"I ordered a Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF on September 1, 2010 and received it September 21, 2010. I paid $809. The box had been opened and no warranty card was inside. The web site said it was a USA model but what I received was an import. I called ThunderCamera and they said they filled out the card and sent it in. I called Nikon and they said they did not. They also said the web site said Import. Since I suspected dishonesty from them I had saved the HTML code of the Lens and sent it to them showing they were lying and that it said USA Model.
ThunderCamera called me and they are now going to send me a warranty card for 5 years where I can have the lens fixed locally if something should go wrong. This was my main concern. I am changing the review but will change it back if the card does not show up.
Well they sent me a 5 year warranty card that has already been registered under someone else.
The warranty card issue was resolved."
"Thunder Cameras is a Bait & Switch business. If you see a low price here, good luck and you will be taken for a ride.
They have the exact "bait" camera (Nikon D90) on their website homepage everyday since I ordered it on Sept. 10, 2010. They advertize it as an "import" model, with low price.
After I ordered it, they asked me to call back to "verify payment info". The minute I called and tell them I only needed the camera, they told me it will ship in 2 to 3 weeks and put it on "Thunder back order" right away.
12 days since then, I checked to see the exact camera is on their homepage with availabilty as "usually ships in 1-2 business days". I go on to call about this "thunder back order", they canceled the order in a "Thunder" second.
So don't even dream this Thunder Deal could be yours without being taken for a ride. Go to a reputable dealer and get your real gear with no strings attached."
"Thunder Cameras shipped the order on time and has excellent customer service to support the sale after the fact. I would recommend this store to others.
Craig Maas"
"I am VERY displeased with the customer service. My account was charged for two camera kits when I had ordered only one. They told me it would take 7-12 BUSINESS days to refund my money ($1,000). Before I could even get in touch with someone, I made several phone calls where a voicemail told me that they were not open even though I called during their business hours. I also tried emailing but received a message saying they were closed for four days. I called during those four days and once got a beeping sound saying the number was receiving too many calls at this time and the second time I actually got throught to someone...even though the email told me they were closed until the next business day. Each time I expressed my frustration to the representative on the phone, he got snippy with me and tried to make it my fault and acted like I was crazy for thinking that it should take up to 12 business days to refund money THEY overcharged me. Was the camera they sent of great quality? Yes. Will I EVER use this company again, NO!!! Not worth the hassle! FYI, still waiting for my refund (purchased on 09/07/10 and today is 09/21/10). In theory, it will arrive on 09/24/10. "
"Andy with Customer Service was great! I had concerns with ordering online, but his actions allayed them. As a representatitive of Thunder Cameras, he ensured that my satisfaction was guaranteed. I had originally ordered a camera package, which I ended up needing changed and Andy took good care of me. I will definitely recommend Thunder Camera to my friends. You can't beat their price or service. Thanks Andy and Thunder Cameras! Dean L"
"ThunderCamera keeps its price low with imported models which are bundled differently from their US cousins. US customers are naturally confused when learning the missing battery and Japanese labels.
I ordered a Canon T2i body at ThunderCameras on 8/14/10 for its price. Waited for about a week, and noticed in my online account that ThunderCameras unilaterally canceled my. I called them immediately and was told that the cancellation was a clerical mistake. However, they explained that the merchandise is on back order and may take a few weeks to fill.
Five weeks later, still no update, and I am still in backorder. At the same time, ThunderCamera continues advertise very attractive price for T2i with no mention about its availability. I posted my original negative review.
Thunder Camera contacted me the next day and explained the delay, the imported model, and options for upgrade to US model. This is deal is ongoing. But, I have agreed to reduce the severity of my complain."
"Excellent follow-up to internet order. I had mistakenly ordered the international model of the Nikon D300 digital SLR [the approximate $250.00 less than going inter price for a U.S. model had me overlook that I was ordering the adequately noted international model]. Thunder Camera took the time to follow up with a call to ensure I wanted my user manual and some camera menu items in an unchangeable foreign language format? Even when my wife mistakenly thought a telemarketer was calling and had hung up on Thunder Camera they persisted in calling back and revising my order for a camera model I could actually use."
