"vistek was by far the worst company that I’ve ordered from
I ordered a battery pack from them for $1100 which was in stock, next day I check my account and it was in back order 4-6 weeks, so I waited 6 weeks and emailed them, I got a reply that I have to wait 2 more weeks, 14 days later emailed them and asked them about my order, I got another email saying it’s on backorder and I have to wait 10 more days,
“By the way an apology will be nice “ 66 days for them to get my order and then probably a week to ship it to me!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s normal right !!
Finally I canceled my order, lol I don’t even remember what I ordered

"

"I ordered a Canon t2i Kit on boxing week. Their web site said it was in stock and I chose the express delivery to have it in 2 days.

8 days later and still no camera, I sent them an email to check on the order status. I had to send 4 emails before I was actually told that the camera has been back-ordered and they will not receive their shipment until the end of January (that's a month from the day I made the order).

I checked their web site and they seem to have the Canon t2i body only in stock, so I asked them if they can switch my order to the body instead of the lens kit. After 6 emails and no reply, I give up.

This is a TERRIBLE company, so buyers BEWARE!!! "

"Worst on line experience ever... will never shop Vistek again!

Ordered a Boxing day special on line (and received an order confirmation number), and a week later we get an email from Vistek saying that the order was cancelled due to "overwhelming customer response"! What!?!?

Thanks Vistek!! So we missed out on other LEGITIMATE boxing week sales thanks to your unbelievably poor business practice.

Save yourself the headaches and spend your hard earned cash at Henry's. I know I will."

"Last minute shopping. Had no choice I was needed the item (battery, speedlite, bag) Service.. meh.. what service? Kinda ignored me. Sales people seemed bored kinda cold. I did see one dude ask to see a lens and the sales guy grabbed the box and said "do you want me to ring this up?" before the customer even had a chance to look at it. P"

"Absolutely terrible company. Buyers beware. They tell me to buy a camera that is out of stick because it will be there in hours. So I buy it, 5 days later it comes in. Now I have lost a video contract and after over a week still no camera. I had also purchased a battery. The price went down so I asked if i get price protection. They emailed me back rudely saying the price is back up so I would not receive a refund.

Dont be fooled by the good reviews. Every company is hit or miss. But this company gives an extremely good chance to miss."

"This is by far one of the worst companies I've ever dealt with. Warning - when I called them I was told they had no customer service department. I agree - they absolutely have no customer service.

The first sales rep I talked to about a lens told me it would absolutely do what I wanted it to - it did less than a lens I currently owned. I also didn't get the delivery I paid for (next day turned into a couple of days). Then the real nightmare began.

I tried to return this lens but was ignored for weeks. You can't return without a number from them so just sending something back isn't an option. I finally talked to Michael Allenby who gave me a number to return it and a paid shipping slip.

I returned it on Dec 31st - today is Jan 11 and my credit card has still not been credited with the amount of the lens. I've tried contacting Michael but once again I'm on ignore.

Of note - the tripod I purchased at the same time as the lens for a gift doesn't work either. It's an Indura - not sure what to do about this as it's probably past the time to return anything and where's the point if you don't get your money back anyway.

All I know is I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever purchase from Vistek again.

On Jan 13 I finally received a credit for returning the lens. I had asked a few times what the status was - no communication back.

I highly recommend B&H in the US. With the Cdn $ almost par it's much cheaper and they are very responsive to questions."

"What a terrible experience. I ordered a Tenba Messenger Insert from Vistek which was listed as in stock on their site. As soon as I ordered I received an e-mail saying it was backordered but their web sales department told me on the phone they had one in one of their stores I could go and pick up (an hour and a half round trip). When I called the store (already wary because of the 'service' I'd encountered) they said that the one listed as being in stock was in fact a special order and not available for sale. Upon calling 'web sales' again I was told 'yes this frequently happens it's problem with our website and stock control system'. Odd how they couldn't tell me this the first time I spoke to them and they suggested I take a long pointless drive to buy something that is not available from any Vistek store. I was then told the item could take up to six weeks to order. I cancelled my order and I'm done with Vistek. What an absolutely useless company, everyone you speak to has a different answer and no-one seems to feel that wasting your time is worthy of any kind of apology. The entire attitude is 'we don't care'."

