[senu]

Originally Posted by Lor3nzo

I discovered this forum when searching against "Crazy Cameras" and seeing that google offered "Crazy Cameras Scam" as a popular search option!

We have not used that "S" word here..

Anyway, progress so far is that I HAVE received a DHL tracking number and the parcel is making good progress across the USA. I placed the order on 25th and the tracking number arrived today (28th).

I will keep you advised on what happens here, but I am cautiously optimistic so far!

Well good luck , they seem to get it right sometimes but when they dont it is done spectacularly it seems

PS Complaints about CC are not just here, but there is more of the same here - Crazy Cameras www.crazycameras.co.uk Review in Online Camera Shops at Review Centre

Some of the posts seem familiar..

[Lor3nzo]

Originally Posted by senu

The idea that folk order , then find this forum and panic , then get a fantastic result is wearing thin

Just found this in an earlier post. I am a first time poster too, although my result is yet to be seen!

I suspect many people arrive at this forum because they do a google search after the strange phonecall from the Phillipines (asking for confirmation of info they have already given in the order!)

At that point I really thought this was a full blown scam - and that I had given out my credit card details to a complete stranger on other side of world. I am now reassured that CC are in fact a real trading company, albeit one with a string of complaints.

I will report back on my outcome, and am keeping my fingers crossed.

[Gradvlax]

Hey Lor3nzo, if you've got a DHL tracking number then it sounds like your order is on the way!

I think if i hadn't joined AVForums and posted here I would have gone through a LOT more waiting and anxiety at whether I would ever get my order.

I followed Jack Sparrow's suggestion (18th Sept) of posting my CC Order Number and got a call from James in Oregon who promised to sort it out asap. And he did.

So thanks very much everyone who's posted here and don't lose heart if you're still waiting for CC. KEEP AT THEM!

[Simon Denham]

I haven't read all of this thread, but pass on my experience.
I placed an order with Crazy Cameras for a Nikon flashgun on 15th September.
They said they were having trouble with suppliers.
I cancelled the order, my card was refunded on 28th September.
I actualy joined this forum to pass on my on going bad experience with Simply Electronics - Many promisies but No goods no refund after 5 weeks! - but don't see an open thread on the subject.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Simon Denham

I haven't read all of this thread, but pass on my experience.
I placed an order with Crazy Cameras for a Nikon flashgun on 15th September.
They said they were having trouble with suppliers.
I cancelled the order, my card was refunded on 28th September.
I actualy joined this forum to pass on my on going bad experience with Simply Electronics - Many promisies but No goods no refund after 5 weeks! - but don't see an open thread on the subject.

The Simply thread was getting out of hand and posters forced me to lock it You can PM me with your experience I will add it to the thread and make it a sticky in camcorders

[Birchwood]

Originally Posted by Birchwood

Like so many others I wish I had read this before I purchased a camera from Crazy Cameras.....

Here is my story....

I ordered a camera beginning September for my fathers 60th birthday, and the order and the delivery process were seamless. However, the camera was delivered with a US charger, and a travel adapter. The charger does not fit the adapter - and I have had several people check it to make sure it is not just me being a muppet. It isn't - it honestly doesn't fit.

Started to email CC - at the begining they were full of apologies, can I check, send pics etc. The then refunded me £3 for the travel adapter (which I didn't ask for - I want a UK charger). Explained this is unacceptable and they suggest I buy my own. I then point out that the warrenty is invalid is a non authorised adapter is used, and they are now ignoring all emails.

I have given them 14 days to reply then I will be following the info given earlier on this thread about how to complain in the USA. I dont want to invalidate the warrenty by buying my own charger, so I have given my father a camera that cant be used at present. Happy birthday dad!!

If you haven't already purchased from this company then please dont. I could not recommend them to anyone. Pay more and get decent service somewhere else.

CC-090912-152903-3483

Update on my post from yesterday:

After seeing my post here, CC called me this evening and we have resolved the situation amicably. Many thanks to CC.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Birchwood

Update on my post from yesterday:

After seeing my post here, CC called me this evening and we have resolved the situation amicably. Many thanks to CC.

Thanks for that
Im happy you got this resolution .. why does CC wait till these sorts of issues get this far....
In their defence , it suggests that they do listen.. eventually

[Wolo]

Crazy Cameras have got back to me via email just now, a whole 9 days after I first attempted to contact them.

They've said they'll process my refund, but I need to pay £70 shipping charge as per the terms of my order.!. No mention of the terms of my order where I ordered a DIFFERENT CAMERA. This is on a £250 camera, with free delivery.

Not crooks eh?

LOL!!!

