Today's experience at Funan

[rhino123]

You may talk about yourself not showing blackface or speak politely but at the end of the day, you have a "heck care the services" attitude which will show through facial expression or body language or your speaking tone...

Don't understand what you mean. Normally I walk into the shop, ask about the item I wanted, "I have sent you requesting the quote of a SB910 (for example), and I receive your quotation." show the salesperson the printed out quotation, then ask again, "Can I have one?"

Where it is that is not polite? And you are not me, or have seen me or what, how the hell you know I went in showing a black face? I always smile when I ask for the product.

When the product was taken out to me, I would normally ask again, "Can I test?" and thats it. What attitude is there?

 

[sjackal]

Service is the trust that I can walk into my regular shops anytime and get their best price without the need to ask for equote and printing out papers to show proof.

Shops with good service does not necessary mean they don't have good prices or are charging you $10 more to do lip service. The good service comes out from intention of relationship building and usually a happy attitude is contagious and reciprocated and will lead to both sides cheerful experience.

 

[Blur Shadow]

Service is the trust that I can walk into my regular shops anytime and get their best price without the need to ask for equote and printing out papers to show proof.

Shops with good service does not necessary mean they don't have good prices or are charging you $10 more to do lip service. The good service comes out from intention of relationship building and usually a happy attitude is contagious and reciprocated and will lead to both sides cheerful experience.

But their best price may not be the best price.

I tend to search around for the best price and ask to see if my preferred store can match that price. they have always matched it for me thus far.

 

[avsquare]

I have to agree with catchlights and sjackal.

Customer service is getting increasingly important throughout all types of business. When competition gets tight, you either offer better services or better products to distinguish yourself. Since all shops sells the same camera models, the distinction is in the customer service.

As people are getting more affluent, they do care about the level of service they get to make their purchase experience more pleasant. It builds trust and a good name for the shop and opportunities for continued business.

Bro rhino says "it is not as if anyone of you wanted to start a relationship with the shopkeeper or staff or salesperson". I beg to differ. Having a pleasant "relationship" with your favorite shops or even certain salesman can prove useful. 3 recent instances:

@ T K Photo - There's this guy called Ark who always seem to know what I'm looking for and what I aim to achieve with the items I buy. I was looking for this multi-flash flashbar to mount on a light stand, all the uncles at T K says they don't sell such stuff. I guess they don't know what I'm talking about, but Ark knows and he got it for me and demo to me how each of these products work for me to make a decision

@ CP - I posted a thread asking all bros to recommend any radio triggers or work around to achieve wireless control of flashes capable of achieving ETTL, HSS, 2nd curtain sync and stroboscopic mode and with ease of control. ST-E3-RT was the obvious answer but it wasn't available at time of thread and I was looking for alternatives. Pocketwizards seemed to be the answer it doesn't seem to be able to do all. I went down to CP to ask the guys I usually deal with if they had the answer. They don't, but 1 of them took out the manual to check, another went to Pocketwizard website for dealers to check on the product and another checked with one of the professional photographer he knew that uses Pocketwizards for me. This is the extent these guys went for me when I asked them a question and I didn't even say I confirm buying anything from them during that visit. And yes, I bought nothing and left. They knew I'm not the guy who will always buy something I visit or anything that I'm not keen nor have use for, and they don't do sale pushing.

@ CP again - 1DX launch. Limited stock, long waiting list even after 1 month of launch. While almost all shops are selling at $9,299, I've received a quote several hundred dollars cheaper. I called up CP, they guys immediately recognized my voice. I told them, bro, I've this quote from this shop, you guys think you can do it? If can I buy from you. I think most of you knew that CP isn't the cheapest around, and asking them to lower their price from RRP to few hundred bucks down seemed tough. Moreover, I'm not on their waiting list and they don't have ready stock for me. But they took the trouble to call their waiting list to see if anyone drops their reservation and called their boss to discuss my case. 10 mins later, I received a call and he told me he shall see me tonight. And true enough, I bought from them at a really huge discount. I don't think this would be possible if I were just any tom dick or harry who entered the store, but probably I knew these guys and we always had a good chat every time I visit the store.

