It all looked very good, until I learned that the $1300+ lens I had ordered was not in stock and would take 5 more days. Not a problem. When I took advantage of the wait and extended my order volume, I was told that my lens would be in "in 10 days or so". I called and asked for an urgently needed screen protector to be shipped now and I expected not to be charged for this partial shipment. Mr. Berger didn't see it that way and was worried about his profit being reduced. The fact that my order was over 13 times the minimum amount for free shipping didn't sway him.  
I went ahead and cancelled my order, not minding that I am now paying $20 more for the same, and I get it shipped tomorrow.  
 
Edit: Mr. Berger did call me back after I cancelled. I have to give him credit for fighting for his business. When I told him that I am now paying $20 more for the same order, he called it foolish. I call it integrity.

This review was modified by its author, Principle, on 11/6/07 7:01 PM.

I shopped for a camera & lens. Went to Berger Bros. in Amityville, NY. We agreed on a price. I left a deposit this morning and told them I would return today with a company check (they call layaway instead of a deposit?). I went back this afternoon with the check. Then they said I would have to buy an extended service plan, camera filters, a camera bag and who knows what else. When I said I did not want any other stuf they told me that they would not sell the original camera & lens to me because they had other customers they could make more money on.

My dealings with this company located in Amityville N.Y. turned out to be a horror. At the first of the year I ordered and cleared their website buying a Minolta Maxxum 70 for $209. That afternoon, I am notified by email to contact them. I am informed that the camera is actually $249. After 10 years of being disabled (fixed income), I am trying to register for college photography class. I chose a less expensive camera but the following day, I find the model that I want at $219. I notify Berger Brothers. and speak with the owner Brad. Lesser model has already been shipped but we agree that I should refuse shipment and when he receives camera back, he will ship 70 model and chare my debit card the $30 difference.  
Brad calls me to inform me when he is shipping camera that I wanted all along. He states that he will now charge me the additional $30 which includes $10 for shipping and makes transaction $229.  
 
My debit card was indeed charged $30 but, $30 was reaccredited to my account and on the very next line of my internet banking statement, $31.75 was debited from my account. Because of the extra negative $1.75, I made three negative bank transactions that my bank originally charged me $96 at $32 transaction.  
 
I call company and remind them of promises and pledges made in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 and to ask that they consider that some of their customers may have endured entire lives of pain for various reason such as growing up in institutions knowing unending abuses and never having or knowing your family. Whatever the situation, I would hope that they treat future customers better than I was treated unless it is their view that customers exist exclusively for benefit of Berger Brothers.  
 
 

BUYER BEWARE  
 
This is the only e-store I've ever dealt with which is not upfront about shipping charges.  
 
After placing an order, I got an email (which it appears is sent to all buyers) stating that free shipping MIGHT not be available for the item I had ordered.  
 
When I called to inquire, the item indeed would NOT be shipped free. They wasted the time I comparison shopped on line, they are less than clear about their shipping charges policy.  
 
I will never do business wiht this group again.

I asked a friend of mine to buy in this store, since I'm in Brazil and would be easier for a American to deal in U.S.  
 
He visited their web site and ordered a 20D + 17-85 kit for 3 days UPS delivery. 5 days later and they not delivered the camera. He called them back and they didn’t have the camera! But some in the same day they called back saying that they wouldn’t lose the sale and could get the camera in 4 more days. He said Ok and guesses what? They fully charged his credit card and 10 more days past with no delivery. He called them back and they said: “We called your home to be sure the camera will not be lying in your door and with no answer we didn’t deliver and we gave the camera to another customer, and we have no camera to you now. But if you wait some more days we can get another one.  
 
Are they kidding me? This is a regular practice in U.S. stores?  
 
If I had to pay in advance and wait, I would go with BH that always did a good service to me. But I just agreed to pay for get the camera now. This is really annoying and I wasted more than 15 days with Berger Bros tricks.

I could almost understand buying from them, since theyre local. Its almost worth paying the list prices they charge for equipment. BUT, when their staff starts getting NASTY, as they recently did with me, its just not worth it.  
 
I just dont understand it! If youre going to sell items at list price or slightly ABOVE, at least have your salespeople be NICE!

This review was modified by its author, loucoh, on 8/1/05 10:28 PM.

