Does Price Trump All?


IMHO, Yes.


jlau, you did not enter a Bio so I do not know where you are from, but here in eastern Virginia, U.S. where I live there arejust a few camera stores left. Two years ago I bought a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 DII from a local shop near to where I work. I paid an additional fifty dollars for the lens but got to try multiple copies before I bought. That and the fact that I was heading to the State Fair the next day witha newly purchased used 20D was worth the extra coin. In that situation convenience trumped price. However, the shop that I bought it from is no longer in business. My buying one new lens from them could not stop the inevitable.


It is unfortunate, but obviously a fact that our buying habits as well as social habits are changing. The days of the corner drugstore, community hardware, and gas stations withattendants are gone. The local community has gone from our neighbors on the same street to a host offacebook and forumfriends located around the world. Our storefronts have gone from main street to Google. We as capitalists will migrate towards the outlets that offer the best value. It's the same reason I have driven Toyotas for 26 yearsand not a Chevy or Ford.


Personally, I buy my photographic goods online most of the time from Adorama. I can shop, review, rate, and purchase whatever I want, anytime, night or day. This convenience, coupled with lower than retailpricing, cannot be trumped by a local store no matter how good their customer service and prices may be. I have purchased photography goods locally, but only when it was very convenient or a must have that day. I don't think too many stores will survive on those purchasing habits alone.


IMHO, you are not in a pickle, as much as you are empathetic to the changing world and sense of community we all live in. I applaud you for that. The stark reality is that things change. You cango with thechange or you can buck it. You have to weigh the cost/benefit, which it sounds like you have. The choice, as always,is solely yours.[]