written by 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 purchase from this online shop.
written by mcarey on 19/10/2011
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 pleased that my ordered items were now in stock and would be processed within 48hrs. It was at this point I decided to read other reviews about Bristol Cameras, most of which seemed to be from unhappy customers regarding difficulties with contacting the company (the telephone number is an 0844 code and the email address is unmonitored), or the length of time for receipt of their orders. I'm fairly sure most of us in the market for new camera gear think for weeks or maybe longer to decide what we need. However if you`re a "want it now" person, spend more in a shop. On 17th the following Monday I recieved a brief email that my order was despatched. The next morning my parceled goods arrived, well packed, using Royal Mail Special Delivery. 6 days in total. Including the £10 fee for p&p I still saved just short of £40 when compared to my local shop. See for yourself. I`ll use them again.
written by 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 they took my details, ordered it in, and called me after a couple of days once it had arrived in store for me to collect. All in all I cannot fault the service so would definitely recommend them to others. The store is reasonably small so would advise giving them a call to check stock if travelling any distance to the shop.
written by 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
written by 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....
written by 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.
written by 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 a charger from China,free poastage and that arrived in 8 days quicker tham my item from this shop TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE, SERVICE
written by 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.
written by 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 person, not like some vendors... I will certainly use them again.
written by 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.
written by 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
written by 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!
written by 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.
written by 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
written by 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
written by 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.
written by 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 gone a month now and they have not contacted me once with any information. But I remain hopeful.
For anyone that doesn't want to use their premium rate phone number, you can also get through on: (0117) 9290435.
written by 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
written by JohnFW on 18/12/2010
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 them one star for service quality. I received a Royal Mail Special Delivery tracking number and the goods arrived 2 working days late due to the snow and the Christmas rush - no fault of Bristol cameras. Packaging was a strong and well taped paper wrapping over the factory packaging - adequate for normal postal rough and tumble. I had to give some stars for the layout of the shop in order to leave this review - a bit silly for an online purchase. Obviously I have no idea of the shop layout.
written by 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
Do you have a question about this product or company? Simply type it in the box below and one of our community will give you an answer
Once we've checked over your question we will put it live on the site and our strong community of experts will hopefully give you some great answers that you find useful.
We will email you when the question is on the site
As rated by our community of reviewers
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!