New Job at ritz camera - need to know 150 cameras?!?

[ryan112ryan]

so i got this new job at ritz camera and im pretty psyched about it, having access to all these camera to check out and the discount plus $. anyway i basically need to know all the cameras and what their pros and cons are, even the crap cameras. these are the ones they have link (http://www.ritzcamera.com/all-digital-cameras-pg0.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcidigital-cameras-and-accessories%3Bcidigital-cameras) thats alot of cameras to be familiarized with :eek:

i was wondering if anyone here works at camera shops and could give me some advice about how they go about selling camera to customers, im a nikon guy, i know nikons and of course i know camera stuff (appature, ISO all that stuff...)

or what if customers ask you about a certain camera that you don't really know anything about, haven't heard anything, etc.

[timmciglobal]

#1: Don't talk out of your ass. If you don't know admit it. People who know something you don't will know very quickly your full of it if you try to BS them.

#2: Try to customize and ask people what THEY do. People will feel like your helping them more if you ask the "Well what do you take pictures of? What didn't you like about cameras you've used?" then sell them something that'll do that.

#3: Try them. Nothing beats a bit of hands on experience and read alot of reviews. Recomending a kodak to someone who wants super zoom is probably a bad idea as is recomending a panasonic to someone who can't operate their electric can opener.

Tim

[ryan112ryan]

#3: Try them. Nothing beats a bit of hands on experience and read alot of reviews. Recomending a kodak to someone who wants super zoom is probably a bad idea as is recomending a panasonic to someone who can't operate their electric can opener.

Tim

see i wouldn't know that about kodak or panasonic, are there like genral things or rules of thumb like that abot the different brands. like when i think about nikons in genral weather its point and shoot or DSLRs i genrally think that they are good quality, decent lens, easy menu navagation, decenent price point etc. but when i think sony, i think small cheap and peices of crap and they have those stupid memory sticks that no one else uses

[timmciglobal]

There are no general rules. Quite honestly, and I'll be blunt, your the exact reason my local ritz went out of business. The guys were totally clueless.

Use them, try them, read the review sites in detail on the models, their operations, and what the pros/cons are.

There is no "Easy list."

Tim

[cdifoto]

so i got this new job at ritz camera and im pretty psyched about it, having access to all these camera to check out and the discount plus $. anyway i basically need to know all the cameras and what their pros and cons are, even the crap cameras. these are the ones they have link (http://www.ritzcamera.com/all-digital-cameras-pg0.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcidigital-cameras-and-accessories%3Bcidigital-cameras) thats alot of cameras to be familiarized with :eek:

i was wondering if anyone here works at camera shops and could give me some advice about how they go about selling camera to customers, im a nikon guy, i know nikons and of course i know camera stuff (appature, ISO all that stuff...)

or what if customers ask you about a certain camera that you don't really know anything about, haven't heard anything, etc.


You could just spend some time reading ALL the reviews on this site and dpreview.com as well as a few others out there. It'd take some time...but this is your job we're talking about. Something you're going to be paid to know.

[ryan112ryan]

You could just spend some time reading ALL the reviews on this site and dpreview.com as well as a few others out there. It'd take some time...but this is your job we're talking about. Something you're going to be paid to know.

ha ha i was actually flipping between this thread and dpreview reading up on the cameras that ritz has and dpreview's top cams. itll take a good chunk of work but itll be worth it because i can make some good recomendations

[T06]

& very knowledgeable too for that matter. Keep you're smarts about you & don't forget that the customer that you are so certain is a dumbf_ck is probably a millionaire & has a wit that will slice you so hard that you won't register.As for the people here, treasure them, very knowledgeable & willing to help, but the pearl is they will converse with everyone until they show discord.;)

[jamison55]

Follow your heart and do what you know is right...In other words, don't sell people Quantaray lenses!:D

[cdifoto]

Follow your heart and do what you know is right...In other words, don't sell people Quantaray lenses!:D


I agree. Refer them to the Coke machine if they want cheap glass. :eek:

[rawpaw18]

