Anyone ever used Rankhour.com?

mmace · 14-02-2007, 10:16 AM

I am buying the HDR-HC5 and they come up as 2nd cheapest with the camera in stock.

I bought the camera at 8:30 this morning with my Maestro card, I still haven't received any sort of confirmation from them, and when putting in my card details it never asked for an expiry date

has anyone used them before?
how do you rate them?

I've never heard of them before this morning

TIA

mmace · 16-02-2007, 8:22 AM

well, since no one replied, I'll write my experience in case anyone searches in the future

on Tuesday I emailed asking if they had the Sony HC5 in stock, Wednesday they replied that yes, they do and it's the UK model.
8:30AM I placed an order for one, by 11AM I had received no form of response or confirmation of my order.
I emailed them stating this, within 10 minutes I got a reply saying that I should take the email as confirmation (nice & professional!)

I paid for next day delivery so asked my wife to wait in all day, by 6PM I emailed them asking where it was, within 30 minutes I got a "notice of delivery" emailing saying that it had been sent that night (nearly 36 hours after I ordered it) and to expect the delivery from ******-link tomorrow (today, Friday)

so basically, if you're going to use them, don't expect ANY communication, and don't expect your goods to be shipped when they say they will, you have to email them to remind them to send the goods!

redsox_mark · 16-02-2007, 8:37 AM

I had not heard of rankhour.com; looks like they are Tottenham Court Road based shop which has branched out into web sales. Hopefully the camcorder will come today in good condition. Let us know what you think of the HC5 once you've tried it out.

Ixion · 16-02-2007, 8:40 AM

I am up for buying a Sony HC7 and I am watching the sites of about eleven sellers, most are stating that they have this model in stock, but my instinct is telling me that they are fibbing.
Probably because the new Sony models are due for release on Monday the 19th at the earliest I believe.

P.S I would be pleased if I am proved wrong and even more pleased if you recieve your HC5 today!

mmace · 16-02-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ixion

I am up for buying a Sony HC7 and I am watching the sites of about eleven sellers, most are stating that they have this model in stock, but my instinct is telling me that they are fibbing.
Probably because the new Sony models are due for release on Monday the 19th at the earliest I believe.

P.S I would be pleased if I am proved wrong and even more pleased if you recieve your HC5 today!

I've been in touch with purely gadgets, they have the HC5 and HC7 UK models in stock ready to send out, but I won't use them for personal reasons

I have a tracking number for my HC5, so it's definitely on its way to me

Ixion · 16-02-2007, 10:32 AM

Thanks Maff, glad to hear you have a tracking number.

When you receive your HC5 would you give us your first impressions, in a new thread maybe?

I shall wait until next week before ordering (New credit card month then)

mmace · 16-02-2007, 10:33 AM

Will do, but don't think it'll be too different from the HC3 which died on me

mmace · 16-02-2007, 10:58 AM

the HC5 arrived at 9AM this morning
will have a mess with it tonight & tomorrow, anyone wanting to know anything about it that you want me to try?

redsox_mark · 16-02-2007, 11:05 AM

Would be interested in how it performs indoors in lowish light. This is supposed to be improved over the HC3.

mmace · 16-02-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Would be interested in how it performs indoors in lowish light. This is supposed to be improved over the HC3.

I'm hoping so, as that will be what I'm shooting a lot of the time (baby due any day and I also film a lot of local bands concerts!)

**senu** · 16-02-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmace

the HC5 arrived at 9AM this morning
will have a mess with it tonight & tomorrow, anyone wanting to know anything about it that you want me to try?

Yes!

Why do you think it wont be much better than the HC3?

mmace · 16-02-2007, 11:25 AM

well, what do you want me to look at on it?

I just don't think it'll be a HUGE jump from the HC3, I know it's supposed to be a bit better, but I'll have to wait and see tonight!

**senu** · 16-02-2007, 12:34 PM

Just first impressions of handling and image Quality really...
( size, controls) viewfinder/ LCD screen

allengn · 16-02-2007, 1:49 PM

I'm sorry that mmace had such poor service, my experience was somewhat different.

I wanted to purchase a Panasonic FZ7 digital camera for my son for his birthday last August. Rankhour were one of if not the cheapest (£223.95 plus £2.99 delivery) and their website showed the camera to be in stock.

I registered with the company, and as I wanted the camera delivered to my wife's work address, (to save the hassle of delivery to an empty house) I faxed through to them, as requested by them, a copy of my driving licence to confirm my home address. (My wife's work address is also registered as a delivery address with my Credit Card company).

I was contacted by them by phone within 10 minutes of sending the fax to confirm the alternative delivery address was acceptable. The order was then placed on-line, accepted and despatched all on the same day, the camera was delivered to my wife at work the next day.

In regards to communication, I had a total of 4 e:mails from them: 1 to confirm registration, 1 to confirm the order had been placed, 1 to state it had been shipped and 1 containing an electronic copy of the invoice.

In my view this is how internet shopping should work and I would use again.

By the way, camera has been excellent and I have no connection with Rankhour other than as a customer.

mmace · 16-02-2007, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allengn

In my view this is how internet shopping should work and I would use again.

yes, that's exactly how it should work, and it usually does with other retailers

mmace · 16-02-2007, 4:03 PM

even more reason to not like Rankhour, I've just got home and you can see on the box where a security seal used to be, there wasn't one and the box could just be opened

everything seems there

initial thoughts of the HC5:
much neater than the HC3, the main outputs are in a row inder the LCD, the usb is inside the LCD near the memory stick slot, the HDMI has it's own bit on the back with DC just under it.
the covers for all these ports feel and work a lot better than the HC3's

and the silver body is nice and shiny!

the battery was completely empty, which I find unusual, most these days are half full so not played with it yet, it's charging right now

**senu** · 16-02-2007, 4:45 PM

Not just Rankhour, Im afraid. It seems that online/mail-order retailers who also have shops sometimes rarely sell "ex demo". though more often it is merely brand new previously inspected goods leading to broken seals and empty batteries

I suspect the empty battery is a coincidence though

Glad your initial impressions are good though