Bristol Cameras Reviews
Latest Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“No Stock, No Good. ”
Written on: 10/06/2013
After three days of waiting for my "next day" delivery, I phoned the shop (why no email?!) to be advised that my item was on back-order from their supplier and I may receive in "a week or so". A week on, no delivery, no update and a another phone call to the shop. Fobbed off with film-flam, disinterested sales assistant so, I cancelled my order. Still waiting on refund to my card... my first and absolutely last experience with Bristol Cameras. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Awful company, awful customer service..avoid like the...”
Written on: 03/06/2013 by Mystic_Boer
They keep no stock. Happy to take your money instantly, at which point they will let you know that they do not have the items in stock. I have been waiting for three weeks now. I have phoned them twice for updates. On one occassion a very bored assistant made snotty comments, but was clearly not interested in helping me. On both occassions they promised to call me back with an update...needless to say I am still waiting. (read more)
★★★★★
“Fantastic service from a proper bricks + mortar camera...”
Written on: 21/05/2013
I have made several purchases from Bristol Cameras over the years and have found them helpful and polite both on the phone and in person in their shop in Bristol. My most recent purchase was a used Canon EOS 60D. I was after a new one but the staff member pointed out that they also had a used one if I wanted to save some money. The money I saved I put towards a nicer lens for it which was fantastic. I regularly recommend them to friends and family. Prices are very good, comparable to many... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Do not trust this company, they do not admit to backorders”
Written on: 19/04/2013 by travel12 (2 reviews written)
I will never order from this company again. They are untrustworthy, you place your order, it goes from "pending" to "acknowledged" ? What in heaven's name does that mean ?? I phoned and asked, it sounded like the person answering was moving his lunch off his keyboard. He never answered my question but said he would call back and tell me about my orders. No phone call but an email much later telling me when I might expect my order. At no time was I informed that my items were on backorder,... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Order placed, after a week order cancelled.”
Written on: 11/04/2013
Ordered a lens from Bristol Cameras online, 1st day, it said it was pending, 2nd day Acknowlaged this update stayed like this for a week, then today had an email, order has been cancelled, as requested your order has been cancelled. I did not cancel the order, worsted service I have used, I will never again order from this site nor can I recmmend to anyone. (read more)
★★★★★
“new release”
Written on: 09/04/2013 by andrebilllebillon (1 review written)
ordered a fuji hs50exr deal kit and seperate filter ok so i had to wait,but i knew that as it wasnt released by fuji when i ordered it. i found the staff curteous,helpful and received email updates keeping me informed. when phoning to check what was going on,i was able to contact them on thier shop number which is at normal rates-not premium as some people have said. i received exactly everything i ordered the next day after it was despatched. an excellent service only delayed because it was... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“No stock even though it said in stock on web”
Written on: 28/02/2013 by sailorboy99 (1 review written)
Ordered a Pentax K30 body in blue, shown as in stock. Waited four days and then rang them. Told it's coming from Pentax might be here on Wednesday. Called on Thursday to be told Pentax doing stocktaking so item is delayed. Terrible customer service, will not be using them again. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Order canceled within 5 days.”
Written on: 22/02/2013
Ordered the camera. had to wait for a week than contact them for any updates. Within few hours got email: ''Status update: Order Cancelled Your whole order has been cancelled and no funds have been charged to your card. Sorry that we could not help you on this occasion. Additional Comments: This card has been reported as Lost/Stolen this order has been reported as fraudulent and for the security of the card holder the bank have requested we pass your address and contact details onto Police... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Takes order when no stock, but you can only cancel by...”
Written on: 27/09/2012
Took my order. Email received saying that it's out of stock for over a month. You cannot reply to the email and there's no email address on the website, so you have to phone them to cancel (ploy to try avoid cancelled orders if you ask me). Never again. (read more)
★★★☆☆
“promt and well priced but”
Written on: 24/09/2012 by frankg7 (2 reviews written)
Purchased new Sigma 18-250 lens with free hoya filter. Free filter did not arrive with lens so had to call the shop. Was told they had run out of the filters and should be in in next 7 days. Would have been easy for them to let me know this without me having to phone them. Will see if 'free' item arrives and will repost either way. (read more)
Frankg7's Response to frankg7's Review
Written on: 10/10/2012
Final update on this I hope.
Bristol Cameras phoned me today to let me know that the filters offered are still not available but they will send an alternative manufacturers in lieu if that was OK with me.
Seeing as how I'd given up on this issue and purchased my own filter, I decided to accept the offer anyway. I now await with bated breath to see if it will arrive!!