You are already on the right track, you are looking to expand your knowledge so you can do your job better. The reviews here are very helpful and if your customer asks you something you don't know, tell them you don't know but you will find out asap. When you are in a specialty store no matter what it is, peoples expectations will be high, Just be honest and keep learning. You all ready love photography so learning won't be such a drag. Good luck

[ReF]

when i think about nikons in genral weather its point and shoot or DSLRs i genrally think that they are good quality, decent lens, easy menu navagation, decenent price point etc. but when i think sony, i think small cheap and peices of crap and they have those stupid memory sticks that no one else uses

don't over generalize like that. i don't keep up with non-dslrs anymore but i remember when at one point nikon was coming out with below par point and shoots while sony at the time had the w1/p150/p200 and the which was pretty decent.

i used to be a salesman too (cameras) but so much stuff becomes second nature that i don't even know where to start. i went through a lot of camera reviews shopping for my own camera so reading up on one or two new reviews to keep up was no biggy. it pays off cuz you actually know what you are talking about - instead being full of BS or just saying "um, i don't know about that". :D

most important, be yourself. if some of your salesman duties disagrees with certain aspects of your own standards, then by all means find another job. you know what i mean, sometimes they want you to lie out of your @ss to sell this and that, push things on people that obviously don't them, or sell things that you don't believe in. well just remember that you have to answer to yourself at the end of the day. BTW i don't sell cameras anymore ;)

EDIT: when looking at employee prices, remember to consider state taxes on big ticket items

[ryan112ryan]

sometimes they want you to lie out of your @ss to sell this and that, push things on people that obviously don't them, or sell things that you don't believe in. well just remember that you have to answer to yourself at the end of the day.

EDIT: when looking at employee prices, remember to consider state taxes on big ticket items

as i have been talking with my boss about differnt things and what not, i have begun to see that she really cares more about good customer service and selling good products for the right reasons than incentives, making the sale etc. which im really happy about

[phatkid77]

on to the important stuff now......

and the cost of the D200 is??????????????????????????????????????????:D

[ReF]

as i have been talking with my boss about differnt things and what not, i have begun to see that she really cares more about good customer service and selling good products for the right reasons than incentives, making the sale etc. which im really happy about

well if your boss is cool then that's always good. same job, but crappy boss can make a world of difference.

oh yeah, the other thing i forgot to mention is that you, being a dslr user, will value things differently than most people. 99% of my customers know absolutely squat about cameras, and although they come in and say they want good quality and this and that, they don't want to actually go through the trouble of learning how to use their camera effectively. so if camera A and B were exactly the same, yet camera A offered manual controls, most likely it would make no difference at all. seriously, i personally know people who are too lazy to even use the simple scene modes. well, just ask lots of questions, especially whether or not they would be willing to do a little bit manual adjustment (nothing complex) and a bit of reading. it'll save you some grief and help you understand what would suit the customer best.

[cdifoto]

well if your boss is cool then that's always good. same job, but crappy boss can make a world of difference.

oh yeah, the other thing i forgot to mention is that you, being a dslr user, will value things differently than most people. 99% of my customers know absolutely squat about cameras, and although they come in and say they want good quality and this and that, they don't want to actually go through the trouble of learning how to use their camera effectively. so if camera A and B were exactly the same, yet camera A offered manual controls, most likely it would make no difference at all. seriously, i personally know people who are too lazy to even use the simple scene modes. well, just ask lots of questions, especially whether or not they would be willing to do a little bit manual adjustment (nothing complex) and a bit of reading. it'll save you some grief and help you understand what would suit the customer best.

My own sister is like that. I recommended the Canon A520 for basic point and shooting but told her it's a bit different than her film P&S and she WILL have to read the manual. She said "ok ok I will no problem." Well that was several weeks ago and she still hasn't read the manual. She keeps asking me basically how to get every picture perfect while simply pressing the shutter button. I had to tell her flat out I won't help her with it because she isn't showing any initiative to learn.

