Understanding your buying preference - Ricoh Survey

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-25-2014, 05:57 PM

I'm kind of surprised there's not a thread already on the email survey Ricoh is doing though Survey Monkey. Mine came at 11:30AM today.

Here's a text version of the questions, some of these had scaled choices that are hard to represent in just text.:

Shopping for Photo Gear
*1. On average, how much do you spend on photographic equipment per year?
Less than $400
$400-$1000
$1000-$2000
Above $2000
2. On average, how often do you buy a camera?
More than one body a year
One body a year
One body once in two years
It must be more than three years since I bought my last camera
*3. How would you describe your Camera/Photo Equipment purchasing habits?
Spend all my $ exclusively In Store
An equal split of In store and Online
Spend all my $ exclusively Online
*How would you describe your Camera/Photo Equipment purchasing habits? Spend all my $ exclusively In Store
An equal split of In store and Online
Spend all my $ exclusively Online
*4. When was the last time you walked into a Photography specialist store?
I go there all the time
Once every few months
Maybe once a year
I can't even remember
*5. What do you think influences your camera buying decision making process the most? (With 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest)
12345 What the In-Store sales associate recommends
12345 In store display
12345 Online content from manufacturer- videos, images etc.
12345 On-Line Blogs and Magazine reviews
12345 User Reviews on Amazon.com and such
*6. How comfortable are you buying a camera without having physically touched it?
Very Comfortable
Quite Comfortable
I try to check out a product in store if I can before I buy it
I always try a camera in store before I decide to buy it
*7. Please name the companies- website or store- where you buy your cameras/gear from?

Customer Information
*8. What is your age?
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 to 74
75 or older
*9. How would you describe yourself as a photographer
Professional - I make some or all of my money through photography
Enthusiast- It is my hobby
Casual-Travel and Special occasions
Disinterested- I seem to use only my mobile phone these days
*10. How often do you read print photo magazine?
I'm a regular
I haven't seen one in years. Haven't you heard of the internet?
(end)

Looks like a pretty simple survey to measure buying habits of current customers. I wonder if they are also sending this out to non customers with more demographic questions. There were no comments boxes. The only box you could enter text into was after the "Please name the companies- website or store- where you buy your cameras/gear from?
" question.

The text of the email was:

Dear Valued Customer,

We are undertaking a study in understanding the Pentax customers' buying preference and habits with the objective of improving our overall service. We would be very grateful if you could spend 5 minutes of your time taking the attached survey. After completing the survey you will be entered to win a Pentax Q-7 camera!

Simply click on the link below, or cut and paste the entire URL into your browser to access the survey:

<<link to survey>>

We would appreciate your response by August 31st.

Your input is very important to us and will be kept strictly confidential (used only for the purposes of research for this project).

Yours sincerely,

The Marketing Office,
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp.

Ricoh logo

I was not asked for my name or contact info, so the survey must be linked to your email address if indeed there is a drawing for a Q7.

**LaurenOE** · 08-25-2014, 05:59 PM

I did that too, but there was no place to sign up to win a Q?

**monochrome** · 08-25-2014, 06:09 PM - **1 Like**

The problem with no comment boxes is when you answer 100% online purchase, they don't let you say you would like to buy in a store but there's no Pentax retail store within reasonable (or even unreasonable) driving distance.

mee · 08-25-2014, 06:26 PM

OP: I mentioned it in K-S1 thread earlier this evening but didn't think we needed a whole thread specifically on the survey. -- But there are a couple comments about it in that thread too!

Originally posted by monochrome

The problem with no comment boxes is when you answer 100% online purchase, they don't let you say you would like to buy in a store but there's no Pentax retail store within reasonable (or even unreasonable) driving distance.

That was one issue I had with the survey.. it was black or white.. no other options.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-25-2014, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

I did that too, but there was no place to sign up to win a Q?

There must be a cookie tied to your email/link.

