Got depressed at local camera store - Page 2

kerrowdown · 09-10-2008, 04:30 PM

I would just like to walk into a shop and see lots of Pentax stuff.

Like in a previous thread here, apparently there is a shop in Canada somewhere that seems to hold nearly everything Pentax ever made.

Including new LX’s in boxes, I would love to get my hands on some more A * series lenses, especially a lovingly cared for Pentax-A PK/PKA SMC * 200mm f2.8 ED Telephoto Lens (I can dream).

Douglas_of_Sweden · 09-10-2008, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by navcom

I have never had a retailer push a Pentax product on me, regardless of a rebate or other incentive.

I have...in the 80's (makes me sound awfully old, but I got my first camera when I was 7 and at 14 Pentax was my second SLR system). Haven't happened lately though.

axl · 09-11-2008, 01:06 AM

I'm not sure for what reason, but recently the situation in London's stores is very similar to that described in original post. C&N&S have all one big shelf units with 3-4 shelfs in each store you walk into displaying couple of bodies, lenses flashes, you name it... Pentax went down to half unit (maybe 2 shelfs) sharing it with Oly. Usualy there's K20 body, K200 kit, one flash and one or two consumer zooms...
truly sad...

marlon · 09-11-2008, 01:41 AM

Im not jumping ship either, but buying pentax is like buying drugs. You have to sneak into some alley and meet some dude you called over a classified

However, I must say, there hasn't been any issues in Cape Town so far. I have two pentax retailers 5 minutes away and both are really well priced. Not sure if this will change, but Pentax will need to change their attitudes towards retailers. SACamera (.co.za) lost my sale because they didnt have a K20D _right away_, the excuse was "Pentax didn't want us to display cameras without an official cabinet" which sounded like horse excretion to me, all the other shops are fine.

Be as it may, we just have to wait through this droop period. They are undergoing changes, and we should expects a bit of hassle for the time being. The end reward will (hopefully) pay off

garth1948 · 09-11-2008, 01:49 AM

As you can probably gather from the frequency of new forum members from Australia, most camera stores here have large displays of pentax DSLRs. Smallish selection of lenses stocked but staff are happy to order items.
Australia was a very fertile ground for Pentax in film days and the brand is very well known and regarded here.

barondla · 09-11-2008, 08:10 PM

What the op said is true. Pentax sent all dealers packing that didn't do "enough" business. Problem is they based this on last years sales without telling any one this change was happening. Very few small town photo shops are capable of doing over $90,000 in Pentax per year. Guess if you started a store today you would have to do a $90K+ order to go direct.

There are 4 dist. 1 carries both dslr bodies, a few lenses, two flashes, some accessories. 2nd one carries more (roughly about half what Pentax makes). 3rd one haven't talked to yet. 4th told me they carry everything Pentax makes. We shall see.

Problem with having dist. order what they don't have is timing. Remember the problems Pentax has with supply themselves? Have waited months to get lenses. Now add even more time for dis. to get it. Sorry, customers don't wait for all this to happen. CNOS has the stuff and ship it.

Pentax has apparently terminated much of the work force. Doubt they have more than 5 reps to service approx 20 brick & mortar and who knows how many mail order accounts.

They have pissed off many small dealers with this move. Can't imagine them making it better any time soon. The big box places are mostly order takers. They won't influence many to buy a Pentax. They could care less. Its all product to them.

My guess is Pentax sales will be way down vs other brands (imagine Oly will even beat them this time in dslrs). Pentax wanted to be a niche player. This policy sure could make it so! Such a shame. I hope they aren't setting the camera division up for failure so they can dispose of it.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #10 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #11. Any brand camera. Any subject. Enter now.

dws1117 · 09-11-2008, 09:55 PM

I hope they aren't setting the camera division up for failure so they can dispose of it.

That's exactly what the main point of the conversation that I'd had the the sales person at HCE the day i was in there. I certainly hope it isn't true and I'm sure that it isn't, but come on it sure does feel like they don't want to be in the consumer camera business. They sure aren't doing anything to attract new business and with the apparent business strategy they won't keep any but the extreme die hard loyalist. One can only survive on ebay and forum marketplaces for so long. I guess we'll see what if anything comes out of photokina.

*Mallee Boy* · 09-12-2008, 03:13 AM

Hmm, interesting conversation and observations......but does any of it make your current Pentax any less effective?
Be happy people, the reason you bought your Pentax has not changed, the camera is still doing the same job.

...and surprise, it will continue to into the future.
Cheers

StephenG · 09-12-2008, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by marlon

Im not jumping ship either, but buying pentax is like buying drugs. You have to sneak into some alley and meet some dude you called over a classified
However, I must say, there hasn't been any issues in Cape Town so far. I have two pentax retailers 5 minutes away and both are really well priced. Not sure if this will change, but Pentax will need to change their attitudes towards retailers. SACamera (.co.za) lost my sale because they didnt have a K20D _right away_, the excuse was "Pentax didn't want us to display cameras without an official cabinet" which sounded like horse excretion to me, all the other shops are fine.

just after buying my K10d, I went into the SACamera store and they had an empty Pentax display stand... They were very interested in where I got my K10 from as they said they had sold out of everything, including thier display models.. that was in Jan or Feb this year.

