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Photography Supply Questions:
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Question:
How can you sell this brand new photographic equipment for such
low prices? |
Answer:
Most photographic retailers buy their merchandise from a
distributor (who sometimes buys it directly from the manufacturer,
other times from a large-scale importer), and then the retailer
sells it to you. The distributor is the "middleman"
in most products; the manufacturer makes the product, and then
marks the equipment up for his profit, and then sells it to the
distributor; the distributor then marks the equipment up for
his profit, and sells it to the retailer; and then the retailer
marks the equipment up for his profit, and then sells it to you!
That's how it usually works, and that's why most photographic
items are so expensive.With me, it works
differently; I buy directly from the manufacturer, and sell the
equipment directly to the end user (you, for example). My business
eliminates the markups added by the middleman and retailer, and gets the
merchandise directly to you at a (much) lower cost.
In addition, since I do not have a retail store and a bunch
of employees to support, I can sell the equipment at a much lower
cost than the retailer who to cover the store's overhead (rent, etc.).
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Question:
I sent you an e-mail message, but I never received a response.
Why not? |
| Well, sometimes messages get
lost in the ether of cyberspace. Other times, it might be due to
a computer crash, or service outage. Perhaps I even accidentally deleted
it in error,( I receive around 1,000 (yes, that's one thousand) e-mail
messages a week, or perhaps I somehow overlooked your message. I do my very
best to promptly reply to all messages, If you don't receive a reply to your
message within a couple of days, please just send it again. I'll
try my best to get back to everyone as soon as I possibly can.
Lately, I've been having trouble with some customers' "spam
blockers" - those programs that purport to filter out spam
and let through "good" e-mail messages. If you sent me an e-mail and haven't received
a reply from me, go look in your spam blocker's "junk mail"
mailbox, and most likely you'll find my previous e-mail message(s),
If you would like to receive replies to your e-mail
messages to me, please "unblock" my e-mail address
(PhotoSource3@pss3.com) in your spam blocking program.
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Question:
I live in Southern California; can I pick up the equipment myself? |
Answer:
Unfortunately, no. All the merchandise is shipped
directly out of a warehouse down south, and unfortunately (again), the
warehouse does not accept retail customer pick-ups.Back
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Questions:
Will you offer more photographic equipment (than you have now)? |
Answer:
I'm constantly searching the world for new and existing photographic
equipment from manufacturers who will sell directly to me or
the public (most of the large, brand-name manufacturers refuse
to sell to the public, or to folks like me, who bypass their
"authorized distributors" and discount the products
below their "authorized" retail prices - be aware that
this is not their "list" prices, which are almost always
discounted, but unwritten "street" prices with a limit
they won't allow violated). That's why I usually offer products
from manufacturers who will allow me to discount their suggested
list prices (and certify me as their authorized distributor,
so their warranties will be 100% in effect, and will be honored
for all my customers).
You should be aware that the some individuals who sell equipment directly to you (online or
otherwise) are often not authorized distributors of the
products they're selling, and any warranties or guarantees that
may come with those products may NOT be honored
or accepted by the manufacturers. More specifically, though, I have
lots of new photographic items coming very soon.
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Questions:
Are your products guaranteed or warranted in any way? |
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Answer:
Warranties: All the new (not used) photographic
equipment I sell is absolutely brand new, and is fully covered
by their manufacturer's respective warranties. For example, all
the Britek equipment comes with Britek's full one year warranty.
There has never been an instance in which any of my customers has
ever had a problem with their equipment where it has not been
immediately rectified, to their 100% satisfaction!
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Question:
Can I buy equipment directly from
you, without going through an ebay auction? |
Answer:
You can buy anything directly from me, without going through
an auction, at any time. Simply let me know what items you're
interested in, and I'll be glad to quote you prices. |
Question:
What if I want some equipment, but you don't have an auction
with the equipment I want? |
Answer:
I'll always do everything possible to
assure that your requests are addressed, and your needs are met.
