One man's meat, another man's poison

[Cookee]

Seems like AP is now poison to me.

1st time buy from AP - DEC 28 Fujifilm Finepix S602Z quoted $1080.00, South Asia at Funan quoted $1180.00, one bengseng type shop quoted $1299.00 I bought from AP. And Sanyo NC-M32 charger with 4 1700mah batteries for $30.

Few days later went to get a lens cleaning cloth for $5

I bought a 55-52mm adaptor for $20, a Hoya CIR-PL for $35, and Hoya UV for $10. (don't know if I overpaid or not, but my guess is YES)

Then you guys know about the quote I got for the WL-FX9 at $235-$250.

On firday I bought a Hoya +4 closeup for $20 (wanted a +1 and +3 as well) but didn't get it as I remembered someone mentioned in the forum that it goes for less than $20

And today, someone was telling me that AP's quote are definately lower than CP's.

I just went there and looked for a Micro Trekker 200 and was quoted at $105.00, I told the salesguy about CP's price of $85-$95, he asked me to get it from CP. And that was the last straw. I will never recommend AP to anybody that I know.

FYI, I bought Hoya +4, +2, +1 at $15 each from CP. I always noticed that almost EVERYONE in this forum is saying that AP's prices are the best compared to many others, but unfortunately, it's not for me. I'll rather pay more at CP then to bother with AP's quote from now on.

I don't wear a 10kg gold bangle or has a 100 carat diamonds on my watch. The only pendant that I wear costs RMB$15 and I just wonder why salesman in AP looked at me as if I'm a big fat pig waiting to be 'slaughtered.'

 

[Wai]

moral of the story...always check various stores (CP, AP, MS color) for best price...

if still in doubt always refer to clubsnap for a rough guide of the prices.

just like computer hardware, sometimes this store sell CPU cheaper and the other store sell RAM cheaper...so i always do my homework before i buy anything

 

[StreetShooter]

The information you received about AP having the best prices is PARTIALLY correct.

AP tends to offer the best prices for brand new digicam packages. So if you want to buy a brand new digicam, that's where you'd go.

For accessories like filters and camera bags, they get from the sole agent. Guess who the sole agent is? CP, most of the time. When I bought my Lowepro Mini Trekker, I was quoted a price higher than what CP charges. Basically CP brings the bags in, and anyone else selling in Singapore gets their supply from CP (ie they're re-sellers). So how to charge a lower price than CP and still make a profit? In the end, I bought the bag from AP, because they beat CP's price, but only because I was an old customer. The same goes for filters. The price of the item is so low that it does not make sense to shave off the profit margin very much more. They can afford to cut the profit margin for digicams because they move pretty large volumes, from what I can see.

I found out (the hard way) that SLR lenses are probably cheaper from Fotoguide (the third party kind of lenses I buy, anyway) or The Camera Workshop, if you don't mind gray market.

 

[maddog]

I find the shop on the second floor of simlim have low prices and more honourable salesmen. The shop with the big SONY sign.
Bought ixus v3 for $700 3mths back including GST. AP charges $690 before GST. I once was quoted $180 at AP for smartmedia when I could get it for $120 at the Sony shop. When I told the guy at AP I could get it lower upstairs, he matched the price straight away. An angmo who was in the shop at the same time got quoted $210. Buyers beware.

 

[Cookee]

Hmmm.... I guess that it somehow doesn't makes sense for CP as the distributor of a product to undercut their resellers. It's some how bad business practice don't you think so? It makes no sense for a retailer to get a product from a distributor and trying hard to beat the distributor in terms of prices.

If the boss of a company doesn't have his worker's welfare at heart, how can he expect his workers to roll in profit for him?

I just somehow believe that it depends on which salesman you approach at AP that determines the price that you get, whether it's good or bad.

 

[tsystem]

One thing for sure, stay out of CP Marina.

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by tsystem
One thing for sure, stay out of CP Marina.

What's wrong?

Regards
CK

 

[kiwitan]

Before I bought my EOS 30 from CP Penisular Plaza, went to enquire the price at CP Marina Square, the saleman quoted me $230 more than what CP@PP offered.

Originally posted by ckiang


What's wrong?