[ReF]

My own sister is like that. I recommended the Canon A520 for basic point and shooting but told her it's a bit different than her film P&S and she WILL have to read the manual. She said "ok ok I will no problem." Well that was several weeks ago and she still hasn't read the manual. She keeps asking me basically how to get every picture perfect while simply pressing the shutter button. I had to tell her flat out I won't help her with it because she isn't showing any initiative to learn.

yeah, the weird thing is that it bothers us a lot more than it bothers them. i mean, if a picture has faults it probably doesn't get to them all that much, as long as they have "the shot". if it really were such a big deal to them they'd learn the camera and show some improvements already. but it's not their priority so i don't get on their case (anymore) or get frustrated about it (anymore) :D

[Cashman90]

I don't know squat about cameras but I do know sales and customer service.

Don't BS them if they find youare teeling them BS they believe nothing even the true stuff.

Once they have made up their mind quit selling, nothing worse then talking them out of a sale completely. You might know what the want isn't the greatest...most don't need the greatest and if you make it sound as if it's cheap they might buy nothing at all....at least from you.

[JTL]

yeah, the weird thing is that it bothers us a lot more than it bothers them. i mean, if a picture has faults it probably doesn't get to them all that much, as long as they have "the shot". if it really were such a big deal to them they'd learn the camera and show some improvements already. but it's not their priority so i don't get on their case (anymore) or get frustrated about it (anymore) :DThat's o.k. if they're o.k. with crappy results. But what gets me is what you see all over this site and every other forum site...people bashing cameras and saying the cameras suck when they're too lazy to even understand the most basic photography concepts or read the manual. But, I've given up trying to educate those kind of people...it's just a waste...and anyway...if I said to them "the camera doesn't suck, it's you"...I'd be the one getting banned! :D (Whoops! I just backslide in the Canon forum...I think it's really just a cry for help...:D )

Ryan, when the hopeless show up, just make sure you have a supply of disposable cameras on hand and practice saying "Can I interest you in one of these?" :p

[cwphoto]

I dunno Man, but I would have thought that it was the company's responsibility to train you to sell the products they represent...:rolleyes:

[ReF]

I dunno Man, but I would have thought that it was the company's responsibility to train you to sell the products they represent...:rolleyes:

yeah the big companies are lazy and cheap as hell. they're supposed to train you and pay for the time it takes but they want you to do it on your own time for free. i think if you ask people who've worked for the chain stores they'll usually tell you the "training" is crap. been there myself

[Rhys]

yeah the big companies are lazy and cheap as hell. they're supposed to train you and pay for the time it takes but they want you to do it on your own time for free. i think if you ask people who've worked for the chain stores they'll usually tell you the "training" is crap. been there myself

Shop jobs are never worth having unless you own the shop. Why should the shop train staff when there are so many low-skilled unemployed people out there desperate enough to get a job that they're willing to train themselves (or at least put on a good show)? This is how places like Ritz and WalMart work. Once, I knew a Wal-Mart employee. She was a college dropout - say no more!

[CptOfGondor]

Ryan, also do read teh reviews here at DC Resource and those at Steves Digicams. I call them the big three.. LoL. But I think Steve's Digicams will be a big help, a bit more so than DpReview and somewhat, DCRP.

I say this because if you were a customer looking to spend thousands on an SLR plus lenses and accessories, chances are, you've done your homework.

However there are the general folks that aren't hardcore/techies/photographers/enthusiasts/etc, that just want a nice reliable camera for the family to use on trip or w/e and you really have to know how to talk to them and understand what they want. Like with the layman's terms. Which is why Steve's Digicam Reviews is the place to start off with. He covers alot more of the point and shoot cameras and in a language base thats targeting the general public. Where as DCRP gets a little higher up and then topping it off, DPReview.

Hey, Rhys. Shouldn't bash the store jobs. I know things have changed and there are desperate people out there, but a having a PhD doing Walmart is not like necessary. What matters is that you are good at your task. And where is the love? Like working at Ritz because you are into photography and are genuinly interested in helping others out?

[aparmley]

Once, I knew a Wal-Mart employee. She was a college dropout - say no more!

