Shotmatt Posted January 21 Share #281 Posted January 21 Advertisement (gone after registration) On 7/26/2024 at 1:15 PM, Glas Y Dorlan said: Hi all, I'm new here. It's a shame for this to be my first post, but I sent my M3 to Camera Obscura for a repaint in January 2024. Alexander's communication has been pretty sparse with several emails simply ignored. Unfortunately I discovered this forum thread after I sent my camera to CO, otherwise I wouldn't have. In the last week of May 2024, Alexander contacted me (he never uses his name in emails, I just learned it from this thread) telling me my camera's new enamel finish was curing and would take a few weeks. 2 months later, no camera and no emails. I decided to chase this up with a firmer email threatening legal action (which I will pursue if necessary) and I gave him 7 days to respond. He responded fairly quickly saying that "they" had difficulty matching the colour to the reference photos I sent and it will take 2 weeks. I responded pointing out that he had already claimed it was painted 2 months ago and that it needed 3 weeks to cure! To which he then replied that he wasn't happy with the result and had stripped it again to re-paint it. I find this very hard to believe, seems more likely that he'd forgotten his previous story. I asked for photo evidence of my stripped M3 and now he's gone silent, which I predicted. If someone had accused me of lying about work I had or hadn't done, I'd want to prove myself in an instant! Has anyone else had further problems or success with Camera Obscura? I am very sad for you and everyone else. It seems the business has taken on far too much, as I too have been waiting too long. With little or no communication. Like your self, enough is enough, I have sent a similar email, in the hope of a response. I was told at the start of December it was being dispatched! ...... Still waiting. AND visiting cameraobscurarepairs@gmail.com today it states it has reopened! From the 17th of this month! I am so anxious about my equipment, this was a very big investment, and with the repair costs, shameful, misleading and much stronger words for a passionate hobby I really love. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21 Posted January 21 Hi Shotmatt, Take a look here Camera Obscura Repairs UK.... Problem 😔. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted January 21 Share #282 Posted January 21 (edited) 8 hours ago, Shotmatt said: I am very sad for you and everyone else. It seems the business has taken on far too much, as I too have been waiting too long. . I don't think his business has taken on anything a camera repair company with employees couldn't deal with. Except it isn't a business with any employees other than Alexander Spencer himself despite the implied jargon of 'we' on his website, and it isn't a business based on customer service. It is a business based on a one-man-band out of his depth but still a fantasy level of ego. Don't tell me he hasn't Googled himself and come up with this thread, but not once has he replied to it to put the record straight about his troubles and strife and how he's so busy doing other things and etc. Re-opening is a kick in the teeth to people like you who are still waiting, he could have at least cleared his backlog first before such a grandiose announcement. Edited January 21 by 250swb 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotmatt Posted January 22 Share #283 Posted January 22 Thank you, I am sure everyone else waiting would welcome a response, even an honest timescale, to prevent speculation, would be gratefully received by all. Perhaps an apology for delays, in place of the reopened business message. I shall remain eternally optimistic that I will be reunited with my equipment in the not too distant future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glas Y Dorlan Posted January 22 Share #284 Posted January 22 I got my test roll back today that I put through the camera that Alexander repainted, and I was relieved that the focussing is bang on, here's a crop of one of my test shots (taken with a 50mm on HP5). Unfortunately the films had random scratches on them (from AG Photolab). I've been using AG since 2017 but they have recently been bought out/relocated, so now I'm on the lookout for alternative UK labs as I fear they are no longer delivering the same standard of service. Any suggestions are welcome. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/332251-camera-obscura-repairs-uk-problem-%F0%9F%98%94/?do=findComment&comment=5744766'>More sharing options...
