Which shop offers a better price and good customer service?
- Thread starter brandon93
- Start date
Thank you.
Hello this is my first post, although I have been lurking for a few months now. Very nice forum.
I've been living in SG for 5 months now and have visited many many camera shops, and bought gear from a range of places. The best experience I had was with MS color @ 711. Right off the bat, I was quote by far the best price on the phone without any haggling/bargaining (I even had to make sure if the quote included GST), and when I got there I received nice sincere service and even offered a glass of ice water!! Left the shop with a smile on my face, the way it should be (esp when make such an expensive investment such as camera lenses).
Now, I'm seeking some insight from the old timers here: why are most camera shops/sales person in SG treat customers with such un-professionalism? From what I have seen so far its mostly in camera shops :dunno:. I have a thick skin and don't let them bother me so much, as I give a little laugh n just walk out the door with money in my pocket (its their lost). But what sh|ts me the most is when I bring my friends visiting Singapore (a place known and prides itself as a "shopping destination") whom also gets this disgusting service behavior, inc: treating us like we own them money, general rudeness, and even aggression. Even when I catch them out for ripping me off (I do my homework), they are still rude!
For such a civilized and developed country such as Singapore, this is truly embarrassing. Even an expat like myself I feel embarrassed in front my friends.
If these sales people have had enough of haggling dance all day, why not just say give us the "right" price off the bat like MS, and let the customers decided? If the buyer was serious you're sure to make the sale, and if not, theres no love lost.
Sorry about the long-winded post, but this is my experience with camera shops over 4-5 months compressed into 1 post.
Keep up the good work CS!
I've been living in SG for 5 months now and have visited many many camera shops, and bought gear from a range of places. The best experience I had was with MS color @ 711. Right off the bat, I was quote by far the best price on the phone without any haggling/bargaining (I even had to make sure if the quote included GST), and when I got there I received nice sincere service and even offered a glass of ice water!! Left the shop with a smile on my face, the way it should be (esp when make such an expensive investment such as camera lenses).
Now, I'm seeking some insight from the old timers here: why are most camera shops/sales person in SG treat customers with such un-professionalism? From what I have seen so far its mostly in camera shops :dunno:. I have a thick skin and don't let them bother me so much, as I give a little laugh n just walk out the door with money in my pocket (its their lost). But what sh|ts me the most is when I bring my friends visiting Singapore (a place known and prides itself as a "shopping destination") whom also gets this disgusting service behavior, inc: treating us like we own them money, general rudeness, and even aggression. Even when I catch them out for ripping me off (I do my homework), they are still rude!
For such a civilized and developed country such as Singapore, this is truly embarrassing. Even an expat like myself I feel embarrassed in front my friends.
If these sales people have had enough of haggling dance all day, why not just say give us the "right" price off the bat like MS, and let the customers decided? If the buyer was serious you're sure to make the sale, and if not, theres no love lost.
Sorry about the long-winded post, but this is my experience with camera shops over 4-5 months compressed into 1 post.
Keep up the good work CS!
MS service is definitely good cos I bought my lens there too but my body + kit was bought from John 3:16 as they quoted me cheaper than MS (even though I spoke to Florence and we know each other by sight). Bottomline is to do your homework before buying. Another thing to take note with regard to MS is if you approach others in the shop, the price tends to be different even though the 2 outlets are very near one another! Seems like the only thing to do is to always always call and ask for Florence for quotation. This is certainly sad in certain way, right? :nono:
Yes, I'm yet to give John316 a try, heard some good things from that place in terms with service.
I have also learnt to call up before heading out. But don't get me wrong, I don't mind a little haggling dance as long as both sides gives a little, and comes to an agreement (not the lowest price but some freebies, or lowest but no freebies). Seems like these camera sales don't know how to do the "dance", and thinks haggling = fighting.
I have also learnt to call up before heading out. But don't get me wrong, I don't mind a little haggling dance as long as both sides gives a little, and comes to an agreement (not the lowest price but some freebies, or lowest but no freebies). Seems like these camera sales don't know how to do the "dance", and thinks haggling = fighting.