[Simon Denham]

Originally Posted by senu

The Simply thread was getting out of hand and posters forced me to lock it You can PM me with your experience I will add it to the thread and make it a sticky in camcorders

Dear Senu,

Herewith my experience with Simply Electronics.

Regards

Simon DENHAM

I ordered a Nikon fit camera lens from Simply Electronics on 14th September 2009.
The item was advertised on Google.
At the time of ordering I was given the choice of buying using Google Checkout or dealing direct with Simply Electronics.
I nearly opted for the direct checkout as I have previously made two perfectly satisfactory purchases from them, each item being over £300.
I used the Google Checkout.
By 18th September it had been explained to me that the item I had ordered had, on inspection, a damaged box. It had to be returned to the supplier and for that reason the order could not be fulfilled.
I was asked to choose something else. As I didn’t want anything else I asked for a refund.
On 21st September I was told that I would be refunded my money because “I had cancelled my order”
There followed a series of civil exchanges, two or three a week. I asked for my refund and Simply Electronics explained that it was being dealt with as quickly as possible.
I told them I had commenced proceeding with my Credit card company because I suspected fraud (but the postal strike means I am still waiting for the paperwork to arrive). It did not seem to hurry the promised refund.
29th October – Today I have received my refund. It has taken over 5 weeks.

[Lor3nzo]

Update - good news for me. The lens arrived today, 2 days after shipping from US and with no duty to pay. All is well, and I am very pleased.

Message to others worrying about their money - CC are a genuine outfit, but seem to have had problems with customer service. Despite suspicious signs, their site is not a scam or fraud. Read all the reviews though before going ahead with an order!

My message to Crazy Cameras - make it more clear on your site that you are based in US but that shipping is still possible from US to UK in 2 days. Miss out the very strange and deeply suspicious phonecall from the Phillipines, which prompts people to worry, google, then try to cancel their order (thus giving you more unnecessary admin) and concentrate on improving all the customer service problems that others are experiencing.

I hope that I will buy again from CC, but only when I have read some consistently good reviews!

[senu]

Originally Posted by Simon Denham

Dear Senu,

Herewith my experience with Simply Electronics.

Regards

Simon DENHAM


I told them I had commenced proceeding with my Credit card company because I suspected fraud (but the postal strike means I am still waiting for the paperwork to arrive). It did not seem to hurry the promised refund.
29th October – Today I have received my refund. It has taken over 5 weeks.

Thanks Ive merged your post with the Simply thread which is now a locked sticky in camcorders

[slater86]

Hmm where do i start !!

Ordered item on 17Th Oct
Get a phone call on 18th asking for my bank details again on the phone !! Already given them on web site so not going to give them again to a random phone call..

Emailed them asking why they needs my card detail with 3 code pin on back again !

Finally agree that i was the person that ordered it.

23th Oct Emailed them again asking whats going on why on website does it still say order processing..

I could go on an on with email an stuff i have sent just wanting to know what is going on the you get different feed back everytime.

They say Sorry alot !!!!!!

Still awaiting on Item to be shipped god knows why but they last said it was Computer system problem... Lie's

------------------------
Still awaiting to be shipped an for tracking number

Very poor company !!!

[Now Hold On]

Here’s my story so far…

Dear CrazyCameras Customer,
Thank you for your recent order (placed Oct 22 2009 18:45).
Your Order Number is CC-091022-193455-4395.

I’m including this just so people can keep tabs on how Crazy Cameras perform. I also had the call to confirm my credit details the day after purchasing online. My method of payment was a Paypal top up card and the cash was deducted the next day when I checked.

So far, I can hardly complain too much at waiting 6 working days for something to be sent from the USA.

My order was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD. The price was £240 but it’s now gone up to £245. Website states ’41 in stock’

The shipping policy does state ‘Standard: 5-7 working days, (up to 30 working days in extreme circumstances)

The FAQs state ‘Orders are generally shipped within 3 - 5 business days (for items in-stock) from receiving your order and are generally received within 10 business days of placing an order.

As for some fearing that Crazy Cameras was just some card skimming operation, rest assured, if it was we would a few hundred people pointing to crime numbers which they would receive if they found their card was being milked. When people set up websites or hack into them to ‘skim’ credit card details, they usually hit hard and fast.

My own view is that Crazy Cameras have a good business idea but have not yet put it into practice. Buying cameras overseas has landed some people some good bargains, but maybe those people are not so eager to join a forum because they are playing with their new zoom lens or cameras! I know I would be!

As stated by others here, people are more likely to complain when a negative crops up. It might be that for everyone one person complaining, another hundred or so are happy and don’t feel the need to relate it on an advice forum. Shame really but that’s how people are.

