"I ordered a top-end Apple Macbook Pro, late 2019 model fully loaded with overnight shipping. It was in stock and ready to ship, according the Adorama. I paid with a credit card, which had plenty of funds available, and I called to assure the bank would accept the transaction. I needed the laptop quickly for a project. I also called Adorama to assure that all was on track to ship on Monday.
I got an email that said their "Verification Analyst" rejected the order!!! When I called to find out why, They couldn't give me an explanation. Who the heck is Adorama using for verification??? Crazy. I called B&H, they took the order immediately, overnight shipping and all! I highly recommend to stay away from Adorama and go to B&H. "
"I initially opened an Adorama account a few years ago because I was approved with Comenity Bank to open a credit card with them. I had never purchased a camera before and I do not have any camera stores near where I live, beyond big box stores that sell kit cheaper cameras. I was sold on the fact that I would also be purchasing an Adorama VIP360 membership — for an additional $50 — which, I was told on the phone, would allow for "hassle-free refunds. No questions asked." The site now states: "60-Day Return Policy. Buy with confidence. As a member, you get 60 days to return VIP360 products and return shipping is FREE, too." They've dropped the no questions asked, hassle-free lingo.
This was perfect because it meant that I could test out some of the many different camera sensor sizes and models. Again, I was new to the camera world and there were so many options that it was a bit overwhelming. I tested a Panasonic Lumix G9 (m4/3), Canon 80D (APS-C), and then back to the Panasonic Lumix G9. I had also tried a few lenses as well. I ended up keeping the Panasonic G9 and Panasonic Lumix 100-400mm lens.
I spent thousands with Adorama and, out of nowhere, I was unable to place an order. When I called to ask why, I was informed that my account had been flagged for excessive returns. I spoke to a manager and let them know that I was under the presumption, due to the salesman who sold me the package, that VIP360 allowed for "hassle-free, no questions asked returns". They told me that it did, but I had returned too many items. I told them that an email or a phone call would've been a nice gesture if I was nearing the threshold for return limits. I spent hours on the phone with many different supervisors to no avail. I eventually gave up and went to shop with B&H Photo.
After a year or two, I thought I'd try with Adorama again since I still had a credit card through Comenity. I purchased a Fuji X-H1 — another $1,300 to Adorama. All was paid and well, and I actually still use the camera today.
About a month later, I tried to place another order for two lenses and a camera mount plate, but I was denied like before. I called in to see what the problem was and I was told that my account was banned due to excessive returns. I was confused because I had just placed an order the month before and everything went through just fine (with no returns mind you). They said it was a mistake on their part and, literally, to take my business somewhere else.
I do try every six months or so to see if I could be given another chance since I realize now that, as a first-time camera buyer, returning several items isn't allowed (even though the VIP360 package was sold to me that way). I called back in March of this year and spoke to the highest member they'd transfer me to. He told me he'd contact me back but, of course, never did. I called again and was transferred to a normal manager who told me there was nothing that they could do. I have spent about 5 hours on the phone with managers, in the past few months, who continuously tell me that they basically don't want my business.
It's not that I don't want to purchase through them, it's that they don't want me to. I am looking to place another $2,000 order since being in quarantine. I'd like to be able to use this time to take more photos and try new lenses, but I will most likely have to go through B&H Photo. It seems that ever since the past account specialist was let go, I believe her name was Helen Oster, that Adorama no longer care about the customers.
If I do receive a response, then I expect nothing more than a "sorry, there is nothing we can do. You can always try again in the future" and not a "please, let us help you place your order with us and make things right"."
"I sought a review from altE for a solar system of around 6-7Kw solar panel capacity with Lion batteries. We received a quote which I forwarded to my solar installer who has many years experience. He confirmed that the design from altE, which included 200vDC controller with 150vDC rated breakers, would fry the system. His advice was corroborated by a second electrician. In addition, altE proposed using different charge controllers to the inverter meaning we would not get the solar information on the display.
Offering a specification with such fundamental errors removed any trust I have in the competence of this company. "
"I received my order just as promised and I was in great condition and I am very pleased!!"
