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January 2024 by Gretchen G.
Don't buy online!!! Camera Wholesalers sold me a Sony digital camera manufactured in 2009, without divulging on their website that this was old, discontinued merchandise. I bought the camera in early December for a Christmas gift. We didn't realize the camera was old until opening it on X-mas day. There's a CD included in the box to hook up to your computer ... THAT'S HOW OLD THIS IS!!! Took it to the camera store to buy a memory stick, only to find they are difficult to buy new. Contacted the store directly, they told me to email the warehouse. Warehouse said it was too late to return the camera due to their return policy. Looked on the website for the return policy, and found nothing but a blank white screen. They promised a supervisor would be in touch, and it's been crickets for a month! Emailed again yesterday, and nothing. DO NOT BUY FROM THIS STORE!
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January 2024 by Elena D.
Called to inquire about used camera equipment for sale and was immediately interrupted when trying to explain what I was seeking. I was then given a lecture and mansplained information about a medium format camera that I've had for years being discontinued (which I already knew, I traveled to Japan to get the body) and talked down to and patronized for even inquiring about buying a lens here to begin with. Was eager to come back here to purchase 120 mm film since I'm new to the area, but will happily be taking my business elsewhere. Gross, disrespectful and sexist behavior. Photo indicates sales associate responding to my review vs taking accountability and trying to remedy the situation. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place at all costs. CAMERA BAR in Hartford, CT and CLASSIC CONNECTION FINE CAMERA in Fairfield have phenomenal, respectful and knowledgeable staff that won't make you feel bad about asking ANY educated question. They were both able to help me purchase what I needed. Film is also better priced at these locations as well. It's the principle. No one ever wants to feel spoken down to when calling to ask a question about a hobby they love and are passionate about. It's not what you say, but how you say it and replying to a review to defend poor behavior from your establishment isn't a good look. It just enables the behavior to continue to other quality customers. Definitely glad to say I'm not allowed here anymore as the treatment I received is something I don't want to ever experience again and have found 2 new places in CT that I can regularly frequent for my film photography needs!
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October 2023 by Earl Ismyname
They charge expedited shipping and don't ship for 3 weeks. Then I get the product which is a bulb with broken filaments. STAY CLEAR of doing business with these shady people!
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July 2023 by Burner A.
Save yourself the time, hassle and energy and take your business elsewhere. These guys are a complete Mickey Mouse outfit. How they're still in business is beyond me. Shop can't talk to the warehouse, online orders can only be dealt with via email and the support team at the warehouse can't even be bothered to read emails properly. Single handedly the worst online shopping experience I've had in years. Wish I'd read the other reviews beforehand.
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June 2023 by Chris Wu
Awful customer service. I purchased a camera online, and for the next 2 weeks got no updates or shipment information. They don't provide a phone number for online orders, and when you try to call their retail phone number they are unhelpful and direct you to email their "support". However, they rarely respond to the provided email address, and when they do, the responses are brief and generic and unhelpful (Lin was the person providing these responses, I don't know if all their customer service representatives are like this). After 2.5 weeks of waiting without an update, they inform me the authorization on my credit card expired and the camera was sold to someone in their retail store and they have no stock available. Sheesh. Haven't experienced this sort of service from any other retailer.
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June 2023 by Nick Puma
Run Away.I called the store to purchase a battery. They sold me the $50. Battery for my Vivitar Flash ( NC-3 ) turned out to be old stock from yrs ago. Wasn’t even capable of registering on ohm tester. When I call they say send an email. That’s what 20 yrs of making purchases have gotten me. And of course a salesman hanging up on me because he stated“He has customers to deal with”.That’s when I realized they aren’t what they used to be. They used to be a great Camera store with knowledgeable salespeople.RUN FAST , away from this store
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May 2023 by nosh dac
Saw good and bad reviews online- this was my first purchase from Camera Wholesalers so I was a little anxious. Bought Canon Image Stabilization binoculars. Service was superb! The item arrived in 2 days with free shipping. Completely hassle free purchase. I will use them again.