ROFLMAO Holy Cow! Gotta love that logic - Once there was this guy, college dropout - richest man in the world today. :cool:

Perhaps you worded that a little differently than you had in your mind. I'm not sure if thats what you meant to say. . . But seriously, the point isn't who the company hires its what they do to prepare them for the job [ more to the point what they don't do] and how the customer suffers because of it. . .

[cdifoto]

She was a college dropout - say no more!

If you meant that exactly as you said it...I take a little bit of personal offense to that. I'm a college dropout myself but I'm certainly not stupid and incapable of learning or even retaining knowledge as you seem to be implying.

[ReF]

those that go through college just because they think that's what people want them to do isn't much better. yeah, i know plenty of them, and know a lot of others that have gone through college and are huge losers. on the other hand i know a lot of sharp, kind people and many other very successful people who've not gone through college. point it, education level tells me about as much about a person as the cover of a book tells me about it's contents. i would expect a college grad to know at least that much.

[cdifoto]

those that through college just because they think that's what people want them to do isn't much better. yeah, i know plenty of them, and know a lot of others that have gone through college and are huge losers. on the other hand i know a lot of sharp, kind people and many other very successful people who've not gone through college. point it, education level tells me about as much about a person as the cover of a book tells me about it's contents. i would expect a college grad to know at least that much.


Maybe he went through college just because he was expected to. :D

[aparmley]

Maybe he went through college just because he was expected to. :D

Thats what I did. I hated college - the phrase "you have to get a degree" has been burned into my head for as long as I can remember. So far all my friends that didn't go to college earn more money than I do - :D Although I finally did land a permanent job with the company I had been contracting for these last two years, so I got a nice increase in pay. . . ;)

[Rhys]

Thats what I did. I hated college - the phrase "you have to get a degree" has been burned into my head for as long as I can remember. So far all my friends that didn't go to college earn more money than I do - :D Although I finally did land a permanent job with the company I had been contracting for these last two years, so I got a nice increase in pay. . . ;)

Lol. One of my friends had a dad that was the local coal merchant. He wasn't interested in highschool and couldn't wait to leave. As soon as he did, he worked with his dad in his dad's business then (since coal is the fuel of the past) branched out into cleaning and now runs his own cleaning business. He seems to be doing quite well and now supports a wife and 5 children.

Most of the people that left highschool with no qualifications either joined the forces or eventually became guests of Her Majesty in her most exclusive accommodation.

I studied hard and got all my diplomas and my degree etc then had a fun time in Eastern Europe for a few years before settling down to married life in the US.

[ryan112ryan]

in the way of training, they seem to have a pretty indepth program, i be shown stuff in the store and how to run it, etc. then im off to a city about 1 hr away where i get taught stuff on sales/info about our products. i would be almsot useless to include the specific camera in training because the current cameras change so often. My boss will go through the display case with me and show me then, make a comment or two on each of them, tell me which ones are good and which ones are crap.

[CptOfGondor]

Ryan, just because lets say the Powershot S3 comes out, doesn't mean you wasted last weekend studying the S2. Read up on Steves Digicam, DC Resource and DPReview. You'll find that some things are company specific like Fuji's SuperCCD or Sony's "Super HAD CCD" (ISO advantage over other CCDs) or somethings that are just "genetic" to that model line like the 12x Lieca lens in Panasonic's FZ line of Megazoom cameras. (excluding FZ30)

Or general stuff like how folded lens optics enable the possibility of "credit card" like cameras but are usually worse in quality compared to conventational "straight" lenses. How mashing a zillion megapixels into really small sensors equals lots of noise. AA batteries over proprietary. That sort of thing. Its true new models are coming all the time and it requires homework but how much has really changed from the previous generation?

Good luck on your training! ;)

[sw2cam]

"#3: Try them. Nothing beats a bit of hands on experience and read alot of reviews. Recomending a kodak to someone who wants super zoom is probably a bad idea as is recomending a panasonic to someone who can't operate their electric can opener."

