After looking at their website, I e-mailed the photo shop and they responded. Their selection of cameras was limited so I focused (pun intended) on an improved model of what I already owned.

Yes they carried the Olympus 9000.

Price?

$299

My on-line research showed that I could purchase the same camera for as little as $189.

After e-mailing the shop back and informing them of this I got no response.

A few days later I decided to send another e-mail saying I’d “come in” and look at the camera.

The photo shop e-mailed me back that the camera was now “on sale” for $249. I found this interesting on several levels.

Wanting to give my business to a local merchant, I figured I had nothing to lose by at least going there. My friend K decided she’d come along to negotiate. K is very good at negotiating. Me: not so much.

I arrived at the photo shop before K and headed for the camera counter. A guy named Ray was finishing up with another customer.

Ray barely acknowledged me. I tried to chat him up about how cold the weather was but he was not very interested in being chatted up. When I told him which camera I wanted to see he couldn’t find it in the cabinet. I pointed it out to him. He took it out and handed it to me.

“What can you tell me about it”? I asked.

“What would you like to know?” answered Ray.

It quickly became clear that Ray was not interested in selling me the camera. Perhaps a more expensive camera would have motivated Ray. I will never know.

Ray told me nothing about the camera nor did he even provide me with an owner’s manual to flip through.

I had brought with me two pieces of paper with internet printouts showing the same camera selling for much less money on two different websites. When I pulled them out of my bag and put them on the counter, Ray lightly pushed them away with a dismissive motion. He (who by now I hand nicknamed ‘Ray of Sunshine’ but just to my inner voice) told me that “those places” can sell their merchandise for less because they buy in bulk and “might not always be reputable”.

“B&H isn’t reputable?” I said.

“Well, yeah THEY are,” said Ray.

Okay so I got the “buy in bulk” thing. But Ray was not giving me a reason to spend the extra cash with him. If Ray was the poster boy for the sort of customer service I could expect from my local merchant, then I could expect nothing.

“You can’t do any better than $249?” I asked. “I’d like to buy the camera here.”

Ray said no and that it wasn’t up to him. But then, suddenly, Ray told me to wait there.

In a few minutes he returned and said “$225”.

Ray had spoken to “the boss” who took $25 bucks off the “sale price”. Final offer.

I thought it was better than nothing and some sort of indication that they might actually want my business.

I continued to play with the camera. Ray just stood there.

K arrived and off to the side asked for a status update. I filled her in and then she went to work.

“So $225 is the best you can do? Shouldn’t local merchants try to negotiate with their customers to try to get repeat business?” said K.

Ray said nothing.

K continued, “I’ve spent a bit of money here over the years…my wedding pictures, pictures of my kids….”

Ray was clearly annoyed by K. K looked at me. “Ray of sunshine” we both said at once.

Ray and I discussed memory cards. Cameras don’t come with them, they cost extra but not a lot. I asked what they charged for one. I think Ray said “$12” or something like that but I already was planning on getting one cheaper on Ebay.

“C’mon Ray. Throw in a memory card,” said K. “Isn’t $12 worth getting a happy, repeat customer?”

Ray ignored her.

I told Ray I would buy the camera.

Ray reached under the counter and produced a coupon for free 4×6 prints.

“Could I have one of those?” asked K.

“No,” said Ray.

K and I looked at each other. Okay then.

“If you buy a camera you get one,” said Ray. Ray of sunshine.

Ray didn’t even have enough of a sense of humor to give K a crappy little coupon as a friendly gesture. Nope. That’s what I call great local customer service. Someone really needs to tell Ray that a little sense of humor goes a long way.

I handed K the coupon.

“Thanks. No. That’s yours. And besides I won’t be coming back here anyway.”

Ray was probably thrilled to hear that.

But the reality is that because of Ray, my local camera shop lost two customers. I got my camera for a good price only because of the gift card. Ray gave me no reason to ever return.

When K and I approached the cashier, K said “you oughtta tell Ray to lighten up a little.”

The cashier smiled but didn’t say anything.

“I know you can’t say anything but I can tell you agree,” said K.

The cashier laughed.

I am not a local merchant but I could be a customer. It seems to me that local merchants ought to be acting as if they want my business, not as if I am an annoyance or some sort of interruption in their day. Local merchants cannot afford to alienate their customers. If you are a local merchant and you employ people like Ray you are shooting yourself in the foot. If anything, local merchants should be going out of their way to get customers to spend their dollars at their stores.

And as an added note to local merchants, you never know when your customer has a microphone at her disposal and might use it to tell other potential customers her story…on the air, on the radio.