So, for now I’m hoping my camera is delivered this week. I’m just an ordinary bloke who has a passion for photography but not the cash to buy any major kit. I’ll leave Crazy Cameras on the 10 working day limit and if there is no joy I will hopefully get a refund like many here seem to have done.

For Crazy Cameras, they need to make it clear its operating from the USA – this should be on the front page, although to be fair, when a website offers shipping advice, it’s usually another country!

Having shopped online for myself and many others, I’ve had delays in deliveries 30 mile up the road which has stretched on for weeks. Waiting for ten days to get something from the USA is not really what you would call ‘appalling’.

I’m sitting this one out for now.

I will update as anything happens and certainly be showing a crime number and joining up to 100 forums to scream ‘crime!!!’ if my account was milked.

(In the UK, if you report any fraudulent activity on a credit or debit card or bank accounts, you will be given a crime number.

Good luck, and hope to maybe stick around here for the good advice on all the forums.


CC-091022-193455-4395.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Now Hold On

....
My own view is that Crazy Cameras have a good business idea but have not yet put it into practice. Buying cameras overseas has landed some people some good bargains, but maybe those people are not so eager to join a forum because they are playing with their new zoom lens or cameras! I know I would be!

I have stated moderation in language here calling them crooks without proof but some of the allegations do seem to go beyond poor service.

As stated by others here, people are more likely to complain when a negative crops up.

Should they not?
There are several examples of very shoddy customer service which are really a slap on the face after taking money off a credit card or delivering the wrong item ect

It might be that for everyone one person complaining, another hundred or so are happy and don’t feel the need to relate it on an advice forum. Shame really but that’s how people are

.
This maybe true up to a point, but it is also true that many who have a grouse may not be motivated to post, just keen to get it all sorted in the background
I reject the idea that folk just love a moan.
This level of complaints has arisen because of consistent and numerous examples of poor service. Even a significant minority is not good
If CC have so many customers that the complaints only represent a small percentage then they owe it to themselves ( and customers) to increase work force and adopt work practices which identify potential complaints an nip them in the bud

As for complaining.. it is part of our " culture is it not? . Eg NHS .. Patients charter?. If you the customere shuts up ad put up with it ( when thing go belly up) and not complain how do you get a company to redress their service to you and improve as a corporate body?.. It not just about Profits

For Crazy Cameras, they need to make it clear its operating from the USA – this should be on the front page, although to be fair, when a website offers shipping advice, it’s usually another country!
Having shopped online for myself and many others, I’ve had delays in deliveries 30 mile up the road which has stretched on for weeks. Waiting for ten days to get something from the USA is not really what you would call ‘appalling’.

No but many have waited for far longer. If the kit were for a birthday gift / Anniversary ect and missed its deadline only for you to then be given an order different from what was ordered , it would start being so not trivial !

My take is that CC and other companies should just get thier act together and minimise complaints. They will not improve if we spring to their defence when they get it right now and again( which I have no doubt they do)
Consistency is lacking and that is why this thread exists
I really do not like any insinuation that they are misunderstood and folk like complaining.. A lot of folk are out of pocket and waiting to be sorted and they really don't deserve to

I would love this thread to stop being relevant because CC have become the darling of online purchasers
but
trying to divert from the fact of poor performance by flagging up the odd good service or implying folk who complain are a " whinging" minority isnt going to help that cause

[Now Hold On]

Senu, I'm genuinely sorry if I make it seem I'm defending Crazy Camera's or worse, trying to belittle folk who have been treated shoddily by them.

Having read some of the comments here, I'd be horrified if I was running Crazy Cameras and was giving customers the run-around. That said, it is hard to judge what percentage are getting less than a decent service.

I suppose this forum is going some way to correct that as this thread comes up when you type in Crazy Cameras. Online retailers do depend on feedback. This thread alone could be marking up thousands of UK pounds worth of losses. People who do research reviews do take notice when enough people call from the same viewpoint.

I may yet be joining that list of very irate customers if my camera does not come or there are any hiccups with getting my money back. £240 is a lot of cash for me. Pretty much the last chunk of change from 2009, bar cash for Christmas presents.

But I'm being philosophical about it - and like a few others have stated - I should have reviewed the company first. Rule no 1 of internet shopping was broken by me and more besides. Sadly you cannot shop online without knowing some of the basics and adhering to the rules. Many I am sure were so excited to find their particular camera or lens online, in stock and at a decent price, that they simply got the credit or debit card out and presumed all was well.

So in a way we might be 'lucky'. We have learnt a valuable lesson because anyone buying online should actually search for reviews long before they get that card out and start anticipating the arrival of their goods.

