Cotswold Cameras

What gives with, "Dealing with SLR Hut first, who advertise on this blog", I wasn't aware that TP was a blog or that SLR Hut were an advertiser.

Is David priming responses to so many bad comments in so many different places he's getting himself in a muddle?
 
I'd be very surprised if a seller were posting shill reviews.

That's what you pay your PR agency for.
 
This is really bizarre - 3 newly registered members, all with no history at all, all leaping to the defence of a random grey importer - seems can't really be coincidence, yet we have the mans protestations of innocence.

Probably time to sack the PR people in that case.
 
The mods would know, ip addresses would be registered on the forum software
 
The mods would know, ip addresses would be registered on the forum software

If they all posted from the same place

Unfortunately there are plenty of places out there where you can purchase shill reviews from all over the world.
 
The mods would know, ip addresses would be registered on the forum software

IP addresses are utterly meaningless unless its the same person, using a static IP, which would be a very silly thing for anyone doing 'shill' accounts to do.

Both as a mod and personally, I would suggest looking at anyone that registers and makes one post praising any supplier with a pinch of salt. They may indeed be genuine new members and it isn't fair to be horrible to them and frighten them away, just treat such praise with appropriate caution and look for reviews from more established members of the supplier you are considering using too.
 
hi all, just wanted to add a post on here basically im upgrading to either a Nikon D750 or the 810 however im torn on the grey or uk version
now ive been doing a lot of research with the price being top of the list
d750 is £1800 at jessops, wex etc and around £1300 from cotswold, SLR hut etc
now thats a big difference , im all up for supporting the local market but thats a big difference, if i was going for the 610 it isnt much difference around £1200 v about £900 and i would get from jessops/wex (£300 just seems a lot less that £500)


with regards warranty the greys say they have cover but unless someone has actually made use of the warranty then we dont know if its a load of bumpth and if it came to it they would ignore you but then again all companies tend to make it difficult to send anything back

has anyone actually used any warranty on a UK model or grey import that can offer feedback?

the other issue is payments being made to a grey importer and the goods never arriving, if i paid by CC does anyone on here know if you would be covered?

either way in the next week i will order either a grey or a uk and i will post by decision and reasoning thereafter with a further one concluding if it was good or bad decision obviosulsy if i get it and it works then good if not then bad

now i know people are scepticle of people on here with hardly any posts understandable it does look dodgy and i know i have about 2 but for the record i am genuine
 
Buying grey isn't a problem as long as you understand:
  • The tax implications and your liabilities for declaring VAT and duty, even if the seller/importer offers to refund the cost of VAT/duty if it's applied any criminal responsibility around attempting to defraud HMRC can't be transferred away from you (that's why they're very clear in their terms and conditions that they're acting as import agent on your behalf and not selling you a camera)
  • The warranty situation, both with respect to any manufacturers warranty that is or isn't applicable and how any warranty offered by the import agent is to be serviced or backed (I haven't found one yet that offers a third-party assurance on warranty service)
  • The consumer rights situation, the nature of the contract you're entering into (note, you don't actually buy a camera from many if these agents you are commissioning them to act is import agent on your behalf), what legal jurisdiction the contract is being created within (is it the UK or an offshore country?)
A couple of import agents with UK addresses get a hard time on forums because they tend by omission to create a situation where a customer could be mislead by the UK address into thinking there's no real difference between the product their selling and that sold by a High Street shop. When in fact there's a big difference, the UK address is a postal address for an offshore registered company and there's no indication how warranty support is underwritten.

There's no real advantage in buying from a UK import agent over importing direct yourself from an overseas retailer (Panamoz, Onestop Digital, etc.) once you understand and accept the risks involved.
 
Well, what an interesting thread! I'm looking at replacing my current Nikon DX format kit and will most likely go for a D750 and a couple of lens. I imported my D200, which has served me well, many years ago from USA. I ordered my D200/lens bundle from Ritz and had it delivered to my first address on a trip to California. No problem, I used to live in Ca. Fortunately, didn't need any warranty work and Nikon were quite happy to service it a few years ago before I went on a long trip. I delivered and collected my kit from their Kingston service centre. By the way the US charger plug was not a problem, I bought the Nikon UK power cord accessory, it cost nothing compared with my huge savings.

So now I'm looking for a good deal on some FX kit before I go to Costa Rica/Panama, just pushed the justification into positive territory. Have found SLR Hut and Cotswold and decided to investigate. Dealing with SLR Hut first, who advertise on this blog, there seems to be a lot of bad comment based on real experience and their structure and support does not look encouraging. So that's been parked for now. I have communicated with Cotswold by email and they answered promptly and were helpful in answering my questions. Their web site appears to be very open and helpful and I will look at it again to make sure there are no T&C which are of concern to me. David has been open in his responses on this blog and I have no reason to believe that the positive comments left on this blog are not genuine. So I am likely to order with Cotswold in the next ten day's, having done a few more checks, knowing what the risks/benefits may or may not be. That's what David expects me to do.