"well i ordered a load of gear at the beginning of the current semester (full-time commercial photo student). Bought new triggers light meter. At the same time I ordered a new shoulder strap for my Domke f-6. today is november 10th and its still listed as backordered (currently till november 18th, that date has changed every 20 days since september) was listed as a special order but at no point did a single rep ever advise me by special order they meant that it will never be ordered. Ever since my last email to them was a month ago they have not gotten back to me regarding the delay. I ordered my 24-70 2.8L in may and there too they were having stock issues. The only reason I order from them is for a partial tax break (no provincial taxes charged when you order from Ontario to Quebec. I ask for them to cancel the order they refused, i just get the feeling that ill be waiting for it forever. Maybe one day when I sell my camera and retire itll arrive?"

"excellent online transaction.
item shipped to me on time.
thank you for a great 1st time buy from your company"

"The Nikon D80 I purchased was delivered Christmas Eve ( even thou I didn't expect it until after Christmas ) very well packaged. Couldn't find a lower price anywhere on the kit I purchased.
Would certainly use Vistek again."

"I have purchased equipment and supplies from Vistek several times. Service and prices have been very good. I have been able to call them to get changes made to online orders.
Shipping has been free for each order. I haven't had any experience with used equipment from them but I have had no problem with new equipment. They have an extensive selection of products. I highly recommend them. "

"I used Vistek's photo finishing services. I am satisfied with the quality, price, and turnaround time."

"Having purchased from Vistek many times in the future on much less expensive gear, I was impressed. For my latest purchase of a Canon 100-400L IS I had no doubts that I would get exceptional service. I was extremely impressed, not only did they do everything possible to get me the best price, they made me feel welcome. Definatly a positive in my book."

"I have ordered through Vistek 5 times in the past. The first couple times were for film and the shipments were always quick- 2 days. Then the third time I ordered a used Canon lens which came as advertised and I received it quickly as well. The one that spoiled it was the second last time I purchased from them. First off they misquoted a price the first time I phoned, so I was lead to believe the item had been reduced. I bought a used lens for a Pentax 67 and it was listed as a f4 lens. I ended up getting a f3.5 lens which was the inferior version. I would never had bought it had I known that. I could have gotten this lens locally way cheaper then what they sold it to me for. They had it listed as an f4 lens both on the tag and on the site. Their excuse was that the computer had to list it as a current offering because thats all they have programed into it. I ran into this issue before with them listing it as one thing and it being another. Never buy off the internet used items from them as you won't know what you're getting. Phone instead- if you can get through to them. The lens I received had no rear lens cap which was not mentioned, even though it was listed as "mint". After all this I complained and they gave me the cheaper price and ordered me a lens cap no charge. But they still overcharged me. The lens was listed at $599, quoted at $529, and later sold again at $599. Shipping for an item that expensive was supposed to be free. They reduced the lens price to $574 on the invoice to included a shipping cost of $25- which technically would have made it free. When I was reimbursed the the amount for the lower quote I had been told ($529), they did not cover the shipping cost I was charged on the invoice. So much for free shipping. And the shipping this time took a week which was way longer then previous times. I guess the "free" shipping had to do with that. So I overpaid for an inferior lens. The guy on the phone tried to talk me out of taking further action and accepting what I got. They would not do a refund, but only an exchange for another item had I returned the lens. After this I would never buy another used item from them again. Be very carefull in making sure you know what you are getting and the charges before having any dealings with them. Buying new items or film from them is less risky. I decided to give them a try with new equipment hoping their service will be better then what I got with their used stuff. This was the last time I ordered from them and this time all went well. The item came with free shipping and was sent on Friday and arrived on Tuesday which was much quicker then the week a few orders before came. It was boxed well and came with no incident. I got what I ordered which was a brand new flash. I ordered again from them a new lens and again no issues there. I would order again from them ONLY for NEW items. Buying used is too risky. But last experience I ordered some film and a step up ring through them. The ring they listed on their site as in stock, and the film was special order. They placed the order for the film in October and at mid December the film had not come in yet. It was perpetually on back order. When the back order date ellapsed, they just moved the date to a new day and I'd have to wait some more. The step up ring was also listed as back ordered on my order, even though the site said they had some. They shouldn't advertise what they can't bring in at a reasonable amount of time. Make sure they have the item in stock or don't order from them.
"