Make no mistake, even if my camera arrives this week, I'm going to be ultra-careful in future and always veer towards a web retail company with good feedback on a number of forums.

I hope you understand that whilst I've only waited 6 working days I'll be twitching as the week progresses. (its day 7 tomorrow) I'm already in outlook express every 5 bloody minutes, hoping, praying, for that almost mystical DHL email of good tidings.

If I don't get what I paid for, I'll kick up a fuss also and make sure I start a thread on Crazy Cameras on all the little forums I visit. I would also link to this thread in particular for anyone looking to spend half an hour reading a review! This I like especially when its your hard earned cash on the nail.

I just hope also that the camera does have a full UK guarantee in the event of any problems.

Yours, CC-091022-193455-4395

[Mal Function]

EPIC - OR WHAT?

Senu - you have your work cut out here!

Blimey thought it was a long post, its turning into War & Peace..... this should be a sticky thread

A few things I have picked up on reading all of this.......

Yes, everyone wants a good deal and the lowest price and thats why we hand over the minimum of our hard earned beer tokens for our lovely camera gear, but I read this before buying my lens so I am really thankful to this thread. .
- Im really gutted for you who are in the Twilight Zone with products and refunds, the best you can do is link this thread to other forums you belong to, to warn people away from Crazy Cameras

I managed to trade off Jessops with another Canon Pro dealer and got a cracking price.... Thanks to The Flash Centre, but Jacobs, Jessops Warehouse express all were close to each other but with CC The price just seemed too good to be true... and it was.....
I'd recommend that paying a bit more for over the counter here secures not only peoples jobs but peoples sanity

Just a thought.....Is it me or does it seem like that CC go out and buy the stock as they need it? It seems that the majority of orders (Fuji stuff) that have been quickly dispatched are the low end stuff and the higher value takes ages? Is this why they need to "confirm" the credit card details again? Are they ordering it from somewhere else?

[corbetp]

Dont touch them with a barge pole or you will lose your money. See what the others on this forum have to say. I am 700 pounds out of pocket no delivery in over a month no goods no refund no option to cancel.
Regards Peter

[corbetp]

Hi all
I have the same problem. I placed a 700 pound order over a month ago. No delivery, no emails, no reply, cant cancel. I have a realy bad feeling. Is there anyway dissatisfied customers could organise a class action against this company

[martin001]

hello folks,
having the same problems as you guys, ordered a 64gb ipod touch from crazy camera 8 days ago, money (283 quid) came out my account in an instant and then my order status sat at "in process" and didnt budge. At the same time someone tried to scam 1300 quid on a pcworld online transaction using my card, luckily pcworld cancelled it (found out this when i phoned them) as the delivery address didnt match the address the card was registered too. Needless to say I cancelled the card.
Emails to crazy camera have resulted in the same "problems with our suppliers" excuse and they cannot say when my item will be shipped, yet have taken my cash, i asked for it by this thursday but no DHL tracking stuff has been sent and my order is still "in process" so thats unlikely. They are now ignoring my emails and i'm getting an answering machine when i try phoning them.
In one email they offered to give me my money back (why not just sort the order instead!!) but they cant now as i had to cancel my card. I hve started a dispute with my credit card company, they are sending out the details, just need to get through to crazy camera to tell them. The customer service at this place is shocking, they look like a legit uk company at first. I only found out how crap they were when i got suspicious after the fraudulent transaction and looked them up and found this thread.
Any advice? should i just go down the dispute road..

[martin001]

just to add to this, i could get the same item from amazon delivered by 1pm tomorrow for only £15 more........oh why did i have to be such a cheapskate.

[martin001]

also, does anyone know how much that 0808 number costs to call, worried i'm going to get a world record phone bill.

[john039]

Originally Posted by martin001

also, does anyone know how much that 0808 number costs to call, worried i'm going to get a world record phone bill.

Doing a quick check on Google gives.......
Calls to 0800, 0808 and 0500 numbers are free if made from a UK landline

[martin001]

thanks for that, thought it might be a pound a minute or something.
Needless to say i am now getting their answering machine saying "no-one is available to talk right now" - doing my head in.

[shotokan101]

Originally Posted by martin001

thanks for that, thought it might be a pound a minute or something.
Needless to say i am now getting their answering machine saying "no-one is available to talk right now" - doing my head in.

I think someone mentioned that their telephone support is Philipines based - so check the time difference and pick a timeslot accordingly.

Jim

[Now Hold On]

Here’s my ‘live chat’ session that I’ve just had.....