Regards
CK

 

[jasonpgc]

I rather go to Cathay Marina. The last time I went to CP Penisular to ask for the price of A40, a women quote me $450. I try to convince her the "market" price was around $380-$400 exclude GST. She just lay me off.

I took a long walk to the Marina Branch, a guy quote me $400 the moment I ask. Since 103% of $380 is around $392, I don't mind paying for the marginal difference. However, I really hate those who look upon me as a piece of lamb meat.

 

[ivor]

I understand the frustration between the CP MS & CP PP... one must understand that there isn't any fixed price on the products in these 2 shops. They are given a range of prices to sell. If you know them, of course the price would look pretty much attractive... if you don't, then there is nothing wrong with them quote you at a higher price... afterall they have to answer to the big boss if they sell all the products at the minimum price, even though they don't get commission from their sale...

Just my worthless 2 cents opinion.

 

[Andy Ho]

Originally posted by ckiang


What's wrong?

Regards
CK

The last time I went to CP in Marina to enquire about Nikon SB80DX I was quoted $580.00 I thought he was trying to rip me. I went to Peninsula CP and was quoted $545.00 and when I tried Foto Guide, guess what? $525.00!!! Would I be stupid to get it from CP in Marina I would be paying so much extra for nothing!!

BTW, what is AP? Can anyone tell me? I've been figuring out but have no idea. Thanks.

Andy Ho

 

[YSLee]

Originally posted by Cookee
The only pendant that I wear costs RMB$15 and I just wonder why salesman in AP looked at me as if I'm a big fat pig waiting to be 'slaughtered.'

For starters, you don't sound very experienced..

Originally posted by StreetShooter
The price of the item is so low that it does not make sense to shave off the profit margin very much more.

Acutally, filters are one of the higher margin items, in terms of percentages, heh.

I found out (the hard way) that SLR lenses are probably cheaper from Fotoguide (the third party kind of lenses I buy, anyway) or The Camera Workshop, if you don't mind gray market.

Not quite, I find lenses at both AP and Fotoguide are equally cheap.

TCW on the other hand..

 

[tsystem]

Originally posted by ckiang


What's wrong?

Regards
CK

You see, here's my experience with CP marina. A few other forumers were with me that day, and saw my fustration.

I was at Raffles City with a couple of forum guys, was 7:30pm on my watch, and CP Marina closes at 8pm. So I called them up, and enquired on the price and availability of:

1) Hagiwara 128mb CF
2) En-El1 Battery (for coolpix)

Both items were for my sis's bf who's leaving for Japan the very next night. I bargained a bit on the En-El1 batt as I previously bought it at $65.

1) i was quoted $75 for the En-El1 Batt
2) and was quoted $75 also for the Hagiwara 128mb CF.

After some bargaining, I manged to clinch the Hagiwara 128mb CF card for $70 and the En-El1 batt at $65. I also told the salesperson who was on the phone with me that, if they could not match my asking price, I would not make a trip down. Coz I didn't want to waste anyone's time and my time. But was told that the price I quoted could be matched and they will wait for me.

Rushed down to CP Marina from Raffles City by foot, reached there at 7:45pm and their `Closed' sign was displayed at the door front, went in anyway. Told one of the sales person I called earlier on regarding the two items, and was referred to the person whom I conversed with thru the phone.
He tried to pull a fast one on me by scribbling the two items at a price of $75 each. So I asked him nicely, `er... didn't we agree to $65 for batt, and $70 for the CF?'

He said, `no such thing, can't give you this price. You said you bought it at $65, where's your receipt?'
I was a little fustrated, and told him `who brings out receipts of what they bought 4months back?'
And I also said, `its not about the few dollars I'll be saving, but the integrity and promise I was given, that's why i rushed down just to get it. Plus I already told my sis's bf the price I manage to secure. And if the two items were for myself, I wouldn't mind forking out that extra dollars *coz I'm the gan jiong type, can't wait type*'

Was then told to go look for the person who sold me the batt previously. Freaked me out. I was so angry and told him, `Forget it, I won't be getting them. Fine, I'll go back to CP PP to look for the guy who sold it to me.'