eternalppat Posted February 3 Share #285 Posted February 3 On 1/22/2025 at 4:34 PM, Shotmatt said: Thank you, I am sure everyone else waiting would welcome a response, even an honest timescale, to prevent speculation, would be gratefully received by all. Perhaps an apology for delays, in place of the reopened business message. I shall remain eternally optimistic that I will be reunited with my equipment in the not too distant future. I am still waiting for mine since July 2023. Only 12. Jan he responded email about "creating a shipping label".. then I got no reply ever since. I am not UK based, can't physically visit him, I became very sensitive and annoyed by the lack of communication. what more can we do? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 3 Share #286 Posted February 3 9 minutes ago, eternalppat said: I am still waiting for mine since July 2023. Only 12. Jan he responded email about "creating a shipping label".. then I got no reply ever since. I am not UK based, can't physically visit him, I became very sensitive and annoyed by the lack of communication. what more can we do? 😞 and sorry for your predicament. Follow the leads anyway, you have his address (via this thread), you can still send a nice letter or a solicitors letter. But plan and note his way of operating, like being 'ill' to stop work, despite having a workforce ( the 'we' on his website) and put all this deflection tactic into a strong summation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 3 Share #287 Posted February 3 Advertisement (gone after registration) It's distressing to see this man continue to work in such an evidently dishonest manner, especially when some of those losing out are in other countries and do not have the same access to the different options for redress. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotmatt Posted February 4 Share #288 Posted February 4 On 12/3/2024 at 6:33 PM, Glas Y Dorlan said: Who did you report to? Perhaps if enough people report they will investigate? I will do the same, I also received next day Royal Mail tracking 2 weeks ago following an email of my intent to take legal action , so sad, he is using these delaying tactics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalppat Posted February 11 Share #289 Posted February 11 I wrote him a letter in the beginning of this year, stating possibility of legal action, he finally emailed me about "return of completed camera". it's been 4 weeks since he emailed about "return of completed camera".. every week I sent him one reminder. He responded nothing, not a word. It's a shame that Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics gave him a 5 star review on his website. I trust Skyllaney a lot, where we have had excellent communications. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotmatt Posted February 19 Share #290 Posted February 19 On 2/11/2025 at 7:13 PM, eternalppat said: I wrote him a letter in the beginning of this year, stating possibility of legal action, he finally emailed me about "return of completed camera". it's been 4 weeks since he emailed about "return of completed camera".. every week I sent him one reminder. He responded nothing, not a word. It's a shame that Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics gave him a 5 star review on his website. I trust Skyllaney a lot, where we have had excellent communications. I contacted Citizens Advice (CAB) last week, Failure to deliver within a reasonable time and after the agreed deadline is a breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, I have reminded him of this by email, still no response or acknowledgment, even using a read receipt, which I don't like doing. CAB advised me to message again and demanded 100% refund for repair costs, and the market value of all the equipment, I will now have to take legal action as I like yourselves have had zero response. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 19 Share #291 Posted February 19 On 2/11/2025 at 7:13 PM, eternalppat said: I wrote him a letter in the beginning of this year, stating possibility of legal action, he finally emailed me about "return of completed camera". it's been 4 weeks since he emailed about "return of completed camera".. every week I sent him one reminder. He responded nothing, not a word. It's a shame that Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics gave him a 5 star review on his website. I trust Skyllaney a lot, where we have had excellent communications. I agree with your comment about Skyllaney and I’m surprised. I will check their review later, and send a message to Skyllaney drawing their attention to this thread. It does them no favours being linked to this outfit. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 19 Share #292 Posted February 19 4 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said: I agree with your comment about Skyllaney and I’m surprised. I will check their review later, and send a message to Skyllaney drawing their attention to this thread. It does them no favours being linked to this outfit. I emailed Skyllaney and received a quick reply, which I don't want to quote verbatim. Their testimonial was based on experience from 2022 (the same as mine). They are aware of the subsequent issues and are thinking about it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalppat Posted February 21 Share #293 Posted February 21 On 2/19/2025 at 2:55 PM, LocalHero1953 said: I emailed Skyllaney and received a quick reply, which I don't want to quote