"On Mon, May 3rd I ordered a Canon 24-105mm lens from thundercameras.com. I got a confirmation email that I had to call in because there was a question about my order. I did and found these people work on commission. They convinced me to change my order to a sigma lens (24-70mm) which on their site was listed for $1,700 that they would give me for the cost of what I purchased the canon ($899.00; 949.00 with shipping). If I didn't like it, I could return it free of penalty. I agreed.
Later, I researched the lens on the sigma site and it is only worth $750.00. When I received the lens on Fri, May 7th it seemed ok, but a week later (Saturday, May 15) I had a wedding to shoot. During the 9 hrs of the wedding I knew it was damaged. The lens wouldn’t focus on manual. I decided I would exchange it for the lens I originally wanted.
On Mon, May 17th I called and said I wanted to exchange the lens but I needed it immediately for another shoot on Saturday. They said if I overnighted the lens, they would get me the lens by Fri, May 21st. So, I did. I never received a confirmation that lens had been shipped, I just kept waiting. Finally, on Mon, may 24th I called & they claimed that they did not send me the canon lens because my credit card bounced. First, they had no need to run my card again - they gave me the sigma for the same price as the canon. Second, even if they HAD run my card, it would not have bounced.
I said I just want to cancel my order, you are not a company I want to give my business to. They said, okay, we are able to refund you $750.00. I asked them why I wasn't able to get all of my money back for something that was THEIR fault, they sent me a damaged lens! They claimed that the lens was never damaged and they had to charge me a restocking fee... a $150 restocking fee!
So, between the original payment and shipping fees I spent $990.00, only got $750.00 back and I have NO LENS. Also, they have sent me an email that I will be refunded that money in the next 30 days, but it took 42 days only after calling, badgering and reporting them to the better business bureau. If you have been scammed by this company, file I report with the Better Business Bureau!
This is a TERRIBLE COMPANY with TERRIBLE customer service and they should have TERRIBLE reviews to go along with it. "
"I am a victim of this website, and all the other 5 star ratings PLEASE DO NOT BELIEVE. Because, those 5 star ratings are scams and manipulative into persuading you to buy from this company.
I first bought a Canon Rebel t1i on the 28th of June. Later I got a message to contact the sales to confirm my shipment. When i called, i was asked to give them my 3 digit security code on the back of my credit card. Thinking this was really odd, i decided "Sure I'll give them the security code because this was a really good deal for this camera." When I gave the sales guy my 3 security card number, he started to sell me other things, like extended batteries which I said no. So he confirms the shipment and the phone call ends (the sales guy on the phone, is Andy Jensen, he probably has other aliases).
Then 10 minutes later I look at my email and find a message from Thunder cameras stating that "This camera has been back ordered and it will take 1-2 weeks" out of utter disgust and disbelief I called Thunder Cameras customer support to cancel my order. Before the guy cancel my order, he say that they have a USA model that can be shipped out ASAP. Now, in my head I've realized they sold me an imported, no good, no USA warranteed digital SLR camera that will give me problems in the future. I said no to the guy and he starts being pushy that they have a lower price. Obviously his scamming fake sales tactics are really really really horrible. I said I could find another deal somewhere else. Then he cancels my order.
I then get an email about 10 minutes later saying my order is canceled and all sensitive material will be deleted.
Overall, this website is a scam, they obviously BAIT AND SWITCH to lure buyers into a really really great price, and switch the orders into something else the buyer didn't buy. Never, ever, ever shop with this website. You will be dealing with scammers!!!!"
"I researched my camera and online vendors for a couple of months before submitting an order to Thunder Camera. I had my heart set on the new Canon T2 i. Thunder Camera had the best price online. There were some shipping/order concerns that were handled quickly when brought to the attention of the dealer leaving me a satisfied client."
"My friend bought a video camera in the store 2 weeks ago, but when he got it, this was a completely different camera.
He wanted to return it, and at the beginning of the store representative said that they themselves will take it and send another video.
After 3 days, he demands that the camera sent him the address.
They change their policies and views every day.
The representative of the store are very rude.
Do not buy anything in this store, just read all the reviews about them and you will understand.
They just SCAMMERS. "
"After dealing with Thunder Cameras, I bookmarked the sight on my PC, told at least a dozen people to look up the sight, and will most likely bring all my business back each time I want to upgrade or add to my camera! The sales confirmation person was GREAT!!!! I wish I could have bought him a drink after helping me with my order!
