Thunder Cameras (also: StopNShop)

Thunder Camera is standing up for their slogan "your satisfaction is our guarantee". I was not happy with the first lens that I received for my Cannon camera and requested to make an exchange. The customer service department made a quick recommendation for a replacement lens. Thanks for backing up your pledge!

Outstanding customer service, Thunder Cameras Company was well aware of their merchandise when I asked questions. Speedy delivery and special offers they gave out was a good perk too. I will continue to do business with Thunder Cameras.  
 
Christian Caiafa

I ordered my camera and accessories from Thunder Camera and quickly received my order. One item was backordered (from Sony) and after talking to Customer Service Thunder Camera had an acceptable replacement. Service overall was great and I"ll definitely order from Thunder Camera again.  
 
- Greg Kinman

Thundercameras seem to offer a variety of products. I'm in the process of receiving product. So far, the sales representatives and customer service at Thundercameras have been helpful with the ordering process. Additional information will be provided when I receive the product.

This review was modified by its author, trustworthy1983, on 8/30/10 4:03 PM.

Thunder Cameras was great to shop with. They had great lenses at low prices. In addition, the sales rep worked with me to pick out the best lens for my camera. Thanks Thunder Cameras.

I received what I wanted at a very good price, but it was more expensive than I was originally quoted, and I'm pretty sure they lied to me along the way. Here's what happened:  
 
On August 23, 2010 I placed an order with Thunder Cameras for a Canon EOS 7D, body only. The price on the website was $1,019 (compare to the list price is $1,699). I requested “3-day select” shipping for an additional $71.14, bringing the total to $1,090.14. Too good to be true, right?  
 
I received an email the next day saying I needed to speak with them on the phone to verify the order. I called, and the representative started going over the order and said it was the ‘international” version of the camera. I asked what that means, and he said it means that it didn’t have the Canon USA warrantee and that all text on the camera, including the menu options, would be in Japanese and couldn’t be changed. I was pretty sure he was lying about that second part, but I didn’t want to risk it, and asked him what it would cost for a USA model. He said the USA model would be $1399, which is still a very good deal. I decided to take the USA model.  
 
He then said that it comes with a “starter battery” that only lasts for 30 minutes, and asked if I would like to upgrade. Being familiar with Canon cameras, I happen to know that Canon batteries are excellent, and that any battery he could possibly upgrade me to would be inferior, so I declined to purchase the upgraded battery.  
 
We finalized the order, agreed to standard shipping (which was free). He then added a $48.52 charge for “shipping insurance”, which is a charge that wasn’t on the original order. This brought the total to $1,447.52, including shipping, tax, and “shipping insurance”, which was still a better deal than I could get anywhere else. He then said he’d throw in the “high powered battery and rapid charger” that he tried to pitch to me earlier for free.  
 
The package was shipped the next day, and arrived today. The package did in fact contain a new, USA version of the 7D, body only, and I’m happy with the purchase. There were a couple of anomalies:  
 
What they sent me wasn’t a Canon 7D body-only as packaged by Canon, but rather was a Canon 7D kit, but with the lens taken out, presumably to be sold to somebody else. Personally I’m okay with that, but I doubt a Canon authorized dealer could get away with it. This does help explain how they were able to sell it for the price they did, though.  
 
The “high powered battery and rapid charger” they sent were in fact the Canon battery and charger that comes with the camera. There was no additional battery. Apparently, these guys sometimes take the Canon battery and charger out of the kit to sell separately, and replace it with a cheap third-party battery.  
 
I'm happy with what they sent and what I paid, but I do feel like I walked through a mine field.

8/30,  
This morning, about 10:30am PST, I have received a call from Thundercameras.com. The callers name is Josh.  
 
Josh first told me, he saw the low rating review I have post on the resellerrating.com. he admitted that I did not agree to cancel the order yesterday, on the phone. And he said he already put my order back to "on Process", not "Cancel". Then he tried to ask me if I was satisfy with their service now. I answered him "I will not be satisfied unless I do receive my order with the price I ordered on time".  
 
Now is 8:25pm PST, my online order still keep in "Cancel" status, without change.  
 
I will keep update this review, to see how Thundercameras.com SERVICE its customer.  
 
 
8/29,  
I have order my Canon EOS Digital Rebel T2i W/ Advanced Package (W/ Canon 28-  
135mm IS & Canon 70-300mm IS, W/free tripod and clean kit). However, in the few hours later, when I was shopping, they call me that this package not include the Batty and charger which is not true. I have review it's specs with its website, they do included.  
 