Called on product to verify they had product and pricing on 2/2/03 - spoke with Mark - he verified all. Call received today from owner - oops, wrong price, won't sell it to you at all - we don't make any money. Offered several other items, but price over $240 more than confirmed order - say's trust him and this never happens - don't believe it.

top notch from ny to oklahoma.. very pleased with sony dcr-sr100 for 200 cheaper than locally. was slightly upset to find out battery was 15 more than listed on their own web site and given lame excuse that talking to a person deserves a higher premium. this was easily corrected with absolutely no problems. i liked the fact that berger bros is an authorized sony dealer and is listed on sony's website. brad is very helpful and seems very fair. quality of service was high and that is all this review is intended to represent..

Pre-ordered a Canon 7D. Transaction went very smoothly, with a confirming phone call when they received a supply of cameras, followed by prompt shipment.  
 
I am a repeat buyer from Berger Brothers, previously purchasing a Canon 1DMkIIn body and a 100-400 L zoom lens.

This review was modified by its author, cwgn4, on 11/20/09 8:02 PM.

I ordered my Sony A850-dslr on Monday evening.  
 
Lisa called me on Tuesday morning to confirm that I did indeed order this expensive piece of equipment and to make sure that I was who I said I was. There was no pressure to purchase warranties or anything else.  
 
I am grateful for that level of competence and caring in this day and age.  
 
My order was shipped later that day and the tracking number was sent to me so I could anxiously watch my prize move across the country.  
 
Come Friday, at a little after 1:00PM Mountain time the UPS truck arrived.  
 
The camera was packed exceedingly well, the package was sealed and all contents were inside.  
 
 
 
I did a lot of research to reach the decision to purchase my A850. Then I did almost as much research to find a reliable, honest place to buy.  
 
I’m glad that I did. I made some new friends and you have made a new customer that promises to return. I will also tell my friends where they can go to get an honest deal with honest folks.  

My experience with Berger Bros. (2 camera purchases now) has been simply terrific. They are very customer oriented, accessible, patient with questions, and responsive. They do what they say they will do and genuinely seem to care about the experience their customers have. I would like to single out Lisa M., who handles the call-in purchases. She is extremely professional and nothing but patient with customers anxious to get status on an item that is highly in demand and short in supply. Without question, they will have my business for subsequent camera and equipment purchases and are now my E-tailer of choice.

I had a great experiance shopping at Berger Bros. Lisa was very nice to work with during the purchase of my 7D Canon DSLR. I was having a problem with my debit card and she made several calls letting me know what was going on until I got it corrected. Thanks Berger Bros.and Lisa.

I am very happy to have the opportunity to tell others the positive experience it is to buy from Berger Bros. They have competitive prices, but most important of all for me, is that when I buy from them, I feel I'm buying from a friend that has my interests in mind too. I've recommended them to friends and they all have been really impressed with the personal attention they get. I can't make this recommendation without mentioning Lisa! She is that person that has made buying at Berger Bros. such a positive experience for me. I'm sure that other employees are good as well, but after buying from her, I always ask for Lisa :-)

 
Re: Lisa Monahan  
 
Both the lens (Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8) and the filter I ordered arrived today (Friday 10-09-09)….as you promised!!!  
 
I want to thank you for your assistance. It is rare these days to find customer service like what you exhibited. To say that I am impressed is a slight understatement. In my eyes, you went far above and way beyond what I have ever experienced in the past with other companies. You found what I wanted and got it to me in less than one week. That is amazing. Add in the fact that your company didn’t have the lens I wanted, you found it from a competitor, and had it shipped to me here in Florida….at a very good price!!! You have made my day!!! A million thanks isn’t enough. You can bet that the next time I buy any photographic equipment, I will be checking with you and Berger Brothers first. You have put the “Customer” back into Customer Service.  
 
 
Again, my thanks to you. As they say, “you da bomb!!”  
 
Steve Engle  
Bonita Springs, Florida  
 
p.s. I am sending a copy to your boss, Brad. He needs to give you a raise to keep you there.  
 

Berger Bros = Peace of Mind  
I am on the west coast. I was looking for a reliable online retailer. I have finally found one in Berger Bros. Latest purchase was the Canon EOS 7D. Their prices are decent and the service is simply fantastic. Lisa M communicates clearly and treats you with respect. The entire staff knows their photography. Some of them are pros in their own right.  
You can't go wrong with Berger Bros.

This review was modified by its author, Jal S, on 10/10/09 6:07 PM.