SRS Micro

Has anyone else found ordering from them to be akin to pulling teeth?

I've used them a few times now and on each occasion they have taken the order and then sent an e-mail telling me the item is "out of stock". I could perhaps accept this on something of high value or maybe "specialist" but when you get this message for a 52mm filter I have to wonder - do they hold any stock at all or are they just "middle men"?

I've told them to cancel my latest and have gone to Jessops on-line, a pound dearer but will be here tomorrow.

On the contrary, I have found them to be excellent although I usually go there rather than order as I am not far away.

K.

They are the middle men, manufactures supply to distributor which supply the shops with the products.

I only once ordered from them and that went very well so no complains from me.

In a word, No.

They are very highly regarded around here, but what you may not know is that they are a single high street family run store with a high turnover of both in store and online customers. As such they don't have a head office and warehouse full of stock and staff dedicated to online sales.

Here's a tip, pick up the phone and call them!

Here's another tip, once you've called them, why not visit the store? You're close enough, and the staff and advice is a damn sight better than what you would get in the average Jessops.

I noted that they have a tie-in with PU, nevertheless when we are talking about something as everyday as a 52mm ND filter, is it unreasonable to expect them to hold stock - it's not like they take up much room or are too expensive to have sat around, is it?

In respect of your other points, Watford is a day-trip from here - if I were spending £400+ then yes, I'd go in person, but we are talking about items around £30 in value.

Where at all possible, I always try to support independent retailers (just ask my AV supplier!!) but my experiences with SRS have not been at all positive - not one sale completed without a significant delay.

I would however, agree with your comments about staff knowledge.

I've bought several items from them and delivery has always been prompt - including one item ordered by telephone whilst I was on holiday and delivered on the day of my return as arranged.

I would recommend them to anyone who is buying photographic equipment.

Which came first? Yes, there is now an official link with Pentax User but there is no negative connotation to this.

What came first was this forum and it's members "adopting" Chris at SRS as the man to call and Chris offering us the best deals he could. The favoured position here was earned, and after a couple of years probably of excellent service the link was formalised in that SRS are now the official supplier of Pentax accessories to the club members.

However it was the membership of the forum and SRS who started the process and Chris has earned our support and respect.

I have purchased a K20D refurb with 540 clicks at a special forum price plus a second hand 55-300mm lens and an 18-55 mm Mark 2 within the last week from SRS. I found them helpful on the phone and the goods arrived the next day. When I pointed out that a new 18-55 was £50 with Park Cameras, they found me a'grade ' example which cannot be distinguished from new for £35. All with free postage as a forum member.

Simply outstanding service.

Dave

And all this fuss because a filter is out of stock.

G

I have received yesterday my new Da*200, and the service provided by SRS ( Nikki this time ) was first class as usual.
Claudio

I agree with George a lot of fuss about such a small deal. I doubt there`s a comparable service to SRS. If you find it let us know.

Cedric

Although I have also used SRS quite a few times with no problem I do not think that Ray should be made to look as though he is making a fuss over nothing .. and to me it looks like this is the way the thread is heading. If he had mediocre service then he should be allowed to say so without having the whole forum jump on him from a great height.

I would have thought Chris would be happy to have all feedback, good or bad as it may stop someone else feeling the same in the future.

The problem is that the OP seems to think that SRS is a large warehouse operation with an integrated stock and ordering system. It isn't.

I suspect that their on-line ordering system does little more than print out an order. I doubt if it is linked to stock levels, and thereby lies the problem. They don't have time to continuously update the website when things go out of stock, so from time to time buyers will get an email as the OP described.

The secret is to use all the tell-tale little signs that tell you whether the item is likely to be in stock, and then act accordingly. In the case of SRS that means picking up the phone.

G

Then why not say that in the first place George rather than just saying he is making a fuss over nothing?

I was told that she was 'the owner' when I ordered! On the broader point, Ray welcome to the Forum. It's a great place if you are a Pentaxian and a genuinely friendly and helpful place!

Dave