adorama

*DanLoc78* · 08-06-2008, 10:51 AM

anyone here ever bought anything from Adorama that was rated 'D'? They have something I've got my eye on but I don't want to pull the trigger for some reason.

ftpaddict · 08-06-2008, 10:56 AM

Eh, I really wouldn't touch that one. Unless it cost $5.

ryan s · 08-06-2008, 11:24 AM

Isn't D for Demo?

stevebrot · 08-06-2008, 01:54 PM

Yes, "D" is for demo and indicates the lens is in showroom, like-new condition. They usually ask premium prices for those items.

Steve

*Damn Brit* · 08-06-2008, 07:06 PM

Wouldn't touch Adorama, period.

Helen Oster · 08-10-2008, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Wouldn't touch Adorama, period.

I was sorry to read your posting - you have clearly had a less than happy experience shopping from Adorama. If you ever have a problem with Adorama, I am here to help.

It is certainly true that in the past we made mistakes - lots of them. But during the past year, a new approach to customer service and changes within some of our staff teams, have been put in place.

The Adorama store in New York recently underwent a huge facelift - increasing the size of the store threefold.
The Adorama website has been overhauled, and throughout the company more stringent checks to improve the ordering and supply process.

If you ever have a query or concern regarding an order from Adorama, you are welcome to contact me directly: helen.oster@adoramacamera.com

Sincerely
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

skid2964 · 08-10-2008, 07:46 AM

I bought a "D" item from Adorama, it was a Pentax *istD. It looked brand new, but it had hot pixel problems, just like many *istD cameras.
They fixed this probem quickly and made me completely satisfied.

I have bought many things from them before this and many things after.

I would never hesitate to do business with Adorama.

That's where I got my new Optio W60! Cheaper than anywhere else I might add!

Helen Oster · 08-10-2008, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by skid2964

I bought a "D" item from Adorama, it was a Pentax *istD. It looked brand new, but it had hot pixel problems, just like many *istD cameras.
They fixed this probem quickly and made me completely satisfied.

I have bought many things from them before this and many things after.

I would never hesitate to do business with Adorama.

That's where I got my new Optio W60! Cheaper than anywhere else I might add!

Skid - many thanks for the recommendation for Adorama Camera -very much appreciated

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

*Damn Brit* · 08-10-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Helen Oster

I was sorry to read your posting - you have clearly had a less than happy experience shopping from Adorama. If you ever have a problem with Adorama, I am here to help.

It is certainly true that in the past we made mistakes - lots of them. But during the past year, a new approach to customer service and changes within some of our staff teams, have been put in place.

The Adorama store in New York recently underwent a huge facelift - increasing the size of the store threefold.
The Adorama website has been overhauled, and throughout the company more stringent checks to improve the ordering and supply process.

If you ever have a query or concern regarding an order from Adorama, you are welcome to contact me directly: helen.oster@adoramacamera.com

Sincerely
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

Blah! blah! blah!

patrickt · 08-10-2008, 02:58 PM

"Blah! blah! blah!"
Now there's a thoughtful, informative and mature comment.

I have not used Adorama but I would check Resellers Ratings and go from there. I have bought a lot of "demo" and "open box" items from other sources and have always been happy. Hey, I'm pretty cheap. I even bought two laptop computers that had been returned once and paid peanuts. The store said they weren't worth fixing. One I fixed in the BIOS while I stood there and the other I "fixed" by reseating the RAM. Perhaps four minutes.

My opinion is, if the seller allows returns, had a decent reputation, and you know enough about what you're buying to check it out, go with the demo if the price is right.

*Damn Brit* · 08-10-2008, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by patrickt

"Blah! blah! blah!"
Now there's a thoughtful, informative and mature comment.

Sorry, but I had a real PITA experience and it's what I feel about Adoramas customer service. I have yet to see any evidence that Ms. Osters (and this should not be taken as an insult to her) function for Adorama is anything more than paying lip service to the idea of customer service.

Helen Oster · 08-11-2008, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Sorry, but I had a real PITA experience and it's what I feel about Adoramas customer service. I have yet to see any evidence that Ms. Osters (and this should not be taken as an insult to her) function for Adorama is anything more than paying lip service to the idea of customer service.

Let me get this clear in my head; you've never contacted me about a problem with an Adorama purchase, yet you are fine with suggesting that I'm either unable or unwilling to deliver?

