Quote from: NYTumbleweeds on August 03, 2009, 23:03
My 40D was damaged recently and insurance is working to replace it.  I have been looking into the refurbished models at Adorama.  Anyone have experience or opinion on a refurbished piece of equipment?

A refurb may be an ex-store demo, possibly used in field tests or sales displays, or it may have been ordered in error and returned to the retailer (who can't then sell it as 'new' so it has to be sent back to the manufacturer for refurbishment). A refurb can also have simply been pulled from the production line if something appears faulty, or if it hasn't passed the final inspection.
Most of the time it is a very minor issue that needs correcting, nevertheless, once it is pulled from the normal flow of production, it gets flagged as a refurbished model, so you may get a unit straight from the factory that has never been used.

A refurbished item will have been checked over by the manufacturer by hand, inspected very thoroughly, diagnosed, and calibrated by experienced technicians, and could therefore turn out to be more dependable than a new item - which will only have been checked by a process of systematic quality control protocol (ie by random sampling as it comes off the conveyor belt).

In the past Adorama warranted Canon refurbished for 90 days; since 1st May, all Canon refurbished products from Adorama come with a 1 year return-to-Adorama warranty; 14 days from date of receipt for a full refund, and the balance for repair or replacement.

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

[email protected]
www.adorama.com

Quote from: lisafx on May 19, 2009, 17:11
Helen, is this a fairly new policy? 

I have received things from Adorama a number of times without having to physically sign for them.

Is it only items over a certain price range? 

To be honest this would deter me from ordering from Adorama in the future.  I work from home most days, but from my office in the back I don't always hear the knock at the door.

It is, indeed; you will find that all the bigger companies are now taking this precaution due to repeated fraudulent activity. However, as you can see in this thread, it really is very simple to deal with - just drop me an email!

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

[email protected]
www.adorama.com

Quote from: Lcjtripod on May 19, 2009, 03:02
Think twice before giving up on them!

Adroma and B&H are the two most honest and reliable camera dealers in the USA. I have bought from both of them many times. Amazon once and once burned I will never buy from them again.

Now that you know the shipping requirements, work with them on a shipping address that will have someone home to sign for the delivery.

The requirements are for your (and their) protection against fraud.

My 2 cents.

-Larry

Thank you for your kind words, Larry, which are very much appreciated.

Quote from: ChasingMoments on May 19, 2009, 03:06Well, I agree, adorama and bh are leaders. Unfortunately, they do not make their shipping policy explicit at checkout, as I said. Had they made it clear, I would have definitely made all the necessary adjustments. And, two, I don't see how one picking up her/his own package from a UPS facility with a tracking/order number can be fraudulent.

I do apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused, and fully understand your frustration. There is a reference to our policy on our website, but we do agree with you, it needs to be in a more visible place on the website - and should be, once the new website up-dates are in place.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=FAQ#SHIPPING

Shipping Rules:
A signature is required for all UPS shipments upon receipt, Packages can not be rerouted or picked up from UPS someone must be at the address to receive the package and sign for it.

In the meantime, if you would like to contact me directly, (with your order number): [email protected], I will be delighted to arrange for you to be able to collect your package(s) from UPS.

BTW, as long as an address is verifiable (to protect us all against fraudulent transactions) we can arrange shipping to any address - workplace, home of a friend etc)

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

[email protected]
www.adorama.com

Quote from: KB on March 26, 2009, 04:21
I ordered one yesterday from Adorama, but it said it was out of stock, and there was no time estimate given.

Today I got an email saying it shipped. 

Firstly, I am sorry that we caused you concern, and then attempt to clarify how the stock situation at Adorama works.

With high demand items, frequent delivery and dispatch times mean that items can come in one door, be packaged, and out of another within a couple of hours, so real time inventory is often not possible.

Unless the items actually hit the shelves, our computer system generates an automatic message in response to an order, indicating that it is out of stock.

Another possible scenario, is that you could see an in-stock indication, if a shipment was expected into the warehouse within the next 24 hours - but again, the systems we have, aren't currently set up to be able to handle this (although we are currently working on it), and our computers tell you that the item is back-ordered!

Again, apologies for the inconvenience - I'm delighted that your %D is on its way.

If you ever have any queries or concerns regarding an order or purchase from Adorama Camera or AdoramaPix, you are always very welcome to contact me directly: [email protected]


Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

[email protected]
www.adorama.com

Quote from: lisafx on December 01, 2008, 17:31

Quote from: HelenOster on December 01, 2008, 12:07

The Adorama returns policy is actually: 14 days (7 days for video, audio, and digital equipment), for a money back refund, or exchange - added to which, we do not charge a restocking fee.

