This store is completely unethical. I recently bought a used lens here and ended up needing to…read morereturn it. Nowhere on the page of the website does it say that you cannot return used gear (I checked twice, so if the site says it now they have added it after I am posting this review), and they certainly did not tell me in person when I went to the shop.
After coming in, I also saw that most of the lenses listed on the website were no longer available. I did my due diligence and called to inquire about the lenses I was interested in before I drove all the way out there, and the employee I spoke to on the phone said everything on the website was in stock.
I went to return the one I bought and the manager took a look at it and, unprompted, said it was in the exact same condition as it was when I purchased it. I didn't even use it, so of course caused no damage. It even had all the original packaging I was given when purchased.
The only place it is noted that they don't take returns on used gear is on the receipt. When do you get a receipt? AFTER you make a purchase. When would it be ethical to tell a customer you don't take returns on the item they are about to buy? Probably BEFORE you actually purchase it.
They offered to buy the lens back from me. I paid over $160 for the lens. They bought it back for $60.
Also noteworthy is that it took the manager approximately 10 minutes to inspect the lens and they charge a 15% restocking fee. So basically if you have to return a brand new lens they are charging you 15% for a 10 minute inspection and approximately 1 minute to take the lens out of the box and put it in the display case at the counter. Seems a little ridiculous, but maybe that's just me.
So there goes 2+ hours of drive time, plus gas money, plus the loss of $100 when they could have just told me, or at least gave people a heads up on their website that they don't accept returns. I would never have bought a used lens had I known returns were not accepted, as that's not a risk I would be willing to take, especially at that price.
If you want to support a local business with good moral and ethical standards, Humble Camera Center is not the place for you.
Edited to respond to Mr. Crosby: I was not rude to you or your employees, so I'm not sure why you would assume I would leave a negative review. My facial expressions probably did show my disappointment - I don't have the best poker face - but I was quiet and tried my best to keep my tone neutral.
I guess I didn't see the signs. I would expect honest people to be straight-forward and make sure their customers are fully aware of their policies before making a sale. It is, indeed, printed on the receipt. A receipt I received AFTER already purchasing the item.
Admittedly, I do not understand such a large restocking percentage as it relates to the very little time and effort it takes you to restock.
I understand that you are trying to protect yourself from people attempting to basically rent your gear at no cost to them, however I am simply an honest customer (as I suspect most are) with no ill intentions.
I guess I didn't think to ask if I would be able to return the lens. I was not planning to use it and return it, to take advantage of you and your business in any way, and frankly, I am not a psychic. I think it would be far more ethical if you were open and honest. With no heads up that I could not return the item, I did not consider that you would be so morally deficient as to refuse a legitimate return of an item that was in the same condition as it was when purchased, as you mentioned yourself.
As you said, you did not sell me the lens, and therefore have no knowledge about what I did or did not ask. I suppose not believing a customer is par for the course with you.
Perhaps you did sell the 4 lenses I was looking at that were allegedly available on Saturday before they were removed on Monday. It seems unlikely, but unlike you, I'm willing to give another person the benefit of the doubt.
I agree that I did not have to accept your offer. Unfortunately, your suggestion of reselling it myself is far more difficult, risky, and complicated than selling it back to you. And honestly, after over 2 hours of driving, gas money and time spent, I felt very defeated when you refused to refund my money. I did everything I possibly could think of to ensure that I was purchasing from a reputable company, and yet here we are.
Also, I do not appreciate your passive-aggressive, rude private message. If I wasn't convinced you were lacking moral integrity before, I am certain of that now.
While I am a bit surprised no one has called out your ethical failures until now, I hope you take my honesty to heart and work on improving yourself and your business.
