"I ordered a flash from DigitalDepotOnline.com which I found out is Thunder Camera. I received the "bait & switch" and was told that for $20.00 more that I could get a "professional grade" flash. It arrived as promised 4 days later but 1) it didn't work & 2) it was not "professional grade" it was a piece of dog squeeze. I immediately called them and was put on hold forever and then was treated very rudely. I demanded my money back but was told that was not possible. What? They then said that they would ship my preferred flash the day that they received the inoperable flash back. They received it 4 days later and it's now been 3 weeks after the fact and still no flash. When I call all I get is voice mail and messages are not returned. I have sent numerous emails and have not received a word back. I have reported them to my credit card company and to the BBB in NYC.

This has been absolutely the most frustrating experience that I have had in making purchases over the internet over the past 6 years."

"This has been the worst experience buying on the internet I've ever experienced. Not only was the product information incorrect, but the staff continued to provide me with false information about timelines for deliveries, product availability, and now trying to get reimbursed for the lens that never showed up! I ordered my camera and lens on February 25th with an immediate call stating that the camera I ordered was not the American version and would cost more than advertised. Then, the delivery date came and went several times. After several attempts to confirm the order and shipping, I was told it was arriving via UPS. However, I checked the tracking number given by TC and the number didn't exist by UPS. Six weeks after the initial order, I made several more calls and emails later before I received the camera body, but I was told the lens wasn't available now due to the earthquake in Japan. Therefore, I called the local camera store and picked up the lens that same day. No concern about the earthquake at any of the local stores! For the past several weeks, I've been trying to get reimbursed for the camera lens, but I continue to get told dates about crediting my account, but the dates have come and gone ... much like the initial order. In fact, the latest excuse is the phones don't work properly. Through all of this, not one phone call or email communicating any delays, change in delivery dates, product availability, etc. Customer service??? Now, I'm forced to take legal action to recuperate the $1500 for the lens that was purchased 3 months ago. I would never recommend this company to anyone. In fact, I'll warn people to stay away from this website and make sure none of my colleagues in the photography business use Thunder Cameras. "

"I placed an order for a camera and a lens on April 18th for my boyfriend's birthday on May 18th and now on the 16th of may I am still waiting for the camera!!! It will not be on time for his birthday and that makes me very sad. The lens is perfect and came very quickly. I also paid extra for shipping to make sure it arrived on time. So I guess my point is don't place an order for a camera unless you don't care when or if it arrives. They are also hard to reach and do not respond to emails. "

"I am really very good about making sure I read reviews before making any online purchases.

I did not with Thunder Cameras. I watched, and waited as prices went up and down, When they went up, I thought I had waited too long in hesitation, and lost my chance at a great deal (little did I know) I would once again wait months until I had thee opportunity to snag that great deal. It finally happend! Without checking ANY reviews, I pounced on the deal of the day, fearing I would lose another great price.
This was nearly 3 weeks ago that had I made my purchase. All I wanted, and ordered was the D5000. Who could refuse the price of 204$ right? All my card information was given that evening ( on their site) My order was in place. The next I recieved a phone call from Thunder cameras. They needed my cvc number. Ok I thought, here you go, thinking to myself, "why not just put that line in on thee order form" ok, whatever. Well needless to say, it did'nt end there. The man tried to get me to buy a card for 199$. Really?? Wow, must be one hell of a fantastic card. I declined of course. Questioning what had I got myself into. He also proceeded to sell me lenses for the camera, I again declined I have lenses for my other camera, and told him this, and that I was all set. Just need the camera. He was polite enough, but I could hear frustration in his voice. The call ended.
I got home to check my email, and low and behold, I had an apologetic email from Thunder Cameras , stating that once my order reached the shipping floor, they discovered that this very popular item was backordered. it would be backordered for 2 weeks,
Already being suspicious, I checked the time on my cell phone, to the time they had "backordered" my item. 15 minutes had passed by. I knew by not ordering all thee accessories they tried to sell me, that I was not going to recieve the camera. luckily they had not charged my card.
I left them email just thee other day inquiring about my order. No response.
Buyers beware, unless you plan or not plan on being snookered by these crooks, just pass them on by, They have an F rating on the BBB (Better Business Bueau ) I will never get the camera, but luckily I didnt fall for their scam of buying extra, needless, pricey items, and they didnt charge my card. They need to be shut down, Hopfully everyone writing reviews, people will listen and stay away, and THEY will go away. Any sites with super low prices do the same thing. Save yourself the frustration, and just stay away,"