I'm confused,  Helen.  Is the 5D II not considered "digital equipment" then?  If not, then what is "digital equipment"?

FWIW 30 days return policy at OneCall is still much better. 

Cameras are definately on 14 day return (with no re-stocking fee); digital  equipment really refers to video/editing equipment.

Helen

Quote from: lisafx on November 28, 2008, 23:59
FWIW, if anyone is like me and wants a 30 day return policy instead of 7 days (adorama), ..........

The Adorama returns policy is actually: 14 days (7 days for video, audio, and digital equipment), for a money back refund, or exchange - added to which, we do not charge a restocking fee.

Sincerely


Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

[email protected]

Hi

Sorry I didn't pick your posting up earlier. Adorama.gr is not us at all............ someone else  registered that domain name!!

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
[email protected]

Quote from: Clivia on October 13, 2008, 17:07
I pre ordered the 5dII a couple of weeks ago. Has anyone else who pre ordered been asked to fax a copy of their credit card statement? I have not faxed it yet because I am not very happy about it. Is this normal business practice in the US? I have never been asked to do this before.

Clivia

I apologize for not responding earlier - somehow I missed your posting. I hope that by now you have received your order, however, I wanted to explain: if you are placing a first time order with Adorama, and the delivery address you request is not the same as the address to which your card is registered, we are required by our banks to request additional verification for security purposes. This protects Adorama, the bank - and most importantly, genuine customers from potential fraudulent transactions from being carried out on a customer's card.

We do appreciate the inconvenience - and sadly, you may begin to see more merchants having to adopt the same or similar procedures as time goes on.

If there is still a delay with processing your order, please get in touch with me, with your order number: [email protected]

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

Quote from: GeoPappas on October 12, 2008, 13:54
I have been a customer of B&H for about 20 years (back when they were down the block from Adorama).  IMO, B&H and Adorama are some of the classiest businesses out there.

Unfortunately, I have never been to the new B&H store.  I hear that it is pretty impressive.

Have you been to the newly refurbished Adorama store, yet? (approx triple the size, now)

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
[email protected]

Quote from: leaf on October 06, 2008, 23:48
Ok, I have been chatting a bit with Adorama and we have come up with a 'beta' solution for giving / getting a deal.  Beta because things are not necessarily finalized in how things will work in the long term, but this is how it will work for now at least.

Adorama has agreed to give a discount (amount unknown as of yet) to microstockgroup members.  To keep the discount somewhat under control (ie - not giving the discount to everyone on the www), it is going to work this way.  I will give a list of email addresses of everyone who is interested in the deal with Adorama, and then they will send out emails with a promotional code.  I cannot just send the entire MSG email list as this would be breaking privacy ethics of the members here, so the only way you are going to get a promotional code is to go into
PROFILE > Forum Profile Information
and looking at the very bottom for the Adorama 'opt in' check box.  Here is a quick link to your profile
http://www.microstockgroup.com/index.php?action=profile;sa=forumProfile

feedback and other thoughts are welcome and more details will hopefully be finalized in the next couple days.

Excellent news; really delighted it got worked out.

Kudos to Tyler, & Sam at Adorama, for pulling this together so quickly

Best wishes

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
[email protected]

Quote from: Swaby on October 02, 2008, 23:46
I Wonder if Helen knew what type of trouble she was getting herself in by by joining this Forum.  I know one thing, she's making me more comfortable that I ordered my Mark II from Adorama last week.

I have broad shoulders, and I love being to help. I have a presence on over 150 photographic groups, forums, blog sites & web pages - but I do still get surprises!

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
[email protected]

Quote from: Pixart on October 01, 2008, 19:31
Who is this Fred person?   I must buy a pocketwizards setup very very soon. 

He is in our sales team: [email protected]

Helen

Quote from: litifeta on September 29, 2008, 22:40
still waiting. the emails from "fred" offer the recommended price on stuff.

My understanding was that some special deals were to be put together for members of this forum. I believe that the group moderator is in discussion with our marketing team re: a plan for doing this. In the meantime, Fred (Wasser) from the sales team has been given the job of looking after you, individually. The amount of any discounts will, of course, have to be guided by a number of factors, such as availability and profit margin - which are not my area of expertise.

I have just emailed  Fred that some of you haven't yet heard from him, and that you had hoped for more in the way of discounts - remember, though, that Adorama has been closed for 3 days (and there will consequently be a back log of orders & enquiries.