I'd like to know why a KODAK super zoom would be a bad idea. The DX6490.DX7590, and Z7590 (38-380mm) are outstanding point and shoot rigs. No they do not have IS, but when shooting full zoom evan with IS you do not get great pictures. So a tripod is needed most of the time anyway.
If one must have IS then the KODAK P850 and Z612 come to mind. I have never tryed the Z612, but I have had the P850 and took it back before the new firmware came out. The IS of the P850 worked outstanding. However the pictures were a bit soft and the focus was a bit hit and miss. That had nothing to do with the IS though. I've also had the PanaFZ30, Sony H1, and CANON S2IS and took all of them back to the store also. I used a NIKON 8700 for a few weeks and disliked that camera more then any camera I have ever used. I have always liked NIKON cameras and have 4 NIKON SLR's at the moment. So to make a blanket statement that buying a KODAK superzoom would be a bad idea makes me think your never tryed one. I have the DX6490, DX7590 and the Z7590. I find them to be great point and shoot cameras. Adding a sync flash just makes them better for indoor use. When it comes to outdoor or zoom use they stack up real well. No they are not perfect but I have yet to find any other point and shoot that can do much better in more situations. They will never be a DSLR and nor will any other P&S on the market. For "my" money the DX6490-Z7590's are hard to beat.

[timmciglobal]

It's a bit off topic but that generalization is true because the other superzooms offer IS (or better working IS) and in general more features.

As you said, the P850 which I tried seemed nice if you want a more basic "Easy to use" super zoom but most on forum would agree the S2 (s3) FZ-7 would be better choices unless you want a super zoom and you don't want to learn much about how to use a camera.

Tim

[sw2cam]

It's not off topic once it was brought into the thread. Another thought, a sales person needs to understand the needs of his customer. Just selling does not meet the customers needs. So I'd guess that some people want a camera that is easy to use. I'd guess some people will never learn to much about the camera they have. So to oversell to the customer would be disrespectfull to them. Most people that walk into a camera shop have no idea what they are looking for. Once you oversell them I'd guess you'll never see them again. The ones that do know what they are looking for will not put up with BS. That comes down to the blanket statement about long zoom KODAKs again. Hey that KODAK might be just what some need or want.

[timmciglobal]

In general they won't.

Sorry but the first time they use the 10X zoom in broad daylight and get blurry pics they'll SWEAR you lied to them and that the camera sucks.

The FZ-7 and S2 are better cameras, with a little effort they can be learned and easy to use.

Kodaks are fine for the grandma who knows nothing and is confused by the power button but shes also the type you probably don't want to sell a 10X zoom to because she can't hold it stable IS or not.

Keep in mine my SECOND thing I told him: "#2: Try to customize and ask people what THEY do. People will feel like your helping them more if you ask the "Well what do you take pictures of? What didn't you like about cameras you've used?" then sell them something that'll do that."

If someone wants a 10X zoom and they can't possibly learn anything at all on how to use a peice of software and NEED to use a share button right on the camera sure sell them a kodak but don't sell them a kodak because "I want it to be easy" because all cameras are easy, easy isn't a word to describe "one" camera.

Tim

[sw2cam]

So your saying that you can not get good long zoom pictures from a KODAK, and If you have a KODAK you should be clueless or old. LOL. I see. One thing for sure. KODAK does not have snob appeal.


Tim I think you should spread the word. With all of your knowledge you should go and enlighten the internet with your vast experience on other internet forums. I'll give you a few links to help you on your way. Hey be sure to get a different user name for each site you join.

http://www.myfreebulletinboard.com/f2/1.html?sid=1a49a3726476be99493a2e00f025e225

http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_forum.php?id=18

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1011

edit for typo.

[PatrickLeonardo]

Read, read, and read. And of course take pictures! Most customers will be more willing to listen to you opine on features, specs, etc, if you can show them some pro or near-pro looking shots that you've taken. Keep them on hand.

I had a bad experience a couple of days ago (too good to be true situation) where I attempted to purchase a Sony R1 for my wife's birthday (May 2.) Several e-tailers were pitching the camera comparable prices so I thought well, they are probably factory recons. or "display models" or some sort. Nope.

