Opinions on retailer - The Lens Factory (.co.uk)

[Broxi1979]

I was looking to pick up a digital camera before I go my hols and this site seemed to have the best price, the website itself looks pretty polished but when someone is the cheapest by a fair bit, I get suspicious.

Have any of you camera guys any experience of this web retailer, if they're on the level, I will place my order tonight.

Thanks

 

[Munchkinn]

It might look like a polished website, but loads of links didn't work for me. I've never heard of them before either. Unless someone can vouch for them, or you can find some reviews I would stick to known suppliers personally.

 

[Broxi1979]

It might look like a polished website, but loads of links didn't work for me. I've never heard of them before either. Unless someone can vouch for them, or you can find some reviews I would stick to known suppliers personally.

Nightmare!!

I just hit the confirm button, I will report back on whether I recieve the camera or not. I paid via paypal .. I dunno if they have payment insurance at all.

 

[NiggyG]

The website has only been up since Feb 08 and to me although it looks very nice it isn't finished. I'm not sure on this one. I wouldn't risk it with my own money. If buying anything use a credit card that gives you protection!

GCAW TradeLeads.at


Domain name:
thelensfactory.co.uk

Registrant:
Ashley Brown

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
Unit W6, Wellington Court
Preston Farm Business Park
Stockton
Stockton-On-Tees
TS18 3TA
GB

Registrar:
Fasthosts Internet Ltd [Tag = FASTHOSTS]
URL: Web Hosting - Web Hosting Company UK - Fasthosts

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 27-Feb-2008
Renewal date: 27-Feb-2010

 

[TonyH]

interesting address, coz the one on the website is this:

Registered Address (Please Do Not Use This Address For Returns):
31 DASHWOOD AVENUE
HIGH WYCOMBE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HP12 3DZ
UNITED KINGDOM

which throws up 4 companies on google, namely an accountants, a window film company, a catering equipment company and an electronic component company.

Hmmm and he only takes payment by google checkout and paypal. I wouldn't use the site personally. For high value goods like camera equipment I would be looking for credit card protection.

 

[late8]

Have just bought a Panasonic of them Saturday - (Website was functioning then!!) Got payment confirmation and account details sent via email - so that went ok.

Unfortunately heard nothing since - I presume they will process weekend orders on the Monday back but so far my camera hasn't been dispatched. The Payment went out under 'Big City Digital' - another camera website with the same telephone no etc.
The phone has been engaged today when I tried (around 5ish) - probably because the website is down, they seem genuine but I'm concerned they haven't kept to their '24hour delivery aim' and some posts I found on google about Big City Digital were a concern.

will keep you posted- I sent a e-mail and will be ringing them tomorrow as I need the camera asap!!!

I PAID VIA CREDIT CARD- SO THEY DO ACCEPT

As for the site- it has been done by a design company http://www.visualsoft.co.uk/the-lens-factory-ecommerce-web-design-127.htm

 

[late8]

HELL ON EARTH
After hearing nothing from them I tried getting through via the phone. I rang god knows how many times - all yesterday and all this morning. Each time it went on either engaged or range on and on and on.

So this morning sent a harsh e-mail asking to cancel my order and I will be on to trading standards if I hear nothing- 5min later they ring me!!! - Basically he said they can send a silver one instead of black tomorrow (obviously black was out of stock) I got no apology and hopefully the card will be refunded.

They seem genuine to a point- but the customer service is dreadful! and i dont trust them.

ANYWAY ALL IS NOW GOOD - I managed to get my camera from UK DIGITAL CAMERAS and the service was top notch - they rang this afternoon to confirm the order is dispatched and will be with me tomorrow!

I would stay clear of The Lense Factory and Big City Digital and use UK Digital Cameras in future.

 

[Broxi1979]

HELL ON EARTH
After hearing nothing from them I tried getting through via the phone. I rang god knows how many times - all yesterday and all this morning. Each time it went on either engaged or range on and on and on.