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May 2023 by Kevin “KevsTer” D
Well, this was disappointing, I re-read the add, hoping I didn’t over look something and I didn’t. The add gives the impression the product I got was NEW! And it wasn’t. I will use it for now to see how it performs, if it doesn’t do well, I’ll be returning it! Canon EOS 6D Mark II. Right off the bat, the logo has a small scratch.
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March 2023 by B B
Wow, have times changed. I remember when Camera Wholesalers was across the street from their new location and a short time up on Highridge Road. I visited often especially before I went on vacation to buy film (anybody remember film) and some gadget to help me take better images. Also, that big dog that was always in the store and friendly to all the customers. The store was jammed packed with all kinds of cameras with many accessories, film developing department, picture frames and there was always an employee to help you if you had a question. So much stuff made it difficult to walk around when the store was crowded. That was the fun part.....the clutter and the hunt to find that bargain!!!Then came the digital cameras, cell phones that takes decent images and more importantly instant gratification. With film cameras, there was the waiting to see if you got any good images or a roll of stinkers. Don't get me wrong, progress is good...One door closes and another opens.So, I went to store to sell something and the store was empty of customers, limited stock and one employee.Wow, have times changed!!!!
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October 2022 by Kathy Brock
If you order online you cannot talk to a real person. You have to email the warehouse and you get no response.
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August 2022 by Paul Bickford
What a joke of a camera shop. Got here at 10am because hours were not updated online to 10:30am as it states on their door. Waited a half hour, still no one to open up until almost 10:45am. From there.. they were useless. No rental equipment available and ridiculously long wait times for even an estimate on camera repairs.
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June 2022 by Victor Katsman
They will price gouge you even when you’ve bought multiple expensive lenses from them. Very disappointed. 649 for Sony 1.4 teleconverter. When everyone else has same price of 549. There is a reason small camera shops are going out of business everywhere. They don’t understand you build loyalty out of treating your costumers right.
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May 2022 by Karen V.
I agree - DON'T GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR BUSINESS. If I could this review would be ZERO STARS!! I had the unfortunate responsibility to return to this place of "business" twice. Both times I had problems with the business and owner. I made the mistake of bringing a second picture to him before I received the first. The color of the first picture was completely off, for some reason it had a blue/purple tint to the entire photo. But I decided to give them a second chance ("decided" I had already given the second photo so there was no choice, I had to go back). I took a 4X6 in for enlargement to an 8x10. It should have been a simple process. Was told 10 days - 2 weeks, but it took a month. When I went to pick it up, it was blurry and there were spots all over my daughter's face. I said I didn't want it. The owner, Tim, said I couldn't reject it because he still had to pay the lab. Why wouldn't he tell the lab their work was terrible and reject it from them himself? He had the nerve to bring out a magnifying glass to show me that there were small spots in the original. He should have said the enlargement wouldn't come out well and to not even bother doing it. I paid him only because I didn't want him to have my daughter's picture. The worst customer service I have ever experienced and I will tell everyone I know not to go there.
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May 2022 by Michael G.
I brought in my camera for service/cleaning because there was a weird spot in the lens. I purchased the lens from a camera store in Indiana (on eBay) and it was sold to me as blemish-free... but that spot was there in most of my images. Camera Wholesalers did extensive testing with my lens and two of their own lenses, including a brand-new one. They also did a super-detailed look at the sensor. It turns out the spot was internal to the used lens and couldn't be repaired in-house, but the owner of Camera Wholesalers talked me through the options and costs. I ended up returning the lens to Indiana for a full refund, which was accomplished based on CW's investigation. I feel badly that I couldn't afford a new lens from CW, but they have exactly what I need in stock and the service is exceptional. They've earned a customer for life for any camera issue, and when I finally start making some money in photography I will purchase my new stuff from them exclusively! In the mean time I figured an epic review couldn't hurt. Go there. Support them. They are great.
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April 2022 by Stephanie A.
I decided to look past the negative reviews and still give this place a chance and it was the worst mistake I've made. They sent out my camera for repair in early September and they gave me an estimate of 4 weeks. It is now 9 months and I have zero information about my camera or it's repair status. I call and call and they refuse to give me any information other than they'll check the status and call me back but never do. Feel like I've been scammed... please do not go here.