"I bought a Canon Powershot S95 through Thunder Cameras because they had the lowest price on the web. A day later I received an e-mail saying they needed to confirm my purchase and once I was on the phone informed me the version that I purchased was the imported version with all instructions in Japanese. I asked them to switch to the US version and it was $80 more expensive. When I asked them why the US version was not on their website they said I bought the last one and it has now been removed. I looked for any US versions on their website and found none. Asked them why and the gentlemen finally hung up on me. Do not order anything from this company."

"Just reported this company to www.ic3.gov. Thundercameras is conducting fraudulent activity. I ordered a camera body and lens. Got an email not confirming what I ordered but telling me I had to call them to finalize my order. Called them and all they wanted to do was sell me something else for more then what I wanted to spend. I wouldn't agree to it. Well when my package came, they ended sending me the stuff they where trying to sell me on and charged me an extra $100. This company is shady and don't be fooled by the fake pricing on their site!!! You will never get the price they are advertising!!!"

"This company is scam . be careful.
they will tell you because of Japan problems .we have to wait for 4-6 weeks . don’t trust them , they are scammers.
I am reporting to Feds for them. and Better Business Bureau.
no one can sell any camera 60% cheap than best buy or Sam’s club. I have proof these guys are Bad. not a good company."

"DO NOT buy from Thunder Camera. I ordered online and I quickly received an email telling me to call in to confirm my order. I did so and they asked me why I was buying this camera and not the Nikon D7000. They tried desperately to get me to change my mind on the camera I had chosen. They are your typical bait and switch company and their customer service blows! I have never dealt with anyone so rude in my life! I felt very uneasy about my purchase after I hung up the phone and decided to look around online for any reviews (which I clearly should have done before I made the purchase). I saw the hundreds of horrible reviews and problems others have had and decided to call back and cancel the order the same day. They claimed they had already sent out my order but refused to give me a shipping confirmation/tracking number and told me they would return my money in 30 business days, but they were charging me a 15% restocking fee. It is now 2 days shy of 30 days, and I still have not received my money back. I am disputing these charges because I never received any shipping conf #. They claim to send out within 48 hrs, but my call was the same day I ordered so I know they were not truthful. NEVER ORDER FROM THESE SCAMMERS!"

"Total scam artists, avoid this store and consider any promise they make you to be a joke. All they do is bait you in with a low price then just jack the price up, up and up on you as high as they can. I started with a fantastic deal on a Nikon D5000 with 2 Sigma lenses for 429.00, this turned out to be too good to be true when I was told it was a foreign import and everything on the camera would be in Japanese (a fact not shared ANYWHERE on their website let alone the package details!). I was then hustled into a US model with one Nikon lens for 699.99 (that same model selling a day later for 599.00 on their website) which is just barely market value. To add insult to injury I was then charged 58.00 shipping where my shipping on the foreign model was only 38.00. The final hit was with 40.00 shipping insurance that I NEVER agreed to and they never stated anywhere on the invoice I received. In total I went from a 429.00 steal to a 797.99 straight out hustled robbery. Go spend your money with a honest and reputable dealer rather than these clowns unless you want to get your pockets picked clean."

"Hi, my name is Steve and I do not understand where all of these reviews are coming from. Thunder Camera sent me an email asking me to contact them. I called and spoke with a gentleman who told me the the camera I had ordered was on back order. Not at anytime did he try and sell me a different camera.No bait and switch here. I could either wait for it to come in or I could cancel it and that they would call me when it did come it. I was not charged any and fees whats so ever. So all of the things that I have read, to me are not justified."

