Amazon.com+Postal Service=Very Angry Photographer

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/14/2007 08:25:50 PM · #1

I ordered my 20D and a zoom lens at the beginning of August from Amazon.com. My camera body was scheduled to be delivered no later than the 13th (yesterday) and the lens no later than the 8th (six days ago!). USPS tracking showed it went to Philadelphia (where I live) to Richmond, CA (NOT WHERE I LIVE) and now it's coming back (ARRGHH)!!

I'm leaving to go back to school on the 21st, and I wanted to get some nice shots so I can have something to apply as a photographer at the campus paper.

Fortunately, the lens worked out. Amazon said they would cancel my order and send a new one, next day shipping for free. However, the 20D body is through an outside merchant, and is therefore out of their control. I can't do anything without the camera body!!

ME WANT CAMERA!!!

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

08/14/2007 09:07:13 PM · #2

Sure you can. you can use the lens for a paper weight, a door stop, or even a football (American) in a crunch.

:)

Sorry about that. hope you get it soon.

Message edited by author 2007-08-14 21:42:41.

AJSullivan

08/14/2007 09:18:49 PM · #3

Where do you go to school?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/14/2007 09:35:10 PM · #4

University of Maryland.

And karmat, do you think I should stick a UV filter on the lens before I throw it around?

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

08/14/2007 09:42:58 PM · #5

UV filter optional. . . :)

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

08/17/2007 12:39:21 AM · #6

I cancelled my order with amazon, and bought it from stop4camera.com, which I'm finding out has A LOT of bad reviews. However, each 1/5 review also has a 5/5 counterpart. I'm so confused, it looks like the best/worst store ever.

Anyone know anything about it?

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

08/17/2007 01:50:30 AM · #7

I'll never mess with a retailer other than B&H if I have a choice... For new camera gear, their prices are about as low as you can get for a legit one, anything much lower and you'll probably get the camera, but the battery, charger, manual, body cap, etc will be extra... and it might never arrive.

Adorama is OK too, but I've had some random delays in getting my stuff from them. NewEgg is great for computer stuff, but their selection of photo gear is pretty limited.

banmorn

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

08/17/2007 07:04:18 AM · #8

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

I'll never mess with a retailer other than B&H if I have a choice...

Totally agree....I've had half a dozen orders from B & H in the past year. I always order on Thursday AM (payday) and the item(s) have always arrived the next day and were when I got home from work. All have been on either two day or regular UPS shipping, haven't used overnight yet.

Message edited by author 2007-08-17 07:06:17.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

08/17/2007 07:46:26 AM · #9

Beach Camera in NJ is really good, as well, and often a bit cheaper than B&H. I've purchased a few lenses there, and my 30D.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/17/2007 09:53:35 AM · #10

I've never had a problem with Amazon, and I order quite a bit from them. Love that place. But, I only purchase things that are from Amazon itself, not a 3rd party vendor. I bought their "Prime" membership so two day shipping is free, but use overnight a lot for only $3.95. Good luck with your camera, hope you get it in time.

muckpond

Nikon D200

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

08/17/2007 11:40:59 AM · #11

i used to love amazon when it was amazon. now that you don't know who the hell you're ordering from via amazon, my love for them has decreased significantly.

i've given up on them completely because of incidents like this. now i shop exclusively with stores that are actually stores instead of megaconglomerates.

and it doesn't hurt to try and buy locally. often you can get them to come down in price and without the need to pay for shipping you can get close to the online price point.

08/18/2007 02:51:59 AM · #12

So...
I cancelled my order with Stop4Camera.com, because they do apper to be a scam operation. I called them to confirm my order (and also so they could ship it out) but it apears they decided to take Friday off.

I'm going for 20D body #4 in a REAL store somewhere local. I don't see how anything can go wrong...