"This seems like a classic bait and switch. I send in a list of equipment, get a fast call with a reasonable estimate of value, I send the equipment in and wait.....then I get a note to call. I get a verbal response for half the value that I was led to believe was realistic. The Adorama employee, Jack Gold, has dodged me three times now, refusing to give me the rationale and breakdown of the estimate (8 pieces) to discuss.
Who do I call to get real service? At this point I want my equipment UPS shipped overnight back to me so I can stop wasting my time and yours with such poor performance.
David Perry
***-***-****
"
"This was my second purchase from Adorama and service was superb. "
"Excellent quality, price and fast shipping on my R-300’s which replaced my Polk 55’s"
"I had in mind to buy a camera. Like many people, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted or needed. I studied a lot, mostly on Amazon, but I also looked over B&H, Adorama and a few others. I finally decided on the Panasonic G9. Ive been buying electronics for a long time and the most important thing I learned was NOT to buy items new to the market, whether that means an updated model or something completely new that people are waiting for. That saves us a lot of money to buy something thats been out for a while, been tried and reviewed by lots of experts.
I wasn't aware that Panasonic was doing some ongoing firmware upgrades on some of their valued product, essentially bringing updates to the G9 that were not there when the camera was released. For instance, the GH5 was thought to be superior to the G9 in terms of its video features. But just a few months ago, Panasonic updated its firmware to v2 which is thought to be making the video assets of the GH5 and the G9 closer to equal than they were a year or two ago. Meanwhile the G9 pricing has been going down. If you are smart, you will buy everything that you can when its not so shiny and in high demand. That goes for cars and other big-ticket items, if you can.
The base pricing of the G9 varies not much from one dealer to the next. The body only pricing is $1197. That leaves you to buy everything else and that's where you look for values that can differ by several hundred dollars on the lens and other necessary items. Adorama had an outstanding kit that suited my needs perfectly. A free Panasonic battery grip (retail $347) was included in the kit I purchased.The kit also included the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F/2.8-4.0 Lens (retail $899), along with several items quite a bit better than most kit items, including the Peak Design 5L Everything Bag, a JobyGorillaPod 3k and a few other things, all included under the video kit option which are items offered in separate categories.
The salesman did a good job on the phone, so, though I bought online so that I would not miss out, I called back and assured he got proper credit ($$$) for helping me. I figured I got nearly $2750 in items I WANTED and only a couple that I did not want, such as a slow, cheap SD card, totally unsuited to working with the G9. And finally, a well-packed box and fast shipping from coast to coast. I paid $1797 plus tax.
A VERY GOOD PACKAGE AND VALUE... FOR SURE."
"Service was great and the delivery was really fast. "
"Only $5,000.00 worth of lenses and a camera body, with some extra "bundle" stuff. It was all thrown loosely in a box with no packing material, and one piece of tape that was not wetted enough to seal, and was placed off center of the seam, so that the box arrived "pre-opened"....tape had broken and was barely attached. This could hardly be blamed on the carrier, and items were also dirty...like they'd been laying around in a dirty warehouse. This could be the result of the box being open during shipping though. I'd hate to order an expensive lens from this company given the way that they handle packing. Packing material and "H" type sealing of seam and ends should be done for items of any kind, especially cameras and lenses. I used to buy from Adorama over 20 years ago, but no more given their poor packing. I won't go into the problems with "bonus" items that were erroneous and Adorama's fail at rectifying the issue. "
"I ordered a printer from them. They said it was on backorder probably till May (this was Jan). They said I would not be charged until shipped. In mid Feb I noticed two new charges on my account from Adorama. I chatted online, was given different excuses as to why these charges were there. Finally she says its a debit hold( two charges mind you...six weeks later). I asked her to reimburse because she had just told me they had no idea when the printer would be in. She said she couldn't do that. I would have to cancelled. I cancelled, they were too sketchy for me."
"The ordering process was quick and easy. The free delivery was welcomed and made it across the country much quicker than I anticipated. Its always a please purchasing from ADORAMA. They make it easy. "
"Prompt Delivery and Awesome Product Selection !"
"Very professional. Great service."
"The lens was exactly what was sold. "