p.14 #1 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
I couldn’t agree more; the issue though is with how Cardinal works with GT orders. All sales are at Kurt’s discretion, any issues when they arise are simply ignored and understood to be resolved by PP or banks at the behest of the customer. In case you need speedy response to resolving an issue, Cheryl is your best bet. You can ask to speak with her in case you run into rough weather with Cardinal; at least you’ll get a patient, sympathetic hearing and in most case a path to resolving the issue.
AGeoJO wrote:
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.
p.14 #3 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
fotografur wrote:
Ordered a Sony A7CR from GT, Cardinal Camera 1/20/25, CC charged 1/21/25, still shows shipment pending on GT today.
Called Cardinal Camera today and was told that item is out of stock 5-10 days.
That's the thing doing this, you never know if they're selling and charging you for stock they don't have. Canceled my order and picked up elsewhere.
They have horrible service but the deals can be very good if one can put up with the service. I have bought lots of gear from them, cancelled a couple times. A few months ago they charged my CC but I didn't hear anything after one week, I called to check the status, the guy that answered the phone basically said "we have a lot of orders, you can cancel yours if you like".
p.14 #5 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Douglas L wrote:
They have horrible service but the deals can be very good if one can put up with the service. I have bought lots of gear from them, cancelled a couple times. A few months ago they charged my CC but I didn't hear anything after one week, I called to check the status, the guy the answered the phone basically said "we have a lot of orders, you can cancel your if you like".
You are absolutely right. I just feel better with B&H and the B&S here. All they had to do is relay to you that it would be a couple of weeks. But when I called after not hearing anything for 4 days and spoke to Kurt he acted like I was bothering him. Yes the deals can be good but the camera is cheaper here from the guy that sells new on out B&S board here. Maybe it's me but I like dealing with friendly people.
p.14 #7 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
I've purchased 2 high end bodies (Fuji and Sony) through Cardinal via the FM Buy and Sell boards and have had excellent service both times. Items arrived within 2 days each time and were exactly as described and US models. Not sure what could be better.
p.14 #8 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
It sounds like their service is inconsistent. Like I mentioned before, it was great for 4-5 times until the last time when they simply didn't deliver. Now, who feels like playing Cardinal lotteries?
p.14 #9 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
AGeoJO wrote:
It sounds like their service is inconsistent. Like I mentioned before, it was great for 4-5 times until the last time when they simply didn't deliver. Now, who feels like playing Cardinal lotteries?
p.14 #12 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
In the last eight years, I have purchased two cameras and thirteen lenses from Cardinal.
Shipments have always been fast and efficient (when in stock). In the early going, I often had problems with my credit card rejecting the purchases, so I would need to talk to them over the phone. They were always courteous and helpful.
In the last twelve months, on separate occasions, I have ordered two lenses for which they accepted the orders and charged my credit card. When I did not receive confirming shipment information after a couple days, I called them. On both occasions very unfriendly individuals claimed that the lenses were not in stock and they had no idea when they would be in stock.
They said I could cancel the orders, which I did. After waiting a week with no refund on my card, I called them back. On both occasions their representatives (different, also unfriendly, indiviiduals) said I needed to talk to accounting and that they were out of the office. After numerous, repeated calls to their accounting department, I finally was able to talk to someone (also, very unfriendly) and they tersely said it would take up to ten days to process the refund. It actually took almost two weeks.
OK, I might be able to understand that they do not have sophisticated inventory management systems that prevent order acceptance on out-of-stock items when taking the order; but, IMHO there is no excuse for billing the customer when no shipment is scheduled (doesn't that violate US consumer protection laws?). Further, there is no excuse for having so many public facing employees that are not customer friendly.
p.14 #13 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
InFocus2014 wrote:
In the last eight years, I have purchased two cameras and thirteen lenses from Cardinal.
Shipments have always been fast and efficient (when in stock). In the early going, I often had problems with my credit card rejecting the purchases, so I would need to talk to them over the phone. They were always courteous and helpful.
In the last twelve months, on separate occasions, I have ordered two lenses for which they accepted the orders and charged my credit card. When I did not receive confirming shipment information after a couple days, I called them. On both occasions very unfriendly individuals claimed that the lenses were not in stock and they had no idea when they would be in stock.
They said I could cancel the orders, which I did. After waiting a week with no refund on my card, I called them back. On both occasions their representatives (different, also unfriendly, indiviiduals) said I needed to talk to accounting and that they were out of the office. After numerous, repeated calls to their accounting department, I finally was able to talk to someone (also, very unfriendly) and they tersely said it would take up to ten days to process the refund. It actually took almost two weeks.
OK, I might be able to understand that they do not have sophisticated inventory management systems that prevent order acceptance on out-of-stock items when taking the order; but, IMHO there is no excuse for billing the customer when no shipment is scheduled (doesn't that violate US consumer protection laws?). Further, there is no excuse for having so many public facing employees that are not customer friendly.
I cannot believe how much their customer service has degenerated over the past eight years.
Yours pretty much mirrored my experience. I lost count how many cameras and lenses I bought from them, maybe in the $40,000 to $45,000 range. They have become very arrogant maybe because their business is so good.
p.14 #14 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
InFocus2014 wrote:
In the last eight years, I have purchased two cameras and thirteen lenses from Cardinal.
Shipments have always been fast and efficient (when in stock). In the early going, I often had problems with my credit card rejecting the purchases, so I would need to talk to them over the phone. They were always courteous and helpful.