So this morning sent a harsh e-mail asking to cancel my order and I will be on to trading standards if I hear nothing- 5min later they ring me!!! - Basically he said they can send a silver one instead of black tomorrow (obviously black was out of stock) I got no apology and hopefully the card will be refunded.

They seem genuine to a point- but the customer service is dreadful! and i dont trust them.

ANYWAY ALL IS NOW GOOD - I managed to get my camera from UK DIGITAL CAMERAS and the service was top notch - they rang this afternoon to confirm the order is dispatched and will be with me tomorrow!

I would stay clear of The Lense Factory and Big City Digital and use UK Digital Cameras in future.

It doesn't say on their confirmation email when they aim to deliver. I have emailed them for this information. I take it then that you cancelled your order and that they were OK with this?

 

[late8]

It doesn't say on their confirmation email when they aim to deliver. I have emailed them for this information. I take it then that you cancelled your order and that they were OK with this?

GOOD LUCK IN GETTING A RESPONSE!
Yeah- basically I had a feeling after 4days of nothing that it won't be dispatched in time / something was wrong or dodgy.

He seemed fine with the refund. My order detail page now says refunded so I'm just waiting for the funds to reappear on my card.

Honestly go to UK Digital Cameras - the service I got was excellent and I got it 24hours later on special delivery.

 

[DpM]

Registered Address (Please Do Not Use This Address For Returns):
31 DASHWOOD AVENUE
HIGH WYCOMBE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HP12 3DZ
UNITED KINGDOM

QUOTE]

I think all the companies down that road are very small. I might be passing that area tomorrow, I may have a look for it.

 

[TonyH]

The website has only been up since Feb 08 and to me although it looks very nice it isn't finished. I'm not sure on this one. I wouldn't risk it with my own money. If buying anything use a credit card that gives you protection!

GCAW TradeLeads.at


Domain name:
thelensfactory.co.uk

Registrant:
Ashley Brown

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
Unit W6, Wellington Court
Preston Farm Business Park
Stockton
Stockton-On-Tees
TS18 3TA
GB

Registrar:
Fasthosts Internet Ltd [Tag = FASTHOSTS]
URL: Web Hosting - Web Hosting Company UK - Fasthosts

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 27-Feb-2008
Renewal date: 27-Feb-2010

The address given is for the website design company Visualsoft, not Lensfactory.

 

[TonyH]

Registered Address (Please Do Not Use This Address For Returns):
31 DASHWOOD AVENUE
HIGH WYCOMBE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HP12 3DZ
UNITED KINGDOM

QUOTE]

I think all the companies down that road are very small. I might be passing that area tomorrow, I may have a look for it.

I imagine it is an central office used by all the businesses, it saves on admin costs. Wouldn't like to be on the end of their telephone line though.

 

[Broxi1979]

Update:

Ordered TZ5 camera on 07/10/08

Sent an email enquiring about delivery dates, recieved a prompt response within an hour on 09/10/08

"We are expecting delivery of the blue tz5 tomorrow. We currently have silver in stock, if you want a silver shipped out today for delivery tomorrow thats no problem, or if you want to wait for the blue one deli with be monday or tuesday (14th) at the latest"

I was happy enough to wait till the Tuesday for the blue one.

I emailed them yesterday to advise that camera had not arrived ... no response.

Emailed them again today, no camera ... no response.

I'll give them till tomorrow, if I don't at least get a response from them with an update on the order. I will look to cancel. I'm off to NY at the end of the month and I don't need any complications with something like this.

 

[WhiteChristmas]

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

When you're in NY, make sure you go to the 'Top of the Rock' for sunset. You get a fantastic view of Manhattan.

TOP OF THE ROCK

 

[late8]

Update:

Ordered TZ5 camera on 07/10/08

Sent an email enquiring about delivery dates, recieved a prompt response within an hour on 09/10/08

"We are expecting delivery of the blue tz5 tomorrow. We currently have silver in stock, if you want a silver shipped out today for delivery tomorrow thats no problem, or if you want to wait for the blue one deli with be monday or tuesday (14th) at the latest"

I was happy enough to wait till the Tuesday for the blue one.