"It is a very good company. Gives good deals and keeps promises on advertised discounts. It is second time I am shopping here and thing prices are really good."
"Yes the salesman that helped me was very patient informative and did not over sell all the extras. I would use Thunder Cameras again in the future, Thanks much John Mayer"
"Do not deal with this co. It is just what everyone else says, a bait and switch co.
I can not believe their representative telling me he knew where I lived! What trash, this is the kind of co. that will probably make a charge to my credit card later and if so they will be the first suspects I will report or their employees!"
"I placed an online order with this company for a camera lens. I was contacted 2 days later for verification on my credit card information and during that conversation, the sales rep told me the lens I had ordered would not work with my camera and he suggested a different lens, which was more expensive. I agreed, but once I researched this information later that evening, I found that my original lens I had ordered would work with my camera and that the new lens that was recommended was of much lesser quality and was over priced by $300.00. I called Thunder Cameras the next morning and was told that the order had been changed, charged to my credit card and shipped that morning. I was told that customer service was not available at that time. I tried to contact customer service multiple times from 09-09-10 through 09-12-10 and got a message that the company was closed. When UPS attempted to deliver a package to me from Thunder Cameras, I refused to sign for it and UPS returned it.
I finally spoke to Thunder Cameras customer service 09-13-10. I was told that the restocking fee would be 20%, unless I wanted to reorder another product. I said I did not want to deal with them any longer because I had been given incorrect information at the time of my original order. I asked to speak to a manager and the man told me he was the manager. I asked that my charge of $476.97 be refunded to my credit card and he said they would be keeping $92.00 for their fee. I told him that I thought this was unfair and he stated that I should have read their policy. The manager then hung up on me.
I received an from them later that day:
This e-mail is to confirm that we have received your returned order.
Please allow up to 30 business days for taking the proper actions
(credit/refund/exchnage) towards your account.
If you have filed any disputes with your credit card company there will 30 delay to process your refund or credit request, so if you have any disputes please remove them from your account immediately so we may process your refund in a timely manner
Special Discounted sale package includes Qty: 1
New! SIGMA 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 DG Macro SLD Qty: 1
Autofocus Lens FOR NIKON
58mm Superior Titanium High Resolution Multi Qty: 1
Coated UV Filter (Used to Protect The Lens).
Shipping: $0.00
Shipping Insurance: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
Total: ($364.92)
The actual difference was $112.05! That’s even more than he said on the phone. I am so upset with this situation; once I researched reviews for Thunder Cameras, I found multiple stories like mine where someone from the company called the customer to verify credit card information, then either insisted they buy additional items or switched their order altogether, like they did with mine. I am still disputing this charge with my credit card company; Thunder Cameras has been dishonest with me and apparently has a long history of treating their customers unfairly.
"
"I ordered a nikon lens from Thunder Cameras far cheaper than elsewhere available on the net. It took some time and proactive communication to straighten out my order but customer service made it right, getting me a great deal. Thanks Thunder!"
"I keep thinking Thunder Cameras is too good to be true but so far they proven me wrong. I keep waiting to have a bad experience but Andy has gone above and beyond to help me. He has saved me a ton of money, given me expert advice and even made returning an item super easy. I couldn't be more pleased with Andy or Thunder Cameras and highly recommend them to my photographer friends. No one can believe what a truly wonderful experience this has been! I will be ordering again and again from Andy at Thunder Cameras! "
"Thunder cameras helps take the risk out of ordering online. They have a 30 day return policy and a great exchange policy. I had to return a camera for a newer model with them. They made it happen painlessly and even upgraded express shipping to keep me satisfied. "
"Excellent service, very helpful and professional support team. My Nikon D90 arrived within 2 days just as expected. I had a couple of queries relating to the package I had ordered and the aftersales support was extremely helpful and professional in dealing with my queries. I had bought a 2 lens package and one of the lenses had been ommitted from the order in error. The support team coulod not have been more helpful, they acted immediately and despatched the second lense without hesitation.
On the basis of this experience I will definitely use thundercameras again."