Ball Photo Supply — Local services in Asheville

I'm usually first to support a small business, but they are not first to support smaller creatives. Went to the store twice to look at some filters, straps, and some other equipment, but left twice empty handed. Their staff seems relatively knowledgeable overhearing their conversations with other customers, but unfortunately the prices in this store are absolutely outrageous. The exact same new products that can be found online were being charged over 110% for opened, tested, touched merchandise in store (with parts missing sometimes)! Granted, I do appreciate the ability to test things out in person, but I don't appreciate being overcharged for things that are handled by other, potentially carless customers! What good does it do me to pay over 2X for equipment that someone roughhoused when I can save my money, buy online, and get more than 2X the amount of the same products + more! I've purchased many times through the years from small camera stores, all with the same kind of vibe and feel as their new location, but those are usually the stores to help you get what you want! They looked at my negotiation and proof of price comparisons as if I'm the one that's out of my mind for questioning their pricing. They said no negotiation on their pricing, so I say no returning to get completely ripped off...

Not to mention, when there was something I had called about long ago, they said they did not carry it. They told me the best they could do is order it for me from B&H and then put a 10% markup on it... The other store I frequently visit was offering me a 14% discount off of the MSRP (which was over $250). If they're just going to order things from B&H and charge me 10% more, or put it in their inventory for 110% more to get their money out of the next guy, I don't know why anyone would bother purchasing any products from them.

Who knows, maybe their development services is all that keeps...

Horrible service/attitudes. Poor camera knowledge. The father/owner and his son were working and both took nearly 10-20 minutes just to notice me and say Hi. The boy didn't know very much about photography or cameras. He waved around a Canon that his father had obviously told him was "the best". All he could say were things like, "This is the best." etc. When I described what I was looking for in a camera, he acted confused and sarcastic. They were both very snotty toward me and I'm a super nice person! Maybe because I'm female? The boy had no business working in sales.

I spent nearly 45 minutes in their shop without a single kind word. They were sarcastic with me more than once. It was so uncomfortable.

I called up the business who recommended I go there and they said, "We never tell people it's a great place to go buy a camera, we just say, 'It's the only place in Asheville that sells cameras.'" Then, he offered to help me find something today, without charging me a dime for his services. He said that it's common knowledge that those folks run a horrible business and treat their customers horribly, and that they try hard not to tell people about it, but that it really is the only camera shop in Asheville right now.

To be completely honest, if anyone has written a good review about this place, I guarantee it was done so by someone who works for the place or knows the owners, personally. I can't imagine anyone going there and having a successful experience.

So, with the OTHER business's help, I finally found what I needed online, at a...

I got back into film photography about a year ago. I saw that Asheville had a camera store, and I figured I would go in there to see what it was like. I am originally from the New York City area, and I have had the opportunity to go to many of the big-name camera stores. I cannot tell you how incredible it is that we have a place like Ball Photo right here in Asheville. Everyone there, and I mean everyone- Everett, Elliot, Dan, Itay, and Jared are awesome. These guys know what they are talking about. I am not a professional photographer, but I am not at all ignorant regarding photography, and these guys are the real deal. I have purchased cameras, film, paper, darkroom supplies, tripods, camera cases, batteries, cleaning equipment, film developing, printing, scanning and more from them. I do my due diligence as far as researching the best price for camera supplies and equipment. Ball Photo matches, or almost matches, just about everything. When you factor in shipping costs, Ball Photo’s prices are usually better than buying online. This is true for film and paper in particular. I also want to mention that I brought in a Mamiya 645 film camera which was damaged. They repaired it in expert fashion in only a few weeks. Who repairs Mamiya film cameras anymore? It is unbelievable that Asheville has a camera store which is truly a one-stop shop. I cannot speak highly enough about Ball Photo. They will have my business...