Camera dealers query.

[HMS Seahawk]

Anyone had any dealings good oe bad when buying through Fixation or Simply Electronics?

[JohnH]

I've only used Fixation for sensor cleaning, but I know professional photographers use them exensively so they can't be bad. They are on the expensive side when buying though. As for Simply Electronics, while I've had no dealings with them, I was once warned off using them.

I recently used Pro Camera Shop to buy from and they where very reasonably priced and their service was very prompt. Three working days from order to delivery. The only down side with them is you have to pay via a google account. Which wasn't really a problem.

[Lighning Fan]

Presumably these two dealers offer the best price for the item you are thinking of ? The risk with Simply is that you may get a grey item which is fine but if there are subsequent faults it may have to go back abroad for repair - although I have always either bought from an established UK dealer for new stuff or (touch wood) bought lenses S/H

HTH

Andrew

[inamo]

I had a very bad experience with Simply Electronics a few years ago, they took payment for my item twice and it took 2 months to get my money back. Woeful customer service and impossible to contact them by phone.

[Firefly Fred]

I had a good experiance with Simply Electrics. I ordered a lens from them, for over £600,then read on this Site,afterwards, about the bad experiance Members had,and they were Hong Kong based.
Isweated buckets after that ,but i got my lens OK,and it was Kosha. However,i only deal with Wex ,they are very reliable and helpful.

[pb643]

I had dealings with simply electronics earlier in the year. I ordered a tablet computer on the basis that they had a no quibble returns policy. The item i received had been unpackaged and used. I did not get on well with the computer and arranged to return it, trying to get a refund was really the problem. In the end I contacted my credit card company and they refunded the money. I unfortunately only checked around on the Web after receiving the device, there seem to be a significant number of unhappy customers out there that had similar problems. I also felt that there website was deliberately misleading, it talked about a London warehouse, implying that the company is based in the UK, however my parcel came from China. I certainly wouldn't buy from them again.
Phil

[DonBonzo]

I wouldn't touch Simply Electronics with a bargepole of any length. Dealt with them once, which was enough for my lifetime.....

Misleading advertising (most of their stock is grey import and will arrive from overseas, leaving you with a possible customs bill)
Impossible-to-contact customer support (they ONLY responded to me upon threat of legal action, and even then on the last of seven days they'd been given)
In the event of your being eligible for a refund, you may have to wait until a UK court orders them to pay.

These are my personal experiences, others may have had better luck in dealing with them.

Tim

[baseleg]

Just my personal experience, but I wouldn't touch Simply Electronics with the longest bargepole I could find.

They took my money and when my camera didn't arrive, they said it wasn't in stock. After this happened a few times, I tried to cancel. It took a *lot* of phone calls and frustration. Yes, they are cheap, but the phrase Caveat Emptor springs to mind.

I usually order from HDEW. Their prices are low and their service is excellent. They are grey imports, but they come with a full guarantee and they are up front about it. Apart from them, I use WEX.

Take your time and do your research, and I hope you find what you are looking for.

HTH

[HMS Seahawk]

Thanks everyone - I'm glad I asked! Think I'll give S E a miss.

[Trembler]

Simply Electronics.
Recently purchased Canon 24-105mm L lens, 550D battery Grip and extra battery. No problems, longer delivery time than most but cannot fault them.

[Miramar]

I used them to get a white Kindle for my wife. Only white would do, so I took a chance (there is plenty for and against on the web). Arrived after a week, no problems. That said, I would be wary of paying them significant sums.

Dave

[PeterR]

I'd never touch Simply Electronics again!