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Showing 1 - 10 of 141 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Nothing in stock”
Written on: 03/07/2012
These guys have absolutely nothing in stock. Ordered 4 Sony NEX lenses (2 Sigmas & 2 Sonys) and eventually got 1 delivered. These are cheap lenses £100-200 not Nikkors 600mm F4. Avoid them, better to pay few quid more elsewhere. (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“In Stock? Not a chance!”
Written on: 26/05/2012
I have purchased many a think from this store, they are cheap, but don't actually stock much. The staff are really helpful, and give great advice however the stocking issues out weigh the pros massively. Once you click buy and have purchased the product, you immediately get an email saying sorry we don't have this item in stock, it might be in soon. I've waited three weeks for an item and they still don't know when they will get stock, so i've canceled it. It was a similar situation with... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Said in stock - guess what it wasnt ”
Written on: 11/05/2012 by monks28
Ordered a new lens from Bristol Cameras with a certain amount of trepidation after looking at other reviews but the price was good so decided to have a go. Wish I hadnt bothered. Placed the order that said item was in stock and then got email next morning saying not in stock will be end of June before arriving now!!! I can only presume they are getting grey imports from China as this sounds like shipping delay more than a uk stock issue. I will not be using again and would urge anyone else... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Stock & Service Issues”
Written on: 21/04/2012 by caz73 (2 reviews written)
I ordered a number of items online as a package for underwater photography. My trip was a fortnight away. - I rang them next day to confirm all items in stock - they said mainly, but the other items they would be able to get from their supplier and I would have everything by end of week. On this basis I went ahead as I needed all items as a complete solution. - Only partial order received - When promises were made to ring you back they didn't - 1 week later they confirmed they cannot... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Should have been told!”
Written on: 31/03/2012 by Starway
Ordered a Skywatcher Telescope, they expected deliveries at the end of the month so I waited, but when they did come in I was told that they would go to the back orders which was fair enough. I was then asked if I wanted to wait another month after another delivery. What a shambles it would have been nice to have been told about the back orders. I have since ordered it elsewhere! (read more)
★★★★★
“Bristol Cameras have always delivered for me.”
Written on: 23/03/2012
Ihave used Bristol Cameras many times in the past, buying instore and online. They have always given sound advice, some of which I have witnessed when I have been able to visit the store in person, I have even traded in a dslr and got I feel fair deal. As I live outside of town I do use their online ordering service more often and have only once found that the items I wanted were out of stock, from an order I placed last week. Ok the emails were not immediate telling my they had no stock,... (read more)
★★★★★
“Well done Bristol Cameras”
Written on: 12/01/2012
In November, Bristol Cameras gave helpful advice over the phone regarding a digital microscope as part of the christmas presents for 3 of my grandchildren. They suggested the Celestron C44302. New stock was due in on 10/12 and they suggested that it would be wise to place an order without too much delay. I ordered the microscope from their website on 13/11 and received an email on 8/12 to say that funds had been taken and the goods had been dispatched. The well wrapped parcel arrived on... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Bad customer service”
Written on: 22/12/2011 by GrayChway
Ordered on a Monday morning at 9am after checking item was in stock, confirmed that the £10.00 shipping was Royal Mail special delivery (Next day service) Should receive item on Tuesday pre 12 .Its Thursday afternoon, item was only sent out yesterday, three days after the order! Competition is tough out there, you guys have got to perform better than this!!!! Would not use again (read more)
Guest's Response to GrayChway's Review
Written on: 06/01/2012
I share your frustration!
How is it possible for an internet sales company to not have an email address for a customer to contact them?????
The returns process took over two weeks and their customer service is awful!
I WOULD NEVER USE AGAIN AND WOULD URGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!
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Timmyturtle's Response to GrayChway's Review
Written on: 29/02/2012
Dude, it says on their website within 2-3 days delievery. Get real and have a bit of patience!
