Karl,
It is lamentable that hands-on sales help is limited to a narrow range of popular products. But what real service can a local retailer provide? How does the loss of the retailer effect anyone (besides not having a guy to BS with)? I don't know anyone who buys photo equipment locally. Most people I know get their purchasing information on line.
Few want to know how things work as long as they work. That is as it should be.
AZ
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Questions for 2007
From: karl shah-jenner <shahjen@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, January 05, 2007 11:41 pm
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
written elsewhere on the web by 'Kosh':
> I thought it might be interesting to see where an open discussionon the
> photo industry might take us..... ( somehting different from standard
> threads).
>
> Mnay of you may have heard of the CEBIT Computer and Electronics fair in
> germany. It is in danger of closing it's doors (
http://www.playfuls.com/news_05585_Declining_German_Computer_Fair_Cebit_See
ks_Rescue.html
>
> one argument is that the Cumpter and Electronics industry is essentially
> dead, it is now Consumer Electronics...... no longer driven by re tailers,
> but bypassing them entirely and marketing direct to the consumer. Not
only
> the death of their input into the market (ie it is not who stocks say...
> IBM, but which manufacturer markets themselves better), but also it means
> the death of the speciality store... and hence no people who know what
the
> h*ll they are talking about.... shrug of shoulders response to problems.
>
> my question is...... do you think this has happened or is happening in
> photographics?
>
> the alchemy is gone.... and soon will be the day when an explanation of
> shutter speed or depth of field will be lost at any sort of retail level.
love to hear peoples reactions to the question
karl
Perth, West Australia