Afterward,the caller ask me to cancel this order. I told him "NOT TO CANCEL MY ORDER", " I KNEW WHAT I AM ORDERING". Then he ask me to take a look the website again before I can make the decision to cancel or not.  
 
When I was back home, check the e-mail, they already sent me a "Order canceled" mail. Waht a bait-and-switch company!!  
 

This review was modified by its author, tigersu, on 8/30/10 10:28 PM.

On aug 4 I purchased a sony cybershot HX5V for an excellent price. I got the call the next day trying for the upsell, which i declined. I was NOT told on the phone during 2 conversations with the company that my order was back ordered. Now I need this camera for a trip in Sept, so i figured ordering in early Aug would get it to me mid Aug. Well, after waiting 2 weeks, i checked my account online and lo and behold, i'm backordered. I called up immediatley and was told my camera would be in on the 28th. Well guess what guys, it ain't! So right now i am having serious issues with this "great deal" I got. I will call them tomorrow to see what the the shipping story is or this review joins the other bad reviews of this company.  
 
Today was contacted by Andy, my camera is in stock and expected to arrive to me within 3 to 5 days in complete condition. So they have moved up to a 4 star rating.

This review was modified by its author, bustervonboodle, on 8/29/10 11:43 AM.

Incredible Value! I have been looking for a Nikon D5000 package like this for over a year. Thunder Cameras is awesome! Great website and great pricing. Very easy to work with. A+++

This review was modified by its author, lmorton203, on 8/27/10 12:21 PM.

Thunder Camera has given me a great deal on the Canon T2i with lenses & etc. that I ordered back in May but has reportedly been out of stock. They called me yesterday August 26,2010, and said they could fill my order. The price on what they are supposed to be sending is very good. So this is a positive review. Thank you Thunder Cameras for filling my photography needs.

This review was modified by its author, Bertrund, on 8/27/10 11:00 AM.

I was purchasing a Nikon D5000 for my 17 y/o grandson who knew what he wanted. I found Thunder Cameras while searching online and called early the next am to gather initial information. I talked with Tyler who answered my questions with respect even though I didn't have much of a clue except for the price. Later my grandson talked with him, gave him what I thought was good advice about not buying more than he needed, since he is not a photographer. I think we saved money, but more than that my grandson was happy and so was I with the patience Tyler had in giving us the information and some advice, even when we changed out minds about some details a few times. I would use them again were I to purchase any camera equipment.

I was purchasing a Nikon D5000 for my 17 y/o grandson who knew what he wanted. I found Thunder Cameras while searching online and called early the next am to gather initial information. I talked with Tyler who answered my questions with respect even though I didn't have much of a clue except for the price. Later my grandson talked with him, gave him what I thought was good advice about not buying more than he needed, since he is not a photographer. I think we saved money, but more than that my grandson was happy and so was I with the patience Tyler had in giving us the information and some advice, even when we changed out minds about some details a few times. I would use them again were I to purchase any camera equipment.

I erroneously ordered a flash for a 35 mm camera when I wanted to order a flash for a digital SLR. I appreciate Steve taking the time to clarify my order rather than sending me what I ordered and then having me ship back a product I could not use.  
I also appreciate that Steve made a recommendation for a more versatile product. I did not sense he was overselling me but was trying to get me a good value for my money.

Dear Sir/Madam,  
 
I'm writing to thank you for your excellent customer service and prompt delivery. We were looking for a top-end camera and we looked at lots of online companies before we found the astounding prices at thundercameras.com. We promptly bought a Nicon D 90 with a Nicon 18 - 200 lens. Most companies abandon you after making a sale but Thundercameras.com contacted us after the sale to make sure the everything was correct. The sales representative 'Josh' was particularly helpful and pleasant and went out of his way to make sure we received the best possible deal. The product arrived before it was expected and we are now happily snapping away at everything we can find! Thank you again Thundercameras.com!  
 
Yours gratefully,  
 
Alena Krehky-Davis

This review was modified by its author, Alena 111, on 8/26/10 3:19 PM.

I ordered online an inexpensive Canon lens. It was listed as an imported model. That evening I received a voicemail message on my mobile phone. the next day I called back to verify address and credit card. They also confirmed that the lens was compatible with my camera. Not unexpectedly, they tried to get me to upgrade to a "steel mount" instead of the "plastic mount" on the lens I ordered. I indicated that I had no problem with the inexpensive plastic mount and did not want to change the order. I received a call back that the order was being prepared for shipment and that "the manager approved giving me a no cost upgrade to the steel mount lens." I thanked them and received the lens the very next day (I live in the NY area). What was delivered was exactly what I had ordered (plastic mount), so I have no complaints.