Originally posted by monochrome

The problem with no comment boxes is when you answer 100% online purchase, they don't let you say you would like to buy in a store but there's no Pentax retail store within reasonable (or even unreasonable) driving distance.

Actually question 6 lets you answer that with the third response, somewhat anyway.

*6. How comfortable are you buying a camera without having physically touched it?
Very Comfortable
Quite Comfortable
I try to check out a product in store if I can before I buy it
I always try a camera in store before I decide to buy it

I was able to answer question 7 (*7. Please name the companies- website or store- where you buy your cameras/gear from?) with two online and two B&Ms because I do buy other gear from the B&Ms, actually one ordered a Tamron 70-200 for me even though they didn't sell Pentax (since then they are carrying 645z).

reeftool · 08-25-2014, 06:31 PM

Actually, I have to drive a few hours to get to ANY camera store which isn't covered by any of their questions. I bought my K10D in a store after I had handled it but I bought my K5 after seeing and handling a friends. I won't buy a body without at least checking it out. There really wasn't a comment box which makes the survey kind of useless IMO.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-25-2014, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by reeftool

Actually, I have to drive a few hours to get to ANY camera store which isn't covered by any of their questions. I bought my K10D in a store after I had handled it but I bought my K5 after seeing and handling a friends. I won't buy a body without at least checking it out. There really wasn't a comment box which makes the survey kind of useless IMO.

From the questioning I think maybe there will be an effort to be on more shelves, or not, depending on the answers. I also have to drive a couple hours to get to a camera store, but they are in a city I visit frequently. There is actually a local store 10 minutes away that usually has a couple Pentax cameras (no lenses), but they are not on the list of authorized dealers and want top dollar. I haven't figured that out yet, they seem to thrive on processing film, really!

PentaxScott · 08-25-2014, 07:28 PM

Is this survey by invitation only?

stevebrot · 08-25-2014, 08:09 PM

I suppose I should register my K-3 so that I can take part in this sort of thing.

Steve

ruggiex · 08-25-2014, 08:37 PM

Got the survey too. Since there are so few physical stores with Pentax cameras to begin with, it would be quite strange to decide to ignore physical store presence because most of the people answering the survey buy online.

**LaurenOE** · 08-25-2014, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

I should think I would have gotten an email, all things considered.

I'm surprised I *got* one, all things considered!!!!!

photolady95 · 08-26-2014, 03:29 AM

I started getting emails from Ricoh after I bought my Pentax DA 50-200mm WR lens from them last year. I got the survey email two days ago but didn't look at it until I saw this thread. Survey taken.

Na Horuk · 08-26-2014, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

*5. What do you think influences your camera buying decision making process the most? (With 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest) 12345 What the In-Store sales associate recommends

Well what about the camera's features? Come on, this question seems to imply that the only reason people buy cameras is because of reviews and ads. I would like to think that a lot of people buy it based on needs, so it depends what features a newly released camera has. Of course ads and reviews play a role in deciding, but its not the reason why, they merely present different possible reasons in comparison to other options.

reeftool · 08-26-2014, 07:46 AM

The last store I saw a Pentax camera in was Ritz. I bought my K10D there in 2007. Since Ritz went bankrupt and closed, the nearest "camera store" is in Albany, 50 miles away. To actually see a new Pentax, I would have to travel to NYC, almost 200 miles. I could possibly find one in the Boston area but it isn't any closer and since I don't have a passport or enhanced drivers license, Canada is ruled out.

Most brick and mortar sales are probably big electronics stores or dept. stores. Around here, they only sell "entry level" models of Nikon and Canon. There is a shop in Glens Falls that has a decent camera dept and sells the whole Nikon line, great if you're a Nikon shooter. They do have a good assortment of accessory gear like tripods, bags, filters and will special order third party lenses in Pentax mount but you might as well order it yourself and save. Pentax does need to get their cameras into stores and increase advertising, especially in the US. They are close to being a "forgotten" brand.

**jpzk** · 08-26-2014, 07:59 AM

Not in Canada ... Hey ?

