"video direct distributors had the lowest price on the panasonic dmw-vf1. Ordering was easy. I received confirmation email which indicated that I should call to confirm stock. I did call the next day and they confirmed it was in stock and shipped. I requested a tracking number and got one. Bottom line: item in stock; fast shipping (fedEx); great service."
"Sorry I did not read reviews and avoid shopping here. I was quoted 2 days to receive remote and after 10 days not receiving called to given excuse they were busy. Eventually received part after I notified credit card. Will avoid buying from them in the future."
"I ordered a Panasonic EUR7627Z60 replacement remote control. It arrived, and is the correct item. However, it does not function at all - completely defective product. My old (identical) remote works, but is starting to fall apart. The merchant refused to pay for return shipping for an exchange. I am paying out of pocket to return it for a refund, but this has been a complete aggravation and waste of my time. I will never do business with Video Direct again. Avoid them like the plague!!"
"I purchased NHAA2DB Sony NH-AA-2DB Set of 2 Rechargeable AA-Size NiMH Batteries 2500mAh (this description directly from my confirmation email). I even called to confirm that this item was in stock which was verified. However, what I got in the mail was not what they showed or matched the upc code or model number that was shown on their website and above in the confirmation email description. When I called to complain they said that this was Sony's replacement product to what was shown. In none of the correspondence was I ever told that I wouldn't be getting what was advertised! They refused to do anything reasonable for me. I will never do business with them again and suggest you think twice before you do!"
"I ordered a 15 pack of DVD-RAM disks (LM-AF120LU15) because they were listed as in stock. I patiently waited for my package, or at least a shipping confirmation, for nine days but received nothing. I then contacted them to see where things stood only to be told that they were "oversold" on that item. If I wouldn't have contacted them, I'm sure that I would have been waiting a very long time, as per the other reviews that I've subsequently seen.
Avoid them. You never know if you're going to get your product or not. "
"This place doesn't have the highest rating so I was a bit concerned. But I placed my order anyway since other places did not have the item I wanted, a lens adapter for my Panasonic FX28 (which I purchased from B&H), in stock. I placed the order on Monday, and got a confirmation email. On Wednesday, I called several times and got a busy signal. I finally got through on my fifth or sixth attempt. They said my order had shipped the day before and would arrive on Monday. It actually arrived a bit early on Friday. All in all, pretty good order execution. Items were new and well packed. No complaints."
"I was looking for a specific camera case to go with my newly purchased camera. I checked and saw that this dealer had the case I wanted in stock at a fair price. I placed my order and got an immediate confirmation email. I waited one week and still no case. I figured due to it being around Christmas time that they were swamped with orders and were behind on their orders. After waiting another week I emailed them to check on the status of my order. They finally emailed the next day saying they had "oversold" that camera case but more cases were on the way. Waiting another couple of days I emailed them and inquired about another case, which was "out of stock" on the day I placed my first order but was now in stock. I asked if I could cancel my order and order this case instead and they said yes but it would be $20 more, which was fine with me. They said it was in their west coast warehouse but they could ship it ASAP. Waiting another few days, and hearing nothing on the status of this order, I emailed for a tracking number and they responded that my order was due to be delivered that very day. Happily, it was. It was well packaged but the box the case itself came in was slightly bigger than the outer shipping box ....... but they made it fit. The camera bag was a canvas and leather bag so there wasn't any damage. All in all, this wasn't an awful experience but customer service needs to improve and stay in touch with their customers. Since I eventually got my product in excellent condition and the prices were reasonable, I'm satisfied. But I'm not sure if will ever order from them again unless this was the only place where I could get the item I was looking for."
"I just tried to buy from VideoDirect Ft Lauderdale Florida. I have never seen such a lack of customer service in my life.
I placed my order and sent my money (not done via credit card). I couldn't get a receipt. I couldn't get a written acknowledgment of my order. I asked for a copy of the order to be emailed and they weren't capable of that. They had no scanner, nor could they save a document as a word file, pdf or anything. I asked for it to be faxed - couldn't do that. I asked them to let me know the waybill number - couldn't do that. I was being polite, but when they simply could do even the very fundamentals of customer service, I questioned their practices. At that, they took offense and simply canceled my order without even asking, and said they were sending the money back. It is actually costing them to send a check back by UPS rather than just fill the order.
Not only have they been incredibly ignorant, but the whole thing could have been resolved with the tiniest of effort. They are going to twice the effort just to cancel an order that they would have had to just process. A company like this does not deserve to have web sales, and certainly isn't as good as any ebay supplier.
I can't imagine what their after sales service would be like!!
