i'd understand if it was a dress shop or something, where you could be taking a photo of an item to then go away and have it made/sew it cheaper.... i'm thinking more like bridal shops where they need to protect their products etc
however, just a run of the mill shop ie a camping or major furniture shop, well i just click away! we do it to show each other like you and also to compare prices, check the pic when we get home to see if it suits etc.
I would have challenged the staff member why you couldn't take a pic? and what difference was between the product on display and catalogue. and if they weren't helpful I would have said, Okay, I'll buy online/elsewhere then. I don't think taking a pic is really different that writing down the details on a piece of paper so bah.
I agree that it's probably a copyright issue, although weird to take issue if the item's already in a catalogue! Perhaps they are worried you will advertise the product as your own in some way?
Either way, I think it's not really keeping up with the times. We're a visual society now and photos are an increasingly large part of our language.
If they want a sale then they are going to let me take a damn photo! DH and I often do this if either one of us are shopping and we come across something we are specifically looking to buy or even if we just see a bargain. If I was ever told not to take a pic I'd be saying something to them about it!
The big dept stores don't like it - it's a big business thing, and Myer has had this rule for a while - there used to be signs, but not enough and in small print. It's more about stock loss and people mapping a way to get stock out. Well, it was in my day, before phones had cameras and before everyone had mobiles, so I suspect it's even more about that than ever before.
I don't shop there when I'm not an employee, and I actively avoid shopping centres, so taking photos where I shop now isn't an issue
Where I work I encourage people to take photos because of our stupidly strict return policy.
But yes, I have been told off for doing it in other stores
Phew good to know I am not the only photo taker. Been many a debate instore about which Barbie to buy after photos have been sent
I also use photos to get the details of dimensions. Much quicker and more accurate than scribbling on a piece of paper, plus I can then go back in and easily grab the same item after I have measured up at home.
Hmm - now I wonder if I should say something on their FB page
I recently did a scavenger hunt and was taking photos off all sorts of stuff cos there was no way I was going to buy it. Had no problems at all whatsoever!
At times I've asked if was OK to take a photo to show my DH or dad to check if the item was the right one and always been told it was fine too. That store owner sounds like a stick in the mud
Yeah I think it is more from a design point of view. You could be scoping out products that a company sell and finding someone to make it cheaper and under cut them. I do take photos in stored but I ALWAYS ask first. I've just recently done it with nursery furniture as my DH works away and I wanted his opinion before purchasing it.
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