p.13 #1 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Just to jump in here, it sucks you had an issue with Cardinal Camera, they've been great to me. My first lens was a Sigma 100-400, the second was a 24-70 GMII, and I got cold feet at the last minute and exchanged for a Tamron 35-150. They were super helpful, quick to communicate and print me labels and send me stuff, and even offered to ship the Tamron before getting the Sony (in fairness, they already had my money).
I communicated directly with the owner who even gave me advice on which lens to keep, regardless of the fact that the Tamron is cheaper. I don't want to sow doubt into the people who have had bad experiences, but complaints on the internet can skew what the general trend is. If you don't feel comfortable buying from CC based on this thread, then no pressure, but if you're on the fence and want to know if people have good experiences, I'd venture to say the answer is for the most part yes. If CC were truly reprehensible they'd be selling grey market gear, like some online sellers you'll find.
p.13 #2 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Sure, I understand your point of view, it’s personal, well-intentioned and helpful to others who are buying an item with which they didn't have an issue. Due all respect, but it’s besides the point. I was referring to situations where folks were overall unhappy with their buying decision and wanted CC to help fix their customer service .
What would your reaction be if you were sent a used item when you were led to believe you purchased a brand new item. Would you accept a camera that “looks new” with few thousand shutter actuations or a lens that was missing a tripod ring and came with two receipts one for the former buyer and you? In some instances, payment was taken but items were not in stock and you had a to follow up numerous times until you decided to get a refund and had to endure constant lies and unpleasant customer service, including angry threats from the owner of the establishment.
Agree this has happened to one out of ten customers but fact is, it has happened. So it can’t be swept under the rug. Sharing experiences helps others make informed buying decisions. We, as a community, want such incidents to not repeat and risks be made aware when things go wrong.
p.13 #3 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
prosumerhacks wrote:
Sure, I understand your point of view, it’s personal, well-intentioned and helpful to others who are buying an item with which they didn't have an issue. Due all respect, but it’s besides the point. I was referring to situations where folks were overall unhappy with their buying decision and wanted CC to help fix their customer service .
What would your reaction be if you were sent a used item when you were led to believe you purchased a brand new item. Would you accept a camera that “looks new” with few thousand shutter actuations or a lens that was missing a tripod ring and came with two receipts one for the former buyer and you? In some instances, payment was taken but items were not in stock and you had a to follow up numerous times until you decided to get a refund and had to endure constant lies and unpleasant customer service, including angry threats from the owner of the establishment.
Agree this has happened to one out of ten customers but fact is, it has happened. So it can’t be swept under the rug. Sharing experiences helps others make informed buying decisions. We, as a community, want such incidents to not repeat and risks be made aware when things go wrong. ...Show more →
Agree, it's about making informed decisions. Good reports are welcome, but when i read reviews, i always order them worst to best. Most business will do alright during a sunny day, it's caveats that i want to know because that's the risk i have to weigh against the potential benefit of dealing with a particular business.
p.13 #5 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
I have purchased many items from Cardinal Camera directly and remain a very happy customer. I haven't gone through Greentoe, as I can get a deal that is as good or better by just calling Kurt including on 7R V
p.13 #7 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Some people like to complain about everything and anything.... Not getting attention from a vendor or not receiving a lens in time... They should be thrown back into time and space ... good ol life in eastern europe, having to fight or cheat for a piece of bread.
People working in a business are just that , people. Errare humanum est. Forgive and be forgiven.
p.13 #8 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
I have had many good experiences dealing with Cardinal Camera directly and through Green Toe. I have also recommended the store to others, and I have received good feedback. I will continue to buy from them. People are quick to pass judgment these days, every once in while there will be problems, and we need to work through them
p.13 #9 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
May as well put in my .02. I've purchased from both Greentoe and Cardinal Camera. Most recent was a Tamron 50 - 400 lens. An absolute pleasure to deal with and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from either of them again.
p.13 #11 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Why is this stupid thread still up and running?
The OP has posted twice (page 1 here) ever, made some odd claims and then never got back. I'm usually against deleting stupidity but in this case I think the whole thread should be put in the bin.
p.13 #12 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Adding my 2 cents into the mix here - I was happy with my purchases from both Greentoe and from Cardinal directly for several years. But my last transaction with Cardinal last month left me puzzled... I had a credit in my Amex account and I asked whether I could pay for the item using that balance, at least partly. I have been dealing with Kurt directly and I dealt with him for that transaction. He replied and let me know that he had to send a PP invoice for that. Fine and I did receive the invoice on the same day. I paid that invoice immediately and then silent for 5 days. I followed up with him via phone and text messages and he gave me a few excuses but still no tracking information, let alone the merchandise. During that period he asked me TWICE what I bought and that didn't give me a nice and warm feeling about the transaction. I filed a dispute with both Amex and PP after 10 days. They sided with me and according to the explanation, Cardinal didn't bother to reply to their inquiries/request for explanation after 2 weeks after the dispute was filed as of today.