Hi all, after reading about the excellent services from fellow CS'ers regarding SLR Revolution at Funan ,I decided to bring my friend to buy her D5000 after doing some research on prices .We called them before going n decided the quote is very good indeed.We were running a few errands and hence had not much time that day n she was determined to get her D5000 so she can use the next day ( Sun).
We were served by this chap ( slightly burly guy wearing a grey-greenish sweater W/O glasses) n he was just so uninterested.Everything was answered with a super-sian 'want to buy or not' attitude . Although my friend did her research ,she still wanted to maybe find out about the Canon 500d n the Panasonic Lumix GF-1 as an alternative to the D5000. That guy just refused to even let her see the stuff and said it's boxed ,blah blah... I was begining to feel embarrassed as I recommended her the shop
I was looking around the shop n noticed a few customers n the other staff there seem friendly n willing . Over at John 3:16 ,it was really crowded so my friend made up her mind n decided to get the D5000 due to lack of time n got no time to shop around .Almost instantly the guy launched into a series of smiles n even cracked a little joke!:think:
Don;t know if that guy who served us is the boss or not but like that it's short lived reputation as a good alternative to John 3:16 n MS Color will slowly but surely go down the drain.........:thumbsd:
We were served by this chap ( slightly burly guy wearing a grey-greenish sweater W/O glasses) n he was just so uninterested.Everything was answered with a super-sian 'want to buy or not' attitude . Although my friend did her research ,she still wanted to maybe find out about the Canon 500d n the Panasonic Lumix GF-1 as an alternative to the D5000. That guy just refused to even let her see the stuff and said it's boxed ,blah blah... I was begining to feel embarrassed as I recommended her the shop
I was looking around the shop n noticed a few customers n the other staff there seem friendly n willing . Over at John 3:16 ,it was really crowded so my friend made up her mind n decided to get the D5000 due to lack of time n got no time to shop around .Almost instantly the guy launched into a series of smiles n even cracked a little joke!:think:
Don;t know if that guy who served us is the boss or not but like that it's short lived reputation as a good alternative to John 3:16 n MS Color will slowly but surely go down the drain.........:thumbsd:
CS TAN
Senior Member
It all depends on who is behind the counter that you encountered. This is true for most of the shops here in Singapore. Heard a lot of people mentioning they need to know someone in the shop to get a good deal or service.
Next time, when you encountered someone like that, perhaps you can ask to talk to another sales person instead and see if you get better luck?
Next time, when you encountered someone like that, perhaps you can ask to talk to another sales person instead and see if you get better luck?
artspraken
New Member
I bought a Ricoh GRD3 from Cathay Photo yesterday from one James. I am satisfied customer.
Cartman2000
Senior Member
TCW recently tried to sell a wireless IR cable release to me even though I mentioned that I was using a 50D body which does not support IR. The guy even said that it was had a wire and would work with my camera body. Good thing I opened up the box to check before buying:sweat:
CS TAN
Senior Member
I would just ask him to demo for me and see how it works... ;p
Singapore is indeed a shoppng paradize, for price and authentic stuff, however, we are very lacking in service, not just in photographic equipments, but in most other goods and services that requires face to face interaction.
At first I thought the commision system will solve this issue , but apparently it did not.
I think it has to do with the attitude.....in a perfect sales world, the sales should be spending time with the customer trying to sell him or her the product, but I think most sales in Singapore try to make a judgement the moment you walk into the shop if you are going to make a purchase...."if you are....then I spend time with you....if you are not....then I am not going to waste time on you."
I just have to conclude that most sales here are too lazy to do the "sales" work. they are probably just there to do the transaction for you.
I remember about 6 years ago when I was shopping around in Sim Lim for a film camera, I went into Alan Photo and saw the Canon EOS 1000 (i think) on the shelf and ask the guy for the price....and without moving an inch from his "i am busy scratching my nose" position, he told me " oh , that is a film camera, nobody buys film camera anymore."
I was left standing there thinking, "well, if that is really the case, then you have a nutshell standing in front of you trying to clear your last piece of film cam for you, aren't you suppose to be embracing me?"
Let me put it this way, Singapore is a big shopping paradize working on the supermarket system,/....you have to know exactly what you need, take it off the shelf, and walk to the cash machine
Hi all, after reading about the excellent services from fellow CS'ers regarding SLR Revolution at Funan ,I decided to bring my friend to buy her D5000 after doing some research on prices .We called them before going n decided the quote is very good indeed.We were running a few errands and hence had not much time that day n she was determined to get her D5000 so she can use the next day ( Sun).