"I will not bore anyone with the details but all these disenchanted reviews are also a reality. I guarantee that no one has ever experienced an organization like Thunder Cameras. Imagine them suggesting what to buy after you told them what you wanted and not even receiving what they suggested you order. You've got it...they will not take it back and refund your money even if you have not opened one part of the order based on the order being a special package order. Imagine them telling you that what you see and read on the products you received are not true. It is like talking to someone in the Twilight Zone. Be prepared to lose a lot of money because no one including your card bank or the BBB can help you. I'm calling my card company and telling them my credit card has been compromised. I cannot trust Thunder Cameras with my credit card number. This company is morally and ethically bankrupt."

"DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY!!!! All these reviews are 100% true. Unfortunately, I got suckered into this company without reading any reviews first. It has been nothing but a nightmare!!!

I ordered a Nikon 24-70mm. The guy ordered a "Sigma 24-70mm professional". No such thing! How much was I charged for this Sigma that I didn't order?? 1391.97!!! How much does it sell on amazon for? $899.!!!! I called to cancel this order, the guy I talked to was a hassel. He wouldn't let me cancel my order, or else I would have to pay a restocking fee of 20%. He also said that I couldn't cancel my order because it had already shipped..Yeah right. I had literally placed it 5 minutes prior to talking to this guy on the phone.

Then I told this guy that I did not WANT the sigma. I wanted what I originally ordered. He said for an additional 550 I could have the lens I had originally ordered. So I said ok. My bank has been charged the additional 550, and I have received NO receipt of that additional money, nor have I received any shipping information. I have tried e-mailing customer service TWICE and nothing has happened. This site is a giant SCAM! I reported them to the BBB like several others have done. I will not stop until I get a COMPLETE refund of my money! This is a joke!

DON'T TAKE CHANCES! They WILL screw you!"

"I ordered a lens over the phone for $579.99. Went to the website and it is listed for $499.00. So, basically was taken advantage of over the phone. I have found the same lens elsewhere for $389.00. I called them to talk about cancelling 1 1/2 hours after the phone order call. They said it had shipped. I have not recieved an e-mail with conformation #, reciept or anything from Thunder Camera. I paid for 3 day shipping and am supposed to get it on Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. I am calling them tomorrow to discuss the price discrepency and a resolution. I have sent them 3 e-mails and have not recieved a response. I will update after my call to them tomorrow.
3/14/2011
Called about my order today and was told the website price was from an imported Lens. Asked for a tracking # and got one in the e-mail. UPS says it got a label but not a package yet. When I called Friday, they said it had shipped. I paid for 3 day delivery, so.I am going to demand that they reimburse me for the shipping. They are still selling the lens for $200.00 more than anyone else!
Either way I am still getting screwed!

Update: I called Thunder Cameras and told them I wanted my shipping refunded because it was shipped 3 days after I ordered it and I had paid for 3 day shipping. They said they would and I checked and they have refunded the shipping.
The lens is supposed to be here today via UPS. If it is what it is supposed to be, I am just going to keep it. If I send it back because I can get it cheaper some where else, it will still cost $54.00 because of all of the fees that they charge to send an item back.
I can say that they have not been rude to me on the phone. They have blocked my e-mail though...guess they didn't like all the complaining from me.
Will let you know tomorrow about the lens."

"I just got scammed by Thunder Cameras. I bought a Nikon 105mm VR as a gift for my boyfriend from them for 699.00. Thunder Cameras called to verify my order and then informed me it was not a digital lens. I thanked them for catching that mistake and had the order changed to a digital lens for 799.00 plus 48.00 insurance. Then a Sigma lens showed up at my doorstep. I am returning and will get screwed on insurance and shipping again plus a 15% restocking fee."

"As the other commenters have said, DO NOT BUY FROM THIS WEBSITE! I had wanted a canon 24-70 mm lens and this website had a low price. My husband called to order the lens as a gift and was convenienced to buy a sigma lens for twice the cost of other websites. When he told me, I asked him to cancel the order. Since he had accepted a "special discount" the order could not be cancelled. The website states a 30 day money back guarentee, but they won't honor it if there is any kind of discount. I emailed the company several times and got no reply. The lens has shipped, but it has been over two weeks and I have still not recieved the package. This website is a scam and prays on people that are not familiar with camera products. "