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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about The Camera Professionals

Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for The Camera Professionals. We understand that making informed decisions about where to invest your time and money can be challenging, which is why we've created this platform for our community to share their honest feedback about their experiences with The Camera Professionals.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used The Camera Professionals's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.

Whether you're considering doing business with The Camera Professionals, or you've already had an experience with them, our community's reviews and complaints will give you a valuable perspective on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and money, and we hope that our platform will be a valuable resource for you.

Please feel free to browse our reviews and complaints and share your own experience with The Camera Professionals. Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

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K
9:30 pm EDT

The Camera Professionals Used merchandise

Ordered a camera from The Camera Professionals. Went through all the hoopla of confirming the next day and was told it was in stock and I should receive within 4 days. Hadn't heard from the company for over a week, meanwhile they had my money. They do not respond to e-mails nor are they open per hours posted on their website. Purchased a camera from CC and had to return, got a refund minus restocking fee on account that I finally was able to speak to someone and finding out that my camera had been shipped. Prior to not knowing if the camera was shipped, I went to my bank in an attempt to stop payment after e-mailing The Camera Professionals to cancel my order. Received my camera today and it was not new. Upon opening the outer carton, inside was a white box. For those of you savvy shoppers know, anything in a white box is not new and most likely a refurbish. The camera was taped in a sheet of bubblewrap. The tape is of the cheap variety that you can find for 50 cents a roll. This was inserted into a poly bag with the same tape. The strap was also taped using the same. The battery was used evident by wear contact marks. Tje camera LCD has a blemish on it. Manuals were present however no warranty card. Does this not raise a red flag? I have e-mailed the company, which bythe way is Mega Wholesale and the name of the sender is Simon Silver (probably fictitious). I doubt that they will respond to my e-mail and those of you that have dealt with this company know how difficult it is to speak with anyone. To make a long story short, if you are lucky they will send you a Return Authorization and pay the shipping charges plus a minimum 15% restocking fee on a used camera. On another note I would advise you to close your debit card after the transaction goes through. Read the many complaints online regarding this company which also has 3 other names. If I could, I would post pictures of the box and contents. Companies such as this should be closed and not be able to take advantage of consumers. It is too late for those of us that have already been duped and stuck with shoddy merchandise.

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K2mission
,
Aug 26, 2008 9:23 am EDT

I was about to purchase the Sony HDR-SR12 from this company due to the incredibally low price until I decided to do some further investigation which led me to this site. There were numerous complaints about this company including several that indicated that low prices were due to the company actually opening the product packaging and "piece mealing" the contents. You can buy the product at a low price but you won't be able to use it until you purchase an "accessory package" that, essentially, gives you back what you were supposed to get in the fully packaged product and a few low-end junk items to make you feel like you really got a deal.

I was surprised to find that they didn't mislead me when I called and asked whether the product available online was the fully packaged product with all accessories. I waited on hold for about 3 minutes, a quick switch to the live line and held for another 30 seconds and a woman answered. I asked my question and she immediately forwarded my call to someone else. A man picks up, I ask the same question and he quickly responds with "No, that would cost $1, 099." I went with that and began to mention that there was no option to get the fully packaged product online when I noticed about two words into my sentence that I had been hung up on.

These people are anything but professional. I don't know that you're actually getting a new product either (as the website states that all products are brand new). I'm beginning to believe that they're possibly refurbs or that you're actually getting a product that they unpackaged to sell the individual pieces. Is that even legal?

If you're looking for a good online vendor of camera/camcorder equipment with good prices, I've had much luck with Adorama.com. I think they're far more professional and their prices have been the best that I've found online. In fact, I'm going to make my camcorder purchase with them.

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Pablo Escobar
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Apr 22, 2008 12:31 pm EDT

I recently tried to buy a Nikon D60 from these guys, I bought it, then tried calling them to get more information on my order, but couldn't.

