Camerabox 

I first used Camerabox a couple of years ago and that was a poor experience. I ordered a grade A compact camera after a few weeks and no camera I was contacted and told that the camera I had chosen was not available, despite it still being listed on their website. I was offered an upgrade at additional cost to a Panasonic TZ7. I accepted and it arrived a few days later and I have been very happy with the camera. I thought grade A, not many in stock, perhaps just a blip.

I decided to up-grade to a SLR recently and ordered a Sony A55 with an extra lens bundle, the website quoted 2-4days delivery, plenty of time before I needed it in 3 weeks time. I checked all parts were listed as in stock. My credit card was debited immediate. After 9 days i called Camerabox to ask where the camera was - I was told it would arrive within 4days. Five days later I called back as the camera still had not arrived. I asked for guaranteed delivery with in 3 days else I would have to cancel the order. The sales executive could not guarantee this so I cancelled the order.

After about a week I asked about the refund and I was told it would take up to 14 days and they added that actually legally they had up to 30 days to make the refund. The 30 days is true, but when a company starts quoting the law at "customers" then there is something seriously wrong with their customer service. It has been well over 14 days, but not yet 30, since I cancelled the order and there is no sign of a refund. Needless to say if the refund is not back in 30days i will be straight on to my Credit Card company.

The up-shot of all this is 1) I paid a bit more for the camera equipment; 2) have been stung with an extra credit card interest payment; 3) Had little time to familiarise myself with the camera before the event for which I mainly bought it.

As an extra, good prices do not have to go with poor service. I ordered some extra bits and pieces from 7dayshop.com, a camera bag was found not to be in stock. I was offered the option of cancelling or waiting; I cancelled and I was refunded the £ within a day. Camerabox you will not get my custom again; but if you really aspire to be a good business, I suggest you take a look at 7dayshop.com for inspiration.

I would have liked to give Camerabox 1 star but they seem to be operating just about on the right side of the law.

Up dated on 4th January 2011, reduced to 1 star as the refund has not been paid back to be after >30days and CAMRABOX are now in breach of the distance selling regulations.
TERRY

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY, DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
I stupidly ordered a camera prior to doing my research, knowing the issues they had had previously i checked every step of the way.
Firstly the camera i ordered was out of stock(the live stock stated it was in stock)and informed the camera had been upgraded and it was a much better camera for the little extra, information i was thankful for and happily paid the extra £95.
I was not sent a new invoice for the upgraded camera so as it was two weeks prior to xmas i thought it best to email and contact he company so the order did not go wrong.
I was told on the phone the initial invoice could not be adjusted and a new invoice for the Canon 500D would be in the delivery box. Not happy with a verbal explanation i emailed my thoughts and asked for a confirmation in writing.
Even though i put all the details in the email the mail i received only stated the original order had been dispatched.
Of course when it arrived today the order was wrong and the chap on the phone was a joke, Thomas said i don't know why you are getting angry you got what you originally ordered!!!
Great customer service, i have now had to go to Jessops today to buy another camera at £480, money i really needed in my pocket this week and they company will not even return my calls.
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

placed my order to come for a special event i was goin to, only good point was there price and 'warranty offered', we arranged a delivery date which was agreed, no good turned up, i only found out the goods wasnt coming when i rang up to see where my order was!! i then cancelled my order as i needed the product asap to which i was informed it can take upto 30 days of to return my money, 30 days now has well passe and it has got to the stage where my bank are fighting to get my money back for me. i know its the law but i find it totally riduclous how a compeny can take nearly £800 of somebodys money for an item they have not got in stock, and then keep that money in there account for upto 30 days gaining interest while the customer can be getting bank charges etc because of this!!!!!!!!

would definatley not recommend them to anyone

Ordered a camera and SD card from them on November 26th 2010, a week later still waiting. Two weeks later still waiting! Called them, left a message for a 1 hour call back but never heard back from them! Called the next day finally got through to a so called advisor who told me the delay was due to the bad weather yet my order was made long before the weather changed, obviously just an excuse. The advisor said I would receive the camera the next day. It didn’t arrive though I think that probably was due to the bad weather as CityLink (also a dreadful company but we won’t go there) finally delivered my order on the following Sunday, almost 2 and ½ weeks after the order was made.

