42nd Street PhotoReviews of 42photo.com

Ordered a new "import" lens, received a used lens. "Passed" sticker was missing but I could tell where it used to be and there were tell-tale signs of wear in various places on the lens and lens bracket and some paint or sharpie action used on those wear areas. I knowingly purchased an "import" lens, but I suspect they took a demo lens, or floor model, repackaged it in a generic box with a generic label, and sold it to me as a new "import" model. There's no documentation in the box, no manufacturer information, nothing. No exchange was offered when I called them.

In April, 2018, I leased a camera and lens from 42nd St Photo. The camera was leased as a demo. When it arrived, I found that it had a few thousand shutter clicks, and it had someone's name set up in the camera, so that person's name was embedded into my photos. A demo should not have this. If it was there, why didn't someone check this, and clear it out? Also, the camera sensor came in dirty, and my professional camera cleaner, told me it looks like someone had cleaned it with improper materials, and left pieces, which causes me to have to clean it every few months, at the cost of $70 a sensor cleaning. I have been dealing with that. The icing is, they sold a warranty, to cover accidental damage to the lens, and also for the camera. I had a problem recently with the lens. I contacted CPS Central, the warranty company. They are not honoring the warranty without an invoice, even though I emailed a copy of my lease agreement. So, they sell useless warranties. Buyers Beware!

I was going to buy a camera and a lens. Something seemed wrong, so I called them. And I found out that the delivery date was not as it said on the invoice 3-6 days, but 4-6 weeks, because it's an international shipping. I asked why then they are giving wrong information on their website, and the answer was that information just isn't updated. The delivery date was very important for me, because I'm not staying in USA that long.

Went in to buy a Nikon DSLR last week, was clearly dealing with the proprietor. Online price $619, but ended up paying $762 apparently "Online price didn't apply" oh - and he added sales tax, you could argue he saw me coming but frankly was too busy to bother arguing, threw in some worthless lens cleaning tat and supplied in the wrong box ( bundled box ) Transaction was polite enough but still feels like I was shafted. Be careful when dealing with these guys.

I ordered a camera lens yesterday and received a call today from Ralph at 42photo asking if I wanted to pay an extra $75 to have the lens "calibrated." When I questioned the need for this service, I was told that I had ordered the "international version" and can get the US version instead for the sale price of $749, an extra $70 over what had been advertised. The website and email confirmation does not specify that the lens is an "international version." When I brought this up, Ralph told me that I should have known that it wasn't the US version based on the low price. There is no mention of the price being discounted because the lens is an "international version." I asked to cancel the order, the salesman did not understand why but then agreed. During the call he became belligerent and rude before the call was disconnected. I have lost trust and confidence in 42nd st photo. They also specify on the website that "we do not charge your credit card until the item is ready to be shipped" but my CC was charged. Buyer beware. **UPDATE** I'm changing my rating from 1 star to 2 stars because my payment was quickly refunded in full. I would just ask that 42nd Street Photo be clearer in their selling listings, especially when there are 2 different versions of products that vary greatly in warranty service (ie., US vs International version). Thanks. BTW: I considered changing to 3 stars but the interaction did not fulfill the definition for 3 stars, "acceptable experience but with some friction."

I needed my camera by a certain date before I left for vacation, and ordered on a Wednesday. It still hadn't shipped by Sunday (stated 24-48 hour shipping). When I called "customer service", after a 15 minute wait, the guy, in stereotypical New Yorker fashion, was a complete bag and hung up on me when I asked a simple question about what the holdup was. When I called back, and waited another 15 minutes to tell him to cancel my order, he sent me to a generic voicemail. Finally got ahold of someone at the store and cancelled my order.

These guys have great initial prices but they will try to bait and switch you. After placing your order you will receive a phone call. This will be a high pressure sales call trying to upsell you on whatever you bought. I dealt with them twice. Once for a camera package and once for a lens. Both time I got aggressive upsell calls. One time I had to threaten cancelling altogether before they would send me what I ordered. Great pricing but aggressive on the upsell. There is no way I ever deal with these guys again.