I called them and got a person asked about the Nikon D60, and they hung up on me.
Tried it again, called them asked about the Nikon D60, and they hung up on me.
Tried it for a third time, and they hung up on me.

I finally gave up and called my credit card company to decline any charges from the company..

If anyone has some free time, and wants to have some fun, call [protected] which is their customer service number, press 1 and then 1, and just ask about the Nikon D60. without fail they will hang up on you. If you want to have more fun, when you get a rep, swar at them, one word will do. You will be in for a treat. You will get everything from foul language to racist comments from the rep. I call on a daily basis, it's pretty fun.

One way to screw them for screwing me...

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josh
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May 25, 2008 12:16 pm EDT

YES they are rediculous. They advertised a camcorder for $979 and when i purchased it i called them to confirm my order they said they didnt have the camera but i could buy a bundle package for $2, 000. then i said. No, i would like to get the camera i paid for and only the camera i paid for. and he said "well how much do you want to spend for a professional camera? and i said "WELL, WHAT YOU ADVERTISED AS THE PRICE." and he hung up on me. then i called back and he said "whats the retail price of the camera? and i said "well MORE THAN WHAT YOU ADVERTISE" and he said "sir. $2700. " and i said "WELL THEN DONT ADVERTISE THE CAMERA AS $979. thats false advertisement and im going to report them to the better business bureau. then he hung up on me again.

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V
6:28 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

The Camera Professionals Company sells under other names

This company also sells under other names - go to the BBB website and do an advance search under the URL I've given to see these other websites they hide under. I agree with what others have said on the BBB website, run don't just walk as fast as you can from these guys. My experience is as follows:

I can't write this LOUD ENOUGH! - They wouldn't let me speak with a supervisor to verify a few things prior to ordering a digital camera and zoom lens and put me on hold for 40 minutes after 2 disconnections and finally got some person who claimed he was the supervisor on the first ring when I went to the sales department! What does that tell you? Check out the "false security" icons at the bottom of their page -note that the CyberSource protect buy seal PERTAINS TO THEIR OWN PROTECTION FROM FRAUD! You will not see a BBB seal because they recommend you stay far away from this company - HOW IT IS POSSIBLE that this company is able to obtain a 5 star rating is amazing. I tried to place a complaint at "planet rating" (which is a seal on the site in two different forms, go figure) that gave them 5 stars, however it wouldn't accept my complaint?! It is not worth your heartache, pay the extra dollars and buy from a place you can at least get a person on the phone to speak with you if there are issues. Some one nice and not incredible rude like those who work at this scam shop. Better yet make sure there is an address associated with where you purchase- The camera professionals have 4 addresss listed on BBB complaints, with indication that mail returned as they are not at that location. They also do not have an email address. At the end of my conversation the supervisor didn't like my inquiries and stated "You need me more than I need your money". If you think about it, it is because he is making enough just by scamming people.

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Lydia L. Castellanos
,
Oct 02, 2008 2:44 pm EDT

I ordered a special package that they advertised for a Nikkon camera and accessories; I received an email from them as follows:

Dear Lydia Castellanos,
Thank you for contacting TheCameraProfessionals.com.
To estimate when your order will be delivered please take into account, for security purposes and as a protection to our customers, all online orders are subject to credit card authorization and verification with the credit cardholder and issuing bank prior to processing.
Your order #59248 is currently pending approval. Please call us at [protected] within the next 48 business hours to verify your billing information. Office hours are Monday thru Thursday 10am - 7pm, Friday 10am - 3:00pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm. All times are EST. Please have the credit card used to place this order available.
If we do not receive a reply within the specified time frame, your order will be delayed.
Thank you for your attention. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
If we may be of further assistance, please call us at [protected] or email us at info@thecameraprofessionals.com.
Sincerely,
TheCameraProfessionals.com

I replied to their email; they wanted me to buy from them an exhorbitantely high priced battery for the camera; I said no, just send the camera as bought, they put me on hold, tried to sell me a different battery, I said no, just send the camera as ordered. They said OK, that was back on September 8th; after 2 weeks I followed up, to be told no, they do not have the camera is on back order for 1 to 2 weeks. I called again after 2 weeks, no, they don't have it and do not know.. when they will get it, but they can cancel the order...I will try once more, but this is evidentely a way to trap people into buying what they do not want.

