Century Photo

As along time customer, I was surprised to find out that I was not receiving a catalog or make phone contact between September and December 2010. It was March 2011 that a contact was made. I gave the woman my order and told that the cost would be $62.59 which would be charged to my credit card. My credit card statement dated March 22 indicated NCD Brands, Acct no. ** made the charge of $62.59.

From March to September, I heard nothing in spite of several calls and e-mail. It was in September that a response to a phone call connected me to a woman. I told her that I was charged for merchandise that I had not received and I wanted a refund. She took my name and account no. and said okay. It is now December and I have not received my order or refund. I have had contact with NCD Brands and they forwarded me to another person which ended up as a dead end.

Do not order from this scam company! I had to choose 1 star to submit my complaint but this company deserves 0 star in regards to my overall experience. I have ordered from this company for the last 10 years and the order I placed in June 2011 will be my last. I was charged $240.35 on June 2, 2011 and I have still not received my ordered photo products. The company does not have anyone answering the phone and I have left multiple voice-mail messages without callback. There has been no response to faxes or emails that I have sent requesting an update. They took my money and are enjoying collecting the interest in the bank while never delivering my order.

In the past, I had purchased photo storage from this company without a problem. I have liked the photo pages and albums, and I have put all of my thousands of photos in these. Last September (2010), I ordered a few more albums with pages (packages that I had ordered before). I was charged for them at that time. However, after a few months, I still had not received them. I called the company, which was a lengthy process, on hold for long periods of time. I was told the items were backordered and expected within 6 weeks.

6 weeks later, I wrote to their website but I did not get an answer, so I called again. As before, I was had to hold forever, and I was told that the items are still hadn't come in, it would be another 6 week. I had mentioned that I wrote to the company, and the representative said that no one answers those e-mails! Since I had all of my other photos in this type of storage, I decided to wait, and in fact, doubled my order so that I wouldn't have to wait so long next time I needed this product.

To make a long story short, I called frequently, was always told that the items were backordered and it would be about 6 more weeks. I asked for supervisors, but they were unavailable. The funny thing is, I still was receiving advertising selling the very product I was trying to get. But they didn't have it. ? This September I called again, and they said that they had part of the order, so I told them to send it. I received the pages but no binder (album cover). It took a year to get a partial order. Needless to say, I will not be ordering from them again.

On Dec. 26th, 2010, I placed an order with Century Photo for $131.79. And guess what? I have nothing! No products and no refund. My credit card was also charged when I ordered. I have also called many times and eventually got cut off after about an hour on the phone. I did get an answer in August, and was told a refund check would be sent, which I don't have. I've been e-mailed the same story, as all the other complaints I've read. Items are on back-order. They don't respond to calls or e-mails. What exactly can be done? If anyone knows, please share. This has been very frustrating and they owe a lot of people money. They need to pay up!

I ordered $37.00 worth of merchandise in March 2011. It is September, and I have received neither the merchandise nor a refund. I have called, written, and reported them to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General of CA. This company is filled with crooks. They should be arrested and thrown in jail.

I ordered 1 year ago on 9/3/10 for a total of $204.89. The order was never delivered. Many phone calls have been placed. Yet, it was charged to my credit card. I have been put off with comments like "these things are backordered - they will arrive in a month". But the month never arrives. Finally, I called and cancelled my order in June or July of 2011. I called in August looking for a reason why my account hadn't been refunded. I was told that by mid-September the money would be credited. Now, it's September 19, 2011 and no one answers the phone. I even had the BBB involved, but they couldn't get them to answer the phone. What is my recourse? Or, am I out $204.89?

I placed an order by telephone on 04 March 2011 and used my MasterCard. The charge was posted on 07 March and it was paid to NCD Brands (05624471700 CA). I still have not received my order as of 05 September 2011. I called in May and was told that the item was on back-order and they didn't know when it would be available (one of their most popular items). I have tried reaching them by phone for several weeks and after waiting hours on the phone for customer service and new orders, I couldn't get through. They are saying that they have an automated call-back system but that is apparently not true.

