Camerabox Ltd review (aka Digital First review, and The Digital Camera Company review, LCD box review, or Rapide Distribution) verdict - stay well clear! [Updated]

I just bought a Canon from Camerbox and a lower spec model arived than adversised. I hand delivered it back to them this morning and now I wait for a refund.

was looking at getting a new digital camera from them but was suspicious when saw other sites with same details etc. sounds like you saved me a great stuff around. cheers.

I also bought a lens from them but my lens developed a small crack to a focus switch on its side after about two months of ownership. I contacted Camerabox and they immediately and without examining the lens stated that it was not covered by warranty. I queried this pointing out that they had not inspected the lens in order to come to this conclusion. They stated that this was their position but if I wished I could send the lens to them for repair but at a charge. This I refused stating I would send it to Nokia. This was done and the lens was fixed under warranty and returned at no charge to me. Needless to say I will not be dealing with camerabox ever again and I have told all my friends, family and anybody else who will listen not to buy from this company.

I purchased a Nikon lens from them in July this year. Their website looks OK and their prices are certainly persuasive. They even give two years guarantees. The lens arrived quickly and worked OK. By now I had read the many sites which rate this Company. I alrady knew about the way Nikon work regarding carrying out work on defective goods. It was apparent straight away that the lens was a grey import without an European Warranty Card and would charge for any repairs within the guarantee period.

I telephoned them to explain that the Warranty Card was missing and asking them to forward it to me. I then e-mailed them. This is the reply I received from Gary Smart. "The Invoice you received works as your warranty with both the manufacturer and Camerabox." .Nikon who stated categorically that they would not repair anything without an invoice and valid Warranty Card. Their reply was: "If you are worried about what Nikon are saying just send the product back to Camerabox while it is under Nikon warranty and we will work on your behalf." I could see by now that I was going nowhere fast with this approach so contacted my local Trading Standards Office voicing my concerns. They apparently got into touch with their colleagues local to Camerabox Head Office. Although they had knowledge of the Company they did not feel that their practices or website content had anything sufficient for them to take action on. I am lucky that the lens I received is still functioning and have had to need to worry. I will not be taking advantage of Camerabox if it does develop a fault as I have no confidence at all with their track record. I am angry that this type of Company is being allowed to carry on trading with blatant disregard to the Law and good Customer Care practices.

Ordered a Nikon in Nov and paid for next day delivery. Next day got an e-mail stating to conyact them which I did by phone. Spoke with "customer servic guy" who said it was mjust a security check and was satisfied that all was o and was despatching the camera "as we speak". Camera hadn`t arrived by Wed 2nd Dec so phoned them again and was told by "customer service guy" that there had been a problem and camera was being despatched "as we speak". Phoned again on Fri 4th Dec and was told that the camera was not in stock and that was the reason for the delay, even though the website stated that there were 17 in stock. Was told they were due in that afternoon and that he "Alan" would phone me back by 4pm to assure me that the camera was on its way. Surprise surprise no call and again on Mon 7th Dec no camera. Phoned again Mon afternoon and was told that the camera was not in stock, informed customer service guy, Sam, that according to website there were 17 in stock he said "oh so there is" and its been sent already, when asked for a shipping number for DHL he said that they wouldn`t have that and that I would have to get it myself from DHL!!! Again this guy said he would phone me by 10.15am Tues 8th Dec, guess what, still waiting. Don`t buy from this company they will take your money and try to grind you down with non existing customer services.

Previously I had used Camerabox and had no problems whatsoever, but that's where it ends. In December I ordered lens equipment and today I have received nothing. I have spent a total of almost 3 hours on the phone to them - every other day, as they kept saying yes it's on its way it'll arrive tomorrow. Then the lens was "out of stock" despite the fact I ordered when the stock had just come in. They even gave me a consignment number on one occasion - needless to say it was not a real one when I checked it with the carrier. So today I have had enough and my bank are reclaiming the money. NEVER again!

this company kept me waiting for 25 minutes without speaking to anyone. I had to listen to bloody frank sinatra for all this time!

This company is a fraud! I ordered a camera that costs almost 700€ from them before Christmas, paid more to get it after 2 days and the only thing I received was an e-mail telling me to contact them by phone because there was a problem with the order. Since it would take almost 2 weeks until the opening of their costumer phone service I tried to contact them by e-mail and since there was no reply, I've cancelled the order. Unfortunately, those burglars had already withdrawn the money from my account and continued not to reply. After sending lots of e-mails they finally replied when I threat them with a court order, stating that the returns take 30 days! According to the law, this is wrong, and after pointing this, they continued saying that they have 30 days to pay and didn't gave an explanation why they are keeping my money. On the 27th of January I received an e-mail stating that they had already give order of payment... Today it's the 1st of February and no money so, I'll take them to court and demand a compensation. I urge all of you who that feels are being robbed to to the same and also move a complaint against them in other official organs. They must be stopped.