If all goes right and you don't ask them to deviate from established procedures, they may be fine. I'll stick to reputable companies who are reponsive to their customers. VideoDirect has no business being in business IMHO!"
"Ordered a Sony lens from their website that was and still is showing as a stocked item. I received a prompt comfimation email confirming my order. And that was it! No way to check the order status online, with only my credit card transaction as an indication of whether the order was being processed.
When I realized the charge wasn't made,I called 4 days later, questioning the order. I was told the item may be in stock in another location and would receive a prompt callback.
The callback never arrived, and finally called back 3 days later to cancel. I believe the order was canceled, but with no attenpt to change my mind, nor was there any explanation about stock status or their lack of customer service.
Very poor customer service when compared to other reputable online stores."
"As several other buyers have indicated, this retailer showed a Panasonic VW-VBG260 Lithium Ion Battery Pack in stock, which I ordered. Then the nightmare began. Note their communications:
From: ****@****
To: mdrutldg
Subject: Re: Order Status
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 09:10:05 -0500
Hi Mike,
Our records indicate that you cancelled your order on 11/20/07. If you want us to reinstate your order, please let us know. Panasonic is now showing their next shipment for these batteries will be mid Feb 2008. We do have the VW-VBG130 batteries. We most sincerely apologize for the delay but we are at the mercy of the manufacturer.
Customer Service
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael
To: Video Direct Store
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 6:41 PM
Subject: RE: Order Status
Ok, so now it's December, you show it in stock on your website and I've received no battery or communications.
Status Please,
Mike
From: ****@****
To: mdrutldg
Subject: Re: Order Status
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2007 09:56:47 -0400
Hi Mike,
Panasonic is now showing an ETA for your battery of Mid October.
Customer Service
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael
To: ****@****
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:27 PM
Subject: Order Status
I placed the following order on 09/17/07 as you can see and would like an update as to when it will ship.
Thank you for your order. Although we try to keep our In Stock status accurate, this status is subject to change without notice. If delivery requirements are critical, we would recommend that you call 1-***-***-**** between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST Monday-Friday to receive an up to the minute stock status.
I received no communication from them, unless I initiated it on my end. And I DID NOT cancel the order. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M NOT ORDERING FROM THEM AGAIN !!!!"
"On Wednesday the 14th of Nov 07, I saw listed on video direct's website that they had in stock a Metz 58 flash unit for my Pentax k10d. That unit was in stock nowhere else that I was able to find, although various posts on dpreview and pentax forums suggested that Bogen Imaging USA indicated that it was "in country." I called Wednesday and almost immediately got a real, live person who said it appeared as though it were in stock, asked me to wait while he checked w/ the warehouse, came back w/in a minute and said there was one unit left. I said I wanted it, he said order it from the website, and I immediately placed the order. The next morning, yesterday, the 15th, I emailed asking for an ETA of the unit and a tracking # and very shortly thereafter got a return email saying the unit's shipping was in process and would ship either "today or tomorrow" (the 15th or 16th). The gentleman then told me it would take approximately a week for delivery via UPS ground. He further instructed that I should email on Monday for a UPS tracking. Today upon returning home from work I found the flash unit had arrived, much to my very great pleasure. It shipped directly from Bogen Imaging, USA in NJ. I got the unit well before I had expected it to arrive. That delivery was just as fast as B&H; I got to talk to a real person who sold me only what I asked for, and did so very professionally. I'll certainly go to this ocmpany again.
tony"
"Ordered VWVMH3 Zoom Microphone. Called to check if in stock before purchases. Talked to friendly guy, that assured me it was.
Six days later I received the package.
Very happy customer, will shop in future."
"Received WD-H43 Canon lens 7 days after ordering.
Packed very well. Happy with their service."
"Very good prices, service is OK, though slow to ship some items and slow to respond to emails. Also 800 # is usually busy. But they're not at all shady and have purchased several thousand dollars worth of stuff and will continue to buy from them."
"Saw a very low advertised price on the Canon HV20. Was cautious but the 200 below MSRP + free shipping and tax and the fact that I could fall back on Amex if they misbehaved caused me to try them.(Although they showed that the item was not in stock yet).
Online ordering was smooth..Tried calling them the next day to find when to expect the camcorder but got an engaged line most of the time..
Got through finally 2 days later and spoke with a very nice representative who informed me that they shipped it the previous day and asked me to give them a call if the product did not match my expectations.. I did not get any shipping/tracking email but was pleasantly surprised to know that these guys are genuine.. Would shop again if they offered the same competitive prices..
Update: Package arrived on time as promised with original packing.. Had a tough time calling them up to confirm the arrival date though.."