That's my part of the bad experience I had with CP Marina. Not gonna go back ever again. Freaking CP Marina. Pisses me off.

Guess it just my luck. And also coz I looked `desperate'.

p.s. Got both the items at $130, $65 each, at CP PP the very next day.

 

[erwinx]

note: addressed to no particular person.

The baseline for CP prices appears to be the E-quote price. I usually buy at e-quote price and am happy with it. The fact that other people can bargain to below e-quote price doesn't make me feel that CP 'cheated me'. Similarly many people shop at John 3:16 and don't feel cheated though their prices are not the cheapest; in fact, they would probably go back there again.

As for price differences between PP and Marina, I don't see anything wrong with them trying to charge different prices, especially if store rents are different. Cold Storage at HDB estate Malls and Cold Storage elsewhere different prices

 

[jon33]

Originally posted by YSLee
TCW on the other hand..

eh? what's wrong with TCW? do tell.

i've had good exp with nick, daniel etc...rather honest. i guess sticker prices are on the high side for 2nd hand stuff, but once you establish some kind of relationship with them..easier to bargain..

 

[Knighthunter]

AP and CP shop scale is too big, and I guess all sales persons are encouraged to sell high to meet their monthly target. I also find that those shops above prices' are really depend on the person you approach. Find from CSer before you go down to CP or AP.

TCW salesmen are friendly and personally I never see they try to rip off customer, they stated clearly that they selling items with shop warranty only or with manucaturer's warranty. TCW is my favourite shop for new or 2ndhand items. TCW is the only shop giving 3 months warranty for their 2ndhand items (except consignment).

Fotoguide and John3:16 are similar in term of service they have friendly salesperson and not over bloated price. I also quite often visiting these shops.

 

[tsystem]

Originally posted by erwinx
As for price differences between PP and Marina, I don't see anything wrong with them trying to charge different prices, especially if store rents are different. Cold Storage at HDB estate Malls and Cold Storage elsewhere different prices

True, plus the location of CP marina, I don't think the rental is cheap.

Just that in my case, they shouldn't make me make a wasted trip.
If they can't offer that price in the first place, and quoted me a price which I think is too high, I wouldn't mind.
Coz I actually told them (on the phone, before I went down) that if they can't bring down their price, its ok with me, and that I wouldn't waste their time (coz it was their `close-shop' time) didn't want to stall anyone from going home early.
And I will just go down to CP PP the very next day.

But what they did was..... really not a good business method/practice.

 

[StreetShooter]

The title of this thread says it all. One man's meat is indeed another man's poison. Even among all the old birds, their experiences between different shops vary tremendously, as well as their attitudes towards the shops. Some are fiercely loyal to the shops they patronize, others only see the price.

I suppose nothing beats old fashioned footwork (ie comparing prices between different shops - make sure you clarify whether the price includes GST!) and developing a relationship with the salesman of the shop you choose to patronize. Note that it's also give and take - sometimes I close one eye even though I know I can get the same thing a bit cheaper elsewhere. After all, the salesman also has to eat what. Knowledge is power, and knowing what the market rate is, what is being charged elsewhere and what fellow clubsnappers have paid for certain items is very useful, and gives you bargaining power. That's why the Consumer's Corner exists! Make use of it!

 

[nicholas1986]

Originally posted by ckiang


What's wrong?

Regards
CK

i remembered that there was one time i was checking out the canon 70-200mm IS usm (for fun cos i wanted to change system) the guy there told me it is $2000. i asked him is he sure, cos i heard from someone thn john 3.16 that the price was 3000+, then he said sure. (at that time i did not have the money so i did not buy). then when my friend told me it cannot be true and wanted to buy that thing, i called back and ask for the saleman that quoted me the price and guess what they said ' sorry wrong number'
Funny rite
oh ya that saleman is called sonya(sp?)

 

[jasonpgc]

Foto Guide usually quote you a price for lens, camera or other more expensive stuffs exclusive GST. And the same person will quote you a price for film, lightbox, filters or other small accessories inclusive GST. So make sure you verify with the sales person about the GST stuff before you make your payment.

For CP, all Equote exclusive GST, all prices quoted in all their branches inclusive GST.