I thought it said: Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp.

08-25-2014, 05:57 PM	#1
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Understanding your buying preference - Ricoh Survey I'm kind of surprised there's not a thread already on the email survey Ricoh is doing though Survey Monkey. Mine came at 11:30AM today. Here's a text version of the questions, some of these had scaled choices that are hard to represent in just text.: Shopping for Photo Gear 1. On average, how much do you spend on photographic equipment per year? Less than $400 $400-$1000 $1000-$2000 Above $2000 2. On average, how often do you buy a camera? More than one body a year One body a year One body once in two years It must be more than three years since I bought my last camera 3. How would you describe your Camera/Photo Equipment purchasing habits? Spend all my $ exclusively In Store An equal split of In store and Online Spend all my $ exclusively Online How would you describe your Camera/Photo Equipment purchasing habits? Spend all my $ exclusively In Store An equal split of In store and Online Spend all my $ exclusively Online 4. When was the last time you walked into a Photography specialist store? I go there all the time Once every few months Maybe once a year I can't even remember 5. What do you think influences your camera buying decision making process the most? (With 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest) 12345 What the In-Store sales associate recommends 12345 In store display 12345 Online content from manufacturer- videos, images etc. 12345 On-Line Blogs and Magazine reviews 12345 User Reviews on Amazon.com and such 6. How comfortable are you buying a camera without having physically touched it? Very Comfortable Quite Comfortable I try to check out a product in store if I can before I buy it I always try a camera in store before I decide to buy it 7. Please name the companies- website or store- where you buy your cameras/gear from? Customer Information 8. What is your age? 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 to 74 75 or older 9. How would you describe yourself as a photographer Professional - I make some or all of my money through photography Enthusiast- It is my hobby Casual-Travel and Special occasions Disinterested- I seem to use only my mobile phone these days 10. How often do you read print photo magazine? I'm a regular I haven't seen one in years. Haven't you heard of the internet? (end) Looks like a pretty simple survey to measure buying habits of current customers. I wonder if they are also sending this out to non customers with more demographic questions. There were no comments boxes. The only box you could enter text into was after the "Please name the companies- website or store- where you buy your cameras/gear from? " question. The text of the email was: Dear Valued Customer, We are undertaking a study in understanding the Pentax customers' buying preference and habits with the objective of improving our overall service. We would be very grateful if you could spend 5 minutes of your time taking the attached survey. After completing the survey you will be entered to win a Pentax Q-7 camera! Simply click on the link below, or cut and paste the entire URL into your browser to access the survey: <<link to survey>> We would appreciate your response by August 31st. Your input is very important to us and will be kept strictly confidential (used only for the purposes of research for this project). Yours sincerely, The Marketing Office, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp. Ricoh logo I was not asked for my name or contact info, so the survey must be linked to your email address if indeed there is a drawing for a Q7.

08-25-2014, 06:27 PM	#5
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291 Original Poster	Originally posted by LaurenOE I did that too, but there was no place to sign up to win a Q? There must be a cookie tied to your email/link. Originally posted by monochrome The problem with no comment boxes is when you answer 100% online purchase, they don't let you say you would like to buy in a store but there's no Pentax retail store within reasonable (or even unreasonable) driving distance. Actually question 6 lets you answer that with the third response, somewhat anyway. 6. How comfortable are you buying a camera without having physically touched it? Very Comfortable Quite Comfortable I try to check out a product in store if I can before I buy it I always try a camera in store before I decide to buy it I was able to answer question 7 (7. Please name the companies- website or store- where you buy your cameras/gear from?) with two online and two B&Ms because I do buy other gear from the B&Ms, actually one ordered a Tamron 70-200 for me even though they didn't sell Pentax (since then they are carrying 645z).

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08-25-2014, 05:59 PM	#2
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I did that too, but there was no place to sign up to win a Q?

08-25-2014, 06:09 PM - 1 Like	#3
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The problem with no comment boxes is when you answer 100% online purchase, they don't let you say you would like to buy in a store but there's no Pentax retail store within reasonable (or even unreasonable) driving distance.

