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 bypasses the middleman and retailer, eliminates the markups added by the middleman and retailer, and gets the merchandise directly to you at a (much) lower cost. [We both owe a debt to eBay and the internet for making this situation - and these savings - possible! Before the 'net, there would be no way a business like this could exist; how would you and I ever meet? I'd need to either open a retail store, and charge retail prices; or advertise heavily, and charge retail prices to cover the cost of advertising; or go mail order, and charge retail prices to cover the costs of printing catalogues, paying postage, and buying mailing lists! So "thank you," internet & eBay, for giving us the opportunity to meet - and make better photographs!]
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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 has to pay the distributor's markup, plus the retail store's overhead (rent, electricity, city & state licenses, showcases and display furniture, as well as all the merchandise and stock on hand, etc.), plus he has to pay the employees' salaries and commissions (and worker's compensation insurance premiums, and health insurance premiums), plus the liability and merchandise insurance, and on top of that, pay business taxes and all the other usual retailer business expenses; plus, after covering all that overhead, the retailer must add even more to the cost of the product for his profit. Of course, the distributor also has all these expenses to cover (warehouse rent, employees, insurance, taxes, etc.) too, and on top of all that, has to add on enough extra cost to each product to not only pay for all that overhead, but to add on some profit, too.

You should realize that most of this equipment ends up costing so much, not so much because of the cost of making the product, but mostly to cover all the expenses entailed in getting the product from the manufacturer (their expenses, plus profit, plus shipping to the distributor) through the distributor (the distributor's expenses, plus profit, plus shipping to the retailer) , through the retailer (the retailer's expenses, overhead, plus profit, etc.), and finally to you.

Consequently, the way I do business (eliminating the distributors and retailers), I can sell these items to you for much less, and you (and I) benefit. Of course, I add a small percentage to my cost (gotta eat, y'know), but I assure you it's less than most others add! I hope this helps explain how and why I can sell brand new merchandise for such low prices.
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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 vast majority of 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 (sometimes they will, sometimes not; you can never be sure). More specifically, though, I have lots of new photographic items coming very soon: Backgrounds, "Hot" Lights, Accessories, Many more strobes, Dozens of new Light stands, and lotsa other goodies! Work, work, work.

Warrantees: 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 warrantee. 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! There is only one kind of customer I will ever have: absolutely, positively, completely, 100% satisfied customers! Period.
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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 do my best to give you great prices, the aspect of our relationship I'm most proud of isn't simply saving you money, it's the personal caring for another human being (especially photographers:) who is struggling to deal with life and light and photographic creativity. I guess it's what the big guys call "customer service," but rarely actually deliver. 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 think that is the most important part of our transaction; the caring of one living creature for the well-being and success of another. It's what makes us different from (and, hopefully, better than) the cockroaches and reptiles (and lawyers:). I can't promise to be perfect, but I will try as hard as I can to provide you with great equipment at fabulous prices. I'm not a gigantic company with unlimited resources; I'm just a regular person doing the best I can to be as honest and caring and helpful as I possibly can. 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. Whatever I can do to help you with this, I will. So, thanks for considering placing a bid on one (or more) of my auctions, or purchasing something from me; I'll do my best to help whenever I can, and will do my very best to deserve your confidence and patronage, now as well as in the future. Take care, be happy, give those you love lotsa hugs, and always have your camera handy.
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When I started my own (photographic) business (Photographer's SupplyStation on the web and "PhotoSource3" on eBay), I was pleasantly surprised to realize that - since I was "the boss" - like a (benign) dictator, I could make my own rules; I could make my own procedures, and develop my own way of doing business; it was wonderful to realize that I was able to do things "MY way." Very "empowering," as they're fond of saying nowadays. And so, I started with this premise: I would treat my customers the same way I would like to be treated (basically the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"). So I sat down and made a list of as many of the possible situations common to most business transactions, and how I would deal with each of them. And without going through a long list of possible circumstances, I discovered that there was a common theme to all the ways I wanted to be treated (in all of the many possible circumstances). I wanted to be treated with honesty, integrity, respect, understanding, kindness, and forgiveness for any honest mistakes I may make. So that's how I designed my business and its procedures. Others - well-meaning friends - warned me that doing things this way would result in disaster! I would be taken advantage of by unscrupulous people, and would go broke within a few months - if not sooner!