Here's what happened, ordered the camera.
This is where you should pay attention:
Sales rep. called me to "confirm identity (which is in an of itself a good thing for the customer.) Pitched some accessories, said the camera came without a battery and charger (which is fine, I can get those items here for great prices.) I declined and he casually remarked that the item was a Chinese camera with only a 10 day warranty and was in "chinese," which I guess he was referring to mandarin. So I though "well, well, its a grey market item." The website for USAPhotosheysters.com (not the real name but close) did not list the camera as such. Bait and switch. Here's where it got comical. The sales man said that the firmware needs to be flashed to change it to English; Sony sells it for $250 but they could give that to me with a battery, etc, for $200 more. Simple bullshit. Bold-face lies. I said, just send me the "chinese" camera and I'll reset it myself. He said it would be out "that day." Sony rep confirmed that what I already kenw, there is no such firmware flash, resetting the camera to English is a simply task, and all firware updates are provided for free.
3 days, no confirmation of shipment so I called their customer servce department. Lady said in thick brooklyn accent (i know, family's from NYC) that "the camera was on backorder." "Jason, the sales rep, said it would ship three days ago, "I replied. "Sorry," she said. As soon as I began to outline the lies and unethical business practices I experience she hung up on me.

I have half a mind to report the company to the proper persons. My mother in the FBI recommeded their web site for filing complaints concerning disreputable e-tailers. And since this commerce is state to state, it is definitely FBI's concern.

Now I feel like a louse because I now have four days to get my wife a gift and I back to the beginning. But, I wouldn't be a man if I didn't wait until the last moment to find her something. If you guys have any recommendations for a DC in the $500 or so range, let me know. She generally won't print anything larger than 8x10 and her subjects will usually be portraits, cameos (under 20 feet) and the occasional, you know, tourist scenery shot. She does like taking video clips, so I was looking at the new canon powershot S3 (so I'll have to just wrap up a picture of it as a gift for now, heh) but my wife really likes manual zoom.

So, anyway, if you don't know a certain product a customer is interested in it, honestly say so, and then go home and learn it. Don't lie, and make sure you don't contradict yourself with false knowledge. Nothing wrong with trying to up-sell and all that, but I think the most successful salesman are thsoe who really know there products, are excited about them, and try to find the customer what they want and need, and compromise when it comes to selling them what generates a larger profit.

[CptOfGondor]

Sly businessmen and their lowball rips. Yea its unfortunate. The Sony R1 is a pretty good camera.

And um Patrick. ( I really hope that's not your real name..lol). Given that a relation is in the "you know what I'm talking about", its best not to go on public forums blabbing about their work.

[ReF]

Read, read, and read. And of course take pictures! Most customers will be more willing to listen to you opine on features, specs, etc, if you can show them some pro or near-pro looking shots that you've taken. Keep them on hand.

I had a bad experience a couple of days ago (too good to be true situation) where I attempted to purchase a Sony R1 for my wife's birthday (May 2.) Several e-tailers were pitching the camera comparable prices so I thought well, they are probably factory recons. or "display models" or some sort. Nope.

Here's what happened, ordered the camera.
This is where you should pay attention:
Sales rep. called me to "confirm identity (which is in an of itself a good thing for the customer.) Pitched some accessories, said the camera came without a battery and charger (which is fine, I can get those items here for great prices.) I declined and he casually remarked that the item was a Chinese camera with only a 10 day warranty and was in "chinese," which I guess he was referring to mandarin. So I though "well, well, its a grey market item." The website for USAPhotosheysters.com (not the real name but close) did not list the camera as such. Bait and switch. Here's where it got comical. The sales man said that the firmware needs to be flashed to change it to English; Sony sells it for $250 but they could give that to me with a battery, etc, for $200 more. Simple bullshit. Bold-face lies. I said, just send me the "chinese" camera and I'll reset it myself. He said it would be out "that day." Sony rep confirmed that what I already kenw, there is no such firmware flash, resetting the camera to English is a simply task, and all firware updates are provided for free.
3 days, no confirmation of shipment so I called their customer servce department. Lady said in thick brooklyn accent (i know, family's from NYC) that "the camera was on backorder." "Jason, the sales rep, said it would ship three days ago, "I replied. "Sorry," she said. As soon as I began to outline the lies and unethical business practices I experience she hung up on me.