If you'd like a custom package of professional photographic lighting
equipment designed just for you, I'll be happy to do so. Just
let me know the equipment you'd like to have, and I'll create
a custom auction comprising just the items you'd like. Then,
I'll e-mail you with the auction number, and you'll have exactly
what you want! You can send your requests directly to me via e-mail. As always, feel free
to contact me at any time, if I can be of any further help in
any way.
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Question:
Why do you explain so much about photography in your auction
descriptions and web pages? Are you trying to sell us extra stuff? |
| I guarantee you that I don't
make enough on any of the items I sell to "push" anything!
I'm just trying to make my auctions and web pages as educational
- and as much fun - as I possibly can. I'm really surprised at
how few photographic items are ever explained to us (are other
photographers afraid to share their "secrets" or something?).
Anyway, after spending years being confused about photography,
and finally learning how to do it, I was really shocked at how
rare it was to find understandable educational material on the
subject! So maybe I'm obsessed with helping folks understand
how to make good photographs; if so, then so be it. If you don't
like it, then please accept my most humble apologies; if you
do enjoy learning about photography, wonderful! Read as much
as you can on the subject (check out some photography books,
here), ask any
questions that may come up, and then go make some a great photographs.
And if you have any questions, at any time, feel free to ask
- and NO you don't have to buy anything! Thanks. Back
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Question:
What kind of Customer service do you offer? What's your business
philosophy? |
Answer:
It's important for you to understand that, unlike the way
most of the big dealers treat us, our relationship doesn't end
when your payment is received and your equipment is delivered.
While I certainly don't pretend to be anything close to an "expert,"
feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. While I certainly can't "guarantee"
to solve any problem, or even to offer sound advice, at the very
least I'll try my best.
I will try
as hard as I can to provide you with great equipment at fabulous
prices. If I should make a
mistake, I'll admit it as soon as I realize it, and do everything
possible to make it right with you. I want you to be happy and
successful and to be able to make the best photographs you possibly
can. Il do my very best to deserve your confidence and patronage, now as
well as in the future. Take care, be happy, and always have your camera handy.
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Question:
Do you accept Lay-Away orders? |
Answer:
Yes! Due to many requests, I've just added lay-aways as
an option new equipment.Here's how it works: You
can start with only 20% of the cost of the equipment you want, and pay off
the balance in up to five additional payments.
After the first payment of 20% (or more), you can send in
additional monthly payments in any amount that's convenient and comfortable
for you, as long as the full amount is paid within 6 months. As soon as I
receive your final payment, your equipment will go out to you.
You can make payments using your credit card, or mail in
payments in any way that's comfortable for you. Just e-mail me with the
equipment you'd like to purchase by lay-away, and I'll send you back the
credit card link and the mailing address for your payments. I hope this
helps.
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Question:
I paid with a personal/business check; why haven't I received
my order yet? |
Answer:
I must wait 12 business days from date of deposit on out-of-state
personal or business checks (the day of deposit is not counted).
In order to give you (and all the other fine folks
online and at eBay) such great deals, I have been forced to wait for
checks to clear before shipping the equipment. I go out of my way, to be 100% honest and
up front about these policies in every auction description, as
well as in the e-mail advising folks how to pay for their goods.
My bank advises me to wait for 12 business days from
the day after deposit for checks to clear (the day of deposit is not
counted, nor are weekends or holidays); I really appreciate your
understanding on this matter. I try to offer as many payment options as
possible.
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Question:
I received my order, but something is missing / damaged / broken.
What should I do? |
Answer:
If anything is missing:
If anything is missing from your order (please be sure to
thoroughly check the shipping boxes for small items that might
be hiding among the packing materials, and be sure to look inside
all carrying cases), just let me know, and I'll ship out your
missing item right away.If anything is damaged or broken:
The equipment you purchased from me is brand new, and you
have every right to expect everything to arrive in absolutely
perfect condition. Sometimes, though, something might get damaged
in shipping, and occasionally (but very, very, rarely) something
might be defective. If anything is wrong with any
of the merchandise you received, I'll be glad to replace it for
you immediately, and with no questions asked.
