"Avoid Primo Cameras. They claim to have taken a week to process and ship my order, but refused to provide any tracking info for the camera. The store claims their standard shipping is USPS with no tracking. Why would anyone ship thousands of dollars worth of camera gear without a tracking number?
Customer service is horrible. I spent a total of 2 hours on hold, sent multiple emails (never replied), and left multiple messages (never replied) before hearing from a very rude customer care clerk. When I cancelled my order because they couldn't demonstrate shipment,they even refused to provide an email order cancelling confirmation. Everything about this company seems like a scam. "
"Primo Cameras had the best prices i could find for the camera i was looking for. Purchasing the presidential package was a no-brainer because my wife and I were planning on buying most of the items separately, which would have costed much more.
When I called for customer support, I did have to wait for about 10-15 minutes before being helped, but i attribute it to December being a busy time of year. The customer service representative was very helpful both times i called, and I was very pleased with the way they took care of me.
I will definitely shop here again in the future should i need anything else for my camera."
"i just had a horrible experience with this company
and would caution anyone considering buying from these guys. initially, they called us to confirm the order (which is normal especially for an online out-of-state order), but then tried to get us to order extra things along with our lens purchase and were rude after we refused to add anything to our order. we had requested the expedited 2-day shipping and were told to expect it today, wednesday, dec 30 09 (though the order was placed on the 21st and initially wanted it by christmas). i called them today and turns out it's still sitting in the warehouse and now they say it won't come until friday! so then i told the customer service person that i no longer wanted it sent 2-day but to have it sent the regular shipping (which is supposedly free, but they charge $12 for "handling" and insurance). the customer service person became very rude and said essentially it was our fault for the delay. i told him i never said it was their fault (though it kinda was since they never followed through with the order or let us know the status either by calling or email) but that i wanted the regular shipping. he cut me off, put me on hold for 15 minutes. then another person came on the phone so i had to go through the whole thing again at which point i said i just wanted to cancel the order. then he decided to start working with me so as to save the order, i guess. he wanted to know the name of the other guy who conveniently never gave it to me. in the end, the last person i spoke with was slightly more willing to work with me to sort out my order, but ended up hanging up on me in the end. that's half an hour i'll never get back and i will never deal with this company again."
"Very informative and helpful. Easy to contact and accommodating afterwards when an item wasn't included in the shipment."
"Update: just got an e-mail concerning the promo items that i did not get just and order conformation that it will be shipped, but no actual reply to the msg...
This is the msg I wrote to them, I think this sums it up:
Well i finally got my order in today(dec 22nd) , and I not suprised to say that I have been fully unsatified with this service, not only did it take too long to get the product(placed this order on Dec 4th didnt get processed {paid} till the 10th, shipped on the 18th got today on the 22nd) now you have cheated me out of the free stuff i was supposed to get with it...at the top of your internet sight for weeks it read "free case, tripod, and cleaning kit with every camers purchase" what happened to that? needless to say I will NEVER do business with this company again. That was potentially some residual income, this is a christmas gift for my girlfriend who is getting into photography and I purchsed this to get her started then to move up to a D-SLR later if all goes well.
I also fully intend to make a complaint to the Better Business Bureau"
"After some very bad experience with them initially I got contacted by Rodney who was very nice guy. He sincerely apologized, explained that my bad experience was due to a very bad rep (who is fired now), and handled the transaction quickly with good care. I'm now enjoying my Sony a550. I'm really hoping that my bad experience initially was due to a bad rep. I'm willing to give them another chance on my next purchase and if that goes well I'll regain my confidence on this seller."
"I order the camera on 11/23/2009, and received it today (12/8/2009). Reading those reviews, it made me worried. Acturally thought about cancelling the order. Called them on 12/2 and they told me it was just shiped (they don't ship that fast)and got the FedEx tracking number. I was plesantly suprised to open the package. The camera is quite nice and the lense (Canon 28-135 IS) is beautiful. They both were made in Japan. Bottom line, they did delivered as promised. They do try to up sale you the accessories. Do your home work and know your needs are, get a felling about the cost before you call.
I don't think I am just lucky, I am happy with what I have gotten.
Shan"
"I received a full refund for this order after I talked with a very nice set of customer service people. Primo Cameras promised complete satisfaction on their website and they delivered on this promise. The company returned all fees associated with this transaction and I am completely satisfied with that. Let me explain...... I ordered Nikon D90 after looking at the low price on the web and nexTags 4 star rating. The site accepted my credit card. Several days later, I received an email from Bruce who wanted me to call because of their concern for fraud! When called, he wondered was I aware that this camera had no US warranty and that I would have to send it back to Primo Cameras for repair, if needed. Secondly, he said that the battery that came with the camera was a 1/2 hour battery. He wanted me to buy a 3 year warranty and a 4 hour battery. When I said I did not need those, he said that there was a charge for insurance and handling (free shipping, but ...) and would have to add $40 plus for this. Later, I became suspicious and checked this website and was shocked! I also checked online with BBB in NJ and they have NO such company on their books! Yikes. I called my credit card company and they said to refuse the order, which I did (it had shipped). I then called Primo cameras and told them the order was canceled and why and they said I would be reimbursed.
