I went out tonight and bought a new digital camera, the Canon SD 870 IS. I did some basic research before hand and that was one of about three cameras I considered buying for this upcoming weekend. What sold me on it was that a guy at work recently picked it up and heaped a pile of praise on it. Also, it’s the only camera in it’s class that had image stabilization *and* a useful wideangle end (something most cameras lack of this size).
This is, unfortunately, probably the 8th digital camera I’ve purchased in about as many years. Several of them had untimely deaths, and one was even the victim of a previous girlfriend’s stupidity. I have an older model Canon Digital ELPH that hit the floor hard in a New York bar a few years ago, and it’s never been the same. So hopefully this one doesn’t break on me.
After I got home tonight, I unpacked the camera, only to realize that it was missing the battery. It’s obviously a major bummer to come home with a new tech toy only to realize you can’t use it. I called Future Shop and they said to just come back and they’d get me another one.
When I got to Future Shop, I explained what happened to one of the sale’s people, who immediately went and talked to the manager. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I really wasn’t in the mood to have to argue my case with anyone. When the guy returned, he apologized for what happened and then threw $80 worth of free stuff at me for my time. I didn’t even ask.
I don’t really have a lot of love for Future Shop, but it was pretty cool of them to give me a new battery pack and throw in some free stuff, including a nice leather case. I’ve done some bashing of those guys on my blog in the past, so I figure it’s only fair to point out this time when they actually came through.
And then, sadly, Duane woke up and realized it was all a dream.
Ok, that’s persuaded me to write my post about Kerrisdale Cameras ….
I call April Fools!!! on this one.
Actually dude, I’m serious.. Although, you would think I was joking.
I’m the same, I hate them most of the time and only go there to buy things you just can’t get cheaper elsewhere. Then suddenly during a visit they’ll greatly impress me.
Doesn’t last long though.
that’s quite a bit of stuff just for missing batteries. O.o
I’ve got a fuji finepix s5200 that I love, even though it’s huge and I call it my paparazzi camera. :D
Not a fan of FutureShop though.
I bought Sirius radio the other day and when I opened the box up at home…the radio wasn’t in it. How dissapointing, I know how you feel!
That makes me almost want to buy a DSLR from futureshop…
For Future Shop, that is extremely impressive.
I’ve had good luck with camera purchases at the Metrotown London Drugs. In 2006 I bought a Nikon D50 DSLR, took it to Hawaii, and noticed while I was there that the sensor was getting nasty, growing spots on it. When I returned, despite hundreds of shots on the camera, LD swapped it for a new one on the spot:
http://www.penmachine.com/2006/09/i-recommend-buying-your-camera-at.html
I know Tod Maffin has had worse experiences lately at other LD stores, but I’ve bought quite a bit of photo stuff at the Metrotown location, and they know what they’re talking about. The tiny local Metrotown Kerrisdale Cameras is fine, but they do seem to have a bit of a photosnob attitude. I’ve even had better experiences at the Metrotown Black’s, where we bought point-and-shoots for my wife and my daughter.
Hey, that’s the camera I have, too! I picked mine up at Best Buy when I went down the US several months ago!