My biggest disappointment was when I made the mistake of phoning Orms (Cape Towns biggest and most well known camera store)... and they said to me they dont stock any Pentax gear as they only deal with professional brands !!

dylansalt · 09-12-2008, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by StephenG

just after buying my K10d, I went into the SACamera store and they had an empty Pentax display stand... They were very interested in where I got my K10 from as they said they had sold out of everything, including thier display models.. that was in Jan or Feb this year.

My biggest disappointment was when I made the mistake of phoning Orms (Cape Towns biggest and most well known camera store)... and they said to me they dont stock any Pentax gear as they only deal with professional brands !!

Not one shop in Durban sells Pentax - Whysalls used to support the so called brands like Ricoh, Casio where the other shops didn't and also Pentax.

I bought my K10D from them (it had been on their shelves for about 6 months) it was their only Pentax product.

In SA I reckon 99.9% of Pentax products will be done online.

Our market is too small and Canon & Nikon have it dominated.

d

StephenG · 09-12-2008, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by dylansalt

Not one shop in Durban sells Pentax - Whysalls used to support the so called brands like Ricoh, Casio where the other shops didn't and also Pentax.

I bought my K10D from them (it had been on their shelves for about 6 months) it was their only Pentax product.

In SA I reckon 99.9% of Pentax products will be done online.

Our market is too small and Canon & Nikon have it dominated.

d

and you wanna know the worst of it???? I once phoned Pentax South Africa as I was looking for some item... they actually told me to buy it on eBay !!! said they wont be bringing it in, and its best I buy online at eBay.

On another occasion - same thing, Pentax SA told me to buy online as they dont bring in the item I was after.. only to find plenty of them in a camera shop in Bellville in Cape Town....

I think the staff and managment of Pentax south africa are doing the brand more harm than good actually!

**wlank** · 09-12-2008, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by dws1117

I just know that the fact that where there used to be a good selection of Pentax gear was down to almost nil and that was slightly depressing.

Originally Posted by dylansalt

Not one shop in Durban sells Pentax -

I get weary with these posts continually sniveling and whining about the lack of Pentax product in the local store. I live in a metroplex of over 3 million, and as far as I have discovered not one store carries Pentax SLR items. In fact, I have been unable to find Fuji Velvia locally. What metroplex, you ask? El Paso, TX/Juarez, Mexico.
When I bought my K100D S, I ordered from B&H. I am sure they will ship to Houston, and perhaps even to Durban RSA. I know our friends in Australia use B&H with some satisfaction.

StephenG · 09-12-2008, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by wlank

I get weary with these posts continually sniveling and whining about the lack of Pentax product in the local store. I live in a metroplex of over 3 million, and as far as I have discovered not one store carries Pentax SLR items. In fact, I have been unable to find Fuji Velvia locally. What metroplex, you ask? El Paso, TX/Juarez, Mexico.
When I bought my K100D S, I ordered from B&H. I am sure they will ship to Houston, and perhaps even to Durban RSA. I know our friends in Australia use B&H with some satisfaction.

bill - in south africa, any product NOT bought thru Pentax south africa is gray, so they will not honour any warranty claims or repairs.

so whilst you may not have any within your city, at least you ordering from an official supplied within the same country. (b&h)
Lots of south africans purchase from B&H.

Pentax south africa does not even acknowledge official suppliers in other countries.. so if they didn't supply it (they being Pentax SA)- no warranty - no matter where it comes from!

dws1117 · 09-12-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by wlank

I get weary with these posts continually sniveling and whining about the lack of Pentax product in the local store. I live in a metroplex of over 3 million, and as far as I have discovered not one store carries Pentax SLR items. In fact, I have been unable to find Fuji Velvia locally. What metroplex, you ask? El Paso, TX/Juarez, Mexico.
When I bought my K100D S, I ordered from B&H. I am sure they will ship to Houston, and perhaps even to Durban RSA. I know our friends in Australia use B&H with some satisfaction.

With all due respect, sir you may read into my posts what you will. You may consider them "sniveling and whining". You may even thank what you want about me. That is your choice. I don't have a clue as to what the future holds for Pentax, but from my place in the cheap seats it looks a bit bleak. I hope that I am very wrong. Products and companies come and go and I'll live with whatever happens. I love my Pentax products and don't intend of changing anytime soon. Barring some sort of accident I know my camera will last for many years and the results will be only as good as the person behind the viewfinder.

I do agree that any of the currently produced products can be had with minimal effort through many avenues. That was never in dispute.

*Blue* · 09-12-2008, 10:33 AM

I end up doing a lot of business with BH and Adorama (occasionally 47th Street) because there aren't many shops here that carry or will order Pentax (except Ritz) unless I want to drive 3+ hours one way with no guarantee I'll find what I want. The one local brick and mortar will order Pentax stuff but I don't want to wait weeks and months and pay MSRP as well.

Pentax really lost a lot of ground when Sears and K-Mart quit dealing Pentax.