Martin's Camera Shop - any dealings?

[Paul]

Hi All,

Has anyone had any dealings with Martin's Camera Shop (http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/index.asp)?

Their prices always seem to be competitive but I believe I read somewhere that their stock / some of their stock (?) were grey imports and that their customer service could be better.

[Owin]

No experience of them apart from their website, but I found them through Camera Price Buster (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html) and they have a shop review section (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/shopreviews.php), which has this feedback (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/viewshoprev.php?shopid=146).

You could use their prices and see if your normal retailer will price match.

[Paul]

Thanks for the reply. I had read the reviews on their site but was looking for other peoples experience using them. I have since read some good reviews but have come across quite a few unhappy ones! I suppose you could find good and bad with any company if you looked hard enough ;)

[Nyte]

I've just had a quick browse to see what their price is on a D700 and it's pretty steep in comparison with other online sellers. £1,956.57 whereas most places are offering it at around the £1,700 mark.

[Paul]

Hi Karen,

Yes, some of their prices are quite high but some are very competative, such as lenses etc.

[gcams]

Paul, my reply is a bit late, but I bought my Canon 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS from Martin's in 2008. I was a little apprehensive, and I paid by bank-transfer which was even more unsettling for me, as if the transaction went south, I wouldn't even have recourse through the CC company.

Anyway, the lens was great, the service was helpful and I have no complaints at all. It took about a week for them to fulfill the order, which was fine with me (they don't seem to hold much stock). I had a cashback voucher for the lens, which I claimed through Canon, and the cashback came through fine. I would have expected this to be rejected if the lens was a grey import. There was nothing to suggest the lens was an import, and looked totally above board.

All in all, I was happy with the service. Not sure if much has changed in the last 2 years, as that was a while ago (in fact sadly the last time I bought any decent camera kit!). :)

[Paul]

Thanks for the feedback, Graham. Not bad to deal with at all. Good email communications but, as you say, order took about a week.

[gcams]

Glad to hear you had success Paul! Sounds like things haven't changed much, so it's good to know if I manage to save enough ££ for some more kit. :)

[Paul]

Glad to hear you had success Paul! Sounds like things haven't changed much, so it's good to know if I manage to save enough ££ for some more kit. :)

Saving for camera kit....I know that feeling :lol:

[gcams]

LOL, I'm glad I'm not the only one... been saving for a replacement for my 350D for 3 years! ROFL! :lol:

[The F.G.G.]

Hi guys,
A bit late I know, but may be useful for future readers. I have bought two lenses now from Martins Camera's, the latest was my Canon 70-300 which arrived this week, and find them very good to deal with. As commented before they do tend hold small stocks and normally you have to wait approx 8days for your "goodie" to arrive, but they keep you well informed and both mine have arrived on the day specified.
Hope this helps.

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Maz

[Paul]

Thanks for your feedback. Similar experience as I had.