I listened to their advice and I considered their dire warnings, and took their counsel into account. Sure, I could run my business the same way as almost every other businessperson runs almost every other business on the face of the earth. But what's the good of being "the Boss," if you can't make your own rules? What's the good of quitting a (very) well-paying job and on top of that risking every cent I had, if I couldn't do things my way? And I asked myself if I really wanted to treat other folks in the thoughtless and often rude manner in which I'd been treated by many other big businesses? The answer became clear: NO! I decided that I would run my business MY way. If I was wrong, and if I were an idiot and a moron, so be it. I would accept my failure with equanimity, and either live with my failure (or throw myself off a bridge or a similarly tall edifice:).
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But, as fate would have it, I didn't fail. Instead, I was (modestly) successful - thanks to you, my most appreciated customers! I proved the doomsday sayers wrong! True, this business hasn't made me rich , and it does take much, much, more time, effort, and work than I would have ever believed when I started out. But it's a small price to pay for being able to sleep well every night, knowing I've treated my customers with honesty, respect, dignity, and kindness.

Sure, I've been taken advantage of a few times by unscrupulous people who pay with rubber checks (I have a lovely collection:), or folks who bid up (to ridiculously high amounts) all my auctions - and then never pay for any of them. But 99% of the fine folks with whom I do business are great people, folks I would come to treasure as friends and confidants as well as customers. So, to make a long story short, I wasn't as much of an idiot as my friends thought I was when I created my business model. And for every person who cheated me, over a hundred more treated me the same way I treated them: with honesty, integrity, kindness, and respect. So far (as of 02/02), I've been blessed with over 3,100 wonderful photographic friends and customers (and hundreds and hundreds of wonderful eBay auction winners - see my feedback); and to each and every one of you, I offer my most sincere good wishes and I promise you that I'll never treat any of you with anything less than the honesty and respect you so obviously deserve (and to the 28 of you who have stolen from me with worthless checks and empty promises, please accept my most sincere hopes that you find the strength of character you need to change your ways and become worthy of the trust and respect we all so desperately need). As always, dearest friends, feel free to contact me at any time, if I can be of any help to you in any way. - Richard Morgan ("PhotoSource3" on eBay; and Photographer's SupplyStation web site).
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Answer:
This situation really troubles me to no end! I know that any time one of us orders something that needs to be shipped to us, we want to receive it right away (at least that's the way I feel: I want it; I want it all; and I want it NOW!). Consequently, I used to ship out every order as soon as I received the payment. Unfortunately, that didn't work out too well. It ended costing me over $3000.00 in worthless checks. As every customer is informed when they receive the the e-mail message I send whenever someone wins an auction or places an order, and as my bank advises me, I must wait 10 business days from date of deposit on out-of-state personal or business checks (the day of deposit is not counted).
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I really hate to have to do this, but I just don't make enough profit on the items I sell to cover the returned checks. I already have a nice collection of over $3,000.00 worth of worthless checks, and really can't afford any more. My latest "bounceroo," was a business check (from someone in Texas, by the way), who swore to me in an e-mail message that his check would be good, that he's been in business 25 years and has never bounced a check, and wouldn't I please, oh please, ship him his order right away, because he needed the equipment for a "big shoot" a few days later. So I sent him his merchandise. $1100.90 worth of equipment. I must admit, sometimes I'm just not too bright. The check bounced twice (and is still worthless), and my bank charges me $10.00 every time a check is returned, plus, of course, the amount of the check itself, and don't forget the cost of shipping,, too! That one brought my "collection" up to slightly more than $3,000.00!