I have half a mind to report the company to the proper persons. My mother in the FBI recommeded their web site for filing complaints concerning disreputable e-tailers. And since this commerce is state to state, it is definitely FBI's concern.

Now I feel like a louse because I now have four days to get my wife a gift and I back to the beginning. But, I wouldn't be a man if I didn't wait until the last moment to find her something. If you guys have any recommendations for a DC in the $500 or so range, let me know. She generally won't print anything larger than 8x10 and her subjects will usually be portraits, cameos (under 20 feet) and the occasional, you know, tourist scenery shot. She does like taking video clips, so I was looking at the new canon powershot S3 (so I'll have to just wrap up a picture of it as a gift for now, heh) but my wife really likes manual zoom.

So, anyway, if you don't know a certain product a customer is interested in it, honestly say so, and then go home and learn it. Don't lie, and make sure you don't contradict yourself with false knowledge. Nothing wrong with trying to up-sell and all that, but I think the most successful salesman are thsoe who really know there products, are excited about them, and try to find the customer what they want and need, and compromise when it comes to selling them what generates a larger profit.

umm i don't know what most of that post has got to do with a job at ritz but check up on a reseller (resellerratings.com) before you waste any time on a merchant you're unfamiliar with. sounds like you got yourself into a very common scam. call up your credit card company and cancel the order if you haven't done that already. you can try to cancel with the actual merchant but from the stories i've heard they're probably gonna send it and charge you anyways.

[cwphoto]

What's college?:(

[rawpaw18]

What's college?:(

I think that is when you take a bunch of pictures and glue them together on a poster board. I like to use that paste that tastes like peppermint.:rolleyes:
As you can tell, no coledge hear neaver.

[cwphoto]

I think that is when you take a bunch of pictures and glue them together on a poster board. I like to use that paste that tastes like peppermint.:rolleyes:
As you can tell, no coledge hear neaver.

Thanks for clearing that up.:D

[PatrickLeonardo]

umm i don't know what most of that post has got to do with a job at ritz but check up on a reseller (resellerratings.com) before you waste any time on a merchant you're unfamiliar with. sounds like you got yourself into a very common scam. call up your credit card company and cancel the order if you haven't done that already. you can try to cancel with the actual merchant but from the stories i've heard they're probably gonna send it and charge you anyways.

Well, the point for the guy starting at Ritz was to share some of my knowledge on what NOT to do. I hope it helped. USAPhotonation has several positive reviews, from various e-commerce online review databases, that is why I felt comfortable using them. Although, honestly, there were a few reviews that stated they engaged in hard sale tactics. I was prepared for that, a salesman has to put food on the table. I just think bait and switch techniques are completely inappropriate in business, as well as that other thing the salesman did, what's it called, oh yeah: lying.:mad:

Captain of Gondor, Patrick is my real name. I don't see the point in creating clever aliases for newsgroups and chatboards and such, most of my participation are on professional boards where concealing my secret Tolkien identity would just slow down my networking. Lol.

By "you know what I'm talking about" are you referring to someone you personally know that's in sales? Because I intend no across the board(s)-pun intended-disrespect to sales jobs, I was just referring to a particular experience with a nasty Glengarry Glen Rossian. :(

[CptOfGondor]

LoL, ok maybe my choice of words didn't come through, but I'll PM you about that.

[ryan112ryan]

an update...

I have been working that Ritz for a while now and have enjoyed it alot. i am able to get people into photography that wouldn't have ever done so.

I must say that as a company my managers, district managers are truley concerned with people getting good service and convincing people to buy the best camera option for their budget. and also follow up weather we anwser a simple question, help them choose lenses, or teach them the entire sum of knowledge as best we can about photography in 15 minutes lol

I am not sure about other ritz stores but as an employee of this particular store, and i don't want to seem propogandist or what not (i do have issues with the corp) they do really care about the customer (even if it means taking a hit in profits)

[Christian]

Glad it's working out for you. To bad you don't work at any of the Ritz stores near me, the ones in my area don't care what the customer wants, only what they want to sell the customer.

