I had an incredibly frustrating experience with CameraWorld that ended up costing me hundreds of pounds and a huge amount of wasted time.
I ordered a Sony A7 IV for click and collect on a Sunday, expecting the standard turnaround time. Two days later I received an email confirming the camera would be in store by Wednesday at the latest, so I made the 40-minute journey into the Tottenham Court Road branch to collect it.
When I arrived, I was told there was a delay with Sony suppliers. The staff member was polite and assured me he would “work super hard to fix it”, which I appreciated at the time.
However, after that I received zero communication.
The next morning I called the store five times before finally getting through. I was told they would check the order and call me back in five minutes. That call never came, and when I tried calling again the phone simply wasn’t being answered.
So for the second day in a row, I travelled another 40 minutes into the store just to get an update. This time I was met by a very blunt staff member who asked for my order number, disappeared into the back for about 30 seconds, came out and said:
“Yeah, sorry mate, it’s just not going to happen.”
No explanation, no attempt to help, nothing.
This was a serious issue for me because I was flying to Cape Town on Monday and had specifically ordered via click & collect to ensure I would have the camera in time for the trip.
What makes this worse is that the delay clearly stems from CameraWorld taking orders for items they do not actually have in stock, then sourcing them afterwards from suppliers. When those suppliers are delayed, the problem is simply passed onto the customer as if it’s out of their hands.
If you are selling a product and taking payment for it, stock availability is absolutely your responsibility.
Because of this situation I was left massively out of pocket having to urgently source the camera elsewhere at the last minute.
When I explained that their failure had left me significantly out of pocket, the response I received was:
“Well, we’re losing money too.”
That level of dismissiveness sums up the entire experience.
Between the wasted journeys, lack of communication, taking orders without stock, and the complete lack of accountability, this was easily one of the worst retail experiences I’ve had.
I strongly recommend avoiding CameraWorld if you need reliable service or time-sensitive equipment.
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CameraWorld is a real camera shop, helping you to make the most of your hobby. Our expert team has many years' experience within the photographic trade with knowledge gained over 40 years. Many are photographers themselves and enjoy passing their knowledge on. You'll also find our online service fast, efficient and courteous and you can always call us if you want to talk to a human being. We are dedicated to bringing you the very best in service, choice and price.
We are specialists in used equipment. We offer high prices for trade-in or even if you just want to sell your old gear. We'll even collect from you if that's more convenient, just call us to discuss your needs. We can give you an estimation over the phone so no need for complicated web forms if that is what you prefer. We always carry a huge range of used equipment which has been checked, cleaned and tested before sale. We also offer a guarantee for your peace of mind so buy with confidence and grab a bargainSee more