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Mike
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Jun 16, 2008 2:08 pm EDT

I ordered a Canon SD 1100 IS from the Camera Professionals. Shipped very quickly...received it within 2 days...BUT, it was a different color that the one I ordered, AND I found out later (from Canon) that they ripped me off on the re-chargable ion battery! I was told that the battery that Canon ships with the camera would only last 20 minutes and that I had to buy a battery that would last longer (he sold me one that lasts 4 hours for $50.). I called Canon, and was told that the salesman lied to me...that in fact, Canon ships the camera with a battery that does last 4 hours. The guy at Canon said this was the single most common scam from camera dealers. They simply switch Canon's battery for one of their own, then charge you $50 for the same battery! I was glad I resisted buying any other accessories (he tried to sell me plenty). BEWARE of this scam!

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crabman
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Jun 10, 2008 3:26 pm EDT

I order a new digital camera which was advertised as new. I received a refers piece of junk, refused package after xraying the box and seeing it was not packed in factory container. I work in the medical field and have equipment to xray. I also called the camera manufacturer, who told me if it wasn't in the OEM box in was used. Six weeks later my credit card which I only used for this one transaction was all over the US being charged with delivery destination in Brooklyn NY. I never used the card before or after using it to buy at camera professionals. If you are dumb enough to think you will be the lucky one to not get screwed make sure you cancel you credit card and put your phone company on notice as well to look out for unknown changes. These people are ### and jippies who could care less about being legitimate business people steer clear of them at all cost and look on the net for other names they go under. I didn't see these sites prior to ordering but found them just after and canceled the order which was sent anyway. Don't be their next victims

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Charles Valdes
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Mar 04, 2008 12:21 pm EST

I wish there were negative numbers so I could rate The Camera Professionals with them. I ordered my Garmin units over 3 weeks ago and have called customer service 3 times. Each time I get the same RUDE little girl who says the units show to be on back order, she doesn't know when they will arrive and doesn't know where what company they were ordered from. There is no one who can help me with my order. This is the WORST customer service I have ever gotten. This is the SLOWEST delivery. The Camera Professionals are the most UNPROFESSIONAL and unreliable company I have ever ordered merchandise from. They simply lure you in with low prices. DO NOT USE THEM!

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C Frazier
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Apr 23, 2008 2:42 pm EDT

Terrible Customer Service at Camera Professionals. They advertise a Panasonic Digital Video Camera for $170.00 that includes free case, cleaning kit and tripod. Then the pushy sales person asked if I wanted to purchase batteries for the cameras. I asked, "Doesn't each camera come with a battery?" He replied no that it came with a power cord but no battery (The print out from their product description says that the camera includes a Lion battery also.) He proceeded to pressure me into buying expensive batteries for the cameras and would give me a deal of 4 batteries for $122. Pressure, pressure, pressure. I'm sure if I would have purchased the cameras from Camera Professionals, I would have received the batteries that already came with the camera as the 'extra' ones.

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K. Jennings
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Jan 04, 2008 12:00 am EST

Ordered a camcorder over the Internet from this "company." I received an email that said I had to call to confirm the order. When I did, they immediately asked me if I had ordered a "package" (one of their overpriced bags, batteries, etc.). I told them I didn't need those items and they said that what I had ordered was not in-stock and would take 3-4 weeks. I asked them if they could guaranteee that, because I was beginning to feel that this was a scam. The "employee" said, "No, of course not!" - as though I was insane. I canceled my order. And now, I'm left wondering what these hoodlums will do with my credit card number.