 

[trd2970]

I rather let the actual goods and price do the talking. A few times, I visited friendly shops who greet u like a long lost pal, but give me crappy goods or prices. This happened a few times in Shanghai, and twice in SG. After scoring the first deal, I am assumed to be loyal to the store and trusting of the sales folks.

E.g. i bought a grip in shanghai store from a friendly uncle who gave me a good deal and chatted a while. Few days later went back to buy trigger, he recognized me and chatted me again. And showed me this pair of triggers, one of which is a used piece (shiny plastic, a few chips at the corners) and tried to pass off as new ones.

Lesson learned, trust your self.

 

[Jonathan Ang]

avsquare:

truestory, I bought my bag and tripod 2 yrs later from ark.
The other old uncles all show blackface, don't even bother stepping forward.

Couple of days later I happen to be in the area and decided to ask about the wheeezing sound on the monopod leg of the sirui n2204. Just to verify if my legs were as smooth as they were supposed to be. Go in, ark not around, but all the uncles sitting/standing around giving that "what you want" face, even after I spoke up. :O

 

[avsquare]

Lesson learned, trust your self.

I always test the items until I happy at the shops, whether is a fav shop or not

avsquare:

truestory, I bought my bag and tripod 2 yrs later from ark.
The other old uncles all show blackface, don't even bother stepping forward.

Couple of days later I happen to be in the area and decided to ask about the wheeezing sound on the monopod leg of the sirui n2204. Just to verify if my legs were as smooth as they were supposed to be. Go in, ark not around, but all the uncles sitting/standing around giving that "what you want" face, even after I spoke up. :O

yup.. apart from Ark, other people seemed like blur sotong.

 

[denzelwng4]

By the way, talking so much about Funan, has anyone noticed there is a new camera shop on 1st floor corner, next to Pastamania?

Anyone know anything about this shop?

tried checking their bags there, and price is quite low, before GST :bsmilie:

 

[LiQuiFireX]

By the way, talking so much about Funan, has anyone noticed there is a new camera shop on 1st floor corner, next to Pastamania?

Anyone know anything about this shop?

I personally don't trust them. They seemed like they wanted to con me when I went to inquire on the price of a lens.

They quoted me about $80 cheaper than all other shops in the area after gst, but guess what? If the lens u ask for is not on display, u must pay first so they can take it out of the store. Cannot check, cannot even see the box first. Must hand over in cash as well, no other forms of payment. :think:

I asked why is that so? Like it's so difficult to take out a single lens for viewing meh? The sales person said oh it's because it's the boss instructions in case customer doesn't buy the lens. I was going to buy the lens if I know at least what I'm getting physically mah. I requested to speak to the boss and apparently this boss is a very busy man. Cannot be contacted for some reason. :bigeyes:

After a fruitless negotiation with him trying to explain I won't want to get cheated intentionally/unintentionally, I decided to test whether this fella wants a sale from me or not with a short moment of silence to "consider". He broke the silence with this:

"Want the lens? Pay money first!"

Straight away I walked out!

It seemed quite apparent what he was trying to do. :nono:

Ended up buying the lens at JO3:16 as they bettered the others in both price and service. :bsmilie:

In my shopping experience with all the shops within the region, all the shops were decent except the one next to pastamania, Alan Photo (bad experience last time, cheated my dad $100 for a $50 filter) and that shop next to the road on the first floor in Penin on Cathay photo side (Scared me away by saying:"Boy ah, want this lens? I get for you now?" when I haven't even walk inside the shop yet :bsmilie

 

[Snowcrash]

Singapore is too small a market. I hope i don't have to pay sky high price from brick and mortar shops here.

Guess there are enough of the 2 kinds of customers to keep both kinds of shops afloat. Those that sell cheap without service and those that offer reasonable price with better service.