We were served by this chap ( slightly burly guy wearing a grey-greenish sweater W/O glasses) n he was just so uninterested.Everything was answered with a super-sian 'want to buy or not' attitude . Although my friend did her research ,she still wanted to maybe find out about the Canon 500d n the Panasonic Lumix GF-1 as an alternative to the D5000. That guy just refused to even let her see the stuff and said it's boxed ,blah blah... I was begining to feel embarrassed as I recommended her the shop
I was looking around the shop n noticed a few customers n the other staff there seem friendly n willing . Over at John 3:16 ,it was really crowded so my friend made up her mind n decided to get the D5000 due to lack of time n got no time to shop around .Almost instantly the guy launched into a series of smiles n even cracked a little joke!:think:
Don;t know if that guy who served us is the boss or not but like that it's short lived reputation as a good alternative to John 3:16 n MS Color will slowly but surely go down the drain.........:thumbsd:
I had the same experience in Alan Photo about 6 months ago when I was shopping for my D5000. I was still undecided between this and ter D90 and ask the guy to show me the D90, he took it out of the box, and without even removing the plastic bag , just handed the cam body to me. I know the moment he did that, he already decided that I am not a paying customer. I handed it back to him and he did not waste a single sec in putting the cam back in the box.......impressive.:thumbsup:
ups for SLR revolution!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
i accompanied my bro in law to get a D90. Great price. with great advice on accessories. i also wanted to get a D90 body for myself but was advised against buying from them. They said their price was a bit expensive. They even recommended to go to next door neighbour! Amazing considering the direct competition!
will be back there soon...
i accompanied my bro in law to get a D90. Great price. with great advice on accessories. i also wanted to get a D90 body for myself but was advised against buying from them. They said their price was a bit expensive. They even recommended to go to next door neighbour! Amazing considering the direct competition!
will be back there soon...
Cartman2000
Senior Member
Sounds too good to be true. I don't think any shop would turn away business like that :sweat:
Indeed, its a real shame. I can understand that attitude if they were selling cheap items like fruit etc... but not for what I consider as "high-end"/expensive items. Most of them definitely needs to learn a thing or two about class.
Last week a friend (local) and I were looking for a tripod around lucky plaza, and as expected got the very rude and un-professional treatment when we started to talk about the price (and yes he was trying to rip us off). When this happened we asked for the manager! and told him that he just lost a certain sale due to the guy that served us, and left. IMHO this is the only way to get the shop owners understand the importance of his people behaving professionally.
As I mentioned previously, and others like Goon; its especially embarrassing when taking someone to a "good" place, but end up with such an unpleasant feeling.
Cartman2000
Senior Member
I think no one will actually appreciate good/decent service until they've actually been salesmen before. Ever had a look at those kids selling laptops at IT shows, having to repeat their sales pitch over and over again?
same sentiments. i went to a few shops around city hall to check out the price for sigma 50mm f/1.4. at slr, this salesguy told me the lens i wanted was not in stock and quoted me a price(by far the cheapest though i plan to get it at hk). then he said he will call to check if there is any stock but it seemed there isn't. so i asked him the price for tamron 17-50 f/2.8, he said he have no stock and told me about grey set, warranty etc. lastly i asked him for sigma dp2, he said they don't bring in and recommended me to go to cathay.
although i was just enquiring the price, he treated me as though i was their genuine customer.
I get what you are saying, and totally agree. Rude customers are just as bad as rude sales person. There is just no need for it. But in the end of the day, thats their chosen job, no one is forcing them to be there. So I say just man up.
Its a vicious cycle: bad service > bad customers > even worse service. But if you are running a business, its stupid to be going round like this right? Nevertheless, I find in general most Singaporean customers are quite well mannered, so it is really puzzling to see the sales behaving so badly here :dunno:
but isn't that what sales is all about? you have to treat every person as a potential customer and therefore, have to repeat your "sales pitch" to everyone....but you cannot expect everyone to buy....thats the tough part.
I dont have to be a chef to appreciate good food....do I?
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