Crazy Cameras - a warning

Tazzie

Tazzie

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I've done a quick search and can't see any other threads about these guys and wanted to just put out a general warning to think before you use them

I ordered a new 70-200m F4 IS lens from them on the 15th October 2009, I later recieved a telephone call asking me to veryify information, I don't mind giving out address information but when they asked me for my credit card details again warning bells started to ring.

I then recieved an email saying "don't worry, even though you haven't confirmed your credit card details we'll still process the order, expect your shipping notice soon"

I didn't recieve any shipping notice and subsequent emails I sent I just got a generic, your order will be shipped within 5-7 days of your order confirmation.(I should have recieved the goods by today)

At this point through lack of personal answers to my questions I searched the internet for any reviews of Crazy Cameras and found these 2 sites in particular:

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews236595.html

http://www.avforums.com/forums/digital-photography-general-chat/1000218-crazy-cameras.html

Not good.

I tried many times to call them only to be constantly told all customer services representitives were busy, please leave a message. Despite many emails from me the few emails I had replied to were generic answers rather than specifics I requested and their online chat never worked until today.

I finally got hold of someone for it to take over 30 minutes for them to tell me there had been problems with their distrubuters and I could expect an email soon. The email came and is exactly the same as many others have posted on the internet.

I then asked for the order to be cancelled and confirmation I would recieve my money back in full within 7 days which the person on the online chat would not confirm.

The reason for this post? I've been an idiot, they were £150 cheaper than any other company and I was greedy, not checking reviews before I bought

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think carefully before you use this company and if you do use them use a credit card where you may be protected should you not recieve your order. It does look like some people recieve their orders but the majority seem to be in a similar position to me.

I'll wait to see if the money has been credited within 7 days...
 
Like you say, why anyone would search for reviews AFTER they'd ordered is beyond me?

Darwinism in practice.;)
 
Thank God (so far) I've not been caught, don't beat yourself up it could happen to anyone! Thank you for your warning
 
To OP - don't wait for any money use CC chargeback or call your card provider and report fradulent transaction. The sooner you do that the faster your money will return.
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
Also a thread here, if you paid by CC i'd start a charge back now.
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Ah sorry, i did do a search before posting, don't know why I didn't find it - maybe darwinism the second poster comments on! I spoke to my CC co today, they want to wait a week before doing anything as the goods were only due today

slimboy fat said:
Like you say, why anyone would search for reviews AFTER they'd ordered is beyond me?

Darwinism in practice.;)
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Thanks for that, very constructive :clap: Alarm bells started to ring, I've never reviewed anywhere I have bought online before, I've never needed to. I could have kept quiet, i feel enough of a **** without your comments but hey, rather than have others burnt I admitted to my own foolishness



Paddysnapper said:
Thank God (so far) I've not been caught, don't beat yourself up it could happen to anyone! Thank you for your warning
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You're welcome

DizMatt said:
good luck tazzie....

however, for my money
http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=83
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Will hjave a look at them, many thanks

Andyman said:
You'll be needing to borrow mine for Yosemite then. See you tomorrow :)

Andy.
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Yup 'fraid so, thanks again for the offer, i owe you one :thumbs:

dalex_257 said:
To OP - don't wait for any money use CC chargeback or call your card provider and report fradulent transaction. The sooner you do that the faster your money will return.
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See above, unfortunately CC Co want to wait a week, will be on it the minute I get back though!
 
Irishman said:
Some good advice here and all you can do is rub it in. :thumbsdown:
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I always thought this ;) meant sarcasm. Oh well.

You're right though, it just seems that good advice and common sense are one and the same in this situation.

Hope it gets sorted though and at least they know for next time.:thumbs:
 
WOW that was lucky i was going to ask about this company as i was going to buy some memory cards from them... glad i didnt now.
 
I just want to re-assure anyone out there who purchased online from Crazy Cameras that if they are patient they will get their order. I ordered a camera from them on the 26th October 2009 and also got someone calling me back asking me to confirm my credit card details. I got the same email telling me that they had problems with their distributors and after me sending them numerous emails asking for a refund I was finally told that the camera had been shipped with DHL. I received it this morning and everything is as I ordered it.
I think the company is above board but are disfunctional when it comes to shipping out their orders.
I hope that this will reassure anyone out there who is worried that they have lost their money.
 
thanks for the heads up. i had seen this company pop up when i was looking at getting a flash. much cheaper than anywhere else. you are not the first and wont be the last to be caught out.

i work in fraud management. dont worry about the money, the cc company will charge back the "merchant" on this one.
 