Just let me know
what the problem may be, return the defective or damaged item
(please request the return items address before returning
anything!
Do NOT send any products to my P.O. Box (it's
crowded enough in here already:), and any packages sent to the
P.O. Box will be returned to you unopened!
Just e-mail me at
PhotoSource3@pss3.com for instructions.
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Question:
Can I place an order online? |
Answer:
Sure. Just use the Buy Now buttons on the products. |
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Question: Why is there
a restocking fee? |
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When any
item is returned, I have to send the returned equipment back to the
manufacturer's technical department to be checked and tested.
So I have to send every returned item to the manufacturer - and the
manufacturer charges me 20% of the item's cost for servicing every item; since they
have to pay their employees, this charge is certainly understandable.
In reality, about 25% to 30% of all returns are rejected due
to wear, dings, scratches, and other cosmetic imperfections;
another 5% are rejected due to damage or malfunctions. So I have
to live with the loss. Additionally, if a purchase was through
an eBay auction, I'm also out all the listing fees, all the promotional
fees, and all the sizable commission fees eBay takes from me
for every auction. In reality, returns cost me between
47% and 68%, so I'm losing more than double - and often
more than triple - the 20% restocking fee that I charge my
customers!
I realize that a customer who returns an item has to pay the
return shipping charges (as well as the shipping charges to send
them the item in the first place), as well as the restocking
fee. Basically, returned merchandise costs everyone something
(but it costs me the most), and no one is happy when they have
to return an order. I wish there was a better way to deal with
returns, but so far, this seems to be the only way to handle
this situation right now. I hope this helps you understand
why returned equipment carries the restocking fee.
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Question:
Will you ship to Canada or overseas? |
Answer:
Yes, I will ship to Canada.
But for other countries, foreign shipping is such a hassle
to do, and so expensive to ship to many foreign countries, that
outside of Canada, I rarely ship to foreign countries. Many times
we have to fill out numerous customs forms, and if mailing an
order, we end up waiting in long lines at the post office (all
the while paying an employee's salary), and it ends up costing
us - and the customer - too much to be worthwhile.
However, there IS a way to arrange for foreign shipping,
and I've done this for several foreign customers: If you're
willing to arrange for the pickup of the equipment (simply contact
DHL, FedEx, UPS, or any other international shipping company
or freight forwarder in your area, and get a quote from them);
all of these shippers will pick up an order in the U.S. and deliver
it to you in your country. I'll be glad to pack up your order
and have it ready for your shipper's pickup at our warehouse
in California, USA, but you must first pay for the equipment,
plus a $12.00 packing charge, of course.
There are however, some small items that I can ship directly
to an overseas customer via mail (i.e. modeling light bulbs,
flash tubes, snoots, honeycombs, etc.), as long as they are under
2 pounds and can be easily mailed, so replacement parts won't
be a problem.
Also, be aware that some heavy items (such as numerous light
stands and background support sets) cost anywhere from double
to triple (and sometimes even more) to ship to Canada or overseas.
Generally, strobes and such are less of a problem, since they
aren't terribly heavy. But if you can live with (and prepay)
the shipping costs, I'll ship whatever you like to Canada or
anywhere else (as described above). But don't say I didn't warn
you up front about the additional costs involved.