08-25-2014, 06:26 PM	#4
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	OP: I mentioned it in K-S1 thread earlier this evening but didn't think we needed a whole thread specifically on the survey. -- But there are a couple comments about it in that thread too! Originally posted by monochrome The problem with no comment boxes is when you answer 100% online purchase, they don't let you say you would like to buy in a store but there's no Pentax retail store within reasonable (or even unreasonable) driving distance. That was one issue I had with the survey.. it was black or white.. no other options.

08-25-2014, 06:31 PM	#6
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	Actually, I have to drive a few hours to get to ANY camera store which isn't covered by any of their questions. I bought my K10D in a store after I had handled it but I bought my K5 after seeing and handling a friends. I won't buy a body without at least checking it out. There really wasn't a comment box which makes the survey kind of useless IMO.

08-25-2014, 06:40 PM	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291 Original Poster	Originally posted by reeftool Actually, I have to drive a few hours to get to ANY camera store which isn't covered by any of their questions. I bought my K10D in a store after I had handled it but I bought my K5 after seeing and handling a friends. I won't buy a body without at least checking it out. There really wasn't a comment box which makes the survey kind of useless IMO. From the questioning I think maybe there will be an effort to be on more shelves, or not, depending on the answers. I also have to drive a couple hours to get to a camera store, but they are in a city I visit frequently. There is actually a local store 10 minutes away that usually has a couple Pentax cameras (no lenses), but they are not on the list of authorized dealers and want top dollar. I haven't figured that out yet, they seem to thrive on processing film, really!

08-25-2014, 07:28 PM	#8
PentaxScott Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Salt Lake City UT Photos: Albums Posts: 182	Is this survey by invitation only?

08-25-2014, 08:09 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I suppose I should register my K-3 so that I can take part in this sort of thing. Steve

08-25-2014, 08:37 PM	#10
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	Got the survey too. Since there are so few physical stores with Pentax cameras to begin with, it would be quite strange to decide to ignore physical store presence because most of the people answering the survey buy online.

08-25-2014, 10:20 PM	#11
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by monochrome I should think I would have gotten an email, all things considered. I'm surprised I got one, all things considered!!!!!

08-26-2014, 03:29 AM	#12
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I started getting emails from Ricoh after I bought my Pentax DA 50-200mm WR lens from them last year. I got the survey email two days ago but didn't look at it until I saw this thread. Survey taken.

08-26-2014, 03:40 AM	#13
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye 5. What do you think influences your camera buying decision making process the most? (With 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest) 12345 What the In-Store sales associate recommends Well what about the camera's features? Come on, this question seems to imply that the only reason people buy cameras is because of reviews and ads. I would like to think that a lot of people buy it based on needs, so it depends what features a newly released camera has. Of course ads and reviews play a role in deciding, but its not the reason* why, they merely present different possible reasons in comparison to other options.

08-26-2014, 07:46 AM	#14
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	The last store I saw a Pentax camera in was Ritz. I bought my K10D there in 2007. Since Ritz went bankrupt and closed, the nearest "camera store" is in Albany, 50 miles away. To actually see a new Pentax, I would have to travel to NYC, almost 200 miles. I could possibly find one in the Boston area but it isn't any closer and since I don't have a passport or enhanced drivers license, Canada is ruled out. Most brick and mortar sales are probably big electronics stores or dept. stores. Around here, they only sell "entry level" models of Nikon and Canon. There is a shop in Glens Falls that has a decent camera dept and sells the whole Nikon line, great if you're a Nikon shooter. They do have a good assortment of accessory gear like tripods, bags, filters and will special order third party lenses in Pentax mount but you might as well order it yourself and save. Pentax does need to get their cameras into stores and increase advertising, especially in the US. They are close to being a "forgotten" brand.

08-26-2014, 07:59 AM	#15
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Not in Canada ... Hey ? I thought it said: Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp.