't even have my contact number and name. I was wondering will they know who to call when the item arrive?:dunno:

I did not even question why it took one month to arrive. I am okie with that, although I know there are other place I can get the item. But in the end they did not get the item.

I am stupid enough in believing they will get the item as they were one of the good service shop that was mentioned in the newspaper few years back. Now I am wrong.

This is a sad but true case.

 

[jackmbox]

Anyway I'm very certain I wun visit them again even if their price is the cheapest (rare case) for the item. Their price is usually one of the highest among reputable sellers. I dun mind paying $10-20 (max) for service but u dun pay to get service at this shop anyway... U're paying to wait for service... even if its your turn for the service.... u share the service with other ppl (multi-tasking)... Good or not... u judge for yourself.

The shop opposite seems a worthy competitor and my main choice now... Bought my 2nd kit there at stunning price... will continue to go the opposite shop.

cant believe this page turns out to be a complain page that lasts 6 pages... cheers

 

[StevO]

Er, I don't think he was trying to be insulting, but his manner can be a bit flippant sometimes. In this case, insensitive, maybe but hardly to the level of "discrimination" that requires a "public apology." Please......that's being over sensitive and you have neither legal nor moral grounds to claim it. You want REAL discrimination, you go to Cathay and watch them serve particular clientele over locals regardless of who came in first. Otherwise, just vote with your feet as you've already done.

If you're going to be this sensitive, I guarantee you that somewhere along the way, you're going to be pissed with every major camera shop that's discussed in these forums. Just read the forums, and you'll see that everyone has a kudos to give or a horror story to tell about their "favourite" camera shop. And this hardly constitutes the worst of the transgressions: heck, even in case of attitude, this is open to interpretation at best, and doesn't compare remotely to anything else you read on the forums.

I don't think you've considered the fact that he may have made that remark in the light of the fact that nobody in his customer base buys 52mm filters, and that also explains his lack of stock for it? In which case, the remark is not directed at you but at the scarcity of requests for that filter. You make a vain attempt to turn it into a matter of class discrimination by saying he is discriminating against those with kit lenses: how the hell would he know what you were shooting with? Some very expensive older Nikon manual lenses use the 52mm filter size too: if he had made that remark to them, what would your spin have been then?

John 3:16 has much in their act to clean up, I agree. The LONG waits from asking for a lens to paying for it, are why I don't go there anymore. I know exactly what I want, so these days I just go to Lords or Orient Photo, no fuss no muss shopping. Your mileage may vary.

To add on to what i said earlier on. he may mean no harm by giggling. But then...your story will be repeated several times to next customers in the shop .. It is his way of entertaining customers...keep them laughing and then get comfortable, relax, trusting and ....you buy.

I used to be entertained by all these but then I realized that hey, I could be his story too.

If I would list out some of the story that he has told me, I am sure that it could well belong to one of the CS guys reading this thread..in anycase, it makes me no better than he is.

But lets give Sam and Leslie a chance to explain here...hopefully someone will raise this up to them. They are some nice lads but like what I said, may be complacent/insensitive due to their success in running the shop.

 

[CS TAN]

i was being served, tested a G10, then indicated that i was ready to buy the set, and to start packing up for me. caucasian interupts me to buy a camerabag. i end up waiting 20mins. to pay. G10 = $700 plus , camera bag = $200ish.
says enough. never going back there.

This is something that I really don't understand. Do you have some sort of inferior complex? If not, why don't you just insist Sam or whoever is serving you to complete your transaction before serving another customer? Since you can make your complaint here, can't you tell it to their face that you don't want to wait? Failing that, you have a pair of legs that can just walk out of the store, right? So why suffer quietly then and come here to complaint now? Why not let them know you are pissed and they can take that G10 and do whatever they want to themselves?

I heard so many people complaining that they were made to wait 30 min. and then at the end still willing to buy from them. If you are really that unhappy for that long wait, don't go there since their price is not that attractive anyway as some of you have indicated.

If there is a big group of us not patronizing the store, they will eventually notice and hopefully improve on their service and attitude.

As mentioned in previous post, I am no J3:16 die-hard fan. I just don't understand the Singaporean mentality - suffer quietly and then go complaint in a forum which is not going to make any difference to them. :dunno:

 

[phoakm]

This is something that I really don't understand. Do you have some sort of inferior complex? If not, why don't you just insist Sam or whoever is serving you to complete your transaction before serving another customer? Since you can make your complaint here, can't you tell it to their face that you don't want to wait? Failing that, you have a pair of legs that can just walk out of the store, right? So why suffer quietly then and come here to complaint now? Why not let them know you are pissed and they can take that G10 and do whatever they want to themselves?

I heard so many people complaining that they were made to wait 30 min. and then at the end still willing to buy from them. If you are really that unhappy for that long wait, don't go there since their price is not that attractive anyway as some of you have indicated.

If there is a big group of us not patronizing the store, they will eventually notice and hopefully improve on their service and attitude.

As mentioned in previous post, I am no J3:16 die-hard fan. I just don't understand the Singaporean mentality - suffer quietly and then go complaint in a forum which is not going to make any difference to them. :dunno:

Bro, the only issue is if direct complain to the shop, most of the complains will be deaf ears.
If complain in the forum, it will serve as an issue for others to reference.