verbatim. Their testimonial was based on experience from 2022 (the same as mine). They are aware of the subsequent issues and are thinking about it. I would email Skyllaney personally as well. Want to know what they said. I am just getting very unhappy about cameraobscurarepairs. On 2/19/2025 at 9:50 AM, Shotmatt said: I contacted Citizens Advice (CAB) last week, Failure to deliver within a reasonable time and after the agreed deadline is a breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, I have reminded him of this by email, still no response or acknowledgment, even using a read receipt, which I don't like doing. CAB advised me to message again and demanded 100% refund for repair costs, and the market value of all the equipment, I will now have to take legal action as I like yourselves have had zero response. If you don't mind, I would like to take legal actions as well, please DM me for detail or I would like to go with the same lawyer as yours please, I am not UK based. Thank you so much! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 21 Share #294 Posted February 21 1 minute ago, eternalppat said: I would email Skyllaney personally as well. Want to know what they said. I am just getting very unhappy about cameraobscurarepairs. I didn't quote Skyllaney's email to me, because a verbatim quote gains the sense of an official response, which it wasn't. They appear to be aware of the risk to their reputation, but are working out the best way of proceeding. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 21 Share #295 Posted February 21 11 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said: I didn't quote Skyllaney's email to me, because a verbatim quote gains the sense of an official response, which it wasn't. They appear to be aware of the risk to their reputation, but are working out the best way of proceeding. The 'Delete' key is fairly obvious response, unless there is any deeper connection....? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 21 Share #296 Posted February 21 (edited) 7 minutes ago, 250swb said: The 'Delete' key is fairly obvious response, unless there is any deeper connection....? The testimonial is on his website home page, as top billing; the challenge will be to contact him to ask him to remove it. And we now know that communication is not Mr Spencer's strong point. Edited February 21 by LocalHero1953 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotmatt Posted February 22 Share #297 Posted February 22 On 1/21/2025 at 12:54 PM, Shotmatt said: I am very sad for you and everyone else. It seems the business has taken on far too much, as I too have been waiting too long. With little or no communication. Like your self, enough is enough, I have sent a similar email, in the hope of a response. I was told at the start of December it was being dispatched! ...... Still waiting. AND visiting cameraobscurarepairs@gmail.com today it states it has reopened! From the 17th of this month! I am so anxious about my equipment, this was a very big investment, and with the repair costs, shameful, misleading and much stronger words for a passionate hobby I really love. Update one and all, received M3 & 50mm back, will run a few rolls and update ASAP, both functioning well. I send positive thoughts, to all, and may you be re united with your beloved equipment also. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalppat Posted March 15 Share #298 Posted March 15 On 2/22/2025 at 4:54 PM, Shotmatt said: Update one and all, received M3 & 50mm back, will run a few rolls and update ASAP, both functioning well. I send positive thoughts, to all, and may you be re united with your beloved equipment also. May I ask how did you get the camera and lens back?? I am still waiting for mine... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosco Posted March 15 Share #299 Posted March 15 (edited) I posted a while back in this thread about my experience with Alexander Spencer and Camera Obscura. I’m wondering if it might be useful if everyone who is monitoring this thread could say how they found about camera obscura in the first place? Did you find them on social media? Did you google search “leica repairs uk”? Etc Maybe we can find a way to make sure future leica owners find the bad reputation and experiences this guy has instead of his website and send their expensive cameras to him. Edited March 15 by bosco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotmatt Posted March 15 Share #300 Posted March 15 1 hour ago, eternalppat said: May I ask how did you get the camera and lens back?? I am still waiting for mine... I sent multiple emails with increasing rhetoric, in the end I contacted Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who informed trading standards. They advised me to contact Action Fraud, and too use a pre formatted letter on their website and quote Failure to deliver within a reasonable time and after the agreed deadline is a breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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