"My experience with Camera Kings is the same as others who recently reviewed them. Website says orders usually ship in 1-2 business days and it’s now been 9 days and they haven’t yet charged my credit card. I called today and received the same response I received yesterday when I contacted their customer service number 'your order will be shipped today or tomorrow'. Not worth the aggravation, pay the few extra bucks and purchase from a reputable online retailer. Hope I receive my camera before Christmas or my daughter will be very disappointed.

Update:

I finally received my daughter camera on 12/11 but didn't received the promised free accessory kit (case, tripod, lens cleaning kit, etc.)at time the camera was delivered. I'm hesitate to call contacted Camera Kings because I don't want to deal with a high pressure sales rep again trying to sell my over priced accessories such as batteries and SD cards. Brian the customer rep was good in that contacted me within in a few hours of me posting my review in order to help with getting my camera shipped. Thank you Brian! I think the sad truth is that Brian has been assigned the role of damage control agent and does his job well but as a person that has worked in the customer relations business for over 10 years, damage control rarely equates to future sales! "

"I made an order for Canon HF200 during thanksgiving. the price was 50 lower than normal dealers and it says it was in stock. After 2 days, I received an email saying that my order has been processed. I called and emailed custom service after that to ask for a tracking number, but they said they got delay from Canon and it has not been shipped and they said I will receive an email when it's shipped. The day before yesterday, I got an email saying that I cancelled my order by myself, which I never did. And today, I just received an email replying my email asking for the tracking number, saying that the order has been cancelled. I am quite busy these days. I do not want to argue with them any more. Just to remind others, this is not an easy company to deal with."

"I wanted to buy a Sony HDR-CX500V. The Amazon price was $943 and the unit was selling on Ebay in the range of $850 new. I did a price search and camerakings.com had the lowest price, at $809.

I did a search on the site, and I was somewhat apprehensive because of some negative feedback. Consequently, I decided to try it, but to cover my "6" every step of the way. On the whole, it worked out really well for me, with the minor annoyance of having to "confirm" the order (code for giving them a chance to upsell me). Here's a timeline:
11/28/2009. I placed the order for the camcorder on the www.camerakings.com website for $809 with free shipping. To make sure...I printed the screen shots as PDF files to document the transaction (yes, I'm paranoid).
11/29/2009. I receive an email and a voice mail from "Eric" asking me to call and "confirm details" of the order. I called the number provided, and had to hold some 20 minutes to speak to a person. "Eric" finally picked up and he asked me: whether my billing address was the same as the shipping address (I had indicated it was on the web site already); whether the credit card was a US credit card (it is, but why do they care as long as they get the transaction approved); whether I wanted to buy a battery (no thanks); are you sure because the included battery stinks (yes, I'm sure); how about an extended warranty (no thanks); how about shipping insurance at 6% of the total (no thanks). Ok, he confirmed my order was all set and told me he'd forward it to fulfillment.
11/29/2009. I got an email confirming the order was sent to fulfillment.
12/4/2009. I got an email telling me the order had been shipped.
12/5/2009. My credit card was charged $809, the correct amount.
12/7/2009. My camcorder arrived. It's the right camcorder, in the original sealed box. I opened (paranoid) and verified everything was in order, verified it was the USA version, and verified all the included components according to Sony were actually there.

Success!

So, I'm happy with the price and happy with the experience. Not perfect -- I wish I did not have to "confirm" the order (or wait on hold to do so) but on the whole it was OK. "Eric" or whatever his name is, did try to upsell me but he was courteous and once he saw I was not biting, he backed off and allowed me to get the camcorder."

"This is the email I just sent to this company:
I am writing to immediately cancel my order #H1144164. I placed this order right after Thanksgiving, based on your websites promise that the item was in stock and ships within 1 to 2 days. I then immediately contacted my credit card company to add the alternate address so that I could receive this item quickly, as promised. Then I had to play phone tag for a few days so you could confirm and process my order. During this phone call, I was pressured into adding more items to my order, which I could have, and should have refused. Then, after confirming my order on December 3rd, I was told I would receive an email with the shipping information. Well, it's now December 9th, and I still haven't received the item or the email. I am now playing email tag with someone from customer service about when I will get an email about the shipped item. This is just not worth it. I am also reading online reviews that say your company adds an unadvertised $20 handling fee to the advertised free shipping. Honestly, why are you still in business? I'm ordering this same item from Amazon today. It may cost a little bit more, but it's worth it to deal with a company who offers great customer service and follows through on its promises. If my credit card is charged by your company, I will of course dispute the charge. If the item is shipped, I will refuse shipping and return it to you at your expense.