Opened my package to find the camera was there and ok (ie new and in its proper box) but no SD card! Instead was a cheap and nasty camera case which I didn’t order! Have rang and emailed them (emails have resulted in no response whatsoever) but I’m still waiting for the SD card which apparently is ‘in the post’. I feel like giving up on it because it drives me mad waiting on the phone to talk to someone while listening to Frank Sinatra constantly singing ‘My Way’, please spare me!

My advice is to go elsewhere for your items, these people are a total disaster and I will NEVER EVER use them again!

So lets start with a little positive, the price was good! about £12-£15 cheaper than anywhere else.

now the bad,
Placed an order on 2nd Dec, all went well with the order process. It being a thursday night and with the delivery schedule stated next to the product i expected a delivery around the middle of the next week.
But then started to read reviews on camerabox on various websites and this got me worried so sent my first email just to confirm it had been dispatched.
I received a reply stating "sorry for the delay your item will be dispatched within 24-48hrs"

72 hours passed and no delivery. so sent a further email no reply within the 3 hrs as promised on the website, left it until the next day.
A further email was sent, again no reply, by this time it was late friday and planned to call first thing monday.

Called first thing monday and got through after 5 mins or so, the guy took my order number and in a flash said my name followed by it will be with you tomorrow by city link! A very prompt conversation and had little time to ask any other questions.

great i thought, so the next day came, NO delivery.

I did however receive an email that eve(14th dec) advising the item had been dispatched via next day delivery.

i received it today 16th dec 1 day late due to an issue with city link.
If all that wasn't bad enough, I opened the parcel to find the product i ordered in a plain white box, it was however well protected.

No retail packaging!!!!! and No instructions.

As easy as lenses are to use they still come with instructions.

This is totally unacceptable in my eyes, i have paid good money for a product and would expect it to be new in retail packaging.
The lens looks brand new, but How do i know?

I would not recommend camerabox to anyone, and they need to send me the original box and instructions that should have come with my product immediately.

I looked at the "Super Saver Delivery" option when I ordered this item and assumed it would arrive for my daughters birthday in good time which unfortunately was not the case as it actually took nine days to arrive from ordering.
However, that is all the bad news over with. the item itself was spot on and communication with this company were responded to in a courteous and timely manner. I even received a small gift of a camera cleaning kit for my delivery time issues.
All in all if they can get their delivery problems sorted or advertise a more realistic delivery time I would not hesitate in awarding Camerabox 5 stars.

I purchased a Canon lens from Camerabox.co.uk after finding they came out cheapest on google. I've used this retailer last year; to purchase a camcorder for our holiday, they were the cheapest on that too. The lens is a Christmas present for my son. I'm just so happy that I've finally been able to get it for him, after months of him begging! I recommend this shop to anyone after cheap photography equipment.

I have bought numerous items from Camerabox over the years. Most have never had problems but the odd one now and again. The customer service can be difficult at times but i find being polite to the staff usually gets you somewhere. I take into consideration they are busy and stressed so i find a friendly voice usually goes a long way to resolving any problems. Once you explain any issues they are usually helpful. In general Camerabox is reliable, even if sometimes it can take slightly longer than anticipated.

I placed an order with Camerabox after being let down by another online retailer. I ordered on day 1, (in my case 9am), the order was processed on day 2 (the site tells you this). The parcel is then shipped that day with a tracking number from Citylink. Parcel took a couple of days to arrive though? When it arrives it's packed well, and in prisitne condition as you would get it from a high street shop. Overall: good site but not for the impatient...Also the tracking facility comes up with odd messages like "invalid number"...which I ignored, and hoped for the best, and my parcel did arrive. These unhelpful messages though, might cause unnecessary worry. Apart from the odd niggle they've served me well and in time for Christmas

I have been waiting for 5 weeks now, even though camerabox claim that my order is on stock. Absolutely nothing happens and I therefore want my money back, but I get no replies on my mails.