In the last twelve months, on separate occasions, I have ordered two lenses for which they accepted the orders and charged my credit card. When I did not receive confirming shipment information after a couple days, I called them. On both occasions very unfriendly individuals claimed that the lenses were not in stock and they had no idea when they would be in stock.
They said I could cancel the orders, which I did. After waiting a week with no refund on my card, I called them back. On both occasions their representatives (different, also unfriendly, indiviiduals) said I needed to talk to accounting and that they were out of the office. After numerous, repeated calls to their accounting department, I finally was able to talk to someone (also, very unfriendly) and they tersely said it would take up to ten days to process the refund. It actually took almost two weeks.
OK, I might be able to understand that they do not have sophisticated inventory management systems that prevent order acceptance on out-of-stock items when taking the order; but, IMHO there is no excuse for billing the customer when no shipment is scheduled (doesn't that violate US consumer protection laws?). Further, there is no excuse for having so many public facing employees that are not customer friendly.
I cannot believe how much their customer service has degenerated over the past eight years.
Yes. I get that you can run into problems with any place but's how it's handled separates the cream of the crop. You shouldn't have your credit card billed when the item doesn't ship or not even in stock. There's no reason these people have to be rude. Thanks for sharing your experience.
p.14 #15 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
InFocus2014 wrote:
In the last eight years, I have purchased two cameras and thirteen lenses from Cardinal.
Shipments have always been fast and efficient (when in stock). In the early going, I often had problems with my credit card rejecting the purchases, so I would need to talk to them over the phone. They were always courteous and helpful.
In the last twelve months, on separate occasions, I have ordered two lenses for which they accepted the orders and charged my credit card. When I did not receive confirming shipment information after a couple days, I called them. On both occasions very unfriendly individuals claimed that the lenses were not in stock and they had no idea when they would be in stock.
They said I could cancel the orders, which I did. After waiting a week with no refund on my card, I called them back. On both occasions their representatives (different, also unfriendly, indiviiduals) said I needed to talk to accounting and that they were out of the office. After numerous, repeated calls to their accounting department, I finally was able to talk to someone (also, very unfriendly) and they tersely said it would take up to ten days to process the refund. It actually took almost two weeks.
OK, I might be able to understand that they do not have sophisticated inventory management systems that prevent order acceptance on out-of-stock items when taking the order; but, IMHO there is no excuse for billing the customer when no shipment is scheduled (doesn't that violate US consumer protection laws?). Further, there is no excuse for having so many public facing employees that are not customer friendly.
p.14 #16 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Thanks to all the longtime respected FM members who have shared information about Cardinal. I received a body and a few lenses from them via the FM member here on our b&s board that ships from them on his forum sales (I think he does EDU), but I will not be dealing with Cardinal again. Based on the poor customer service, imagine the rudeness and hassle should you get a decentered lens and try to exchange (B&H customer service in that situation is impeccable). Cardinal's practice of charging you even when they have no stock, and not bothering to notify you they don’t have the item, is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age. I hope they see this thread and decide that cleaning up their act is worthwhile. Problems such as you all have shared usually start at the top and trickle down to staff, in my experience (especially attitude).
p.14 #17 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
I've purchased a bunch of gear from Cardinal Camera in the last few years. Items always arrived quickly and any issues rectified instantly. Surprised to hear the opposite. They were and will still be my first choice if buying new.
p.14 #18 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Ross Martin wrote:
Thanks to all the longtime respected FM members who have shared information about Cardinal. I received a body and a few lenses from them via the FM member here on our b&s board that ships from them on his forum sales (I think he does EDU), but I will not be dealing with Cardinal again. Based on the poor customer service, imagine the rudeness and hassle should you get a decentered lens and try to exchange (B&H customer service in that situation is impeccable). Cardinal's practice of charging you even when they have no stock, and not bothering to notify you they don’t have the item, is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age. I hope they see this thread and decide that cleaning up their act is worthwhile. Problems such as you all have shared usually start at the top and trickle down to staff, in my experience (especially attitude)....Show more →
This the same user you've been singing the praises of for the last year?
p.14 #19 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Nick Dakota wrote:
I've purchased a bunch of gear from Cardinal Camera in the last few years. Items always arrived quickly and any issues rectified instantly. Surprised to hear the opposite. They were and will still be my first choice if buying new.
I'm glad you and like many others here have had good luck with them and will continue to use them. It's always good to hear from both sides and let the viewers make up their minds and risks
p.14 #20 · Do not buy from Cardinal Camera / Greentoe! You have been warned.
Ross Martin wrote:
Thanks to all the longtime respected FM members who have shared information about Cardinal. I received a body and a few lenses from them via the FM member here on our b&s board that ships from them on his forum sales (I think he does EDU), but I will not be dealing with Cardinal again. Based on the poor customer service, imagine the rudeness and hassle should you get a decentered lens and try to exchange (B&H customer service in that situation is impeccable). Cardinal's practice of charging you even when they have no stock, and not bothering to notify you they don’t have the item, is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age. I hope they see this thread and decide that cleaning up their act is worthwhile. Problems such as you all have shared usually start at the top and trickle down to staff, in my experience (especially attitude)....Show more →
Did you stop shopping at B&H when there were many reports on this forum about issues with the Payboo card?
. Prior to this, I bought my A7c R several months back and it was processed and delivered in 2-3 days.