I sent the above email this morning, and received an email in reply that you can't cancel an order by email, you have to call. They even make cancelling your order difficult! I just called, and the salesperson tried to pressure me into keeping the order, saying I got a great deal, and I already waited this long.??????? I said there website promises items ship within one to two days, and he told me that was unreasonable - items ship within 10 days. Then why does the website lie? He had no answer. I categorically told him to cancel the order; I've already placed my order with Amazon and am actually willing to wait and pay a little bit more to do business with a reputable company. Seriously, if you order from CameraKings, you take your chances. Just so not worth it to me."

"No hassle ordering from Camera Kings. Their price for the Sony a330 was competitive to the big box retailers, included a few extras (camera bag, small tripod), the sales guy was helpful, didn't pressure me to buy unnecessary extras. I'd order from them again."

"I ordered Canon EOS Rebel T1i on Dec 1st, 2009. Even though I saw not positive review about this shop, I decided to purchase from this shop since they had relatively good price on that date.

2nd Dec: Received email to confirm about my order.
3rd Dec: they called my contact phone, my cousin, to pursuade purchase camera's accessories but she declined the offer.
3rd Dec: The payment was decline because I set up special authorization for my card to prevent Credit Card theft. They informed me.
4th Dec: I called my bank to authorize to process the charge from CameraKings. Then I called the CameraKings' billing office to ask them to process the charge again. The payment went through I my credit got charged.
4 Dec (later): Billing girl requested me to send copy of my ID and Credit Card because the first transaction was declined (as stated above)
7 Dec: I emailed them scanned copy of my ID and Credit card.
7 Dec: they requested for bank statement to verify billing address. I provided the document with explanation.
8 Dec: I called in Billing office again because there was no notification about my expected shipment even though I saw the charge in my credit card. I was quite angry because they did not process my order and keep asking for more and more information. After an argument, an Indian girl at Billing office trapped me to cancel the order by repeatedly asking "Do you want to cancel the order?" When I could not suffer her irritation and said "yes", she cut off the line and process the cancellation. I will see if CameraKings return my money as they promised.
I wonder if that is CameraKings trick since price of my ordered camera is increasing and the current price is $70 higher than my price.
I will not order anything else from CameraKings. I would advise you to pay attention on previous review about the retailer before proceed any online purchase.
"

"Misleading to downright dishonest is my opinion of Camera King.10/28/2009 I ordered Samsung Camera Dual view TL220 @$288, FREE Shipping, FREE Accessory Kit.
10/29 Recieved phone call from CK said I needed to call my crdeit card Co to OK shipping to alt. address, already done by me. He went on to advise camera did not include a SD Card, offered a 2GB card at 39.99 or 4GB Card at 59.99 said was a better price when sent with the camera. I OK'd the 4 GB. ( for my son Jim's 40th B.D.).Upon reciept in NY here's Jim's account.
The package arrived Nov 3 with the camera and SD Card, No accessory kit (Camera case, Mini Tripod Cleaning sol.)The SD card was incompatible with the camera. Jim researched via Samsung web site to determine which SD Card, found item for $20 less than CK price.
Jim called CK to exchange the SD Card & inquire Acc. Kit. The customer service girl quickly said they would exchange the card and offered a return auth. number. She did not mention any credit in price difference. When asked she said no price difference. Jim asked for the price of the SDHC card she said she didn't know.At this point Jim became aggravated,and said how could she say the same price if she had no price to refer too.She then offered the FREE accessory Kit as compensation. Which of course had already been omitted from the order. Then asked what would it take to make Jim satisfied. Jim eventually asked to return the whole order She then said that would incur restocking fees.Jim asked to speak with a supervisor, the best he could negotiate with him was, retain the camera and return the card for full refund. The Accessory kit was eventually recieved.
Jim sent me a copy of the invoice he recieved from CK, showed a breakdown of the charges. Only documentation I,the purchaser, had received, on line, was an "order confirmation" no details of pricing.
The invoice showed:
S.H.I.P. Fees FREE.
Handling & Insurance 18.87
Taxable Subtotal 347.50(camera 288+SD59.99)
Tax (8.625) 31.64(tax on 347.99S/B30.01
Total 398.50.
No one at CK had said anything to me about H&I fees, nothing on web site indicated any H&I.
I called CK objected to the H&I fee, ( I later realized they had included Tax on the H&I)Camera King Rep. repeatedly said I had I had agreed to the Total Price, to which I repeatedly agreed,( fool that I am I trusted by phone they had calculated Camera+SD Card+Tax, period.) He even tried to console me with a ridiculous FREE extended warrenty. I persisted they remove the H&I Fee. After heated discussion and a number of "hold Times" he said the H&I would be credited.
I asked for confirmation the SD Card plus Tax would be credited, he said Tax is credited automatically. End conversation.
Subsequently the SDHC 59.99 and H&I 18.87 was credited, BUT NOT THE TAX - Uncle Sam will wait a long time for that I'm sure. I have not called CK on the tax issue, they must be desperate to make a buck & communication with them distress' me.
I consider these events to be deliberate and dishonest practices by CAMERA KING. Not at all the standard of shopping experience I mostly enjoy & expect. They marred my son's B.D. celebration.