There are a number of great bars and restaurants in Milford these days and I’d like to bring four of them to your attention, all of which are “off the beaten path”…in the Woodmont section of Milford: Sloppy Jose’s, Bazso’s, Beach House and Scribners. If you aren’t familiar with Woodmont, it is the eastern-most section of Milford along the Sound, just before you get to West Haven.

Of the four restaurants, the one I have spent the most time at is Sloppy Jose’s.

I love Mexican food and Sloppy Jose’s is my absolute favorite. Over the years I have found Sloppy’s food always to be excellent, whether ordering from their extensive menu or opting for one of the weekend “blueplate specials” (yes they named them in my honor when I had a radio show by the same name….). Sloppy’s salsa and guacamole are always fresh and delicious. I believe the bar stocks four thousand and six different brands of tequila…well it seems that way, anyway. The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is cozy and relaxed. Sloppy’s is decorated with all sorts of Mexican trinkets, the bar is cozy (with a few tables for dining) and the dining room has a combination of tables and booths. Sloppy Jose’s is small and comfortable with a fireplace that warms the restaurant in the winter months. Off the beaten path for sure but worth the trip. They even sell tee shirts!! Ask for Mike O’Brien (the owner) or Larry (head chef) and tell them Landry sent you. They might throw you out. Oh and their soups are EXCELLENT too.

Sloppy Jose’s

186 Hillside Ave

203-878-9847

www.sloppyjosesmilford.com

dinner only/closed Mondays

Just across the way from Sloppy Jose’s is Bazso’s Italian Restaurant.

When we moved to Milford seven years ago, we started spelunking for pizza that we liked. We are both native New Yorkers so we are pizza snobs. Bazso’s (pronounced BAY-ZOHS) was the closest pizza place to home but we didn’t try it until we sampled several others in Milford. Too bad we didn’t get Bazso’s pizza first; it would have saved us the disappointment of trying the others. Bazso’s has the best pizza that we have had in Milford (and heaven knows there are more than a few pizza places in Milford) with a crust that is more on the thin side (which I prefer) but not TOO thin…perhaps I should call it “goldilocks crust”…just right. Friends recommended their food and so we finally had dinner there a few years ago….and again wondered why we had waited so long. Bazso’s is BYOB which we love because it keeps the bill lower. On our first dinner trip there I had a pasta Bolognese that was incredible…fresh, home-cooking and portions that are extremely generous. Bazso’s is chef-owned and the atmosphere is super casual with the restaurant space itself very small and cozy. There are also a few tables outside for warm weather dining. Try it, you’ll love it.

Bazso’s

1 Seabreeze Avenue

203-877-9818

(no website…call for hours)

A little further down the road heading toward West Haven is The Beach House Restaurant. The Beach House is a bit more upscale in menu, price and atmosphere than are Sloppy Jose’s and Bazso’s. My favorite thing about The Beach House is their beautiful bar area and the best kept secret of The Beach House is their burgers. We love to go to Beach House on Friday or Saturday evening (early so we can get a table in the bar area…there are only 3) and order their gorgonzola burgers that come with great french fries (or a salad if you prefer but I say go for the fries). Gorgonzola burgers, crispy fries and a couple of glasses of Pinot Noir and I am in heaven. Live jazz music happens Friday and Saturday nights around 8. The Beach House’s “real” menu is pricey and we’ve only eaten in the dining room twice for that reason but both times the food (and service) was excellent. Great place for “special occasions” when money isn’t a concern. The Beach House also has a very nice Sunday brunch buffett from 11-3 for $19.95.

The Beach House

141 Merwin Avenue

203-877-9300

www.beachhousemilford.com

dinner only/Sunday brunch/closed Mondays

And last, but certainly not least, deep in the heart of Woodmont and smack dab in a residential neighborhood is Scribners. For 34 years this Milford landmark has been serving some of the best seafood (and other dishes) around at what I would call moderate to kinda expensive (17.95-24.95 entrees) prices. I love the atmosphere at Scribner’s; it’s like being in a quaint New England Inn. The bar area is especially cozy at Scribner’s with a few tables and a smaller bar menu available. We haven’t been to Scribner’s in awhile but have always had a great meal and terrific service there. They now have an early dining menu for $14.95 with a generous menu of entrees to choose from.

Scribner’s

31 Village Road

203-878-7019

www.scribnersrestaurant.com

dinner only/open 7 days

These four Woodmont restaurants are all gems and all offer something different. And one of the really nice things about the area is after your meal you can take a stroll on the beach since they are all a short walk away from the water. Just because Woodmont does not involve Route 1 or the Milford Green don’t deprive yourself of the experience. It’s a charming area and the restaurants are, well, pretty terrific.

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