[sHanzek]

I worked for a camera store in Detroit in the late 70's / early 80's. The owner, when he hired me, said that he'd "fire anyone he caught switch selling...". Within a few years, switch selling was the standard practice. If someone came in looking for a Canon AE-1 (which we would make $5 on the sale), switch them to the Ricoh (which we'd make $75 on). I couldn't do it - my commissions took a hit two ways: first not making the $5 or $7 commission on the Ricoh because I sold them the Canon, and secondly having to handle the returns the following day, spending an hour refunding some customer his money because "Gary" switched him to the Ricoh...

Memorable customers: one person came in asking for a camera that would allow him to photograph his friend skydiving, from the ground. I grabbed our biggest lens in stock (800mm Vivitar Series 1), stuck it on a camera and took him outside. Pointed him down the block and said, see that guy at the stoplight? He's only 300 yards away. See how small he is? If you want to photograph your friend, put on a parachute and jump with him...

Another customer spoke no english. He worked on the docks at a vegatable market, but saved up his money. Took the bus to the store, and came in with an ad from one of the photography magazines. The ad was for the Mamiya M645 (medium format, semi-pro camera). It showed some photographer shooting Playboy models. This fella just pointed to the ad, pointed to the wad of money (cash!) in his hand. I finally figured out what he wanted. $2500 later he left with a very nice package, so he could photograph playboy bunnies...

My place in the store was handling the pro's - understand their needs and get them what they needed. I never switch sold, and spent a ton of time learning every camera inside and out. Sales can be very rewarding when your boss lets you keep the customer happy - very gloomy when you have to screw the customers. I left shortly after we started having meetings on how to switch sell cameras...

Steve

[TNB]

an update...
I have been working that Ritz for a while now and have enjoyed it alot. i am able to get people into photography that wouldn't have ever done so . . . or teach them the entire sum of knowledge as best we can about photography in 15 minutes lol
I've spent time in three of the local stores and I doubt if I've ever spent less than 30 minutes in the store. ;) The last two Saturdays I've also attended classes at Ritz, which were about two hours long though I was late for the last class since I was out taking photos at the track. Sure the old pros may not care, but I'm enjoying them so far. In my opinion, kudos to Ritz even if the idea is simple to keep return customers.

I'm also not usually the type of person who makes a first-time purchase online or purchases something right away since I like to see things in person and try them out first if possible, especially if I have to drop some coin. As a newb, one reason I don’t want to shop online at first is because I want to be able to pick someone’s brain first hand and in person.

And my point, if Ritz employees didn't treat me well and spend time with me discussing the different aspects of photography, as well as graphics programs, I wouldn't be a return customer if ever a customer since I could have always shopped online or went elsewhere if I didn't want the support.

In addition, I tend to purchase from the same sales person or try to speak with the same salespersons since it doesn't seem to take long to figure out the person who is the more knowledgeable, the person more willing to explain things, and the person more willing to spend the time--in other words, the person more willing to make and close the sale. If this means traveling to another store, I will do it and have done it. Furthermore, a rapport has already been established and they already know my interests as well as what I already own.

Consequently, if someone is in a store playing around and not paying attention to business, they may not get my business though the salesperson who is willing to run down the mall hallway, so I can try out a lens may very well get my business (which one Ritz employee did for me) or even go outside and take photos of moving traffic (which another employee did for me as well). They made the sales.

Thumbs up to the employees who have helped me.

[ryan112ryan]

I worked for a camera store in Detroit in the late 70's / early 80's...........

Memorable customers:
Another customer spoke no english. He worked on the docks at a vegatable market, but saved up his money. Took the bus to the store, and came in with an ad from one of the photography magazines.

Steve

the other day a guy came in and as he walked in I said hello etc. etc. he just looked at me blankly and reached into his shirt pocket. he pulled out a napkin which someone else had written

"I need a picture for a green card"

placed it on the counter and just pointed, i couldn't help but be amused ;)