Willoughby’s CameraReviews of willoughbys.com

Got scammed by them. Ordered a new Sony A7IV camera. Then they called me several days later and told me some BS that I ordered the "international version" which won't work properly in the US and asked me if I really wanted that. I told them I'd prefer the US version, and they told me it's only $300 more. They said they would throw in a free case which is something they are doing for the holidays. I fell for it and said okay. After I received it, I realized the free case was a super cheap padded bag (I envisioned a nice hard case). It was just an excuse for them to sell it without the original box, which they probably didn't have. The camera smelled strongly of cigarette smoke and I suspect that it was used. I also realized that because the product was shipped without the original box, Sony likely won't honor the additional 1 year warranty that they are currently providing. Now I'm trying to get my money back and return it.

Offered a great deal on a camera only to contact me after I ordered it to explain that the camera I had ordered was a European model that would not have some compatibility here in the US. They offered me the US version for almost $160 more than the camera I purchased. Nowhere in the camera title, product description or specifications did it state that it was a European model. Deceitful company uses bait and switch tactics - stay clear!

I saw an ad on FB for a discounted price on a camera I have been wanting for a while so I went to purchase it through the financing option they have available on their website. They then proceeded to call me afterwards and say that the camera I ordered was not the US version and I would not be able to use it because the firmware and language would be foreign but they had the US version for an additional $500. I never saw anything showing that the camera I attempted to order was a grey market camera. In addition do NOT use the Synchrony financing as it is no longer accepted by Willoughby’s so you will have a credit card with little to no use as it’s only good at Willoughby’s. I went back later and attempted to purchase the grey market camera after doing a lot of research and it declined my card. I called Synchrony and they said Willoughby’s doesn’t accept their credit cards any longer. So disappointed and frustrating as a potential buyer.

Unfortunately the same as most people on here. I didn't research them, just thought they are a long time camera store with the best price and free shipping. Was called to let me know I purchased the European model with plastic parts and if I wanted the US version it would be $150 more. I was driving and in a rush so I said to just do it. After researching I wish I had asked them to cancel.

I'm still perplexed as to how they work with that rating. I ordered myself a Sony camera, the price is an order of magnitude lower than what I found. Even has international shipping, I am in Croatia. I ordered on Saturday, Sunday - silence, Monday - silence, I wrote them a letter, when will you send it? I get a reply that the camera is sold out, will be available in 4-6 weeks.and to let me know whether I will wait or not. I think that everything is as described by other buyers. Only in my case, did not manage to pile me for the European version of the camera, as I am in Europe)))))

Do not buy from this retailer. They advertise an item for much less than other retailers and then call you before it’s shipped to inform you it’s an import item. They then try and sell you the correct item for the same price as everyone else. I’m going to email canon with hopes they will refuse to sell products with them

Ordered a Canon lens on July 12. I called to get shipping information and their agent said it would ship on Monday, July 15. I called on the 15th to get tracking information and was transferred to a second agent who said I was ordering an import instead of a US model. It was hidden on a tab of the lens that irt was imported. I told them that was still acceptable, the agent sighed as if disappointed and stated the lens would ship that day (Monday July 15). On Tuesday, July 16 i received an email that the lens was backordered with no ETA. I cancelled the order. This is another typical New York bait and switch camera dealer. Avoid them, they are dishonest.

Just like they say: If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is and you should just forget about it. I found the same bait & switch routine at "Abe's of Maine". First, I email them and ask how the price can be so much lower than everyone else? Is it a new item and unused in a sealed box? They say, "…oh yes, we can sell the Nikon Z9 at that price because it's the version from Europe and that means the warranty doesn't include some of the coverage that the US version does". OK, so I think; "I'm careful with my photography equipment and I’ll have it insured. Therefore, I'll go ahead with this "Gray Market" version, which is easily more than $1000 less than the "US Version". Of course, I pay for the camera and if this was a legit store, that would be that. No other legitimate on-line store will send you an email asking that you contact them by phone so that they can verify that you did order it... I mean, I've placed $4K to $6K orders in purchases from some of the biggest retailers, (i.e Amazon), to some of the many much smaller retailers and NONE of them asked me to call them for ID verification. If you think about it, such a "precautionary request" wouldn't help the representative know who you are any more than your email address. Aside from service-oriented transactions, such a request would be pointless. Your Credit Card payment is really about all the proof they’d ever have to establish who you are. If they're asking you to call them, they wouldn't be able to receive any better confirmation than the email address and payment method offered. So, I was already suspicious when I got the email on the next day that said they weren't going to ship the order until they got a 'confirmation call' from me. Well, if any of you have read the tons of 1-star reviews for Willoughby's and/or Abe's of Maine, you pretty much can see the obvious bait & switch pattern these sub-parasitic retail stores use. There's no law against using this ridiculous, unimaginative, tactic but I think there's enough proof to file a civil suit charging these retailers with stealing our time and effort, as well as the emotional stress and disappointment they put us through! Yes, I'm speaking about a class-action lawsuit! From all the complaints I've seen about these two retailers, we can sue them into the stone age! Hit them both for enough money to put them out of business for good. By the time the courts get through with them, they'd be lucky if they could get a license to sell lemonade by the cup-full of a street corner in Dust Bowl, Oklahoma. Any attorneys out there that want to go for what must be one of the easiest class action suits they'll ever file?! I, for one, am all for it so, feel free to contact me! FWIW.