Delivery was fast(very poor flimsy packaging)and the lens and filter were great. EXCEPT i was given two packages by the courier. As i was in a hurry i only opened one package and was very happy,some time later i opened the other one to find (nearly) the same items again,except the filter was the wrong size thread. on checking my bank account i found i had been charged twice i then phoned them i was told to post it back and my postage cost would be refunded.but i could not find an address to return it back to. on contacting them by numerous emails,i eventually got their address to return the un-purchased items. Again after numerous emails and letters and threats and taking action through my credit card company i have just(09/02/2010) got my monies £193.97 refunded but not my £6.70 postage costs. Not once have I received an apology of any kind for their cock up.

Hi everyone! My experience is wery bad. They were showing 8 Nikon p 6000left in stock, so i have ordered one.Next day i have called the company how is it with delivery. They did not even apologize for delay,i keep calling Camerabox every day and same result,they always waiting for delivery. I dont mind to wait but tell me exactly when. i can not deicide if to wait 2 more weeks and give them chance or cancel order an hoping for refund?! Please help

I read your camerabox experience with interest - here's mine - I've used CameraBox in the past and also their related company, The Digital Camera Company and found their service to be excellent. I ordered this yesterday for delivery today as I needed the camera for a presentation this evening. I phoned to check it was in stock and it was OK for delivery to a work address. After placing the order I confirmed with them that the order had been placed correctly and my delivery details being different from account address - again this was efficiently confirmed and they took my desk and mobile number, confirming that the Camera would be delivered this afternoon. Today no camera - when I phoned I was told there was a security problem, however they did not phone me about this. When I asked what the problem was I was told that he didn't have to tell me as that was the law. I queried which law, and after repeating himself, he decided that it didn't matter which law it was as it was their policy. As I wouldn't get it in time, I asked them to hold the order, whilst I tried local retailers. This was not successful, so I phoned them back to be told that my order had been cancelled - despite me asking them not to do this. There was nothing they could do, and I'd have to place the order again - a bit difficult as I could not get to a PC. I am very disappointed - poor customer service. As always you only know how good a company is when something goes wrong - and then it's too late!

How I wish I had seen your reviews before. The order was made late night on Sunday, therefore we did not expect to get the camera before Tuesday. As it did not arrive, we checked the e.mail and found that we have to give them a call, only and specifically a call, for security reasons. That was done on Wednesday, as was explained for security check, confirming that the camera woudl be dispatched on Thursday and we should receive it on Friday 26th March 10. That did happen. Another call with the same response "are you calling for the security check?" with same outcome and for the delivery to be on Monday 29th March 10. I was flying on Tuesday the 30th March for 1week holiday and made the purchase for that reason based upon their commitment for next day delivery. Nothing on Monday. And being anxious for the camera, and more imortantly the money, as the response was incredibly the same "are you calling for the security check?" we asked to cancel the order and for a full refund. The so-called customer service adviser replied that he had already authorised the dispatch and there is nothing he can do as the camera had been disptached for the delivery next day, i.e. Tuesday. This time we asked for the name and it was Patrick. The nxet day it was the turn of Richard, as the outcome was identical, and this time as there is no reason for the order to stand as they had broken their committment for next day delivery, the request was only for a full refund. Richard confirmed that he had cancelled the order and made a ful refund which should take 5 working days to be concluded. Passing the Easter holiday, called again on Monday teh 12th April 10, this time it was the Trun of another Patrick, Cotter. Same outcome. Another call on Monday the 26th April 10, Jake's turn. Same outcome. Monday the 17th May 10. Chris's turn. Same outcome. Everytime we call their first reply, after we provide our order number, would be "are you calling for the security check?" with no record of previous contacts, as they claim, what so ever. We need our money back. What do we have to do? As each time we call, being polite, they confirm that they cancelled the order and the refund would take 5 working days. And the excuses they lay for the previous adviser not to do that!

Ordered late night on Sunday 21st March, based on their next day commitment, as I was going on a week holiday on Tuesday the 30th March. Checked e.mail and called them on Wednesday 24th March. Told me that this is a security check, the camera would be despatched tomorrow, Thursday the 25th, and would be delivered on Friday the 26th March. Not so. Called again on Friday for a reply " are calling for your security check?" No, I did that on Wednesday. It's for the delivery that was supposed to be today. The reply was the delivery would be on Monday the 29th March this time. Again not so. Called on Monday to get the same response. This time we asked to cancel the order and get a full refund. The adviser, however, said that he had already authorised the despatch and for the camera to be delivered tomorrow (Tuesday). After explaining our situation with the holiday, we accepted the outcome reluctantly, needless to say. This time we asked for name, and it was Patrick. On Tuesday it was the turn of Richard, incredibly, with the identical response and with no records of previous contacts. At the end he concluded that he cancelled the order and the refund would take 5-7 workig days to take place. Called after the Easter holiday on Monday the 12th April, this time it was Patrick, another one!, Cotter. Same conclusion. Monday the 26th April, Jake's turn. Same outcome. Monday the 17th May, Chris's turn. NO difference. What do we have to do to get our money back. They also don't respond to e. mails.

Camerabox - I would never use or recommend terrible customer service and no response to complaint. Manual not received, no customer service help just told lies, said manual not available, therefore had to order from cannon at cost of £11.00.

Despite advertising 'same day despatch, next day delivery', and charging £7.99 for it, it didn't actually happen. Customer service didn't respond to emails. I WOULD NOT recommend this on-line retailer.