Camera Shops and Servicing - Shout Outs

I stress that no one pays me to say the following. These are my personal views and opinions.

I hate going to camera stores.

We have a few stores here in Auckland, New Zealand. Almost all of them have very little idea of service and do very little to promote photography. 

Expect sales people who talk down to you, show very little interest (in the customer) and/or is reluctant to share any knowledge. Two words - snooty and apathetic.

Recently, my friend and I popped into a store in the centre of the city where the sales person spent all his time on his mobile phone - ignoring us.

You would think these camera stores would be going out of their way to help photographers (new and old) and encourage us to get out there to take pictures - but it is quite the opposite. Most of them just don't seem to care.

I have tried a few places to service my gear and do the odd repair(Mr Doofus here once smacked my Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 lens into a temple wall trying to be Indiana Jones). I keep going back to the authorised service agents who know what they are doing.

Shout Outs

The team at Auckland Camera Centre (646 New North Rd, Morningside) is the only store which I found to be the exception in Auckland. Rod, Nick and the team look after me (and my friends) whenever we visit.  They are friendly, helpful and know their stuff. 

If you are visiting Hamilton (in New Zealand), I have found Graham and his team at Snapshot (391 Victoria Street, Hamilton) to be very friendly and helpful as well.

A&E Electronics is based in Christchurch (Ph: 03-372 1213).  They are the Authorised Service Centre for Nikon, Olympus,Tamron, Broncolor, Profoto & Minelab.  I have always had good service from them and the cost seems reasonable for the highly skilled work they do.
I may only get one chance for a shot.  I would hate for my gear to fail me because of a poor servicing. A poor photographer always blames his gear for that fuzzy shot. Ha Ha

I think it is important for us to support these stores especially if they support us.

I welcome any comments via the Contact page.