Please don't take this in the wrong way, I'm in no way suggesting that your check isn't perfectly good; just that a certain, very few people, have screwed it up for the vast majority of honest folks out there (us included, of course). Again, I would really like to ship every order immediately, and I used to do so, but just can't do this any more. If I sold the these photographic items at retail prices, I would be able to absorb the loss caused by the occasional bad checks that all businesspeople get every now and then. But 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'm very careful , and 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.

Here's an excerpt from the e-mail message I send to every customer:

"Payment can be credit card, cashier's check, money order, cash (not recommended, but an option some have requested), or personal/business check (unfortunately, due to the very few corrupt individuals who have left me with over $3,000.00 in "rubber checks" I'm forced to implement this waiting period: personal/business checks will cause the purchase to be held until the check clears; usually 5-10 business days after it is deposited)."

If there is anything confusing or unclear in this message, please let me know; if you can suggest any other wording that would improve the ease of understanding this policy, please do not hesitate to send in your suggestions; I'll be happy to make any changes that would make this more clear and understandable. I never want any of my (beloved) customers to fail to completely understand the consequences of the method of payment they choose to employ when paying for their purchases.
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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); I know that sometimes your check might clear your account in a shorter period of time, but I have no way of knowing this, since, obviously, I can't access your checking account; I only find out something's amiss when a check is returned. I really appreciate your understanding on this matter. I try to offer as many payment options as possible, to allow my (cherished) customers make the choice of payment options that's best for them.

Again, please don't think that I am in any way suggesting anything other than 100% honesty on the parts of those (wonderful) customers who choose to pay with personal or business checks. It's just that the only way I can keep selling stuff for reasonable prices is to have this policy. It's not something I ever wanted to do; it's something I've been forced to do. Thank you so much for your patronage, and thank you for understanding why I had to implement this policy.
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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.
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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, and I'll have a replacement sent out to you right away! Unlike "ordinary" suppliers who require you to return the item before they will send a replacement, I'll ship your replacements out to you immediately; you won't have to wait until I receive your returned items before your replacements will be sent. My customers are the BEST! I trust you to be honest and I'm confident that you'll send back the defective/damaged items to me when it's convenient for you to do so. There is only one kind of customer I will ever have: 100% satisfied customers. If (God forbid) you are not happy with anything at all, I'll do whatever it takes to make it right with you.

Always remember, you're NOT dealing with some huge corporate monolith here; you're dealing with another human being who cares about your happiness and your success. Both you and I are folks with the same interests (photography), and goals (to help each other make good images - and have fun doing so), and ethics (we're both honest and we both want to do the right thing with each other). I know I'm not perfect (believe it or not, I actually made a mistake once! Yep; I did. I think it was back in '79 ;-). Seriously, though, I'll always be glad to do whatever it takes to make you feel that you've been treated with respect and your concerns addressed fairly and to your absolute and complete satisfaction.

You can e-mail me HERE, or you can use my: Contact Form.
See what my other customers have to say about their experiences in dealing with me, and the quality of the equipment I sell, by reviewing my eBay feedback.

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I can remember when I first saw other businesses that stated that they were charging a "restocking" fee for returned merchandise, I thought that it was unfair. After all, what would it take just to ,put something back in stock? However, when I found myself in business, the reasons became clear. When any item is returned, I have to send the returned equipment back to the manufacturer's technical department to be checked and tested to assure that everything is in absolutely perfect condition, and everything works perfectly (it wouldn't be fair to try to sell another customer an item - and remember, all professional lighting equipment is composed of sensitive and complex electronic circuits - unless we're absolutely certain that everything is undamaged, without any wear or scratches, works perfectly, and - most importantly - is perfectly safe to use). I'm sure you wouldn't like it if I were to sell you strobes - which I advertise as "brand new" - that someone else had returned and may not work, would you? Of course not, and I'd never do such a thing! I have to know - without a shadow of a doubt - that everything is in 100% perfect and brand new condition before I would even think of selling it to another customer!