All in all, Im glad I found the sight!
Thanks
NC Frenette"
"I ordered a Panasonic Professional Camcorder AG-HMC40 on 5/30/2010. This is what happened. I read the reviews in this page before I submit the order. Since there are several good reviews and the price of the camera was $500 under the retail price I decided to try. Well, I purchased the camera online, then I received a email with the order confirmation. The confirmation said that I had 4 hours to cancel the order without any fees, after that They would charge 7% for cancelations. Well, four hours after the order was done they called me. As you can see in others reviews, they tried to upsell me accesories and the worst part was that they told me that the camera that I just ordered was an imported model with no manufacture warranty, that the only languaje that came on the camera was japanese and that the battery only last for 20mins. They wanted me to change my order to a ag-hmc40 US model but the price for that one was $2000 (that is $500 more that the price that I paid). I told them to send me the camera that I purchased without any extra accesories. The Customer service person was rude when I refused to buy any accesories or switch the camera and his last words before he hang up on me was "good luck". Well, two minutes after the call was finished I received a new email. The email said the camera was not in stock and that it was in back order for two weeks. I decided to end this bad experience by canceling the order. A lot of time lost. Please, dont order from thundercamera.com because it is a scam of bait and switch. Any good review is done from people that work for them I am sure. "
"The story is the same as so many others. I ordered a Nikon 70-300mm lens, online. The next day I was contacted by Adam Anderson. He indicated that the lens I ordered would not work with a digital Nikon camera. He was offering a Sigma "professional edition" lens. As far as I could tell, this was the same lens I could buy for far less elsewhere. They told me that this lens had a metal ring at the bottom, the other one did not. Very similar to other reviews on this web site. If they will not ship what you want, do not be talked into something else. This company has a smooth coordinated procedure for their bait and switch. When I received the lens, I was not satisfied with what I saw. I asked for a full refund and for them to issue a call tag with UPS. They said it was a "sale" item, a could only get merchandise credit, on and on. I am disputing the charge with American Express, and providing them with all the relevant documentation. Beware of this company!"
" Dealing with Thundercameras has been an ongoing hassle to say the least. I ordered a $1350 video camera from them. The delivery was late, so after 5 days I wrote to them. no reply. I wrote again. no reply. I called them repeatedly (during office hours) no reply. This went on for 4 or 5 days. By this time i was worried that I'd been a victim of fraud so I wrote something about my experience on this and another review website, as invited by Thundercameras. only then they responded, and their main concern seemed to be that I remove the bad review, rather than trying to get my camera to me. It turned out they'd not even shipped it yet, and had not bothered to inform me. They offered me a 2 gig memory card in return for removing the review. I did eventually get the camera. Then I found the 3 filters included in the package deal did not fit the camera. I called the manager. He promised to send replacements immediately. They have still not arrived (3 weeks later). After a week I wrote asking that they be sent urgently as I was about to go on a 2 month trip where I wanted to do a lot of filming. He has still not replied (2 weeks later) I wrote again. No reply. Upon arriving here in Missouri I discovered that the extra battery that was also a part of the package does not work with this camera! I wrote to complain and demanded a replacement together with the filters. No reply. That's the present state of affairs. I can only recommend this company to my worst enemies."
"Buyer Beware! Bait with low prices and try to sell accessories at inflated prices. Service staff unkind. Waiting for refund."
"Do not under any circumstances buy from Thundercameras - they are incredibly unscrupulous and deceptive. I presume I purchased a "loss leader" they never had intention of shipping. I had to cancel my credit card to prevent them from billing me for exorbitant cancellation and restocking fees. 17% on a $2000 order is $340 - excessive (my order was little less than this, but you get the picture). They string the buyer along until the buyer is so frustrated the buyer cancels and the fees kick it. However Thundercameras actually abrogated the contract by their refusal to ship. Buyers don't owe any seller anything in this case no matter what their policy says because the seller broke the contract. IMHO referral networks should delist sellers this unscrupulous and I'm filing an
FTC complaint. Thundercameras can argue with FTC - I'm through with them and will be wary with other sellers. I like eBay. They are a fair-and-square referral network and I'll probably get my product used (thus inexpensively) through eBay."
"DO NOT BUY FROM THUNDERCAMERAS! THEY WILL GIVE YOU FALSE INFO AND STEAL YOUR MONEY! BEWARE FROM THIS SELLER!
