Freestyle sends out their last printed catalogs

[gone]

I'm not too happy about this. Went to the mailbox just now and there was a Frestyle catalog in it. Great I thought. But then I saw what it says on the front cover.... "Save This Issue". They aren't going to be making any more catalogs. Just the online stuff. I'm sorry, but that is not the same thing.

 

[trythis]

If it makes film and chemical prices lower I am all for it.


Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[redstarjedi]

I don't find that to be too troubling, it's not an indication of the companies demise. I used to get their catalog, but really their website is great so i don't need the catalog anymore.

 

[Chris Lange]

Eco-friendly as well...I'm all for it.

 

[trythis]

Mcmaster Carr (mcmaster.com) has an awesome catalog but they only send them out to big companies. The web site and phone app are so damned good that i just stopped wanting one.


Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[pschwart]

I'm not too happy about this. Went to the mailbox just now and there was a Frestyle catalog in it. Great I thought. But then I saw what it says on the front cover.... "Save This Issue". They aren't going to be making any more catalogs. Just the online stuff. I'm sorry, but that is not the same thing.

I agree, especially as they will continue mailing a digital supplies catalogue, so promoting digital at the expense of analogue. E-mail Eric Joseph at ej@freestylephoto.biz
and let him know what you think.

 

[BrianShaw]

Maybe we should do a crowd funding effort to periodically print and Mail a catalogue to subscribers?

 

[nsurit]

Their catalog tended to not be very comprehensive and one needed to go to their website to a get a view of what they really had available. I did recently send them an inquiry about something in the catalog, bu not on the website. In other words, I was interested in buying something from them . . . and I got no response. Not a warm and fuzzy feeling. Bill Barber

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'd rather they save the printing and mailing costs. I order off the web anyway.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I do not find the catalog very useful. If I have a question about their products or some darkroom technique et al I just drive over there and talk to them directly. That probably will not work for most of you.

 

[Ektagraphic]

I enjoyed that they were the last of the bunch to still offer such a lovely catalog. I will miss it! I remember getting my first catalog from them a few years back when I was getting into photography and being amazed to see all of these types of products in a catalog!

 

[cmacd123]

as A Canadian Customer, I only got the catalogue when I asked for it, they had a copy available and it was part of my order. they never sent them separately because of the postage.

I still miss the Freestyle ads in the back of Popular Photography. (Items not marked fresh are out of date but fully Guaranteed)

 

[Sirius Glass]

The computer has destroyed the printing business, and nobody knows that hard fact better than me.

The computer et al has not been a great thing for film photography other than APUG.

 

[MattKing]

I receive at least two copies of each B & H catalogue, which surely is more expensive.

 

[Jeff L]

I read that American Photo has moved online as well - no more printed issues.

 

[Vaughn]

The physical catalogs were great to have on hand when I was managing the university darkroom. Even towards the end of my time there, I could just grab the catalog and show a student a product and price -- show them alternatives, talk about the differences, pros and cons, etc. And do it faster than checking the website. The physical catalog was easy to upload and navigate; and was always compatible with older systems. Then the students could go to the website, know what they were looking at, and order.

 

[hoffy]

I agree - the days of a print catalogue is well and truly dead.

Now, if only they had a decent interface on their website.....

 

[pschwart]

I agree - the days of a print catalogue is well and truly dead.

Now, if only they had a decent interface on their website.....

I don't think so. A catalogue provides a better browsing experience than a website, and it's an immediately accessible and portable reference. If enough customers demand a catalogue, they will get one. Even one a year for reference is sufficient. Even a pdf provides a better experience than a website, and there are no mailing expenses and vastly reduced production expenses. We should not be shy about telling vendors what we want. and voting with our dollars.

 

[hoffy]

I choose a retailer based on range, price, service and availability of stock.

9 times out of 10, a catalogue is out of date before it hits my door step. A properly designed and updated website will quickly and easily show me what is in or out of stock......

 

[Sirius Glass]

I choose a retailer based on range, price, service and availability of stock.

9 times out of 10, a catalogue is out of date before it hits my door step. A properly designed and updated website will quickly and easily show me what is in or out of stock......

That is my experience. If I have a question about the webpage I call FreeStyle, B&H, Samys, et al ... and ask the questions. A webpage is often faster than searching for the latest [incomplete] FreeStyle catalog.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

No more printed catalogs for Freestyle?

I feel a bit sad.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Please combine threads

 

[pschwart]

I choose a retailer based on range, price, service and availability of stock.

9 times out of 10, a catalogue is out of date before it hits my door step. A properly designed and updated website will quickly and easily show me what is in or out of stock......

Have you been receiving the Freestyle catalogue, or did you ask to be removed from their mailing list?

 

[MattKing]

Already discussed here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

But thanks for the "art".

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Threads merged.