Just wanted to check with those that have orders from Camera Canada. How reliable are they and how good are they to deal with if their are issues?? I have a pre-order at The Camera Store from the end of sept/start of oct and they said it will probably be a month to two months to get a camera. Get a text from Camere Canada suggesting I can get one faster.
Couple of questions for those who have dealt with them:
1. How reliable are they?
2. If there are issues, how easy is to return/exhchange? I had a bad version of the original camp. 70-200 f2.8 IS II amd was able to exchange that without issue at the camera store.
3. Do they negotiate on pricing at all?
khurram1 wrote:
Just wanted to check with those that have orders from Camera Canada. How reliable are they and how good are they to deal with if their are issues?? I have a pre-order at The Camera Store from the end of sept/start of oct and they said it will probably be a month to two months to get a camera. Get a text from Camere Canada suggesting I can get one faster.
Couple of questions for those who have dealt with them:
1. How reliable are they?
2. If there are issues, how easy is to return/exhchange? I had a bad version of the original camp. 70-200 f2.8 IS II amd was able to exchange that without issue at the camera store.
3. Do they negotiate on pricing at all?...Show more →
I live in Calgary so I know what you mean about TheCameraStore.
My experience with CameraCanada tells me they're as trustworthy as TheCameraStore.
I got my R5 from them for $200 CAD less than the sticker price and they also honored the CPS membership ( I skipped the line, basically).
I don't know about the returns because I didn't have to do any with them.
Good luck!
I have a very good relationship with their manager. I now buy all my gear from them. In my experience they have better relationships with the manufacturers and always have hard to get gear in much sooner than the other Canadian stores.
For example when I wanted to buy a Sony 600/4 GM, they got one for me in a week. Every other store (TCS, Aden, etc) were saying 4 weeks at best. They got me a 500PF way before any other store. They had D850s in stock months before anyone else.
If you call, ask for Joe Todd and tell him that Geoff referred you. He will treat you right. He told me a week ago that if I knew people looking for an R5 that he could probably get them for them in 2-3 weeks.
I've never had to return so not sure about that.
They do negotiate with me as I've been called a "Power Buyer"
I'm not sure how much negotiating they will do with a brand new customer. In my early days ordering from them I never tried to negotiate. At that time I was just getting the Canadian CPS Canada discount anyways so wasn't' trying to negotiate any lower.
Aden Camera often will give a discounted price via email to anyone so that is worth checking also. They call it their MAP (Magnificent Aden Pricing).
I got my R5 from Camera Canada. I’ve also ordered lenses from them and they are reliable. On one occasion, I had to return a lens due to de-centering—no problem; they offered to return my money or replace the lens.
As “arbitrage” has noted above, Aden is also a trusted source for my purchases.
I'll add my voice to the praise of Camera Canada. I've purchased from them a good number of items, including a 400mm F/2.8 III and a 1DX III, and their service has always been outstanding. I would not hesitate to purchase from them again. I haven't had to do any returns so can't speak to that.
The only downside for someone in the US is that US Customs sometimes take their time processing items. In one instance the item sat in a Customs warehouse for 4 days before being released, but that might have been Covid backlog related - usually it's released within a day or so.
Another vote for Camera Canada from a US resident. I've gotten multiple cameras and lenses from them; the process has been seamless and straightforward. All of my communications have been by email or occasionally phone with Joe or Kedar. For US residents, shipping is via Canada Xpress post which uses USPS as a partner. The Canada Xpress tracking number allows you to follow when the shipment enters US customs, and is also linked to a USPS tracking number that allows tracking as and after the shipment leaves customs. Signature is required, and I've picked up several of my orders at a USPS facility.
I noticed a few weeks back on their website they had a note saying they were receiving regular shipments of the R5 and that their waitlist wasn't long so I gave it a shot. Had the camera in 10 days! Never had an issue with them and happy to recommend.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I’ll check with them. To start off I’ll need to get the camera, preferably the grip (trying to decide whether to wait on that), adaptor ring (may get an off brand and have ordered the drop in one from Breakthrough photography, and of course some CF fast cads (will use existing SD cards). I already ordered the small rig L- bracket for the body only from the camera store.
Thanks! I’ll see if I can get a hold off Joe Todd. arbitrage wrote:
I have a very good relationship with their manager. I now buy all my gear from them. In my experience they have better relationships with the manufacturers and always have hard to get gear in much sooner than the other Canadian stores.
For example when I wanted to buy a Sony 600/4 GM, they got one for me in a week. Every other store (TCS, Aden, etc) were saying 4 weeks at best. They got me a 500PF way before any other store. They had D850s in stock months before anyone else.
If you call, ask for Joe Todd and tell him that Geoff referred you. He will treat you right. He told me a week ago that if I knew people looking for an R5 that he could probably get them for them in 2-3 weeks.
I've never had to return so not sure about that.
They do negotiate with me as I've been called a "Power Buyer"
I'm not sure how much negotiating they will do with a brand new customer. In my early days ordering from them I never tried to negotiate. At that time I was just getting the Canadian CPS Canada discount anyways so wasn't' trying to negotiate any lower.
Aden Camera often will give a discounted price via email to anyone so that is worth checking also. They call it their MAP (Magnificent Aden Pricing). ...Show more →
The thing you have to be careful about is return policies. Some have in store credit if you return it so ask before purchasing. I’ve heard good things about camera Canada and have dealt with the mentioned camera store Calgary many times. Good with returns, etc.
I love Camera Canada. I have dealt mostly with Joe but also Kedar. Both are great. I have never had an issue with any gear I bought from them.
I 100% recommend them!
arbitrage wrote:
I have a very good relationship with their manager. I now buy all my gear from them. In my experience they have better relationships with the manufacturers and always have hard to get gear in much sooner than the other Canadian stores.
For example when I wanted to buy a Sony 600/4 GM, they got one for me in a week. Every other store (TCS, Aden, etc) were saying 4 weeks at best. They got me a 500PF way before any other store. They had D850s in stock months before anyone else.
If you call, ask for Joe Todd and tell him that Geoff referred you. He will treat you right. He told me a week ago that if I knew people looking for an R5 that he could probably get them for them in 2-3 weeks.
I've never had to return so not sure about that.
They do negotiate with me as I've been called a "Power Buyer"
I'm not sure how much negotiating they will do with a brand new customer. In my early days ordering from them I never tried to negotiate. At that time I was just getting the Canadian CPS Canada discount anyways so wasn't' trying to negotiate any lower.
Aden Camera often will give a discounted price via email to anyone so that is worth checking also. They call it their MAP (Magnificent Aden Pricing). ...Show more →
Camera Canada is great to deal with, they go the extra mile. Mostly deal with Joe and Kedar.
Tanks everyone! I Placed an order with them today and should be getting the camera and grip in their next shipment. Will probably need to get an off brand adaptor.
khurram1 wrote:
Tanks everyone! I Placed an order with them today and should be getting the camera and grip in their next shipment. Will probably need to get an off brand adaptor.
I'm still waiting for my adapter and batteries from my order months ago.
Yeah l, they told me that they have backlog of adaptor, orders to fill,?since canon has been really slow. They are expecting the body and adaptors in next couple of weeks, but could only guarantee me a body (they have the grip and will hold that until the camera comes in). They don’t know how many grips, but will be filling previous orders first. I’m going to buy an off brand from amazon. I also have the breakthrough adaptor and drop in polarizer on hold which when I placed the order, they had said they’ll be produced in December. Now they are saying that the nd and clear filters will be ready this month, but it will be a couple more months for their adaptor ring.
arbitrage wrote:
I'm still waiting for my adapter and batteries from my order months ago.
