"These negative reviews aren't surprising at all. Heck, I didn't even know Bel Air Camera was still open - that amazes me. I used to buy film there only because they carried a specialty medium format we used at work. They were rude then - no "Hello," or "Thanks," or "Come again!" despite spending about $500 bucks a month there. It was more like, "Take your g-d film and get the f- out of here." They've been locked in a contest with Samy's Camera to see who can have the worst customer service in LA. You'd think in a town with A LOT of photographers, we'd have some decent camera stores. Admittedly, I've only been to Bel Air Camera once in the last 5 years, and it was only because it was the nearest camera shop and I needed a cheap point and shoot for work. I was however STUNNED by the rudeness of the salesman. It had gotten far worse since I used to be a regular customer. I have a low tolerance for rude people, and I don't think I lasted more than 30 seconds with this guy. What made it weird was the shop was otherwise complete empty of customers. It's bizarre: both Bel Air and Samy's belittle their customers, act with astonishing discourtesy, and charge way too much for their cameras. How on earth have they stayed in business?
Nowadays, I just plan ahead and buy what I need from B&H and Amazon. Great customer service. I call B&H all the time just to ask technical questions, and it's like a 1-900 line for camera enthusiasts. In a decade of shopping at Amazon, I've never once had to deal with a human being, and I've never had a botched order, a late delivery, or ever made a return!"
"I actually purchased several items here and love them all. I broke my camera and used the repair shop and they are wonderful also. If you want great customer service and awesome prices this is the place. I am a multiple time repeat customer and so are several of my friends all love it. "
"Never received order confirmation or shipping notice - just online bill when i log into their site. 3 emails to 3 email addresses available: no response. phone call - talked to manager who seemed to remember it shipping. no help. 2 weeks later - still no camcorder or response. horrible, horrible service. how i have to file a grievance with paypal"
"I purchased a Canon 350D Digital Rebel XT and specifically requested a Black Body...even spoke with the Owner twice. The camera arrived with a Silver body. When I spoke with Owner he said he didn't even remember speaking with me, offered to take it back but said they didn't have any black ones and didn't know when they would have any. I had already opened the camera and chose to accept it rather than hassling with sending it back. But I do have a negative impression of this company and would not order from them in the future."
"I ordered a camera from http://www.belaircamera.com on 3/22/2005 and paid $27.65 extra for 2-day shipping. After a 1 day delay the camera was shipped 3-day select. The result is that I will receive the camera AFTER Easter when I paid extra to insure that it would be delivered before Easter.
On 3/25, Fred Silvers issued a $10 refund for the difference in freight cost."