I hate to advertise - but Kerso seems to be the gold standard here for best camera prices & reliable delivery
 
j-to4548 said:
I just want to re-assure anyone out there who purchased online from Crazy Cameras that if they are patient they will get their order. I ordered a camera from them on the 26th October 2009 and also got someone calling me back asking me to confirm my credit card details. I got the same email telling me that they had problems with their distributors and after me sending them numerous emails asking for a refund I was finally told that the camera had been shipped with DHL. I received it this morning and everything is as I ordered it.
I think the company is above board but are disfunctional when it comes to shipping out their orders.
I hope that this will reassure anyone out there who is worried that they have lost their money.
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I'm always sceptical of people signing up and making their one and only post a testimonial to good service.

Anyway, I've been following the AVF thread on this, seems the stuff (for those who do get it) ships from the US anyway.
 
j-to4548 said:
I just want to re-assure anyone out there who purchased online from Crazy Cameras that if they are patient they will get their order. I ordered a camera from them on the 26th October 2009 and also got someone calling me back asking me to confirm my credit card details. I got the same email telling me that they had problems with their distributors and after me sending them numerous emails asking for a refund I was finally told that the camera had been shipped with DHL. I received it this morning and everything is as I ordered it.
I think the company is above board but are disfunctional when it comes to shipping out their orders.
I hope that this will reassure anyone out there who is worried that they have lost their money.
Click to expand...

:suspect:
 
j-to4548 said:
I just want to re-assure anyone out there who purchased online from Crazy Cameras that if they are patient they will get their order. I ordered a camera from them on the 26th October 2009 and also got someone calling me back asking me to confirm my credit card details. I got the same email telling me that they had problems with their distributors and after me sending them numerous emails asking for a refund I was finally told that the camera had been shipped with DHL. I received it this morning and everything is as I ordered it.
I think the company is above board but are disfunctional when it comes to shipping out their orders.
I hope that this will reassure anyone out there who is worried that they have lost their money.
Click to expand...

Very interesting first post after joining today .... :suspect:

I would be even more inclined not to buy from you them now.
 
Thank you for giving your experience. I assure you that nobody thinks any the worse of you. We all try and save a few quid where we can. That is all the more true in the current economic climate.

Not trying to be smart or anything, but I do feel this falls into the 'too good to be true' category. Certainly Kerso has a huge reputation here and other places and is probably the lowest price where someone can still make a little profit to be worth their while. And he presumably has no overheads. If the price is less, then be seriously concerned - and buy from Kerso!

Graham
 
j-to hasn't been back to post anything on the site since - funny that - was hoping for him/her to keep up the debate and ensure this subject stayed on top of the forum lists
 
j-to4548 said:
I just want to re-assure anyone out there who purchased online from Crazy Cameras that if they are patient they will get their order. I ordered a camera from them on the 26th October 2009 and also got someone calling me back asking me to confirm my credit card details. I got the same email telling me that they had problems with their distributors and after me sending them numerous emails asking for a refund I was finally told that the camera had been shipped with DHL. I received it this morning and everything is as I ordered it.
I think the company is above board but are disfunctional when it comes to shipping out their orders.
I hope that this will reassure anyone out there who is worried that they have lost their money.
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lmfao. who you trying to kid? :lol:
 
Hi Tazzie

Sorry to hear about your predicament.

Have you heard anything from the company, did you get your money back?

Lisa
 
I also had a "darwin moment" and without checking ordered a SB600 from this lot. Now Im not plugging them, folk can make up their own mind but the item arrived within 4 days, brand new, no VAT/import duty and works perfectly. Also included international warranty

Maybe I was just a lucky so and so but as one poster said - saving a few quid is risky but this time I got lucky.

I wouldnt buy an expensive item from abroad but on this occaison it was worth it for me
 
Kirky said:
I also had a "darwin moment" and without checking ordered a SB600 from this lot. Now Im not plugging them, folk can make up their own mind but the item arrived within 4 days, brand new, no VAT/import duty and works perfectly. Also included international warranty

Maybe I was just a lucky so and so but as one poster said - saving a few quid is risky but this time I got lucky.

I wouldnt buy an expensive item from abroad but on this occaison it was worth it for me
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From what I can tell, the problems are with bodies and certain lenses, smaller goods such as flashes etc, I don't think there's been as many problems with. Some people do get their stuff eventually but they blatantly get them imported. If you're patient I guess you will get your goods, but personally I'd rather pay a bit extra for a reputable UK supplier.
 
Thanks for posting on this issue. I was doing my homework before buying new DSLR and the price seemed fantastic, which is why I thought They were worth checking out. I won't be going there again.
 
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