I emailed them yesterday to advise that camera had not arrived ... no response.

Emailed them again today, no camera ... no response.

I'll give them till tomorrow, if I don't at least get a response from them with an update on the order. I will look to cancel. I'm off to NY at the end of the month and I don't need any complications with something like this.

Same for me - was also a TZ5. I would just cancel if i was you- they may be the cheapest on the web but the service standard is dire, its very unorganised and not at all trust worthy.

UK Digital Cameras are one of the best web company's i have dealt with so use them instead. I was very impressed.

hope it goes ok

 

[Broxi1979]

Same for me - was also a TZ5. I would just cancel if i was you- they may be the cheapest on the web but the service standard is dire, its very unorganised and not at all trust worthy.

UK Digital Cameras are one of the best web company's i have dealt with so use them instead. I was very impressed.

hope it goes ok

Think I will, how did you contact them to cancel your order, did you phone or email?

 

[Broxi1979]

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

When you're in NY, make sure you go to the 'Top of the Rock' for sunset. You get a fantastic view of Manhattan.

TOP OF THE ROCK

That looks like a better view than the Empire State building, is that the Rockefeller Centre?

 

[Broxi1979]

Hmm, just picked up the phone to call them and cancel, checked my email address and had recieved this email.

"This is confirmation that order #*********** has now been dispatched for delivery

Please contact us if you have any further queries.
Thank you,
The Lens Factory"

Hopefully that's it, better late than never I guess. I'll leave it till Monday and see how it goes. Only known e-tailers for me from now on.

 

[late8]

Hmm, just picked up the phone to call them and cancel, checked my email address and had recieved this email.

"This is confirmation that order #*********** has now been dispatched for delivery

Please contact us if you have any further queries.
Thank you,
The Lens Factory"

Hopefully that's it, better late than never I guess. I'll leave it till Monday and see how it goes. Only known e-tailers for me from now on.

hmmm- hope it goes ok. If you were in any rush i guess you will be pretty much stuffed now.

I never got through via the phone- like i said it took a threatening email for them to reply- literally ringing 5min after it was sent (obviously wa sby the phone)

Lense Factory and its brother Big City Digital are appalling- to anyone else, just dont use them! stay clear.

UKDigital Cameras was the best online retailer i have ever delt with- service was top notch.

 

[WhiteChristmas]

Hope you got your camera.

That looks like a better view than the Empire State building, is that the Rockefeller Centre?

Yes, it is the Rockefeller Centre. Make sure you take a mini tripod if you do go when the sun is setting.

I wouldn't rule out going up the Empire State Building as well. You can see all the way down town to the financial district (which you can't from the Rockefeller Centre as the ESB is in the way ) and you get a slightly better view of the Chrysler Building.

They are both perfect photo opportunities and are beautiful Art Deco buildings.

I'm so jealous.

 

[Broxi1979]

UPDATE:

My camera arrived today and all seems to be in order, just charging the battery but other than a bit of delay and not getting a reply to a few emails, the company came through in the end so I guess I can't be too harsh on them, my gut feeling is it's just a handful of people trying to run a small company but haven't got their selves together yet.

 

[Broxi1979]

Hope you got your camera.



Yes, it is the Rockefeller Centre. Make sure you take a mini tripod if you do go when the sun is setting.

I wouldn't rule out going up the Empire State Building as well. You can see all the way down town to the financial district (which you can't from the Rockefeller Centre as the ESB is in the way ) and you get a slightly better view of the Chrysler Building.

They are both perfect photo opportunities and are beautiful Art Deco buildings.

I'm so jealous.

I'm heading to the Joe Calzaghe vs Roy Jones Jr boxing match at Madison Square Garden, so I'm really looking forward to that, any tips from you guys on capturing shots of a fast moving sport like that.