Adorama Camera

I have never had a single problem over the last six weeks making about 15 purchases totaling about 13K, many returns made by mistake, getting refunded, or shipping. I only regret not purchasing their awesome VIP360 membership which I will do tomorrow if they can cover my recent purchases (they have never said no to me). They also have great support, a learning center, Adorama TV, and so many more benefits. Seriously, as a big Amazon shopper, I buy all my camera gear and lighting from Adorama only. They are also a big company with many customers, but some people are just never happy no matter what you do for them. Some of the negative comments here are suspect for me because of my experience with Adorama, and they don’t deserve some of the comments made here.

After series of emails and calls I got written email that refund will be issued. After weeks of no refund checked with Adorama, now they say you will get store credit and no information of this was passed on to me. Then I asked for reverting this store credit to my credit card used, now new information that I will be getting cheque instead of fund transfer to my credit card. Somewhere I read in this forum that issued cheque was not accepted by bank. This seems going nowhere to me. Any help please!

Being suspicious of other products from Adorama, I took the last photo from the camera and uploaded to a utility on the Pentax website (since this was a Pentax camera). That utility is meant to tell the shutter count on a camera. My new camera should have had zero or a very low number (maybe in testing it at the company), but instead I found the number to be way higher than what should be expected on a new camera. I believe, like that macro lens, I was sold a used product and charged for a new item.

I tried contacting Adorama and nobody responded to my inquiries. I posted a question on their Facebook page on 20200322, simply asking if others had noticed this with the gear they bought from Adorama (paid for new, got used). I then shared my experience of the sales this month. Nowhere did I slam the company or say anything bad - I simply asked a question of others and shared my experience. Within minutes, that post was removed by Adorama. I assume they didn't want anyone hearing of another's concerns over this type of matter. Interesting that their Facebook page does not allow for Reviews either. Maybe they are hiding bad business practices!

I again tried contacting Adorama to inquire about a return. Since I had already opened up the packages for extra batteries and charged them and since I had used the camera (about ten pictures) - would I get a 100% refund. Nothing! No response! I tried using their Facebook page, a form on their website and an email - NOTHING! I tried their chat, but it's down - probably for the weekend. I run a photography group in my town - probably 200 people or so. Like my post on Adorama's site - I did not blast this company or tell anyone not to shop with them. I simply told people of my experience of spending a lot of money for new products and then received used products. Many people have already expressed surprise and concern that a company with such a well-known name would conduct such business practices.

I have a lot of other equipment in this sale - two lenses for example. How do I know if these are new or used? They don't look scuffed or anything, but neither did the camera. Those lenses, like the camera were in bubble wrap, but not sealed in any way. To anyone reading this - just be careful and aware that you may get a used product for the cost of a new product from Adorama. Should you buy a camera - do an Internet search to learn how you can check the shutter count on your camera. Every major camera manufacturer has a utility for their line of cameras to do this. Don't settle for a used camera if you bought it at new prices.

As of this writing - this matter is not resolved. I spent some time checking on reviews online about Adorama - which I should have done prior to this sale. I didn't because I've purchased other items at Adorama over the years. I wonder now how many of those items were actually used instead of new. I also didn't check prior to my purchase because so many major review sites rave about Adorama. However, the reviews I looked at today are from consumers. Not good! Many, and I mean many, give Adorama a rating of one. Many also have complained about getting used items at new prices. What a shame! That a company of this size, and one raved about by so many camera company websites, conducts business in this way. Other people, by the way, have expressed major concerns about the customer service at Adorama being very poor. I'm seeing that very thing right now. Yes, what a shame!

It has been 18 days now and it is STILL not resolved.. I once again called Adorama and asked to speak to a supervisor, I was placed on hold for 12 minutes and then the CS rep came back and said that the supervisor (Nancy **) refused to take my call stating she would look into it and get back to me..I then asked to speak to a Manager and was told they were all busy and was assured one would call me back before the end of of the day...Not surprising that I never heard back from the manager. I don't feel that Nancy should be in the position of Ambassador CS if she can't and won't address and resolve issues that arise. I have cancelled my credit account with Adorama and will NEVER do business with them again...Funny thing is...I went on B&H website, found the same item, 50.00 cheaper, ordered it and had it in 4 days...They have definitely earned by business from now on.