Mr Increasingly Annoyed: Greetings, I purchased a camera on 22 Oct and I would like to cancel my order of CC-091022-193455-4395 if this order is not forthcoming.

Welcome! Please hold while we contact a representative. If a representative does not respond in a few seconds, then he/she is not available at this time.

Currently 4 chat request session(s) before you.

The system is too busy so I’ve had to email the above message.


Crazy Cameras results in Google come in by the million. The trouble with Google is that the search engine is swayed by whoever pays to get into the top positions for various brands of popular cameras. My cameras came up in such a search. Maybe yours did also. Therefore, Google might be also one of those who might be contacted, especially in the case of more serious instances reported here.



PS - I've read a few people pointing to bank accounts being defrauded, if your feeling nervous then can you not change the security code on the card? Or put the card on hold so that no other payments can be made. No way am I cancelling my card as that would leave a refund pretty much difficult to obtain. Thankfully I only have a few pounds left and will not be using again, more due to Paypals 2.5% hike on top up fees than CC.



Good luck to all in the same boat.


Yours on the roller coaster of emotions - CC-091022-193455-4395

[smoon]

Originally Posted by smoon

Following countless e mails to Crazy Cameras and them requesting FURTHER photos of case and customs invoice (that shows value of contents as $37), they have responded to Better Business Bureau stating that they believe customer(me) is lying!!

It's driving me mad but will not let go, can't believe the unprofessionalism of this cowboy company

Original complaint in Aug: got a camera case not a camera

Ok, getting sick of this and feel like throwing in the towel but apart from the principle involved and being £160 out of pocket, I want, through this forum, to let anyone thinking of using Crazy what they may be getting involved in. Following above response from Crazy to The BBB, they got back to them refuting this and received this reply:

“We do not ship cases alone. Our inventory is accurate,therefore, we shipped her the camera"


This was the sum total of their reply. This is despite the e mail below being sent to them detailing that the case is on their web site –on it’s own!

“See below a copy of the exact case you sent that I found on your web site. How can I have the item below along with an invoice if I did not get it from you?

I am still awaiting details of your CEO or similar level.”

Olympus Neoprene Soft Digital
Camera Case

Olympus Neoprene Soft Digital Camera Case
Crazy Price: £7.99
Original Price: £9.99
Crazy Savings: £2.00 (20% savings!)
usually dispatches in 24-48 hours

Perhaps if The BBB are inundated someone will take notice and take steps to avoid all this aggravation.

complaints@thebbb.org

[Mal Function]

To all [inappropriate wording removed by admin]
Why dont you let Watchdog know so at least the word will get out to a few more people, to stop them buying. You will at least get some satisfaction doing this, after all if enough of you get them to look at this post I think they will get the message

I think trying to approach google may be worth a punt, but at the end of the day they are both in the business of making £$£$£ and goggle wont stop taking CC's advertising £$£$ !

Dont forget also to let friends family and forums know your CC experince (good or bad)!

[Now Hold On]

Ok, I've just had a development and received an email re my order.

As seen in my previous post I asked for a refund [yesterday] if the camera was not forthcoming. My response is as follows....

"Hi (name removed),

We will submit a request to our shipping department to process the cancellation of your order. Kindly check the status of your order within the next 24 hours.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

Please email us if you still need further assistance.

Thank You,
Crazy Cameras
Customer Support Team L"

I'll post back as soon as anything else happens.

I guess Bonfire Night will be spent with a Kodak Easyshare on 'firework setting'.

Yours CC-091022-193455-4395

Updated - another email came in from Crazy Camera's

"Dear CrazyCameras Customer,

Thank you for your recent order (placed Oct 22 2009 18:45).
Your Order Number is CC-091022-193455-4395.


"Your order was recently cancelled. If this is in error please contact us at support@crazycameras.co.uk.

Charges to your card will take 5-7 days to process"

[Heuer]

I placed an order with Crazy Cameras a week ago based on the "in stock" and "24-48 hour" delivery promise. I need the camera as a present and as my order now seems to be stuck in 'in process' it does not look as if I will get it in time. I have asked to cancel so I can go out and buy the camera in my local high street in time for the celebration or I will keep the order if they will ship today. Hopefully I will hear from them soon

CC-091028-171419-9150

[Heuer]

Wow that was fast! Just got a phone call from James saying the camera would be shipped on Monday. James has been employed specifically to deal with these sort of complaints and is working hard to change their business model for the better. Told him not to cancel my order and go ahead. Also expressed my hope they could improve the customer satisfaction. I will post again as things progress but reasonable to give the company a chance.

And before anyone starts on about me being a Crazy Cameras crony you can check out my credentials on various audio, watch, camera and car forums under the same username.