The bottom line is good prices and excellent service from Cardinal until the last transaction. I am not sure what happened to them...
p.13 #13 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
I also bought from Greentoe/Cardinal (A7C II + kit lens) - no issues.
I am curious, though - has anyone who has used Greentoe ever had an ordered filled by any other than Cardinal? Is Greentoe just an exclusive second outlet for Cardinal?
p.13 #14 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
All the more reason to support whatever shop is local whenever possible. I’d rather pay more and speak to a person who enjoys photography face to face. Dealing with returns and online orders causes too much hassle and stress to make it worth the savings. Just my opinion. Doesn’t mean anything.
AGeoJO wrote:
Adding my 2 cents into the mix here - I was happy with my purchases from both Greentoe and from Cardinal directly for several years. But my last transaction with Cardinal last month left me puzzled... I had a credit in my Amex account and I asked whether I could pay for the item using that balance, at least partly. I have been dealing with Kurt directly and I dealt with him for that transaction. He replied and let me know that he had to send a PP invoice for that. Fine and I did receive the invoice on the same day. I paid that invoice immediately and then silent for 5 days. I followed up with him via phone and text messages and he gave me a few excuses but still no tracking information, let alone the merchandise. During that period he asked me TWICE what I bought and that didn't give me a nice and warm feeling about the transaction. I filed a dispute with both Amex and PP after 10 days. They sided with me and according to the explanation, Cardinal didn't bother to reply to their inquiries/request for explanation after 2 weeks after the dispute was filed as of today.
The bottom line is good prices and excellent service from Cardinal until the last transaction. I am not sure what happened to them......Show more →
p.13 #15 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
graytrekker wrote:
I am curious, though - has anyone who has used Greentoe ever had an ordered filled by any other than Cardinal? Is Greentoe just an exclusive second outlet for Cardinal?
Yes, Adorama, Hunt's, and Elite Brands (under a pseudonym a.k.a. Rokinon/Samyang).
p.13 #17 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Surfnsun wrote:
All the more reason to support whatever shop is local whenever possible. I’d rather pay more and speak to a person who enjoys photography face to face. Dealing with returns and online orders causes too much hassle and stress to make it worth the savings. Just my opinion. Doesn’t mean anything.
I used to have a fairly close and personal relationship with a local camera store for many years but that mom and pop store went out of business a long time ago... Currently, the semi local store that carries a wide selection of items is located in LA some 35 miles away. To me that store is just like another B&H, Adorama, or even Cardinal until the last transaction . Now, for new items, I prefer B&H and I have done a fair amount of transactions here on FM, which is my preference by far for used items.
p.13 #19 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
AGeoJO wrote:
Adding my 2 cents into the mix here - I was happy with my purchases from both Greentoe and from Cardinal directly for several years. But my last transaction with Cardinal last month left me puzzled... I had a credit in my Amex account and I asked whether I could pay for the item using that balance, at least partly. I have been dealing with Kurt directly and I dealt with him for that transaction. He replied and let me know that he had to send a PP invoice for that. Fine and I did receive the invoice on the same day. I paid that invoice immediately and then silent for 5 days. I followed up with him via phone and text messages and he gave me a few excuses but still no tracking information, let alone the merchandise. During that period he asked me TWICE what I bought and that didn't give me a nice and warm feeling about the transaction. I filed a dispute with both Amex and PP after 10 days. They sided with me and according to the explanation, Cardinal didn't bother to reply to their inquiries/request for explanation after 2 weeks after the dispute was filed as of today.
The bottom line is good prices and excellent service from Cardinal until the last transaction. I am not sure what happened to them......Show more →
All decision are taken by Kurt. How much can one person keep up?! 😂
p.13 #20 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
prosumerhacks wrote:
All decision are taken by Kurt. How much can one person keep up?! 😂
My impression is, Cardinal is not that small of an outfit. What he needs to do is...to delegate or hire more people if it looks like it he would be inundated with work. He is not supposed to let anything fall through the crack... I was patient enough, I believe, and I did wait for 10 days before filing a dispute but my order was simply ignored and until now, I didn't hear anything back from him. No effort from him to make it up and he didn't reply to Amex/PP's request. Come to think of it, I hope nothing happened to him... . Prior to this, I bought my A7c R several months back and it was processed and delivered in 2-3 days.
. Now, for new items, I prefer B&H and I have done a fair amount of transactions here on FM, which is my preference by far for used items. 
. Prior to this, I bought my A7c R several months back and it was processed and delivered in 2-3 days.