Buying from a camera shop - advice

spav · 27-02-2009 12:32pm #1

Is it the done thing to negotiate a discount on large purchases?

dakar · 27-02-2009 12:39pm

Well I know one thing for certain, if you don't ask, they sure aren't going to volunteer!:)

I suppose it depends on what you're buying (and where), but I'd push for a discount (a small one at least), or failing that a memory card or something thrown in.

GhostInTheRuins · 27-02-2009 12:47pm

No harm giving it a go anyway, I always do

Borderfox · 27-02-2009 2:02pm

When I was starting off I approached one shop in the City Centre and told them I had around 15-20k to spend and what sort of discounts would be applicable on this list of gear, I was told to come back when I was ready to buy and they would think about it??? I bought in HK instead, I have no time for a lot of the shops in town

Trojan911 · 27-02-2009 2:13pm

spav wrote: »

Is it the done thing to negotiate a discount on large purchases?

Absolutely.......... Go to a couple of shops & see what one can offer you the biggest discount (and tell them as well). That's what I do when spending a few bob for anything....

spav · 27-02-2009 2:26pm

Borderfox wrote: »

When I was starting off I approached one shop in the City Centre and told them I had around 15-20k to spend and what sort of discounts would be applicable on this list of gear, I was told to come back when I was ready to buy and they would think about it??? I bought in HK instead, I have no time for a lot of the shops in town

:eek:

I guess mine isn't anything like a large purchase in that case!

Thanks for the advice all, I'll chance my arm.

CabanSail · 27-02-2009 2:38pm

Remember that it makes better business sense for a retailer to throw in extras rather than discount the main item. The shop loses their cost price for extra items but your gain is at the selling price.

If I were looking at a Body & Kit Lens from one of the shops in town I would ask if they might throw in a memory card & UV/CPL Filters. They often give a small gear bag as well.

You can always ask, they have the option of accepting & then you have the choice of where to buy.

Crispin · 27-02-2009 4:46pm

Yeh definitely ask. I would ask on a relatively small purchase. I have got deals on single purchases by going into a shop and telling them what the other camera shop can offer.

democrates · 27-02-2009 6:37pm

Always ask for the boss, if the boss is not in the shop ask them to ring the boss. Counter staff have minimal if any flexibility on discounts/extras.

ValueInIreland · 28-02-2009 6:42pm

Borderfox wrote: »

When I was starting off I approached one shop in the City Centre and told them I had around 15-20k to spend and what sort of discounts would be applicable on this list of gear, I was told to come back when I was ready to buy and they would think about it??? I bought in HK instead, I have no time for a lot of the shops in town

I know you would like to have had an idea as to the discount you may have received, but there are lots of reasons why this is not possible until all the equipment is specified, priced and payment terms (Cash / Credit Card) etc. agreed. Retailers have hugely different margins on different products. Some professional hardware like Laptops, pro bodies may only have a margin of 7-10%, while other smaller equipment may have anything from 25 -33+% margin which would allow much better discounts. Also, at present prices (Nikon and Canon in particular) are all over the place so it is almost impossible for a retailer to quote more than a week in advance.

Regarding the original question about haggling- There's no harm in asking!

ThOnda · 28-02-2009 9:51pm

Well, I witnessed a lady haggling for free memory card when buying one of the cheapest kit lens. I was only smiling and not laughing though :pac:

LeoB · 28-02-2009 10:33pm

Ya have to haggle. I only buy in Dublin if or when I am stuck. Recently had to buy a lens, €299 No discount on lens but got a 4 gig card for €20 and Sigma 67mm u.v filter for the lens for €5.Because I asked
I think there is more to all this than profit margins, Greed.
Whoever Borderfox went into needs a good kick in the A**e. Spending that sort of money there should have been a guarentee of a reduction. There is room on just about every purchase for an offer of some sort of deal wheather its a reduction or something off an extra purchase, imo. I think €5 or €10 is as good in my pocket as in a greedy retailers.:)
As a man I work with says "if they threw out an eel they might land a spratt":p

Buying from a camera shop - advice

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