I'm really annoyed. I've used purely gadgets before without any problems, but my latest order has been a total disaster.

Placed an order on Friday 26th for a Tamron lens and a couple of Hoya 77mm filters. Paid by credit card via google.

On Monday evening, order status shows "awaiting courier pickup".

I wait till Tuesday, nothing. So on Wednesday I phone up their CS team (order is still "awaiting courier pickup"). They explain there had been a stock issue with one of the filters and they had to source it from their alternative warehouse in Reading (shame I couldn't pick it up!). The helpful CS chap says with any luck, I'd have it all by that afternoon, or failing that, I'd receive a dispatch email on Wednesday evening confirming a delivery on Thursday. He suggested I call back on Wednesday afternoon if no email had been sent.

I was too tied up with work to call them back, but no dispatch email was sent and order still said awaiting courier pickup.

Phone them up on Thursday and complain. I'm told they are investigating why my order hasn't been shipped with the dispatch team and I'll receive a response by 2pm. I ask if they can phone me back when they know what's going on, but the lady said she cannot phone, only send emails

I decide by then that I've had enough of being mucked around and send them an email via their online enquiry form. Email summarises the situation.

Dear Customer Services.

Since placing the order last Friday' date=' my order has appeared as "awaiting courier pickup". I phoned on Wednesday morning enquiring if there was a stock issue and one of your representatives explained that there had been a supply issue with the filters I had ordered and these had to come from your Reading warehouse. However, all the items were now allocated to me and I should receive the order possibly Wednesday afternoon or Thursday. He advised me to check for a dispatch email yesterday afternoon and suggested I call back if I hadn't received an email. Unfortunately, I never received a dispatch email and was tied up with work so unable to call you to check.

This morning, I phoned again to enquire and was told that my order was being chased with the dispatch team and I would have an update by 2pm. It's now 3pm and still no update. I have phoned your CS department a third time and the lady on the line, whilst apologetic, seems unable to confirm or do anything apart from "enquiring with the dispatch team" and ensuring I will get a reply by tomorrow morning at the latest. I asked if she could call me instead of sending me an email but she kindly apologised and said she could only send me an email.

My concern is that I need these items for this weekend and have called your team three times with still no delivery.

If I do not receive this order tomorrow / Friday, I will cancel it and request a refund.

My previous shopping experiences with you have been good, but the lack of progress despite me chasing several times has dented my confidence. Please reassure me I will receive the goods ordered tomorrow morning.

Thank you and best regards[/quote']

Of course, Thursday afternoon comes and goes and still no confirmation my order has been sent.

I then get a reply on Friday

Thank you for contacting us.

Please accept our apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

Regretfully there has been a delay to the order you have placed with us. Unfortunately one of the products you have ordered was found damaged upon inspection. We are currently awaiting the replacement items to arrive and will ensure they are dispatched to you via next day delivery as soon as possible. Once your order has been dispatched you will receive a confirmation by email. We apologise for the delay and for any inconvenience caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.

We hope this does not cause you too much inconvenience. Either way' date=' please do let us know how you wish to proceed given the circumstances.

Sincerely,

Customer Service Executive [/quote']

So I then ask myself why the delay. Throughout the whole week, all items are marked as "in stock" on their website. If something was truly damanged, then pick another one from the shelf

But I guess this is just a BS story to cover up.

So I reply:

Thank you for your response.

IF the delay of my order was due to damaged products' date=' then I do find it disappointing that it's been delayed by four days (the status has been awaiting courier pickup since Monday). All of the items I have ordered are marked as "in stock" on your website, so I'm afraid I find it hard to believe that this is the real reason of the delay, or if it is, I can't understand why four days have gone by and still the order has not been shipped.

I trust all the items are now in stock, and so I would appreciate a delivery today, which I guess is too late, or a delivery tomorrow (Saturday) to my home address: 1 bla bla, RG1 1AB.

If you are unable to ensure I have the items by this weekend, I will regrettably cancel the order.

Please feel free to call me on my mobile to expedite this. My number is 07xxx xxxxxx.

I can respond to emails, but as I am spending time away from my computer, I won't be able to respond to any queries you may have - telephone really is the best option!

Regards[/quote']

to which I get the final reply:

Thank you for your reply.

We are sorry to say that the items are expected to reach you next week as we are awaiting for the replacement item. I understand that items are required urgently.

Kindly reply to this email with a confirmation that you now wish to have the order cancelled.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely' date='

Customer Service Executive[/quote'] :thumbdwn:

Out of curiosity, I look at their website, and the lens is now £240 instead of £140 I originally bought it at.

So I reckon they've been caught out on a price increase and have just come up with this BS story. Shame really, as my previous experience with them had been fine, although admittedly, I didn't need to call their CS department.

So, as always, buyer beware :(

Thanks for that Xav. Sound fishy.

I don't know if these guys are any use to you but I have used them for my recent purchases. They are excellent and have a couple of shops reasonably close that you could go to if you weren't happy.

SRS Microsystems ? Pentax, Nikon and Olympus Digital Cameras, Camera Accessories and Lenses

Thanks for the link Mr Pentax :P Looks like they have some nice toys I could use

I've ordered with them quite a bit and they've been rather good. Never needed to call them though, nor needed anything urgently.

I found this crowd very cheap for the filters and lens cleaning tools

hvStar.com >>>Photo, Digital, Video Game ON SALE (MaxSaver; BestEastern; hkDirect; hvPhoto)

The stuff came in about a week or so. Not bad from HK

You may know these ones but i'll put them here for anyone else reading this thread.

Can't recommend these highly enough Warehouse Express - Camera Accessories and Lenses, Photography Equipment, Canon, Nikon Digital Cameras I've bought over 2K worth in the last couple of weeks. Always arrived next day:thumbup:

This one is also worth a look Digital Camera Exchange - Your part exchange specialists!

I'ved used warehouse express and also these people without fault

Online Camera Retailers with Stores in London and Chelmsford - CameraWorld.co.uk

Jessops was also surprisingly good for click and collect things but I hear they vary from store to store and I'm fortunate enough to have one in the same building as my office.

Just a word of caution regarding Purely Gadgets. They are grey importers of camera equipment and give out their own return to base warranty.

If you have any problems, they probably won't be covered by manufacturers warranty. I've not experienced them myself but I did notice they are very cheap and when I phoned up re. a Sigma lens, they confirmed over the phone that they are grey imports and not EU supplied.

Just a word of caution regarding Purely Gadgets. They are grey importers of camera equipment and give out their own return to base warranty.

If you have any problems, they probably won't be covered by manufacturers warranty. I've not experienced them myself but I did notice they are very cheap and when I phoned up re. a Sigma lens, they confirmed over the phone that they are grey imports and not EU supplied.

Much like camerabox where I asked them if their stock was EU supplied, and they guaranteed it was, so bought a D700 a bit cheaper and when received it, had an A5 folded / stapled 500 page manual which is unusable and all the software in Japanese. They said they would warranty it, which is fair enough, but I'd rather have a proper 3-year Nikon warranty.....