philipus Posted February 16, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted February 16, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm looking around for new lenses and came across Nicholas Camera in London. I've read for instance this thread which I found interesting. Â Their site is hopelessly out of date (it says it was last updated in 2011) but they do respond to email (if somewhat slowly) about what is in stock. I was told that a lens I am interested in is in stock so I called to ask for more information. Â I must say the phone conversation was rather abrupt and the person I spoke with was not very service-minded. It was explained to me that photos are not available because this is a very busy camera shop and they don't have time to photograph their stock. I was also informed, presumably to keep me interested in buying from them, that they're established since 35 years and that, while aware of new technology, they have chosen not to use it. Â So, rather than send me photos I was asked (more "told" actually) to call later in the day and one of their staff would take out the lens and describe it to me. I guess if the description is fine, then all's well, but if not, then I will have wasted time and money shipping a lens. Â I'm certainly happy to keep an open mind and would consider buying from them, but it would be interesting to hear if anyone has had recent experiences with this shop, in particular when buying from abroad? Â Cheers Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 16, 2012 Posted February 16, 2012 Hi philipus, Take a look here Experience with Nicholas Camera, London?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted February 16, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted February 16, 2012 James Earley has said it all, really. Â Would you REALLY buy a lens, sight un-seen, from a rude man on the end of a telephone, who can't even be bothered to spend 5 minutes putting valuable stock on-line when another forum member has shared his poor experiences? I wouldn't. Â IF you were in London and IF you could actually handle the lens(es) personallly, then that might be a different story. Â As it is, the other thread you linked to has far better options for you, IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 16, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted February 16, 2012 Philip, I remember that thread. Nobody had a good word to say about them. I would heed that and avoid. There are plenty of other reputable dealers. Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted February 16, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted February 16, 2012 I was asked (more "told" actually) to call later in the day and one of their staff would take out the lens and describe it to me. Â I'd have lost interest at that point. If the seller can't be bothered to walk over to a cabinet and tell you about the condition while you're on the phone it shows a wrong attitude to the buyer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted February 16, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted February 16, 2012 I'd have lost interest at that point. If the seller can't be bothered to walk over to a cabinet and tell you about the condition while you're on the phone it shows a wrong attitude to the buyer. Â This presupposes that they do actually have it in stock. As has been said already, there are many earlier posts none of which are complimentary. It is said of some dealers that their stock comprises other dealers' lists. No names, no pack drill. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 16, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted February 16, 2012 Philip, I am amazed that you retain interest in a possible transaction when all the vibes issue you with a warning. Just suppose you go ahead and receive the lens. Can you not imagine the aggravation in trying to obtain after-sales service from such a rude and inconsiderate person? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 16, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted February 16, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Or to effect a return if not as described? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share #8 Â Posted February 16, 2012 Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate them. You have all put your finger on the reasons for my hesitation. Â Aftersales service is really important to me and I try to avoid bad places as much as possible. For instance, I recently had my M3 fail on me twice in a few months with extensive light leaks etc which actually got worse after the service that the dealer carried out. Luckily that dealer was Tamarkin and I received excellent, truly excellent service. Â I'm very grateful for your replies. You've likely saved me both money and, more importantly, time and frustration! Â cheers philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted February 16, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted February 16, 2012 I had similar experience. I had such a snobbish and abrupt service from a reddotcameras in London on the phone that I took my large sum of money and went elsewhere where I was treated incredibly well, almost like royalty. Â Baffling to think that when someone wants to place a sizeable order of very expensive equipment that they snap at you on the phone and can't bare to give you more than 2 minutes of their time. I feel like walking into the shop with the new kit and dangling it in front of their eyes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 16, 2012 Share #10 Â Posted February 16, 2012 One word - avoid! Â As for Red Dot, that's very surprising - the owner is a member here and has sponsored a number of Forum events. I'd trust them 100%. We all have bad days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share #11 Â Posted February 16, 2012 Â Re Red Dot - I had a great experience with them when I bought a Summilux. And they're also very quick to respond to emails (I just wish they could re-design their site somewhat so that each page doesn't load twice...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh68uk Posted February 17, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I'd agree re. Red Dot. I've dealt with them twice, in person, and they couldn't have been more helpful and courteous. Â R.G. Lewis really ought to rework their website, but I have found them a pleasure to deal with over the 'phone. I've also dealt with Richard Caplan over the 'phone and they were fine. Â Sigh... I still lament the closing of Photo Design Studio when Frank Foster retired. That was the kind of customer service I'd go back to again and again... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 17, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted February 17, 2012 Problems may arise anywhere, but I have nothing but praise for Red Dot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted February 17, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted February 17, 2012 I to have great experience of Red Dot, but have been in the shop and heard one of the assistants being a little "short" because he was doing something and wasn't prepared to leave it to deal with someone calling back with a phone enquiry. At the end of the day it's all about people.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 18, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted February 18, 2012 Red Dot is about as good as it gets. I've never had anything but exceptional service from them. We all have off days, remember, and we all have to deal with jerks from time to time. Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted February 18, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted February 18, 2012 sorry to burst your bubble but i bought a second hand m8.2 2 months ago from red dot in london which arrived with a faulty sensor and rangefinder and I am still figuring out how to get it fixed. i live in hong kong and bought it online and it also arrived in nowhere near as good condition as it was described to be, which was "exc++"..pretty disappointed here!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 18, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted February 18, 2012 sorry to burst your bubble but i bought a second hand m8.2 2 months ago from red dot in london which arrived with a faulty sensor and rangefinder and I am still figuring out how to get it fixed. i live in hong kong and bought it online and it also arrived in nowhere near as good condition as it was described to be, which was "exc++"..pretty disappointed here!! Â Why didn't you send it straight back? The fact you still have the camera after 2 months may mean that you have waived or certainly weakened your consumer rights. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 18, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted February 18, 2012 sorry to burst your bubble but i bought a second hand m8.2 2 months ago from red dot in london which arrived with a faulty sensor and rangefinder and I am still figuring out how to get it fixed. i live in hong kong and bought it online and it also arrived in nowhere near as good condition as it was described to be, which was "exc++"..pretty disappointed here!! Â What an odd story... if it arrived unservicable then the very first thing you should have done was to contact the vendor. I very much doubt it was shipped all that way uninsured and sensor and rangefinder alignment issues may well be due to mishandling in transit. Have you contacted Red Dot at all in the last two months or just sulked? Â As to condition, I would generaly expect "exc++" to equal "dog rough" - brassed, well used, no box or instructions, possibly a limited warranty or even "sold as seen" with no warranty at all. Personally, I would not buy "exc++" sight unseen without an extremely good reason and a clear returns policy. What was your expectation? Â James is entirely right, btw - if you have procrastinated for two months you are going to struggle with the "arrived faulty" argument, and rightly so. Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted February 18, 2012 Share #19 Â Posted February 18, 2012 Exc++ might mean 'dog rough' from an eBay seller, but from a reputable dealer I'd expect it to be almost mint. The term 'user' is generally reserved for cameras in a poor cosmetic damage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 18, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted February 18, 2012 Not in my experience. Point is there is no formal grading system. I certainly wouldn't expect anything not described as mint or near mint to be anything other than well worn. I have never been disappointed... Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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