So, if you can, hold out for a little longer - either for Fred to sort something out (or for something more permanent to be put in place).

Please don't hesitate to contact me directly with specific queries: [email protected], as it's always possible that I can miss a posting on the Forum

Best wishes

Helen

Quote from: pixelbrat on September 25, 2008, 18:07

Quote from: yingyang0 on September 24, 2008, 18:50
I had a bad experience when I purchased from Adorama. After ordering online they called me so that they could hard sell me on other things. I don't like it when someone tries to upsell me after I've already made the purchase and especially don't like it when the person doing the hard sale is lying to me in order to make the sale. That was just my experience and maybe it was a unique one but I don't think so. I've only purchased from B&H and Amazon since then.

I had a very similar experience.  I placed an order and received a call from a very rude guy trying to upsell me while lying to me in the process.  When I called the guys bluff he hung up on me.  Needless to say I canceled that order.  This was several years ago and I haven't been back since.  I understand what Helen is saying about how they have changed things but it's hard to erase that kind of treatment from ones mind.  Perhaps I'll consider them again if I can't find an item anywhere else but they won't be my first choice.

Helen,
Thanks for chiming in.  It is nice to know that there is someone we can go to if a similar occurrence happens.  Welcome.

Thank you for the welcome; I'm delighted to be able to be of service.

I'm really sorry to hear about your previous experience; the probability is that the rep is no longer with us if this occurred a few years ago. My appointment last December was one of the final pieces in the plan to drastically improve and invest in Customer Care - alongside targeted staff training and supervision. We are currently work on a proposal, with great ideas from the forum moderator, for offering some special deals, so I do hope you feel able to take these up.

Best wishes

Helen

Quote from: ichiro17 on September 24, 2008, 16:42

Quote from: sjlocke on September 24, 2008, 14:00
I agree, and I've spent more than $18000 with B&H.

Its really disappointing that they can't see that loyalty.  I will be going elsewhere if I need something for sure. 

Anyways, hopefully the marketing people at Adorama can see the potential to steal away a few customers from B&H

Well, you have us all a-buzzing here at Adorama! It would be the first time we've tried anything like this - so anyone with any bright ideas, please let me know. To avoid this thread getting way out of hand (& off topic), is it possible that your thoughts or ideas could come to me through your moderator / list owner? We could then look at linking him / her directly to someone in our marketing team.

You do need to be aware that we are approaching our annual vacation period, so we wouldn't be able to progress this until the end of October. That, though, gives time for some creative thinking on the part of forum contributors.

Helen

Quote from: yingyang0 on September 24, 2008, 18:50
I had a bad experience when I purchased from Adorama. After ordering on line they called me so that they could hard sell me on other things. I don't like it when someone tries to upsell me after I've already made the purchase and especially don't like it when the person doing the hard sale is lying to me in order to make the sale. That was just my experience and maybe it was a unique one but I don't think so. I've only purchased from B&H and Amazon since then.

You don't say when this happened; I would estimate over 12 months ago?
There has been substantial investment in staff training during the past year, and  restructuring within certain departments. Of course, as with any large company, it only takes one or two employees to damage the image of an entire company - and every other employee within it.

I can only apologise, and hope that you would consider shopping with us again. If you were to find this - or any thing else in our customer service -unacceptable, happening again, please don't hesitate to contact me again, directly.

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
[email protected]

Quote from: dbajurin on September 24, 2008, 17:22
Do they (Adorama) sell to Europe?

We certainly do!

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
[email protected]

Quote from: litifeta on September 22, 2008, 23:14

Quote from: HelenOster on September 22, 2008, 16:27


Thank you for the recommendation for Adorama; we always appreciate when satisfied Adorama Customers let others know about us!

Since you are browsing Helen, how about organising some discounts for the 40,000 or so stock photographers around the place

If it were down to me, I'd give you all HUGE discounts, on everything!! But it isn't.............so I've forwarded your request to the Marketing Department; I can't guarantee what will come back, but I will certainly re-post if there is anything doing


Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

Quote from: Read_My_Rights on September 22, 2008, 14:28
Adorama accepted my pre-order. I like them a lot, much better used items selection than BH. No affiliation

Thank you for the recommendation for Adorama; we always appreciate when satisfied Adorama Customers let others know about us!

However should you ever experience a problem, or have a query, regarding goods or services from Adorama, please don't hesitate to contact me directly: [email protected]

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador