- STORE REVIEWS
- PRODUCT REVIEWS
2023-03-23
1/5
Do NOT deal with Adorama for trade-ins
"About a month ago, I decided that I wanted to trade in my camera equipment to upgrade to a newer camera model. I decided to try my luck with Adorama, which is a very large and popular retailer in the photography business. I have purchased several items in the past from them, both new and pre-owned. I have never had an issue with any previous purchases, but I have never used their trade in department. They were running a special offer allowing an extra $300 trade-in credit for the camera I wanted to purchase.
They recieved my trade-in equipment for evaluation on Monday, Feb 27th. I was told they would contact me within 5-7 business days. After 7 business days I tried to contact them and received an automated response saying the office was closed due to PURIM (A Jewish holiday that I was not familiar with and was not mentioned in any correspondence or on their website that they would be closed for). Ok, I can wait another day since the response said I would hear from them on Wednesday.
On Thursday (what happened to Wednesday?) I finally get a message saying my equipment was evaluated and I need to call Jack Gold at Adorama to discuss trade-in options. I called and instead was sent to talk to another gentleman (I forget his name) in the trade-in department that was in charge of Sony trade-ins. He initially low balled the value of my gear and told me there were no current promotions running for Sony equipment (contrary to the large banner ad on their website). I initially told them I was no longer interested and to return my gear. After a bit of back and forth, I ended up agreeing to a price that I considered fair. That was the "out the door" price, which to most of the world means including tax/shipping/etc.
Later checking my credit card app, I see that I was charged around $200 more than the agreed price. I immediately called and they said, that was the sales tax. I told them that's not what I consider to be "out the door" and asked them again to return my items. They seemed reluctant to return my items and eventually agreed to the original "out the door" price to include shipping and tax.
About an hour later I get a call and they tell me that they have a new price, which was about $100 more than the agreed upon "out the door" price. I asked what happened with our previous deal and was told that the manager wouldn't approve it. (Probably should have asked him before making the offer to a customer). I told him no deal and once again, asked for my gear to be returned. This time he agreed and said they would ship it back immediately.
The very next day, I get a call from Jack Gold himself (the guy I was to originally talk to about the trade in). I asked why he was calling and did they have the tracking number for my equipment. He asked what happened with the previous trade in offers and I explained the entire ordeal. At this point I was done with Adorama and just wanted my equipment returned. He makes an offer for around $100 less than the previously agreed upon "out the door" price. This time I asked if it included tax and he said no, tax would be on top of that. I told him no deal again. Just send my stuff back. He then agreed to go ahead and give me that price, so reluctantly I said yes (it's hard to pass up a good deal).
The next day I get an email with a tracking number saying that my camera was on the way! I was so happy I couldn't wait for it to finally arrive! The email included all of the details and the model number of the camera I ordered.
Friday, March 17th the package arrived. I opened the box and... they had sent a different model than I had ordered. (wah wah) I tried to call but by this time it was too late on a Friday afternoon and it was past business hours. I left scathing messages and emails voicing my extreme displeasure with Adorama. Nobody reponds.
I call again on Monday and they said they have no idea how that could have happened and immediately sent me a return label and PROMISED that they would cross ship the replacement so that I wouldn't have to wait any longer. I dropped it off at the UPS store Monday evening. It was received by them on Wednesday. I have yet to receive any tracking number on the replacement.
I just got off the phone again, and was told it would be overnighted and I should expect to receive a tracking number either later this evening or tomorrow. We will see...
I hope someone from #adorama reads this. I hope everyone else avoids their trade in department like the plague. Their trade in department is a complete joke. Google "Jack Gold Adorama". I wish I had."
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2016-08-19
2/5
Lens mix up and dispute dispute.
"I ordered two different, small lenses. One was supposed to have an IR filter and one was not. Both arrived without the filter. I contacted Tmart about the error. First they tried to claim the order was only for one lens. Once I proved to them (with a screenshot of my order from their own website) I had ordered two lenses, then they had me send a photo of the parts I received. I did that and they never replied. Finally I opened a PayPal dispute to help resolve the issue. Tmart replied that they would only ship me the correct item IF I first closed the dispute. After arguing with them about this, I reluctantly closed the dispute. They did ship the correct lens, but slowly from their China warehouse instead of the US location (where i first ordered from and the parts were in stock). While I finally got what I ordered, I am not happy with the way the situation was handled by Tmart."