Reply to this comment
★★☆☆☆
“Sigma lens sent for checking”
Written on: 26/11/2011
I wanted to let you know about a recent customer service issue I had with Sigma and Bristol Cameras - November 2011. I'd bought a lens in January 2011 from Bristol Cameras which developed a mark on the glass coating. Despite my efforts to cleaning it, the mark persisted. I called both Sigma and Bristol Cameras regarding what to do. Both said they were happy to receive it back direct to either of them for inspection. Bristol Cameras said that they, as the original retailer, would be happy to... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Online purchase flash”
Written on: 18/11/2011
I ordered a Sigma 610 Super flash (Pentax fitting) & received email immediately confirming order & further emails after 3 days that order would be delivered within 48hrs & it arrived next day. £20 cheaper than other companies including delivery & I'm very satisfied by service. Only contact seems to be by phone however & website did not say if in stock, though it states that they keep little stock. Worth waiting a couple of days to save money. (read more)
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Showing 11 - 20 of 141 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Was not pleased with my item! ”
Written on: 27/10/2011
Purchased Ilford Multigrade Iv RC Deluxe Black and white paper 100 sheets for darkroom. Currently a degree student relying on my facilities, and I was disgusted to find that when using this paper, it had expired, along with the 3 rolls of film with this paper. I was not the only person who had purchased this, another student on my course found himself in the same situation. Personally this to me, appears as false advertising, the packaging was damamged and I would not advise people to... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Good Value for Money and Worth the Wait”
Written on: 19/10/2011 by mcarey
I ordered a 50mm f1.8 Nikon afg type and a hoya Pro 1 uv filter, both items cheaper than I've seen anywhere else, on Wednesday 12th Oct. Later I recieved an email welcoming me to their register and promising updates as my order was processed, shortly followed by a further one accepting my order. On Thursday 13th I recieved an apolegetic email informing me both items were out of stock and would be ordered in from their warehouse. On the 14th I recieved separate emails announcing they were... (read more)
★★★★★
“Great price and good service”
Written on: 24/08/2011
I was after a housing for my Canon Powershot S95 digital camera. I was going to go for the Canon own housing but wasnt 100% sure so as I was local I popped into the store to found out some more. I spoke to a guy called Rich who talked me through the options available and I ended up going for the Ikelite version as it offered more in terms of potential add ons such as accessory lenses and filter which the Canon didnt really offer. They didnt have the Ikelite housing in stock at the time but... (read more)
★★★★★
“ EXCELLENT SERVICE AND GOOD COMPETIVE PRICES”
Written on: 24/08/2011
I needed an Ikelite underwater housing for my Canon S95 camera for my holiday. I was let down badly by another company, I spoke to a member of staff at Bristol Cameras who understood my situation, they managed to source one from their warehouse and got it delivered to me within a few days, they kept me informed all the time. I highly recommend them for a quick and professional service. Many thanks (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Not even email saying they do not have it in stock”
Written on: 20/06/2011
Order Canon WP-DC38 Underwater Housing For Powershot S95 for my upcoming holidays. I phoned them 5days later 5p/minute and got told they do not have it!! They would not even let me know! I think it is just nasty way how to deal with customers.... (read more)
★★★★★
“Good online experience”
Written on: 06/06/2011
Micro four thirds lens ordered and delivered inside a week. Got through using Bristol number (from bt.com) within two rings for a query. Staff helpful and accurate with order timescales. Price was already very competitive, but it dropped again during the week, so they charged me the lower price. P&P was a bit steep, but they'd gone bonkers with the protective packaging (double boxed to 10 times the size of the lens). Not sure why my experience was so much better than others, but can't fault it. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“A nightmare experience dealing with this shop,after...”
Written on: 08/05/2011
A nightmare experience dealing with this shop,after waiting over a week for my item i tried to phone the shop,waited so long to get through the battery went flat on the phone.tried again later, checked the order told it would arrive at the weekend didn't arrive, rang back, waited ages again to get through, then told i's not in stock but should be with you in 3 to 4 days, still waiting, the negative reviews people are writing about this company are correct will never deal with again. ordered... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Very Bad service cannot contact them only via...”
Written on: 07/05/2011
Very Bad service cannot contact them only via telephone. Have wated well over a week for item yoo arrive, still not received it. We are a registered Charity. (read more)
★★★★☆
“Ordered on-line on 16th April, delivered 26th April....”
Written on: 30/04/2011
Ordered on-line on 16th April, delivered 26th April. Not bad considering the Easter holidays. After reading some of these reviews I expected a long wait with at least a few telephone calls and follow-up emails. But nothing like that at all. Email communication was a little impersonal, but factual. No indication on web site of stock held, but then that can alwasy be misleading. Second-cheapest price I found on the web. Remeber folks, they are a physical shop, so you can alwasy visit them in... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Awful service! Ordered 4 items, told the next day 2...”
Written on: 26/04/2011
Awful service! Ordered 4 items, told the next day 2 not in stock then other 2 items never arrived. Nearly 2 weeks and 3 phonecalls later I am still awaiting my refund. Avoid them! They may be cheap but they are cheap for a reason. (read more)
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Showing 21 - 30 of 141 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“TERRIBLE SERVICE! QUICK TO CHARGE CARD AND INVOICE YOU...”
