Closure of long-established shops in Tokyo

[Akira]

It is sad that expert shops go out of business. Without a strong internet business it is difficult to survive. There is much to like about the internet business (convenience, compare options, etc) but the one thing I don't like about it is that the personal touch is gone and that sales targets are more important than customer service. Let's hope that great shops will find a way to combine the online internet business with local in-store service.

Indeed, yes.  I guess that most of us used to buy cameras and lenses along with some respective stories behind the purchase, which tend to lack in the purchases from the online sellers.

Also, the real second-hand shop allows the actual comparison of the lenses to pick the best sample from the stock, which we can do while you are in the shop in the digital age.

[richardHaw]

losing Alps-do is a tragedy i will be with them later on the shops last moment

losing the camera nazi, i dont mind.

[Akira]

losing Alps-do is a tragedy i will be with them later on the shops last moment

losing the camera nazi, i dont mind.

Yeah, I can hear you, Richard.

[richardHaw]

he often gives me discounts though.

[Akira]

he often gives me discounts though.

 

[Airy]

losing Alps-do is a tragedy i will be with them later on the shops last moment

I'd like to hear your story

[richardHaw]

the editor of a photography magazine was even there

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2020/08/31/shopping-alps-do-camera-last-day/

the happiest place on earth is no more 

shinjuku will never be the same again, i dont have any reason to go there anymore apart from developing film

[Nasos Kosmas]

It’s a pity to loose such historic shops

[Peter]

No human interaction anymore!!
The thing about going into a well established shop is how the owner or sales person you have dealt with for years can see how you have advanced as a photographer.
They give you tips and you create a good bond, I rember a guy named Lynn Cob guy wouldn't give you a break on anything in his store but what a well of knowledge and a nice guy.
He was killed in a car crash pulling out of his store going home..
I remember when i purchases my first SLR at 14 a Yashica TL-Electro with a 50mm and a 135mm, I was ready to conquer the streets..
That think saw more rolls of Plus-X than any camera I owned after.
Still worked when i gave it away to my friends son.
Then I finally bought my first Nikon FM then the FM-2 I loved the FM2 light and small... F3 came later and now we are up to today's DSLR's.
Yeah it's sad how the internet has changed the Human interaction platform..