Sharing my experience with Olympus Stores after unsuccessful follow-up for a month with them so anyone considering buying directly from them is aware their "quality of service". So here is the story in short:
So I ordered a refurb E-M5 from Olympus Store and decided to return it following week after confirming RMA and other details with Store representative.
Camera was delivered back to Olympus on April 23rd and Olympus did not refund my $800 yet. (Its nearly a month now after camera was delivered to them)
So I called them 5-6 times within average on hold time of 30-40 mins for first attend. Every time I got an answer they did not receive the camera even though I shared tracking number with them and FEDEX clearly showed it was delivered and signed at Olympus Dock on April 23rd.
Frustrated I opened PayPal dispute on May 7th and by evening I received a response to dispute that they have the camera and refund will be issued on May 8th. So I was hopeful something will move, but sadly was not that lucky.
After first PayPal message no refund yet, and no responses to follow-up messages in PayPal dispute. So on May 14th I called the customer service again and to my surprise I am told return is logged today (that is 14th) with no clue on when I may receive refund.
So after month follow-up there is still no clue if/when I will get the refund. I am very inclined to call them fraud but hope it will not go there....
I hope this is one off case, but based on my experience please think twice before buying directly from Olympus
I'm surprised you didn't continue with the dispute on May 9th, when you didn't get your refund the day before. This really sucks, but I'd push for that. I wouldn't wait a second longer.
Ernie Aubert wrote:
I'm pretty sure he's referring to the Olympus online store.
Yes I am refferring to Olympus Online Store which incidentally their official US Imaging site: http://www.getolympus.com/
Dudewithoutape wrote:
I'm surprised you didn't continue with the dispute on May 9th, when you didn't get your refund the day before. This really sucks, but I'd push for that. I wouldn't wait a second longer.
I have been sending reminders in PayPal dispute to issue refund as per their own commitment. But looks like its falling on deaf ears. No one is even responding. The only option I have now is to escalate to PayPal by 27th May, I am keeping that as last option, hoping Olympus will issue refund soon
If the other party (Olympus in this case) doesn't respond to the Paypal dispute it will automatically go in your favor, unfortunately you'll have to wait the 2 weeks or whatever the time frame is now. I've had one of these before with a deadbeat seller that never sent me the item and never responded to any communication.
It's astonishing that their customer service is that bad. 30 minute wait time on the phone sounds like a technique to get people to give up in frustration.
Just to update everyone. Even after daily follow-up Olympus did not bother to refund $800. Finally I escalated items not received claim to PayPal and PayPal responded in 3 days in my favor refunding entire amount.
Thanks to PayPal, but as much as I love Olympus as a Camera Company, I don't think I will ever buy from Olympus Stores again