Written on: 29/03/2011
TERRIBLE SERVICE! QUICK TO CHARGE CARD AND INVOICE YOU BUT DELIVERY IS DISGUSTING... I WAITED 10 DAYS FOR DELIVERY, THEN HAD TO CHASE UP 6 TIMES BEFORE RECEIVING FEEDBACK/UPDATE... THEY SAID "OH SORRY, ALL I I CAN DO IS APOLOGISE BUT IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN DISPATCHED DESPITE THE ITEM BEING IN STOCK! DONT USE THEM UNLESS YOUR HAPPY TO WAIT 1 WHOLE MONTH FOR DELIVERY (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“BE WARNED BUNCH OF INCOMPETENT INDIVISUALS AND LIERS!...”
Written on: 28/03/2011
BE WARNED BUNCH OF INCOMPETENT INDIVISUALS AND LIERS! RUBBISH SERVICE! said item is in stock when it wasnt... its been ten days... and still no delivery... I hate them! ruined my partners birthday, terrible! they guaranteed me 48hrs delivery! Never Again... BE WARNED... dont use, not worth the hassle! (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Made two purchases: a £620 lens (£15 postage) and a...”
Written on: 24/02/2011
Made two purchases: a £620 lens (£15 postage) and a camera battery (£10 post). Lens arrived 7 working days later, while the battery's still not here 6 working days after ordering. I thing the post is very expensive, considering the time taken to deliver (the items have to be sent from their warehouse to the shop, then on to the customer!). Price still the best though, but I think the postage is a rip-off. (read more)
Zepp2010's Comment
Written on: 28/11/2011
I agree with your comments on the postage. Many companies will offer free postage on expensive items. If you look at their postage tariff, they charge more, the more you spend!
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★★★★☆
“communication was pretty bad, took a week for them to...”
Written on: 06/02/2011
communication was pretty bad, took a week for them to process because they didn't have it in stock. eventually arrived good. would recommend despite poor communication (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Stay well clear of this shop.. Custormer service is...”
Written on: 28/01/2011
Stay well clear of this shop.. Custormer service is shocking. postage costs are more than international recorded shipments for royal mail local posted items . the more you spend the greater the postage cost never mind the weight... keep you on hold on the phone 4 ages as they are on a premium number. Take 30 days to refund a credit card. shocking all round service (read more)
★★★★★
“Purchased a Skywatcher 130m telescope as the price was...”
Written on: 15/01/2011
Purchased a Skywatcher 130m telescope as the price was a lot lower than anywhere else I could fins including Amazon. I placed the order on Monday 10th January and it was delivered on Thursday 13th. I did phone the store to make sure the item was in stock and the guy I spoke to couldnt be anymore helpful and courteous. I have not used Bristol Cameras before but wouldnt hesitate to use them again or indeed recommend them. (read more)
★★★☆☆
“I have no experience of their online sales, from...”
Written on: 07/01/2011
I have no experience of their online sales, from reading other reviews on here I probably wouldn't risk it! But I bought a digital SLR in the shop and was very disappointed with the lack of knowledge of the person that served me. He tried to answer all my questions by looking at their own website in the shop! I could have done that myself at home!
My camera did unfortunately develop a fault and so I took it in just before the warranty expired and it has been sent off for repairs. Been...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Another example of a company stating items are 'In...”
Written on: 21/12/2010
Another example of a company stating items are 'In Stock' and once ordered they are clearly not in stock. This was a Christmas present and ordered because they claimed to have the items available in time for Xmas. I will unliekely be able to get another in time having wasted 6 days! Entirely unacceptable and I'm now off to Trading Standards (read more)
★★★★☆
“Bristol Cameras do the best deal I could find online...”
Written on: 18/12/2010 by JohnFW (2 reviews written)
Bristol Cameras do the best deal I could find online with Olivon spotting scopes. They are also UK based and have a real shop so that if needs be I could have gone and banged on their counter if I was not satisfied. I am very satisfied. Their email communications are largely automated, which must help keep their prices down, although there is a telephone number supplied. Communications were good. I ordered online on a Sunday and the goods were dispatched the following Friday, which loses... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Same thoughts as many others. I bought a compact,...”
Written on: 25/11/2010
Same thoughts as many others. I bought a compact, delivery and price was good. Then wanting to but a Nikon D700 I emailed and they completly ingnored. Prices are good, but you take a big chance. Im making a purchase now and am staying well clear (read more)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 141 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“I would not use this company again because their after...”
