Utterly Disgusted by Alan Photo

[cjl]

Me : How muchie?

Dumbo : $55, last one, noe more!

Me: You sure? Last time, your shop quote me $35 only, after GST some more.

Dumbo : So low meh? Cannot be lah, so low you got there to buy lor.

Me : I offer you $35.

Dumbo : Cannot lah! Prices all went up oredi.

Me : You ask your boss lah, I want to buy at $35, you go ask your boss.

At AP SLS, they will always come back with an improved price that is now close or equal to the better prices. Why? Because you have shown your sincerity to buy and that you have demonstrated that you know the prices. They never argue with you if you demonstrate to them you want to buy from them, they are more likely to accomodate to you because they know now that you have the money to spend, and it is better to spend at their shop than someone else's shop. Just don't piss the boss off.

Dumbo : Okay lah, today boss good mood, $35, I only make $1 from you.

This is so damn true. I usually use this method dealing with SLS pple. Or even better, I ask those small salesperson to let me tok to the boss directly.

Too bad for them, xiao di me got some sales experience and somehow know the tricks up their sleeves

hehehee

 

[ST1100]

...I asked for the price of the Tokina 10-17 Fisheye and was quote a price. ..

Sorry, OT a bit. Is this a fisheye zoom? How much was it?

 

[Terence]

my statement was that it is usual in singapore to get good service if they know you, this does not mean that ONLY the known ones should get good service.... of course not

and that's my gripe with AP. your initial post is kinda irreverant then is it not? AP is generally accepted to reek of bad service attitude, more so than most other camera stores and the whole point of this thread is to remind everyone of that.

 

[Michael]

and that's my gripe with AP. your initial post is kinda irreverant then is it not? AP is generally accepted to reek of bad service attitude, more so than most other camera stores and the whole point of this thread is to remind everyone of that.

my point was that it is not AP alone... you look long enough and you find it in almost every single camera shop here.... its a general problem that
a) you get screwed as a newbie
b) you get screwed as a tourist

and saying you need to do your homework is a bad excuse... +/-10-15% price difference is acceptable anything else is trying to cheat the unkowing customer...

 

[ExplorerZ]

dono... got my Hoya R72 55mm from AP Funan @ $38... but that was 1 year back. :bsmilie:

 

[Sukoo]

真是无奸不成商。

 

[kennethw]

Sorry, OT a bit. Is this a fisheye zoom? How much was it?

After exchange, just under S$800.

 

[kennethw]

Sorry, OT a bit. Is this a fisheye zoom? How much was it?

Oh, yes, Fisheye zoom....I actually like it better than the Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye. I have both...

 

[LazerLordz]

I would only head to John 3:16, reliable service and prices that do not fluctuate by the amount of time spent wandering from the back to the front of the shop.

For those new to photography, it'll be best to talk to a friend or two who is familiar with the pricing, and get them to accompany you to the shop.

 

[Retro]

my point was that it is not AP alone... you look long enough and you find it in almost every single camera shop here.... its a general problem that
a) you get screwed as a newbie
b) you get screwed as a tourist

and saying you need to do your homework is a bad excuse... +/-10-15% price difference is acceptable anything else is trying to cheat the unkowing customer...

Sorry to hear about the threadstarter's bad experience with AP. I've been getting my gears from AP and bringing friends along. Price has always been fair. The only similar experience I had was with SB at SLS. They are notorious for fleecing. Likewise with the shops at Lucky Plaza too!

To me, if you feel that you're being ripped off, then head somewhere else to get the item. Even if they're the sole distributor, you can try online or second hand.

Bottom line is that most service industries are lagging way behind to even reach first world standards. The next time you really need to get something from AP, maybe you would consider checking if someone here can help you get it?

Peace

 

[Static]

AP? Never heard of them. :devil: must be some shady shop

lol official statement from CS

Addiing AP my recent

list

1) My boss HP
2) Johor Bahru
3) Nets
3) Alan photo

 

[snoopyzai]

Totally agreed that the Alan Photo is a shop that we should try not to get stuff from. Same company but different prices quoted from both the outlet. That is my experience. Furthermore, sometime money is not a problem/issue but the services is truely important.

