Adorama, really?

[Overread16 4]

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/members/29476.html

For Adorama problems send a pm to Helen. She's their online customer rep and will help you out with any problems of queries that you have. Without any fuss. Indeed its her job and she's often very pro-active at looking around the web-groups and finding customers having troubles.

 

[HelenOster]

So I placed an order for my Nikon 105mm f2.8 on Oct 2nd an selected 3-day shipping so I could get it before the weekend (in stock item). Three days later, the order was still showing as "packed" so I sent an email early in the day on 10/5 asking for a status update. I didn't get a response back by the end of the day so I put in an order cancellation request for it on 10/6. I got a reply back this morning (10/7) stating that the order has been invoiced, packed, and is on the loading dock. The interesting part is that I get a UPS tracking number, but it won't go live until it is shipped out on Oct 10, per Adorama's email. So the order is packed, ready to go, but won't be shipped out an additional 3 days later. On top of that, it takes 7 business days to ship an in stock item? Adorama, really?? I've purchased about $5k worth of equipment from them in the last 12 months, which is probably not a lot compare to other people but a lot for me. Needless to say, I won't buy from them again unless I can't find the item else where.

I'm in the *exact* same situation. My order has been listed as "packed" since Oct 3.

Please accept my deepest apologies for the frustration and inconvenience that this caused, and I welcome having the opportunity to explain:


Any orders placed on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th - and most from the 6th - will have been packed and picked up by UPS where it will have sitting in their yard waiting to be processed and shipped at 8:00 pm ET last night. It won’t have been able to be shipped during the Succot holiday itself as under Jewish law we cannot be involved in any activities which result in us receiving payments; once an item is shipped customers would be charged……

By ensuring that all orders were packed, on the UPS trailers and absolutely ready to ship basically the minute the holiday was over, we hoped to fulfil orders in the shortest time we possibly could. We hope that any additional outstanding orders will be shipped today


Once again, I really am very sorry; we had hoped that the steps we had taken, above - including an explanatory pop-up at checkout (maybe you have pop-ups blocked?) - would provide the best possible solution for the majority of our customers. The only other option would be that we would not pick and pack any orders at all until our return to full business today, but this would have led to much bigger delays for all.

All that being said, we are always ready to listen to customer feedback; any suggestions for another way that we could serve our customers better during and following our 2 week-long holidays per year, will be welcomed and discussed.

 

[HelenOster]

I recently ordered a Sigma 50-500mm OS from Adorama with 3-day UPS shipping. The lens got here pretty quickly but I looked like someone had played hacky-sack with the case by the time I got it. The lens box looked ok and so far the lens is performing properly but I was a little perturbed. Though I can't say who is responsible, UPS or Adorama. I also ordered a tripod head from them a while back and though it was listed as new, the product box was a little rough and the dials showed signs of wear. I let it go because the head was still in good shape and worked properly but these little things are starting to add up.

Every item ordered from Adorama comes with a 30-day returns period. If you feel that UPS handling has resulted in any damage to your lens, please do email me directly with your order number and a couple of pictures of the damage to the packaging.

 

[MLeeK]

I can't say I have ever had a complaint and if I order, it's through Adorama. If I go in, it's to B&H. That place is like Disney for photographers!!!
I will say that you have to click through their notices if you order something on one of the many Jewish holidays. It's actually almost a PITA to put anything into a shopping cart or order when a Jewish holiday is coming up because those pop ups keep saying when they are closed and what won't ship.
There are many Jewish holidays throughout the year, but only a few that really result in any big delay. For the service that I've gotten? Those few holidays are worth it whether it's B&H or Adorama.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Yet another reason I deal with local brick & mortar stores. Online outfits really don't care whether you've spent $50k in the past year or this is your first order.... it's just an order to them.

The one remaining store here has an aggressive holiday schedule too

 

[SCraig]

I can't say I have ever had a complaint and if I order, it's through Adorama. If I go in, it's to B&H. That place is like Disney for photographers!!!
I will say that you have to click through their notices if you order something on one of the many Jewish holidays. It's actually almost a PITA to put anything into a shopping cart or order when a Jewish holiday is coming up because those pop ups keep saying when they are closed and what won't ship.
There are many Jewish holidays throughout the year, but only a few that really result in any big delay. For the service that I've gotten? Those few holidays are worth it whether it's B&H or Adorama.

Agreed, although a walk-in is pretty much out of the question for me. B&H and Adorama are the two places I check first for anything I plan to order. If one of them shows an upcoming religious holiday I know that the other will respect it as well. If there is something I really need, such as a couple of SDHC cards last week, there are a couple of other places that I order from there are a couple of others I use that do not adhere to the Jewish holidays.

I've ordered from both Adorama and B&H many, many times and have not once had an issue with anything I have ordered. That is the reason that I keep going back to them, because I absolutely KNOW that my order will be handled properly and if an issue arises I can get it handled to my satisfaction.

 

[unpopular]

Yet another reason I deal with local brick & mortar stores. Online outfits really don't care whether you've spent $50k in the past year or this is your first order.... it's just an order to them.

My thoughts exactly. BUT.... not everyone has a decent camera store nearby (more so lately) so BH and Adorama a like bring the selection of a big nice brick/mortar store to the masses. Its a holiday closing for them...

Huh. So maybe this is why I get such lousy service at local stores.

 

[henryp]

Yet another reason I deal with local brick & mortar stores. Online outfits really don't care whether you've spent $50k in the past year or this is your first order.... it's just an order to them.

Speaking only for one retailer, you're very much mistaken. If we didn't care, I wouldn't be here.

 

[HelenOster]

Yet another reason I deal with local brick & mortar stores. Online outfits really don't care whether you've spent $50k in the past year or this is your first order.... it's just an order to them.

Speaking only for one retailer, you're very much mistaken. If we didn't care, I wouldn't be here.

+ 1

 

[pixmedic]

we have gotten the best prices and service from KEH Buy & Sell New & Used Cameras that place is awesome.