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 (receiving the returns and having an electronic technicion examine and test the returned equipment); 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. Have a better suggestion? Please feel free to send in your suggestions. I hope this helps you understand why returned equipment carries the restocking fee.

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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!).
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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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A.
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!
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Let me explain: When you're paying employees for every aspect of the process, it's quite different from an individual donating his time to process an order for free. Also, in order for me to list the shipping charges in each auction description, BEFORE I know where the eventual auction winner(s) live, obviously I have to average the shipping charges. This means that I take all areas of the U.S. into consideration, and post the average charges for shipping that equipment to any area of the country. So buyers in New York (for example) end up paying a little less, and folks in California end up paying a little more than the actual shipping charges. It's the only possible way I can list shipping charges prior to knowing where the equipment will be shipped to. In the event that a bidder feels that the shipping charges are unfair, all they have to do is NOT bid on my auctions. I tell everyone, in advance, what the shipping and handling costs are, so there will be no surprises. No one is required to place a bid or place an order; ONLY if a buyer is willing to pay the listed charges should they place a bid or an order.

Additionally, shipping charges consist of much more than simply the actual cost the shipper charges! If, for example, your boss told you to go pull a bunch of equipment out of stock, and pack up an order, you'd expect to get paid for the time you're working for him wouldn't you? My employees also expect to be paid, and the manufacturer's employees also expect to get paid for their time while at work. Here's where these costs come from:
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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, salaries of the clerical and shipping department employees, cost of the boxes and tape and packing materials, costs of the computers used to type in the orders, etc. That's why I clearly list the charges (and specifically state the charges are for "shipping AND handling") in every auction. Sometimes I shorten it to just "shipping," but not in the auction descriptions or web pages where a package is for sale; that's always "shipping and handling." 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. Since I tell folks in advance what the shipping and handling costs will be, it allows them to decide whether or not they want to place an order with the advance understanding that the shipping and handling charges will be the amount listed. If the shipping charges were unacceptable to you, you are free NOT to place an order. That's why I list the

2) In addition, of course, there's the time and effort involved in assembling an auction description, there's the eBay fees to post an auction, as well as final value fees for every item sold that eBay charges. 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)!
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3) Next, I used to order the equipment (strobes, light stands, etc.) from the manufacturer, have them shipped to me, and then I'd put the equipment in stock, and just pull out whatever was called for by each order I received; then I had to re-pack the equipment, and ship it out the my customers. Unfortunately, many items, like the larger light stands and background support sets, are heavy metal rods and tubes, and they cost a pretty penny to ship - and I had to pay double shipping on them (first from the manufacturer to me, and again from me to my customer)! But by paying double shipping AND re-stocking costs (shipping from the warehouse to me, then unpacking, putting the merchandise in stock, then pulling out the orders, re-packing it all, and re-shipping it to my customers - all part of handling and packing every order), my accountant (the selfish, greedy, son-of-a-gun) showed me the foolhardiness of doing this. It was costing me way too much! So I had to raise my prices, I was told. Having been a starving photographer myself, I was loathe to do this, and tried to figure a way to reduce costs instead of raising prices. Luckily, I was able to work a deal with most of the manufacturers that allowed me to have them ship the equipment directly to my customers, saving a good portion of the shipping charges. But the manufacturers then charge me not only the actual shipping costs, but they also charge me for the packing boxes and supplies, as well as for the employees' time in packing and shipping my orders. Even so, the shipping and handling still comes out costing substantially less this way, than it cost doing it the old way (the double shipping system).

So, I still have all the costs described in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, plus the costs the manufacturers charge me in paragraph 3, above (which is still less than it used to cost before I made the arrangements to have the equipment drop-shipped directly to my customers by the manufacturers).

Well, I hope you can now understand why I charge what I do for shipping and handling.
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A:
Any way your exquisitely beautiful little heart desires! ;-) (see the contact form)

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist.... =:o)