"

"It said the order would ship on 1-2 business days and it’s now been 7 days and they haven’t even charge my credit card. Looking at the other reviews I’m hoping they lost the information now and won’t send it. I’ve also had horrible customer service with dropped calls and telling me the order is on its way. They also sold me a SD card over the phone that is $5 less on the website. Definitely pay the extra $5-10 somewhere else. "

"I am modifying my initial review of Camera Kings. My overall experience is o.k. with this company.

I bought a Canon Eos Rebel T1i.
Initially they had a problem with my credit card billing address, but no one from the company gave me a call for 10 days. When I called them after writing a negative review in resellerratings.com regarding the shipping delay, they again processed my order and gave me a free next day air shipping.

My product is in good shape(though I didn't start using it as of now.. ) and I may try Cameraking again."

"I took a chance buying a 55 inch Sony XBR8 12/2/09 as CamaraKings had the lowest price. Saleman (Mark) was pleasant and I upgraded to a 5 yr in home service plan which also included white glove delivery. I was told that an email within 24 hours would be sent to confirm the order. The tv was to be delivered in 5-7 days. From where I sit this all appears to be a scam. It is now 12/12/09, and no tv in sight. My credit card has been charged, CameraKings claims the tv has been shipped and left on 12/7/09. CameraKings is located in NY and the trucking company, Manna, who is supposed to deliver the tv has a delivery request to ship a tv from California from Broadway Photo, another company with many poor reviews. I have filed a "billing dispute" as Manna has it as a threshold delivery, if they ever get it to deliver, when I purchased white glove delivery. The Mack 5 year extend warranty came separately and is for a tv of less value than the one I purchased. So far nothing has happened as the saleman promised. Do yourself a favor and stay away from this vendor. They can not be trusted to deliver for which you bought and paid."

"I too was skeptical after reading some of the reviews about Camera Kings. But…… After much research I ordered a Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH receiver for $518 and an additional extended 2 year warrantee for $29 online the evening of Monday 30 November. I received a phone call from Camera Kings on Tuesday verifying the order. During the call the gentleman from Camera Kings did offer an additional extended 2 year warrantee. In fact he was very insistent that I purchase another additional extended warrantee. I hung up on him after he would not take no for an answer. At that point I figured I had chosen poorly. Later that evening I received an email confirming the order had been processed.

It was shipped on Wednesday and arrived the morning of Friday, December 4th. The unit is as advertised. US market, factory new, and in fact is a beautiful piece of equipment. With the exception of the pushy salesman I am very satisfied.
"

"Some issues originally but performed service recovery actively."

"Just purchased a Sony HDR-XR200 camcorder and paid for the expedited delivery. The camera was delivered the next day. Excellent. A caution to first time buyers, the company wants you to call in to speak with a sales person who will try to add on things you might need which is fine but, the prices for the add on items are pretty high. If you find an item you like, they do have good prices and they did not switch and bait. Just be careful of the add ons. I also had to call customer service because the free accessory kit was not included. I received a return call and all issues were promptly correctly. I get the feeling they are really trying to make customers happy. I will by from King Camera again."