I placed my order for a new Sony nex-5 on their website last Thursday, and received it today. Very happy with that all Ive got to do now is claim my VAT back from Sony and Im sorted with a perfect camera that could of cost me alot more if I hadnt found them. Will be using again shortly to buy the other lens for it. Thank you.

An absolute disgrace, I previously purchased a camera and was very pleased. So I therefore recommended them to my daughter. She needed a DSLR and lens for her college course. We ordered a camera (the site showed stock available) Then we were advised we had to wait for stock to arrive, this went on for 3 weeks until we decided to cancel as we couldn't wait any longer. I was advised refund would take 14 working days (unsatisfactory) however after 14 working days I rang them to be told I had to wait for 30 days. An absolute disgrace of a company and the customer service lacks (they make you feel like you're being out of order expecting your money back) I will be advising everyone to avoid your company.

Having just had a distrastrous experience with another online retailer I wanted to make sure this company gets credit where its due.
This company have been excellent.
Ordered the Canon 7d after having been let down by another company. This company were polite and courteous and delivered on time. Great communication at all times. Even phoned to confirm order and see if I wanted to upgrade to "express" delivery. Courier left goods with neighbor as requested.
Am delighted with my new camera and would definitely deal with this company again. Thank you for restoring my faith in onlne retailers

It's been over three months since I returned my faulty lens for a NIKON D5000 back to CAMERABOX and there's been no communications apart from one email in the middle of September which acknowledged the return for the lenses back and a second one just over one month apologising for the delay by My David Carter.
A bunch of lies.
Please, do not trust this company and email me if you need further prove of any emails fro all attempted communications made by me without replay.
I am still claiming my lens back and I will be seeking legal advice and reporting the event to the Police as they hold an article owned by my on their possession without alleging it.
Once again, do not trust this Company.
I frequently deal on internet and I fell embarrassed for England as a Nation and is advertising this Company on a European Level.
It's been a very frustrating experience not recommended to anyone.
A quick word of advice.
Do no trust this company.
Thanks.

Was worried by some of the reviews i read, but realised everone likes to complain when they have a bad experience. Well, i must confirm my experience with Camerabox was smooth, calm and efficent. Placed the order very easily on their website for my Sony TX1, and did opt for their express delivery. Recieved a very nice call from one of their staff saying the order was recieved, and wanted to know if i was interested in upgrading to a bundle package. I asked what this was included, and was told in detail what was included, so opted to go for one. Recieved my email later that night to confirm the item had been shipped and was on its way to me. True to thier word, my camera was in my hands the next day. Was very pleased with the service and will be using them again and advise anyone reading these reviews, they are a large company, but do have high customer values

Ordered on Sunday August 1st ready for my holiday on August 8th, website promised next day delivery (LIE 1). Wednesday 4th rang to see where camera was, promised Friday at the latest (LIE 2), a worst case scenario would be Saturday (LIE 3). Saturday rang the delivery people, told it would be delivered Monday. Absolutely gutted. I rang company from Spain on the Monday to explain I no longer wanted camera, was told to refuse delivery and camera would go back to camerabox (Lie 4). Came back from Spain found camera had been delivered to a neighbour. Rang camerabox and was told the most deceitful lie yet. SEND IT BACK AND WE WILL REFUND YOUR POSTAGE. (Lie 5). Today is December 7th and after numerous emails to *** and *** (who claimed he couldnt open my postage receipt sent as a PDF file), for a pittance of £6.70 I will give up my fight for my refund. I have been beat. However, if just 1 person is put off a purchase by my review then I have a hollow victory. PLEASE, AVOID.

