Caveat Emptor

On 18th May I ordered a lens (£349.95)from Camera Box - an advertiser which appeared on the right of these pages.

After 2 weeks it had not arrived despise being in stock and supposedly on 2-3 day delivery.

I cancelled the order on 31st May and was sent an email advising that a full refund was being returned to my card - I paid via Visa.

To date I have yet to receive the refund and they no longer answer the phone, but insist on email contact.


We have a topic for suppliers who are praised - how about one for those who are not

Bernard

Can almost hear the Lawyers rubbing their hands together. Think best advice is wherever possible stick with SRS, or other reccomendations.

Davex.

Basically because every supplier has one-off problems and they are best sorted out with the supplier.

You are very well protected by legislation and if you have a continuing problem your local CAB will be able to advise. Try www.adviceguide.org.uk which will tell you most things you should know.

As you have paid by Visa you have additional rights and can ask the credit card company for a refund.

I am indeed pursuing it via Visa Disputes team, but thought others might like to know as it takes time to rectify these things.

regards
Bernard

I've been thinking about this, and wonder if something is happening similar to this: An eBay buyer finds their package hasn't turned up. Option 1 is they contact the seller and the seller suggests a solution, perhaps waiting another week after which a refund will be issued. Option 2 is they raise a Dispute, the funds are set aside by PayPal and at that point it becomes impossible to refund the money until the process has been completed. The buyer waits longer and the seller is annoyed because eBay tell them they must refund when they were happy to anyway.

When you raised a dispute with Visa then the funds may have been frozen so the refund now waits resolution of the complaint and the seller no longer wants to talk on the phone but wants everything in writing.

Just a thought.

A search on google makes me think you did the right thing persuing via Visa

http://www.reviewcentre.com/products619.html

I think that one has changed now. As a seller you can settle a resolved claim and the buyer will get their money back. It's only if you continue the dispute that the money stays in limbo.

But as a seller I prefer to use Amazon rather than eBay. They are much easier to deal with and the seller has far more rights.

But on the subject, I find it far better to deal with companies by email. They are legally recognised documents and makes it much easier if it ever does end up in court.

But you may have been unlucky. I've never heard bad things about the company before.

The reviews on this link echo more or less exactly my experience.

I've only just (today) raised the dispute, having been fobbed off for over a month now.
I queried the delivery 3 times and got 3 excuses before cancelling
I chased a refund to be told it'll take a few more days then today I can't get a reply on the phone and get an email reply that the company has temporarily ceased trading.

Frankly at this stage I do not care what their problems are, I've been lied to.

Bernard

Final Chapter-

At last my monies have been refunded (by Visa) after almost 2 months


Bernard

Preumably the card issuer had a few problems getting the money back considering Camerabox went into liquidation on the 26th June.

Absolutely!!

If a dealer gives great service then shout about it. Name and Fame!!

If a dealer gives very bad service then shout about it. Name and Shame!!