Well, it took awhile, and I kept calling. They said I would get a full refund and so I waited. A few days ago, I was reimbursed for the full amount. Primo Cameras does have the nicest customer care folks and I am satisfied that all money was returned. I would suggest one asks pertinent questions when ordering, like --- USA Warranty? New and in an unopened box? All parts present that would normally be there? Any hidden charges? "
"Great price! Excellent, courteous phone service and follow-up help. I was very pleased."
"DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THIS COMPANY, and DO NOT BELIEVE POSITIVE REVIEWS FROM THIS SITE! I came across the site primocameras.com when searching for a Rebel T1i (500D). They had a great price, and what seemed like good reviews. I placed the order, totalling $585, on October 19th. The item was listed as IN STOCK at the time of purchase.
The next day, I received a call from Mickey trying upsell my order for memory cards, lenses, and warranty's. When I explained I was 'out of money' he said my order would arrive soon.
I then began reading more and more negative reviews of PrimoCameras.com as well as links to other fraudulent company names they have used in the past. More information can be found here: http://thoughts-of-dave.blogspot.com/2009/06/primo-cameras-primocameras-rip-off.html and here: http://donwiss.com/pictures/OtherStores/h0021.htm
Most, if not all of their positive reviews on ReselleRatings.com have been falsified or 'bought.' Through my own investigation, I also discovered that they are fraudulently using the "Secured by GoDaddy" symbol on their homepage, and I have forwarded a copy of my complaint to GoDaddy's infringement department.
Armed with this new information, I began calling PrimoCamera's on a daily basis, asking if they had the T1i in stock. Each and every time I asked, I was informed that the camera was indeed in stock, and ready to ship, and if I paid for overnight shipping, it would be at my house next business day. Then when I indicated I had an order for this camera that wasn't being shipped, they would put me on hold, and then come back saying something to the effect of "our inventory system is broken" or they are "having problems with their supplier." They finally gave me a promise that the camera would arrive at my door absolutely and positively no later than November 9th, 2009.
The evening of November 9th, no camera, my order status still said "Processing." Not once did anyone from their company attempt to contact me about why my order was taking so long, NOR did anyone respond to my emailed requests for updated shipping information. I immediately requested they cancel my order, and they did so after a day. I reported their company to Authorize.Net (their credit card processing company), as well as their domain hosting provider, and the New Jersey Attorney General.
A few days after cancellation of my order, an employee of the company attempted to mollify me and obtain positive reviews by offering a 'free high speed memory card' for the camera I eventually purchased from Amazon. From the reviews I had read, I realized it would be a no-name low speed card anyway, so I didn't bother.
To sum it up, don't waste your time with PrimoCameras.com, ShopPhotomania.com, US1Camera.com, or PhotoLoon.com. You'll only end up paying WAY more for your camera, if you can get this to ship it out at all."
" The product that I received was as advertised and in perfect condition but I had an unpleasant experience with order processing.
I have received a call from store representative with appologies and an explanation of what caused my order processing problems. I was promissed that order processing issues will be addressed in the future and that company will send me a present to make it up to me. "
"It was definitely one of the lowest prices I found. Received the order quickly and in good condition. Did I mention it was one of the lowest price I found. All in all a good buy."
"Update on 11/9/09, was told by Rodney on 11/5/09 that my order was shipped and expected 11/12/09. Received email on 11/9/09 that order was shipped today. Verified thru FedEx, shipment to be received in 7 to 9 business days. This is the WORST order I have ever had. I ordered this camera on 10/27/09. I also ordered another camera from Buydig.com on 11/2/09 and received it on 11/6/09. Next time I'll pay a little more and receive my products in a timely matter. I thought I ordered it in time for a special occasion on 11/15/09, looks like that isn't happening.
Posted 11/6/09....Excellent prices. Just don't expect to get your items any time soon. Still haven't received our order. The estimated date we were given is 2 weeks after the order date. Our invoice still shows "ready to be shipped" after one week. So no tracking number to verify it's been shipped. "
"Horrible experience with primo cameras! Placed my order on 10/23 and chose 7-9 day ground shipping. wasn't charged on my credit card yet, so I called them today, 11/3 (took me 15 minutes to get through) and it turns out they didn't even shipped it yet! Salesman on the line tried to add battery, memory card, to the purchase as well as "shipping handling and assurance" for an additional $20 and had an attitude about it. Shouldn't I feel pretty assured the package will be handled and shipped properly without paying an extra 20 bucks??? I'm not too sure anymore from Primo Cameras."
"Great price on Canon T1i, but American Express no longer accepted though accepted by site. No reply to e-mail. When called, new charges needed for shipping.
Still willing to order, but too shady of an operation. Stick to Adorama and B&H. More expensive but totally aboveboard.
Too many changes to be trusted."