Re: Any tips for a would be stereo camera purchacer?

[P3D <PTWW@xxxxxxx>]

>>To go one step beyond purchase warnings, perhaps some expert eagle-eyed
>>list member with a quality (T'd RB) viewer would be willing to offer a
>>special quality review service to first-time stereo camera buyers. 

>Sounds like a great idea Paul!  Except for one small problem:  When a
>fuzzy slide shows up you never know if that was the camera or the 
>person who used the camera.

You make a good point that a generic problem of fuzziness would be difficult
to diagnose.  I have a suspicion, however, that relative to the photo
snapping
population in general, this would occur infrequently among people who find
their way on to this list and acquire a 50s stereo camera.  I do not mean to
suggest that every problem could be accurately diagnosed with a quick review
of a roll or two of slides, but the new stereo photographer could certainly
use some assistance looking for problems he either doesn't yet know to look
for or doesn't yet fully understand.

>  I am willing to offer this service for free,
> except for any mailings required from my side....

> I can offer this service to help beginners but who is going
> to offer help to the poor dealers who get stuck with the lemon?  Including
> Dr. T who's prices are usually only slightly higher than the purchace
> price?

Dr. T, as a consumer I am extremely appreciative of your conservative pricing
practices.  However, if you were to request some free advice from me as a
CPA,
I would likely point out that the combination of a) offering equipment for
sale
at prices that are "usually only slightly higher than the purchace price;" b)
offering this service (reviewing slides for new owners of stereo cameras) for
free; and c) expecting not to bounce checks on your 3d account, does not make
for a rock solid business plan (or are you merely seeking a tax shelter?) <g>
Of course, I would also likely point out that I cannot hope to continue in
business if I constantly comply with requests to give away my services and
advice for free! :)

I was primarily thinking about the proposed service as useful to folks who
purchase a 50s stereo camera from a camera shop.  Besides, wouldn't it be a
conflict of interest for you to perform a quality review analysis of slides
taken with a camera you had recently sold?  I am certain you would perform
the review just as diligently, of course, but could a newcomer be so sure?

Paul Talbot


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