"Working with CameraKings has been a nightmare. If I could give them 0 checkmarks, I would. Judging from the other reviews, people are either very happy or very disappointed with this company.

I have been trying to buy a sony camcorder for 3 days and still can't get past first base. I ordered it online on Monday and I called to make everything was okay with my order. They said yes. I called my bank to see if the charge had gone through and they said the charges were pending.

On Wed., 3 days after my order, I got an email saying that my shipping address and my billing address were not the same and there was a hold on my order. I should call my credit card company and have my billing address and shipping address made the same.

I called up CameraKings and inquired. I was told that I could do the above or send in a picture of my driver's license and front & back of my credit card to confirm who I was. I've never had to do this with any company before. They may be wary of being scammed, but I am wary of identity theft by supplying pictures of my driver's license and front & back of my credit card.

I looked up companies on ResellerRatings and thought the rating for CameraKings was okay. Here is what I don't understand--if they won't ship unless the billing and shipping addresses are the same, why does their form ask for billing and shipping addresses? They should just allow entry for one address and post a notice that the addresses have to be the same.

The clincher? I was ready to send them a picture of my driver's license & picture of my credit card, but got an email saying my order had been cancelled "per my request." I never requested that the order be cancelled. Maybe the person I talked to about their procedures thought I was fed up and wasn't going to submit the documentation, so she cancelled the order. Now I have to try to reinstate the order.

I am still trying to complete this purchase because the invoice has to have a date from Nov. in order to get reimbursed from my company from that billing cycle. I am tempted to cancel the order and throw myself on the mercy of our business manager for buying the camcorder past the billing cycle through another vendor.

There are just too many vendors online to be given a hassle from any company. Whether this purchase goes through or not, I will not be buying anything from CameraKings again.

UPDATE: On Dec. 3, I called to reinstate the order. I was told there was a glitch in the system and several orders were cancelled (I don't believe it). They wanted me to reorder the camcaroder. Again, my problem is I need a Nov. order date. They couldn't find a supervisor for me to talk to and I was told the accounting department didn't come in until noon (I don't believe it.). Even getting a copy of my order to see what I am buying has been an ordeal. I have no clue on how this company is still in business.

UPDATE2: I have given up on this company. I just ordered via amazon. The price was $30 more, but no hassles. I would have gone with amazon in the first place, but the price was even higher than $30 when I first ordered.

I ordered thoussnds of dollars of stuff from amazon last week and absolutely no hassles, ever.

I hope to never hear the name of camerakings again, except when I tell friends to steer clear."

"Telephone ordered a Canon 7D and was quoted the internet price. Upon final totaling, was quoted $45 more for "insurance and handling" although this wasn't listed on the web page, and doesn't appear if you do a web order. If you say - forget it, cancel the order to the sales person - they will drop the "handling" charge. I was told my price would be the price I expected from the beginning, but this sneaky "handling" charge that they try to slip by you really steams me on this company.

Since then, I have sent 3 e-mails, asking for update on "what is the final charge to my CC" and requesting shiping update and no one returns my e-mails. Customer service from my point of view is non-existant.

Don't fall for the handling charge.

UPDATE: Got what I requested, final total for shipping (it's correct) an e-mail invoice, a promise to ship today or tomorrow, and a live person and a phone # to call if any more issues. Also, a promise that they will insure at their cost.

They read these things and it's a shame that you need to resort to it to get action that you don't get by sending e-mails and calling or waiting on hold for half an hour.

I will update again once product is received and report condition and if I got all I expect to receive.

UPDATE: I have a tracking number and all questions and e-mails answered. Will update again when I receive the product. This company is easier to work with once they practice actual customer service.

Final Update: Camera Received on 12/9 - it is as expected and in good condition. However, I got another shipping e-mail from them, apparently the "free accessories" that they are supposed to bundle with every sale did not make it out at the same time - it's about a week apart. - Bottom line here again - I got what I wanted, but beware of the extra charges for insurance and handling, and stand firmly AGAINST their high pressure tactics for selling their overpriced add-ons, like camera batteries and claiming the battery that comes with the camera is junk. It's NOT, it's the same battery that they want to sell you for $150 that you can get at Amazon for $65.

As long as you're armed with the right knowledge, you can save some money on these people.

I guess it was worth it. "