 

[nigel84]

LOL... I nv trusted such shops... I only believe in service offered to the customer would be the best if they have only one shop in the region. I used to patronise MS... till they opened a new branch... The price they give kaoz... can faint. + their service reali drop a lot... moving on to cathay... ASk for my EOS 400D original batt. they gave me out of space price of $110... I was like WTH!. u sure a not?! The sales person said ya, u know now canon batt very expensive! then move on to AP... the staff see oso dun see me... So far the best place for me is OP at SLS. The china man there the best... i call him he will on the spot say got stock, if have is it last piece etc etc... go there u can try the lens at ur own pleasure, he dun come disturb u. Till u happy liao, make payment then ok. But only down side is that u have to pay in cash to get better price. But who cares, if u can get gd price and international warranty?

 

[noob sniper]

haha i still rmb there was a time i went down to funan ap for my tamron 90mm and they ask for $580 after trying to bargain abit i got the lens at $560 and rmb at the same time i also asking the price of tamron 17-50mm , guess wat the sale guy reply me ? when u next time ready to buy than i tell u the price , but at the time i was thinking of getting both lens at one go , but they give tat kinda look down on me tone , maybe i was T and jeans

 

[StreetShooter]

Don't know how many AP bashing threads have surfaced over the last few years. What do you expect from a shop run by Ah Bengs?

There are also CP bashing threads (which I participate in) and OP bashing threads (which I also participate in) and probably MSColor bashing threads if you dig deep enough. Even John 3:16 has been bashed before as I recall (too busy, ignored by salesman).

My relationship with AP happened accidentally. I was in Sim Lim many years ago and thought I would check out a Kodak digital camera, and ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix 700 instead. Have bought most of my stuff from there since then, at prices comparable to elsewhere. They know I ask around for the best prices.

Prices are not always the best, but close to the best without any haggling, now that I have been established as the "cheapskate" customer. I'm also quite no-nonsense, in the sense that I do all my own research online, and basically just test out the feel of the camera or lens before comitting to the purchase. No hemming and hawing and try this and that and have to entertain long long.

This approach works even for that most feared of all Sim Lim stores - Song Brothers. I bought my Ixus 850 from there. It cost just a little more, but the salesman knew from the start that I knew about what I wanted to buy, and I knew the market price. He compensated by trying to get me to buy little extras, but I politely declined, and he threw them in for free at the end anyway (to win my repeat business, he said).

 

[Dithiolium]

We all have had such varied experiences in the shops. Here's my summary

AP- Funan, the worst. Ignore me to serve the American behind me. Price also cannot decide.
AP- SL. Know one good salesman I buy accessories from regularly. First quote already good good. I buy lens and cameras from the boss directly.
TK Foto - ok but not fantastic. Staff were rushing to go home at my last visit. bought a cheap lenspen.
OP - Friendly and not bossy. Must try to steal their PDA, cos all the price is in there. Original battery much cheaper. Dun need warranty on original batt, so go there and save $$.
CP - had good and friendly salesmen tending to me last few times I went. I dun buy from any one specific person. Quoted reasonable prices. I bought a cheap Tokina filter, salesman still use blower to clean my lens before mounting the filter. (dun think sideways, hor).
MSC AMK Hub - wah quote me cut-throat price man. The rent higher so price there higher ah. I was really in a rush so had to accept the 'chop' :<
MSC original - better service. can test lens. price same as e-quote.
j3:16 - the most consistent high level service and pricing. Prices ave $20-30 more, but u can test multiple lens to your heart content. Such great service, u wont mind waiting 20min for your turn on a Saturday. only down side - tend to recommend the pro lens, $$$$.

Same advice - do price check before going around testing.
Got bad service anywhere - just walk away.

 

[roadrunner_552]

haha i still rmb there was a time i went down to funan ap for my tamron 90mm and they ask for $580 after trying to bargain abit i got the lens at $560 and rmb at the same time i also asking the price of tamron 17-50mm , guess wat the sale guy reply me ? when u next time ready to buy than i tell u the price , but at the time i was thinking of getting both lens at one go , but they give tat kinda look down on me tone , maybe i was T and jeans

waaa the sales person told u that? :thumbsd:

 

[wazzup]

That's why I buy only from TK Foto, save me all these headaches :thumbsup:

 

[C J GOH]

To TS:

I have their email, do you want it? You can email them what you posted here and let them know what the market thinks of them...

 

[wazzup]

To TS:

I have their email, do you want it? You can email them what you posted here and let them know what the market thinks of them...

Seriously, you think they care? Hahah...