I ordered a Nikon D90 body from Camerabox last Thursday 2nd December. I then read the reviews on this site and prepared myself for an upset. I received a call on Thursday night as many people have to perform a security check. This is how a lot of the complaints have gone on this site. I called on Monday and was informed the item would be dispatched. Well it arrived today, thats within their 4 day window for economy delivery and item apperas ok. One minor niggle is that its a grey import as theres no UK warranty card and this isnt mentioned in the item description. Lets just hope nothing goes wrong with the camera. All in all its cheaper than anywhere else by £60 so I'm happy.I'd have given them 5 stars if they had mentioned the grey import. At the end of the day you have to be sensible when buying online, always use a credit card not a debit card as if the goods dont arrive or you have problems you can go to the CC company and file a dispute.

Would like to have given 0 stars!

Initial purchase was promised within 3 days but arrived after a week. Then one of the lenses was not working and was told to return it and a replacement would be sent. 2 and a half months later I have still not received the lens and getting a refund has been just as hard as getting an explanation as to why I never received the lens - still waiting on it!! Avoid this sham company and buy elsewhere!

paid for a camera via the Camerabox website. I chose them because they claim that their cameras are “Not HK Import Like Simplyelectronic” and that they give a “Free 5 Year Warranty”. You will probably find these statements in one of their ads on most comparison sites. DON’T BE FOOLED.

Before telling my story I’d like to point out that I eventually called the Trading Standards Office in Oxford where Camerabox are based. the Trading Officer I spoke with was very aware of this company and confirmed that Camerabox do trade in grey imports. Whether their stock comes from HK or not they certainly try to convince you that what you buy from them is not an import.
Anyway, I made my purchase but didn’t receive a confirmation email from them. The following day I left a message for them to call me (they say they’ll call you back within the hour – they don’t). I finally got through to someone who told me not to worry that the item would be with me in the next few days and I would receive an email. I had paid for the item through paypal so I checked both my bank account and Paypal and the money had definitely been transferred. After 4 days with still no email I called again. I was told to send them an email and they would check paypal to confirm the money was in their account and they would email me back. The following day, with still no email I called to speak to a supervisor. The person who answered the phone said he was a supervisor. And how rude was he!! I have never been spoken to by a retailer like that in my life. He looked at my account and said that the money had definitely not been transferred. He refused point blank to even check their paypal account to see if the money was there saying “we’re not here to check our accounts – we’re here to sell cameras”. He refused to do anything more about it so I was left with the money not being in my account and Camerabox refusing to check their accounts to see if the money had indeed arrived. I contacted Paypal and they advised me to set up a dispute which I did. I wanted to let Camerabox know this was happening in case they “found” the money and posted my item. So I called and asked to speak with ***. He refused to speak to me or call me back. The person I spoke to asked for my order number which I didn’t have because I had no email correspondence from them. So he told me “if you don’t have an order number then you can’t have an order, so why are you bothering us?” I’m sure his mother would be very proud of him!!!!!!
I finally got my money back through paypal and bought another camera for only £5 more from a reputable site and the camera ISN’T AN IMPORT!!!!

Although it is always tempting to buy from the cheapest source, the moral of this story is that it’s not – I should have read their feedback before purchasing from them. I urge you to do the same.

i recently ordered a camera at what i thought was a good price and from a reliable and trustworthy site, i was mislead. After waiting for my "2-4 day deleivery" for 5 days, i rang to ask what had happened to my order, they told me it had been dispacthed and i should receive it by tuesday at the lastest. On tuesday i rang again to see what had happened and got told that actually it hadn't been dispacthed and would be sent "in the next couple of days", i needed this camera urgently and decided that my best option would be to cancel the order and try again elseswhere (a more trustworthy site) now, my cancellation emails have been ignored and i am worried my refund will take months; learnt a valuable lesson in reading reviews about a website before thinking of making an order. This whole order has been stressful and i am regretting every making my order. i now have no idea about my camera, the cancellation or my refund. if i were you, i would not use this site and choose a more reliable and trustworthy site; unlike this one. Save yourself the hassle.