42nd Street Photo
Reviews and Complaints

42nd Street Photo IS NOT an authorized Canon dealer, (per Canon when I called them) so none of their Canon products carry the 1 year warranty, and that's why their products are cheaper. These products are often referred to as "European" or "grey market" because they're not being purchased from the Canon factory by a Canon authorized re-seller. Most of these products are probably made in a Canon factory, with Canon parts by Canon workers, but because of the method of distribution to the marketplace you assume the risk. So, 42nd cannot sell you a "US" version with a Canon warranty because they are not an authorized Canon dealer. (Per Canon) So, in effect all their Canon products are referred to as "European" or "grey market"

I ordered a camera and two lenses for my wife. My wife is a published professional photographer. We have numerous Canon cameras and lenses so we are not naive when it comes to Canon products.

I was told by the sales rep that the camera I purchased on line was a gray market camera made in China and if I wanted a one actually made by Canon in Japan it would cost $2, 999 not the $2, 249 I paid. I have since found out that is a lie. Knock offs are made in China not gray market cameras.

You can not even find any info about that on their website and the Canon 5Ds for $2, 999 is not on their website.

So I purchased a new “real” Canon 5Ds and when we receive it this is what we found.

1) It was an opened box resealed with 42nd St's label and a sticker over the factory product ID.
2) There was a missing part, which they replaced.
3) The battery was from 2015 and would not take a full charge. We bought in in September 2018.
4) The setting were reset from factory specs by another customer in Los Angels, CA. So it is a used camera.
5) When we tried to take a picture it would not. The shutter would not actuate. The camera just does not work.

So I called for a refund and was told I was making things up and there would be a 20% restocking fee. $599.80 for a used, broken, defective camera.

The representative was argumentative, obnoxious, uncaring and accused me of making things up.

They did offer to send a replacement, but after the treatment I received and the quality of product I received I frankly do not trust them.

Their customer service is a joke. They should warn customers that any returns for any reason will cost 20% up front before you actually make the purchase.

I recommend purchasing from a reputable company like Amazon.

Yes, I agree with your comments regarding this company. While back I purchased Canon SLR and had a similar experience. I will not do anymore business with these people.

I also fell victim to the "European Model" bait and switch. Plus they told me I needed a very expensive SD card, sold me an overpriced UV filter and then refused to either refund the overpayments or give me an RMA for return of the unused SD card. This was the worst online transaction I've ever had.

I've been buying "higher end" cameras for 50+ years and have never deal with anyone like 42nd Photo. The on-line price was $1599. I received a phone call the next day informing me that the camera I order was an "international" version and would I like a "United States" version, of course I said yes. The website said nothing about a "international" version. I was also not informed that the "United States" version was more. When I recived my camera the change was $1799.

42nd Photo are CONMEN. I thought I would save money but instead ended up getting a grey market lens (not supported by Nikon) and then given the run around when I tried to return it. But that's not the icing on the cake. What are the odds that the day my refund is posted in my checking account I get a ton of fraudulent charges to the tune of $2973?... And if it wasn't for my $3000 daily spending limit they would have kept going. And as much as I hate to stereotype or seem racist but all of the fraudulent charges were to Muslim run businesses, to include a "Muslim charity". Coincidence? Little do they know they messed with the wrong person. I'm in the US Navy, so things like this have to be reported and not only was it reported to NCIS, but it was also reported to Homeland Security, the FBI and the NYPD. Hopefully they put enough heat on these crooks to shut them down, or at least make them think twice about doing this again.

42nd Photo: DO NOT make business with them! They do a kind of CON-JOB! Let me tell you what happened to me! I went there to buy a camera canon t3i. It was $519 only the body according to the website. But they were charging me for the battery too. But it was actually included according to their website. And then, they convinced me to buy another camera, the canon SL1 for $250 more expensive than they were showing on the website. They were useing the canon website price. Besides, they gave me a non-original battery for more expensive than the original. The seller told that the SL1 sensor was bigger than the t3i sensor one and several others untruth. When I saw the real price at home I decided to come back to the store and ask for my money back! But they told me that it was not possible and forced me to expend the entire price I already spent there. There treated me unpolited way and all of them loughed at a woman that went to the store after she steped out. They they have no respect. So I asked for the t3i with the lens 18-55 USM and he told me that was $799. I asked to see the price on their website and he told me that the computer was not working. But I was carrying along my own computer (I was without my cell phone) and he looked shamed when I saw the real price! Just after this I could buy the real thing according to the real price! I asked for several things to complete the total price I've spent there and he was still trying con me! He was bringing me low quality of products and saying higher prices for those. But I knew the prices and than I asked for him to bring me better ones! That day all of them was using microfones to keep in touch to each other but I've never seen them like that before. THEY ARE CON-MEN!
And after all I went out to the store with a old plastic bag with everything. It didn't come into the original box no way! They have no respect to the coustumer at all!
NEVER GO THERE! Go to the B&H because there you have all the propery treatment and you have all your rights and you will certinly pay the right and fair price. Different than 42nd photo!
THIS IS NOT te only case like this! I've seen a lot of complaint like this!

Internet purchasing experience is the worst. 42nd street Photo will not fulfill your order until a sales representative will call you back. I was unable to get in contact with the sales representative that called me back over 4 days. I left messages and called repeatedly. If you do connect with internet support, they will try redirect you back the assigned sales representative.

They claim there is 'missing information' on the order form. That's a Crock! The internet form should not populate if the information is missing. Also, I took an image of the order form - there is nothing missing!

They lie to upsell you with garbage like outrageously priced batteries -- some of the batteries they sell on their site were clone batteries for $50 -- compared to $35 for OEM batteries at Amazon or $15 for clone batteries.

After 10 days, I never did get a hold of a representative. My Credit Card was Billed!

Also - notice that their return policy requires a 20% restocking fee.

This is one of many low rent photography shops. Sadly it seems to be the norm these day with the online to good to be true retailers, you have to do your homework visit the manufactures websites. view their authorized dealer list, if it's not listed rest assured the said item is ether a overstock (not a bad thing if it carries the manufactures warranty) or whats called a "Gray Market" product that was met for overseas retail but finds its way back here. and if you have a problem you are out of luck manufacturer warranty wise. not to mention quality of said item. The effort these company's go to to hide there performance is staggering, but moderated web forums that cater to photographers are a first line defense in flushing out these hucksters and snake oil salesman. As for the rude or demeaning high pressure sales simply hang up and shop else where, This is our hard earned money that's at stake and we can and will fight back. so get involved join a good forum, be informed, take the time, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!.

they will sell you a gray market product and lie about it being an actual manufacture warranted item, the SD cards they sell are way over priced and cheap knockoffs, the filter lens are cheap and if you search the Internet for that brand you will find a web sites and check the html page you will see its the same as 42 street photo.