Written on: 16/11/2010
I would not use this company again because their after sales service is virtually none-existent. Admittedly, the original purchase I made online was a breeze, but when the lens I purchased developed a fault it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to contact the company. I tried emailing and calling on a number of occasions but to no avail. They only list one telephone number on their website and I have waited for considerable lengths of time on a number of occasions without getting through. I wouldn't... (read more)
★★★★★
“I contacted Bristol Cameras by phone as they clearly...”
Written on: 10/11/2010
I contacted Bristol Cameras by phone as they clearly state on there web site that it is advised to contact the store to be certain of availability, the sales Representative who greeted me was very helpful. Although the item was out of stock he took my details and contacted me back a few minutes later saying stock would be arriving in two days and that I would recieve the item Royal Mail Special delivery the following day. He was true to his word. On a whole I was more then impressed and also... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Do not buy through the Internet from this Mickey-Mouse...”
Written on: 09/11/2010 by cybermystic (2 reviews written)
Do not buy through the Internet from this Mickey-Mouse outfit, it will only end in tears. It is as the majority of people have said below. The goods aren't in stock (even though their web site says they are) they do not reply to E-mails and they do not pick up the phone when called. Complete shower and an utter waste of time. I shall now just have to wait (how long?) to see if the order ever gets sorted - and of course I will never order from them again. You have been warned. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Ordered a filter adaptor for my new Canon from Bristol...”
Written on: 23/10/2010
Ordered a filter adaptor for my new Canon from Bristol Cameras as they were one of the few online who said "in stock". 4 weeks later no sign of it,tried to phone the 5p per min. contact number and gave up twice 50p worse off each time (life's too short for automated telephone machines).If they don't have it in stock at least have the courtesy to send an e-mail,which they did when I ordered an underwater housing a while back which was no longer available.Poor show Bristol. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I will keep this brief: ”
Written on: 15/10/2010 by jph36 (1 review written)
I will keep this brief:
This is a Micky Mouse operation, do not buy anything here!
They do not hold stock so when you place an order they have to get it from the supplier. So nothing will arrive promptly.
They also do not reply to customer emails which is very annoying, so you do not know if the order has been processed. I had to telephone twice their premium number to get anything done. The first time they lied and said the item will be posted today when in fact it was not even in...
(read more)
★★★☆☆
“I've always used Bristol Cameras online for my...”
Written on: 13/10/2010
I've always used Bristol Cameras online for my underwater camera needs because it's a specialist market and often very expensive. Bristol Cameras almost always carry what I want at the best prices, and their customer service is usually good.
With my latest order of four items, one of them was not in stock. I received an email notifying that it was on order, and the other items arrived promptly. Several weeks passed with no word, so I telephoned. They seemed surprised, so contacted the...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I ordered on line but received no acknowledgement. ”
Written on: 28/09/2010 by johnfp (1 review written)
I ordered on line but received no acknowledgement.
They have no email address on their "contact" page so one is forced to pay 5p per minute for the privilege of being kept on hold for endless periods by an automated system. I have tried on 3 occasions to call but run out of patience on each occasion. As things stand I have no idea whether they have received my orderand, if so, whether it has been despatched. I guess I must now wait until the credit card statement arrives before I have any...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I've always got my cameras from Bristol Cameras. ”
Written on: 25/09/2010
I've always got my cameras from Bristol Cameras.
Service has always been good, even though they can be a little confused with there stock. Rather unusually have it in stock and saying they haven't.
Brilliant value for money and more than often cheapest net price. Sadly when you buy actually in the shop they add a £5 surcharge (don't like that).
However, I still recommend them and will continue to buy there.
(read more)
★★☆☆☆
“if they were not the cheapest around I definitely...”
Written on: 24/09/2010 by Andy Cole (4 reviews written)
if they were not the cheapest around I definitely would not use them.. however you have to put up with the nil replies to their email address as shown on their own website... shop@bristolcameras.co.uk
the lack of interest when phoning their premium phoneline the delay in sending stock advertised and the high postal charges..
you can still save if you are prepared for atrocious service...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I needed a monopod with 5 sections so it fitted into a...”
Written on: 19/09/2010
I needed a monopod with 5 sections so it fitted into a small carry bag, Bristol Cameras where the cheapest i could find. Ordering and delivery was quick. (read more)
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Showing 41 - 50 of 141 Reviews
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Frankg7's Response to frankg7's Review
Written on: 06/10/2012
Just an update to the above. Contacted Bristol Cameras again re 'free' filter, they say still not in stock.
However, they are still advertising this offer on their site, which begs the question as to whether this offer is just a hook, or whether they are just downright dishonest!