I also did a little research and found that they have a less-than-stellar record with the BBB. http://search.newyork.bbb.org/reports.aspx?pid=44&page=1&id=57105

The hoaxsters change names and falsify "ratings" records. Don't buy electronics from any unknown company in NJ. There is a network of these criminals operating there. I hope this information will help someone else.

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Tamara
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Apr 07, 2008 10:04 pm EDT

Please check this company on the Better Business Bureau before you purchase. I ordered a projector from 'The Camera Professionals', and when I called to verify my order (per the email they sent me) i was on hold for about 20 minutes. When their rep 'Dave' confirmed my order, he advised that the lamp does not come with the unit, and that it would be an additional 200.00 for the lamp as well. This seemed like news to me, but not having bought a projector before, I put my good faith in what seemed to be a mom & pop company. Needless to say, when I received the projector, (i didn't get the ship confirmation until 5 DAYS later - Dave said it would ship next day) not only did i notice there was no additional box for the lamp that I 'purchased', but I also got charged for 2 day shipping which I never authorized. I emailed the projector manufacturer direct to ask if there are different price points for cameras with or without lamps. Optoma replied stating that ALL of their units come standard with lamps.

I called camera pros once again to sit on hold for 30 more minutes for somebody to tell me that even though I never even opened the box, I would be charged a 15% restocking fee for returning the unit. I advised them of the email I received from the manufacturer of my unit stating all of the units come standard with lamps. The rep then put me on hold before coming back and stating that none of their units come with those parts because they are imported from overseas and that I will have to pay almost 200.00 for the restocking fee on this unit.

PLEASE do NOT purchase from this company! They are misleading and NOT reputable. With all of the negative feedback I have found from doing a little online research, I believe that this business should be shut down by a class action lawsuit. The Camera Professionals business practices are unfair, dishonest, and misleading to consumers.

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Cina
, US
Dec 21, 2009 4:03 pm EST

My husband wanted the Canon Powershot A720-IS for his birthday. I ordered it from this website, then received an email asking me to confirm. A week later, my credit card had not been charged, and I never received a tracking number. When I called the company, they said the camera was out of stock. When would it be in stock? They didn't know! So, I cancelled the order. They should have told me immediately that it was out of stock- I should have have had to call a week later.

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carey mason
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Apr 19, 2008 7:38 am EDT

Ordered qty 9 panasonic projectors, model PT-LB60U, new, for $849 each, order# 45408, on 4/16 0r 4/17/08
On April 18, rep called me from TheCameraProfessionals.com
to confirm my credit card 3-digit code and told me that the bulbs do not come with them and would cost an additional $400 ea (400X9).
Their internet ad did not reflect the omitted bulb whatsoever.
I cancelled the order on the spot.
Besides, I purchased an identical unit 2 weeks earlier for about the same price from another online company and the bulb came factory-installed.

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Ochkea
, US
Dec 10, 2009 12:58 pm EST

This company has been a nightmare to deal with. I ordered 2 cameras from them. A strange email was sent to me requesting my code on the back of my debit card. Foolishly, I responded to it. I heard nothing from them so I called them. They told me they had not received the email. So I gave the info over the phone. The next day my credit card was comprimised, someone had oped a paypal account with my card and were purchasing things. Needless to say I closed the account. I was suspicious that this company was involved but I had already placed the order so I waited for the cameras. Now, these cameras were advertised as new but we received nicked, scratched and obviously used cameras. We called to say we sould like a refund and were told they would send us a mailing label. 1 week later-no label, called again and was told they would send another one. 1.5 weeks later - no label! This time we had them fax it to us. The cameras were sent back and we were told they could refund our money on the card we had used. Funny, that was the one comprimised and we had closed it. Now they want a letter from our bank stating we have a new card for the account which the bank can't do. A letter would have to come from a special office which could take 2 weeks! It has already been 3 weeks since they received the camera back. So they have my money and the cameras. They are also very unfriendly and not helpful on the phone. It is very difficult to talk to a manager, they do not return my messages. I am not sure they are going to give my money back. If not I will file a claim in court. Beware of this company!

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