They have ripped me off for $36.49. Is it legal to charge a credit card before you mail an order? I can't help but feel that this action is intentional and Century Photo is morally corrupt. They should be shut down.

On December 20, 2010, I ordered photo pages and photo albums. My credit card was charged for $169.39. On 1/6/11, I called, reordered and was advised that they are backordered due to "factory problems". I was advised to call back in mid-Feb. On 2/25/11, I called but they said "still on backorder, maybe end of March" and "we'll notify me by email when shipped".

On 4/13/11, I called but "We are presently entering a new contract for raw materials to make the photo pages. It should be available by the end of May or early June. We'll ship it to you". I called again on 6/17/11 but was advised that "another month, as per upper management". I canceled the order and was to get a refund check for $169.39 since we cannot credit back to our credit card. They said the system will generate check within three weeks. I called on 8/8/11 for the refund check. I was advised that they are processing this month. Photo pages should be available this month. I called in 9/1/11 and got a recorded message: "Sorry, call cannot be completed at this time. Try your call later". All subsequent calls received same message.

Obviously, I will never see my refund check. I would appreciate you, making this a general knowledge so others are not going to get caught up in this fraud. Thanks, John **

I placed an order on Sept. 30, 2010 for $132.75. The full amount was charged immediately to my credit card, but I only received a $5 item from the order. I called to inquire about the remaining products. I was told they were on back-order due to lack of vendor with appropriate materials. And I was told it would be about a month. I accepted this. I waited and called again only to be told the same story. Finally, I asked for a refund. And as of Aug 26, 2011, I still have not received it. I was told my credit card could not be refunded, and the check would be mailed within a few weeks. I have made 29 phone calls attempting to get resolution from Taylor ** as customer service supervisor, Sheila ** as call center supervisor, and Stephen ** as assistant to the president. I was refused connection to Gabe Bristol as president, as well as accounting department.

I understand that FTC's mail order rule allows 30-day shipment of product. And if not available, then the credit is issued to bank card within one billing cycle. Century Photo has far exceeded these time limits in violating the rule. If the product I ordered is available, I would like to receive it. However, if it is not available, then I expect an immediate refund. My family and I have used the company since the 1980's with great satisfaction until this occurrence. It is a shame. I filed complaints with FTC, BBB, and California Attorney General. Maybe if we all file, then something will be done. For the FTC web site, I chose 'other', 'other' and 'general merchandise retail by internet'. If you file a complaint, you will see what I mean. Good luck! I would be interested in class action lawsuit if one comes about.

I ordered this photo album on December 16, 2010, and they took my money. I waited and never heard of anything. I finally called by the end of January, and they said they were back-ordered. I waited again and called and again in February-- back-ordered. I finally told them to cancel my order and they said they would credit my charge account.They said about 10 days. Nothing. I called again in March and they said they were mailing me a check. Nothing. I called again in April and again a check would come in four weeks. Nothing again. I called in May and again a check would be mailed in four weeks. I asked to talk to the supervisor and he was not at his desk, but would call me that day. No one called. I called the next day to talk to the supervisor, and again, was not at his desk.

The only damage is I am out $23.79 and I know this is not a lot of money. But in checking further, there are hundreds of people that have been taken by this company. I have dealt with them for years and never had any problem so did not check on anything. I am upset that a company can still be in business and go on taking people's money. Some of them have lost hundreds of dollars.

I placed order on 6/3/11 online- no indication of back order given. 6/15/11, no products received? Spoke with Norma at Customer Service, she states items on back order and will not be delivered for at least one month! Asked to speak with Supervisor. Supervisor Taylor called me back. My complaints are:

- I double checked my all my folders including Junk and Deleted and I only received two e-mails from "Century Photo": confirming receipt of my membership on 6/3 and one promoting their products on 6/15.

If e-mail was sent under a different "From" address then I have an additional complaint... for messages as important as "Back Orders" consumer needs a clear indication who email is from. My Credit Card should not have been charged if products were not available! When requesting refund due to lack of fulfillment on their part, they indicated it would take minimum 3 weeks! My money will be in their account for product and services not rendered for over one month!