Thundercameras.com is a scam. They are rude, impolite, disrespectful, and dishonest towards their paying customers. THEY WILL GIVE YOU HELL! LITERALLY!
On top of those aforementioned descriptions, they would not cancel my order (which was placed right before I want to cancel it), then they sent it anyway after a week! I did not open the package and sent it back, after getting those disgusting attitudes again.. I AM ONLY ASKING FOR THE RMA!
I am still waiting for my refund from them. I was e-mailed "Your refund will be posted shortly." SHORTLY???
The "customer service is of no help! The people who takes your call and answer your query: Roger, Steven Kay, and Andy (The Manager) are con artists who will swindle you from your money.
Do not get caught into their bargains. Everything is false and untrue. BEWARE OF THUNDERCAMERAS!"
" I am very disappointed after waiting for a backordered camera from Thunder Camera for two weeks that I have not heard a word about my order. Two days after I ordered I was told it was backordered.
The camera I ordered is currently listed at a higher price and as "usually ships in one to two days" and when I called about that I was told their customers don't mind waiting.
Yesterday the site said it would be back from vacation on the 21st. Since that made two weeks and two days since my order was placed and backordered, I called only to be told by a recording that their hours were Monday through Thursday.
I exercised my option of canceling this order without charge as promised in their email dated May 7.
I will not do business with Thunder Camera again as I feel they placed my order on backorder so as not to honor their price. "
" . Well it now Sept 2010, I have done my homework, no "new" 70 -300 lens. I did find this lens overseas for $550, not my special price of $999. This place is a rip off. STAY away from this vender they are very smooth. This lens is a $650 lens, period. Live and learn I guess."
"BEWARE, THUNDERS CAMERAS = BAIT & SWITCH SCAM
I ordered, online from Thunder Cameras, a Canon 100-400mm lens for $1,199.99, (sells elsewhere for $1,610.99). Shortly after I placed the order they called me to verify it. “John” talked me into buying a Sigma 120-400mm lens PE (Professional Edition) instead. Among other things, John said, the PE has a metal mount and the non-PE and the Canon 100-400 both have plastic mounts (which is not true). He’s very smooth. I felt uneasy after placing the order, so I contacted SIGMA directly and my suspicions were confirmed - there is NO SUCH THING as a Sigma PROFESSIONAL EDITION lens.
There is only one Sigma 120-400 for a Canon camera and it sells for $899 on most websites. They sold me the supposed “Professional Edition” for the bargain price of only $1,349.98. Can you say FRAUD?
I called and cancelled the order just a few hours after placing it. They said they couldn’t credit my MasterCard, but would give me a store credit instead. It’s illegal to keep your money if the transaction is never even completed. I was furious and said I would dispute the charge. Apparently they had a change of heart and sent me an email stating that the order is cancelled, my credit card will not be charged and all my sensitive information was deleted.
I have no reason to believe anything they say, so just to be safe, as soon as the pending charge dropped off my credit card, I had a new card number issued. I have copies of EVERYTHING, including their website pages showing the PE versus non-PE lens, etc. Go to their site and type 120400 in the search box and you’ll see their 3 versions of the Sigma 120-400mm lens – unless they change it after reading this.
I checked 8 other camera websites and the only one who doesn’t publish a street address is Thunder Cameras. Now why do you suppose they only have a P.O. Box and not a street address listed? Maybe it makes it easier to elude the Fraud Squad.
"
"Thunder Cameras is a (not quite) professional scamming operation. Who calls to verify an online order when all the payment details are obviously in order? Think of the time and money they invest to have scammers (obviously on commission) coax money out of folks that just want a good deal. They need to make a return on their investment, so they fleece people-it's that simple. My sales "professional" Arthur tried to tell me that Thunder's Nikon DX 18-105 lens somehow wasn't going to work correctly on my Nikon D90 camera, so I would have to buy some different one I never knew existed (and doesn't) for twice the price. Arthur probably never took a picture in his life (except maybe downtown at the precinct) It is the kit lens for the D90 for god's sake. I mean really, how hard is it to make an honest living in the U.S. these days that companies have to resort to scams and waste all of our time? Now they have my credit card information and I'm afraid what they'll do with it. Please don't make me come after you, Thunder Camera!! Do the right thing and cancel may order before this gets ugly. If I see any suspicious activity on my card, I know where to look first. "