Martin's Camera Shop

I bought a new Canon 400mm lseries lens, likely as not the best pice I could find, I spoke to them and found them very aproachaable, paid cash and picked it up. The auto focus stopped working the first time out, I told them that I did not want it repaired but replaced, that may take a couple of weeks , I was told, to be honest I was ok with that so took it back to them. after thatI was told they would not replace it but send it for repair. Never have I come across a more arrogant bad tempered and down right offensive aproach to Customer Care

I spoke to canon who were dissmayed and could not understand why they refused to replace it.

Martins put me in n impossible position by sending the repair direct to me from canon, once delivery had been taken, there was no fall back.

Do yourself a favour and pay the extra money, use a more reputable dealer

Had I been aware of there attitude before, I would never have used them.

Look into things properly first

Just bought another lens from Martin's camera shop and very pleased with the price and service. Over the past couple of years I have spent about £7000 on lenses and cameras, paying by bank transfer. [name removed] has always kept me informed of progress with the orders and they have been delivered according to their estimated timescales. A bonus is their promise of a pro digital filter with each lens, making a further saving. I will certainly use them again and am happy to recommend them.

Ok, I had ordered from here in the past (only a filter) so when looking to make a substantial purchase was pleased to see a very good price.

I was ordering a canon 70-200 2.4IS MKII and a Nikon 18-105. When I got to the checkout only to find that I could only pay by direct credit transfer! no protection of a credit card :(.. I figured the price was good and I had ordered from them before so it would be fine.

After placing the order I thought how stupid have I been! I have absolutely no comeback. So I decided to google the company and found quite a few bad reviews :(. However these were only about long delivery times. The worse one I found had waited 2 weeks to get a refund. Still worried I phoned and emailed and was told my order was received and it would be a week before dispatch.

well I received my order a week later and am completely happy with the service. yes I was very nervous but there was no need. Yes I had to wait a week for the order, but the price was well below the competitors. So this company does not keep stock, at least this means they have very good prices.

So to sum up, you will have to wait at least 1 week before dispatch, but you will get a good deal!!

Still worried then order form WEX and pay a lot more.

Placed an order for the Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM with this company and after a week was informed that the order will be late due to cannon discontinuing this lens. Was offered a refund but told that it would be around another 3 weeks for the order to be delivered if I waited. I agreed to wait and after another 4 weeks of silence, when I started chasing my order up, was issued a refund and told that this unit is discontinued and not available any more. Frustrating news, but more annoying is that martincamershop still selling this model on their sate!

I don't normally do reviews, but having read what others are saying I thought I should tell you about my experiences for balance.

Since 2008 I have bought a Canon 40D, a 10-22mm zoom, a 100mm macro and a 17-40 lens from Martins. All have arrived in reasonable time, and when my 40D shutter failed three times (the original, then 2 replacements from the Canon service centre) they replaced the camera.

Email communication was always polite and friendly. I'd have no hesitation in buying from them again

Bought a Canon 5D several years ago from them. All was fine until camera broke down, my fault. When I sent it to Canon for repair at my cost, Canon sent it back with the following comment "As the serial number plate does not conform to Canon norms, for legal reasons we are unfortunately not able to offer any repair service on this product, either on a warranty or chargeable basis."... Not sure where Martin's Camera shop source products but I will not use this company again!

There is something wrong with the people who own this business, arrogant, little care for their customers and not really on this planet regarding modern business practice. I admit I was woed by the price of the item I wanted to purchase, even though my instinct told me no one gives that amount of money to an online store without a firm delivery promise, but I did. I did phone for stock position and for when the item would be delivered, I was told once money was in their bank, which they claimed could be about a week, although I know my bank transfers the money in hours, I should get the item the following week. I had to chase for confirmation that the money had been received, any reputable firm does this as standard, I was told no stock and not expected for 10 days, in fact it took 3 weeks before delivered. I probably would have had a serious word with them regarding their lack of service, but when someone has that amount of your money, well my feeling about these people was they were likely to delay delivery even more. I'm sure they have many satisfied customers on price alone, but not the safest way to do business, would you send any money to an overseas Internet site? neither would I. Stick to credit card only over the net, not perfect but safer than cash up front.

Ordered 2 cameras, first one delivered to wrong address, second one, gave back word on agreed price even though I gave them £1000 deposite and email confirming price. Now waiting for return of deposite. Very Hard to reach on the phone always goes to anserphone, despite working from home.! Linda is very curt and only helpfull if taking money from you. I have spent £8k with them in the past but will never use them again or reccomend them to anyone.

When returning a camera lens, they stole it and refused to refund me.

Furthermore they did not know what the laws about returning items from online shops were. I had to show them a government funded website to make my case of what the law really is and then when the lens was returned to them, they stole it, plain and simple. I asked them not to phone me when going through the returns process, because I suffer from a muscle spasm disorder that affects my face and tongue (even capitalizing "DO NOT" phone me), but they phoned me anyway. They seriously do not care about you, or the disabled. They were consistently rude and put on a show of them being the persecuted. Totally narcissistic/psychopathic behavior.

Are you seriously considering buying from an online shop that doesn't know what the laws regarding their business are and steals returned items and is consistently rude? You gotta be kidding son!

If you have a Canon 300mm L IS lens, with a serial number: 151154 it was stolen by Martin's Camera Shop, report it to the police immediately.

Absolutely terrible service.

When lens ordered I was told over the phone the item would take 1 week to arrive.

Three weeks passes and no delivery.

Difficult to contact by phone and poor communication by email.

They were the cheapest, but if they can't supply what is the point!

Avoid!!