My experience with 42nd Street Photo in NYC
aruth...@gmail.com
extensively online and I chose 42nd Street Photo. Last Sunday I waltzed
through the store and straight back to the display counter where
several sales associates were gathered. It took a number of long and
annoying seconds before someone offered their assistance, but I
didn't let that affect my excitement for buying a new camera. I flat
out told the man who finally asked if I needed any help that I was
interested in purchasing the Nikon D50 with the 18-55mm DX lens as
advertised on their website for $618. He politely pulled up the online
product page of what I just described in what seemed to be a very
thorough effort to confirm exactly what I wanted. He then proceeded to
ask me if I needed to purchase any memory cards or memory card readers
and such to which I kindly declined stating that I already owned all of
those accessories. He then instructed me to visit their web site and
purchase the camera through their online sales. Why, I asked, I came
all the way here to purchase this camera tonight! He said that I would
have to order it online at that price and wait 10 days for it to be
shipped to me like everyone else. I couldn't believe what I was
hearing. He refused to sell me the camera and the lens from the store
at the price advertised on their web site, unless I bought a bunch of
additional accessories that I didn't even need. Curiously, I asked him
how much he would be willing to sell it to me right then and there
without any accessories. He said $699. I walked out, broken hearted and
pissed off.
The next day I sent an email through their online customer service
complaining of the unbelievable treatment that I had received the day
before. This is the nonsense reply I received from them:
On the front of our website it clearly states that our prices are
for web only. We don't try to fool anyone. If your frustrated I'm sorry
but being very aggressive on the web has it's advantages and
disadvantages.Most sites that are only web based you can not go and
touch or feel the merchandise and many sell used or refurbished items
without telling you.So in these current times you may have to pick one
or the other.Some don't care to look or feel and same more money. Some
do and save some money.We are still cheaper than list price which is
still a large savings.Don't get so upset its not worth it.Just buy and
enjoy. Sincerely, Elliot Braha 42nd St Photo 378 5th Ave (35th St) New
York,N.Y. 10018
WTF?
rol...@aol.com
salespersons insisting that they needed totally unnecessary accessories
for the camera they were buying. I turned around and left -- purchased
elsewhere.
David Dyer-Bennet
[story of 42nd St. Photo charging higher prices in the store than on
their web site]
>
> WTF?
>
It's much cheaper to do business on the web than in a storefront, and
many, many companies are reflecting that in their pricing policies. I
don't know why you find this surprising.
--
David Dyer-Bennet, <mailto:dd...@dd-b.net>, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/>
Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>
Andrew Koenig
news:1137013304.5...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>I knew what I wanted, the Nikon D50. I researched retailers and prices
> extensively online and I chose 42nd Street Photo.
I find it hard to believe that you researched retailers extensively.
Here's the first piece of information I found on them:
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller6510.html
Andrew Koenig
http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-42nd_Street_Photo
JohnR66
news:878xtm7...@gw.dd-b.net...
Perhaps, but it is easier for them to send a substitute 3rd party lens for
the same price.
John
Bolshoy Huy
the merchandise and many sell used or refurbished items without telling
you.So in these current times you may have to pick one
or the other."
right, ok, and?...
so in fact you were NOT allowed to touch or feel anything or anyone up
or down, thus proving they either dont have it or are a rip-off.
Bolshoy Huy
outside he screamed: go to the hotel with your sister. "
hold on, how the hell did this Israeli know that you are Canadain
living on Welfare.
What sister was he referring to?
This makes no sense.
Eric B.
I just bought my D-50 on New Years Day from Tristate. $620 with the 28-80mm
lens. I picked it up at their store. I love it. and no gray market. USA
warranty all the way. The "web only" deal happens a lot. Let the buyer
beware.
Eric B.
Paul J Gans
Since they are only a short walk from B&H (33rd an 9th Ave)
the solution is obvious. And one can walk out with one's
desired equipment in hand.
---- Paul J. Gans
Paul J Gans
>[story of 42nd St. Photo charging higher prices in the store than on
>their web site]
>>
>> WTF?
>>
>It's much cheaper to do business on the web than in a storefront, and
>many, many companies are reflecting that in their pricing policies. I
>don't know why you find this surprising.
Depends. Prices at B&H seem not to vary between web and
store. And while one has to pay tax in the store, one
does not have to pay shipping and one walks out of the
store with the equipment.
---- Paul J. Gans
aruth...@gmail.com
their store rather than ordering from them online. I just never thought
that they wouldn't honor their own advertised prices (unless, of course
I bought all of the accessories that I didn't need, like a "memory card
reader").
mrsgator88
news:1137070411.0...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
I've seen large national chains (electronics and non-electronics) not honor
their web prices in store as well.
SteveO
Peter A. Stavrakoglou
news:1137070411.0...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
I've been in a few of theses shops in Manhattan and I've seen that when they
realize they have a savvy shopper, they refuse to do business with them. I
figured I'd give it a try but then thought the better of it - why should I
give them any of my business regardless of the price when I can give it to
an honest shop.
Peter A. Stavrakoglou
news:eMtxf.136$F_...@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
Yes, I bought an MP3 player from Circuit City on their website for a price
lower than in-store. However, I was able to pick up the player within an
hour at the store.
James Copeland
<aruth...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1137013304.5...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
I have found a website: www.resellerratings.com/seller6510.html that
provides (among other info) customer ratings of many photo stores. According
to this site, 42nd St. Photo has a lifetime customer rating of 1.91 out of
10.0! (3.3 out of 10 for the past 6 months). Btw, I also looked up 17th St.
Photo (with whom I have done business by telephone and internet several
times) and its lifetime rating is 9.90 out of 10.0 (10.0 out of 10.0 for
the last 6 months). I have always been VERY happy doing business with 17th
St. Photo.
(B&H also rated just about as high as 17th St-(I have not done business with
B&H, however, so no personal experience.)
Jim C.
aruth...@gmail.com
17th Street Photo brick-and-mortar store. I give them a 10 out of 10!
The sales associate that attended me was very knowledgable, very
professional and practiced a no-pressure sales technique to guide me
through the multitude of accessories available. I ended up paying a bit
more, but in the end I was happy to do business with this retailer.
Angela
ant
I recently bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ30 from 42nd St online. It came on the
day they said. But. The camera box seemed quite battered, and the SD card
was missing. Everything else seemed OK and they'd put in a lense cleaning
kit. I used the "contact us" form on their site. got no answer, so tried
replying to the email I'd got confirming the order. The person replied that
they never got my first communication, and said they send out a card. I got
that a week later, and they had upgraded it from a 32mb to a 64mb.
Still a bit iffey about them though, they must have someone there stealing
SD cards and thinking no one will notice.
--
ant
her...@uncg.edu
anyone would steal a 32mb card.
HBH
ant
little bags, and it has a warranty.
--
ant