I'm not usually one to 'blow my own trumpet', if you are seeking 'evidence', maybe you'd like to Google - 'Helen Oster Adorama', and find just a couple of dozen of responses from Adorama customers who I've done considerably more than paid 'lip service' to. Then you could report back to the Forum.

I would be interested if you could find a single customer who I've been involved with, who I have helped to resolve an issue, who was dissatisfied with what I did for them - unless perhaps their minds were totally closed to the idea of a company caring enough about its customers to employ somebody to trawl the Internet to actively seek out problems and do something about them.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

patrickt · 08-11-2008, 06:51 AM

Helen: With all due respect, companies to have a reputation. I have been treated badly by Adobe on more than one occasion. They appear to have a policy, which they don't want to discuss, of charging different prices in different countries. That's their right but it should be a secret. Years ago, I tried to download a $100 add-on and it wouldn't download. I sent them two emails and they never responded. I phone them, international rates, and ended up with a very expensive phone call and a response of, "You cannot download that program from the U.S. when you're in Mexico." More recently, I encountered the same problem when trying to download Lightroom2. Fine, my opinion of Adobe is not good.

On the other hand, there is a Lightroom forum with two apparent employees of Adobe who could not be more concerned, courteous, or competent and, in my opinion, it's a shame they are working for Adobe.

I thought the previous response to you was inappropriate and was personal but the poster has an absolute right to his opinion of the company. I have known some wonderful people who worked for terrible companies.

I thought your posting, identifying yourself as an employee of Adorama and giving an opinion was honest, straight-forward, and it struck me as positive. I hope to see more from you and would seriously suggest you avoid pursuing arguments with people who dislike your company. There really isn't anything you can do about that except try to build a reservoir of satisfied customers. If you ever reach the point where people in that reservoir choose to comment, you will have succeeded.

Helen Oster · 08-11-2008, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by patrickt

Helen: With all due respect, companies to have a reputation. I have been treated badly by Adobe on more than one occasion. They appear to have a policy, which they don't want to discuss, of charging different prices in different countries. That's their right but it should be a secret. Years ago, I tried to download a $100 add-on and it wouldn't download. I sent them two emails and they never responded. I phone them, international rates, and ended up with a very expensive phone call and a response of, "You cannot download that program from the U.S. when you're in Mexico." More recently, I encountered the same problem when trying to download Lightroom2. Fine, my opinion of Adobe is not good.

On the other hand, there is a Lightroom forum with two apparent employees of Adobe who could not be more concerned, courteous, or competent and, in my opinion, it's a shame they are working for Adobe.

I thought the previous response to you was inappropriate and was personal but the poster has an absolute right to his opinion of the company. I have known some wonderful people who worked for terrible companies.

I thought your posting, identifying yourself as an employee of Adorama and giving an opinion was honest, straight-forward, and it struck me as positive. I hope to see more from you and would seriously suggest you avoid pursuing arguments with people who dislike your company. There really isn't anything you can do about that except try to build a reservoir of satisfied customers. If you ever reach the point where people in that reservoir choose to comment, you will have succeeded.

You are quite correct, the reputation of a company is a reflection of its least able employee - unfortunately, the actions of just one or two, usually overshadows those of the best of the rest.

I certainly have no intention of getting into an argument with the poster on this forum who has decided to address me in a manner which he would not do, were I in the same room as him.

If however he would like to contact me directly: helen.oster@adoramacamera.com, I can send him copies of dozens of emails from satisfied Adorama customers who have come to me for help or support.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

jmdeegan · 08-11-2008, 08:23 AM

Have not purchased from Adorama, but I've done demos/floor models from elsewhere before. My biggest thing is to make sure what the return policy is, warranty etc.
If the price is substantially cheaper and it makes you happy, you weigh the pros and cons and go for it (or not).

As for customer service specific to Adorama, Helen has helped me out on at least one occasion coming to mind. With any good operation, you recognize issues and weaknesses and you aim to improve things. My impression is that that is what Adorama is doing, since I am pretty sure she wasn't in that role when you had your bad experience DB.

My thought on that tho is, if it so soured you, either discuss in PM with her, or just don't discuss. I have soured on many retailers and brands in the past, and I just won't buy the products or from the stores anymore. Won't say anything beyond "I won't shop there", and I leave it as a personal choice. Take the high road