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Question:
What kind of quality can this equipment be? Does it's low price
mean it's not reliable? |
Answer:
This is amazingly wonderful photographic equipment, especially
at its fabulously low prices! But here's a Reality Check:
Realize, that all this equipment, while certainly a fantastic
deal and a marvelous value, are the working photog's Chevys and
Fords (or Toyotas & Nissans) of photographic equipment; not
the Rolls Royces. Treat this equipment with minimal respect,
and it will see you through to old age; but if you're looking
for Ferraris, you'd best go buy something else. At these prices,
this equipment is truly good quality equipment and, unquestionably,
a wonderful deal. It's all brand new (not someone else's old,
banged up, castoffs), and, of course, it comes with the manufacturer's
full one year warrantee. Check
my feedback and you'll see that everyone who bought this
equipment loves it, and that includes me (yes, I use all these
items, and it's done for me exactly what I bought it for: it's
helped me make better photographs - MUCH better photographs;
give it a fair shot, and it will almost certainly do the same
for you!).Look at it like this: you start out walking (you've got a
camera with a little built-in flash) or taking a bus (you got
a dedicated flash unit for your camera); when you can afford
it, you buy yourself a car (hey, you deserve it, huh?) and start
driving a new ford or chevy (this equipment); when your income
increases, you can go buy a Cadillac or Lincoln (you may not
need one, but you can afford it if you want it); when you get
rich and famous, you can go buy a Ferrari or a Maserati (if you
want); but right now, a Chevy is a safe, comfortable, reliable,
effective, and perfectly acceptable mode of transportation, and
a whole hell of a lot better than taking a bus or getting shoved
around on a subway train (in fact, you just might decide that's
all you need, and stick with fords and chevys from here on out)!
Photographically, if you don't have at least a couple of entry-level
strobes, you're a public transportation candidate. There's certainly
nothin' wrong with that, but boy oh boy, it sure as heck limits
your options (ever try taking your date out on a bus? It might
get you there, but there ain't no way to cuddle:)! In the end,
only you can decide what's right for you; as the old saying goes:
"You pays your money, and you takes your choice." Do
what you think is best. I hope this helps answer this common
question I get on this equipment. For a more objective viewpoint,
check my
feedback and see what hundreds and hundreds of other buyers
of this equipment had to say about it.
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Question:
Your shipping charges seem to be higher than the actual UPS costs;
why? |
Answer.
Regarding shipping and handling charges, I know it may seem a
simple matter of "it only cost $15.00 in UPS charges"
to ship it ; but when you're running a business, as opposed to
a part-time hobby, the fierce face of economic realities kick
you in the head! I used to just charge the actual shipping cost
that UPS charged me; but at the end of the quarter, when I was
presented with all that red ink by my accountant, reality became
painfully clear to me!
1) The shipping and handling price includes much more than simply the
actual shipping fees imposed by the carrier; it includes receiving and
processing the orders, typing up the invoices and packing lists, cost of
the boxes and tape and packing materials, costs of the computers used to
type in the orders, etc. Of course, I could simply jack up the
selling price to hide the shipping and handling costs, but it seems more
honest to me to let customers know where the costs are, and let them
decide whether or not to make a purchase.
And on top of all those fees, remember that most folks
pay with credit cards, and the credit card companies not only deduct
about 3-6% from every charge, and then they charge me another fee to
then deposit the credit card payments in my checking account! Those fees
are deducted from the shipping charges as well as the cost of the
merchandise. That's all part of receiving and handling and processing
every order that comes in. Add it all up, and I assure you, I'm NOT
making a cent on the shipping and handling charges, and in fact, on over
35% of all orders, I'm actually losing money on the shipping and
handling charges (meaning shipping and handling that order cost me more
than I'm charging for it)!
So, I still have all the costs plus the costs the manufacturers charge me.
Well, I hope you can now understand why I charge what I do
for shipping and handling.
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Question:
Why are the shipping charges so hi on the DS-33 "Anywhere"
Flash Units? |
Answer:
You're Absolutely Right - 9.85
shipping for a $20 item is ridiculous. Unfortunately, though,
that's what it costs me to ship them. Why? Because everything
is drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer to you, and the manufacturer charges me a minimum of $6.00 per package
(plus the actual ups charges) to ship.
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