As for the snipers on this thread - maybe they work for the competition. Some certainly seem to have enough time to amass thousands of posts. I always ignore these types and take note of only constructive, even if critical, comments and also those speaking with first hand experience of what is being discussed - good or bad. Just look at the various SLR Hut reviews, plenty of real bad stuff online.
So, you just signed up... do you work for them? No, not a snarky comment, a genuine question - you are the third???
 
Hello All. Another 'first-poster' who is going to enter the fray on this one. I came across talk photography purely because I was looking at using Cotswold to buy a new D750 and wanted to check what the online community had to say. I was a bit dubious myself but actually, David's responses to some of the more sceptical comments on here were the deciding factor in my decision to use them. I ordered the camera on Sunday 10th (knowing the order wouldn't be processed until Monday) and the camera was delivered to me in Edinburgh on Wednesday 13th, from Hong Kong. The camera came (as has been mentioned by others) with a genuine, English manual and a charger with a pre-fitted UK 3-pin plug. The D750 is, so far, everything I had read about it (the low-light autofocus and high-ISO quality are just on another level from my trusty D200) and, frankly, I would probably not have bought it at full high-street price. I can't comment on after-sales support because I haven't needed any but when I did fire off an email query about the delivery slot, I received a reply within the hour.
I do hope people will accept this post at least as a genuine, very happy customer.
 
What amazes me is the precision that 1-time posters achieve in describing how they use the services of the import agent in question to buy from overseas, rather than the more common incorrect assumption that you're actually buying the item directly from business in question.

Such legally precisely termed turns of phrase.. who'd have thought the literacy of such an apparently random selection of the denizens of the internet could be so consistently high.. ..

Cynical, moi?
 
Also, why purchase from Cotswold when Panamoz is cheaper?

£1,199 Vs £1,145
 
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These first-posters who recommend Cotswold totally lack any credibility as far as I am concerned.

Why would anyone bother to write such a post as if caring about a community they have never joined or become a contributing part of! It's nothing short of being a form of spam.
 
As for the snipers on this thread - maybe they work for the competition. Some certainly seem to have enough time to amass thousands of posts. I always ignore these types and take note of only constructive, even if critical, comments and also those speaking with first hand experience of what is being discussed - good or bad.


Really! !!

We should ignore the long time contributors to this forum and only listen to people who have only ever made one post just because they took the time to write a short dissertation which they may or may not have been paid to write?
 
Very happy to engage folks. I don't know what you would like me to do to prove that I am a genuine 'random' customer. I am NOT recommending Cotswold to anyone, I just had a good experience with my first use of their services and, having found this thread while weighing up the pros and cons thought it would be worthwhile contributing (and joining the group).
I also find myself in the curious position of having to apologise for my standard of education! - not what I expected on here. Perhaps if I post some of my photos you can have a good laugh at how poor those are instead? :)
 
Very happy to engage folks. I don't know what you would like me to do to prove that I am a genuine 'random' customer. I am NOT recommending Cotswold to anyone, I just had a good experience with my first use of their services and, having found this thread while weighing up the pros and cons thought it would be worthwhile contributing (and joining the group).
I also find myself in the curious position of having to apologise for my standard of education! - not what I expected on here. Perhaps if I post some of my photos you can have a good laugh at how poor those are instead? :)

Antony, folk are bound to be very sceptical at first (there have been many posters registering JUST to promote sellers) so if genuine, don't take offence. ;) Post a few of your pics & join in. :cool:

Still curious though? :confused:

why purchase from Cotswold when Panamoz is cheaper?

£1,199 Vs £1,145
 
Antony, you just happened to follow a very well established pattern of first-time (and usually one-time) posters who join to sing the praises of a certain small group of "retailers" (this is not the only one) who are cagey (occasionally bordering on misleading) in describing the way they do business - usually along the lines of a domestic property posting address or a commercial PO box/rent-a-reception, an off-shore registered company and a "accepting absolutely no responsibilities" terms and conditions that makes it unclear that you're not buying a camera from them but you're engaging their services to act as import agent on your behalf and you usually won't know which country your item will arrive from until you see the postmark (but all liability for VAT, duty and legal responsibility for placing the item onto the EU market rests with you the person contracting them). Many of these businesses are well-meaning in their intent - but their customers don't always understand that it's not like buying from Jessops or John Lewis. Buy from them only if you know what you're doing and accept the risks.
 
Great advice Alastair.
I certainly don't intend being a one-time poster on this site now I have found it and hope to share some of the shots taken with my brand-new D750! Out last night at the Forth Bridges, along with several others. One question, what is the maximum file size for the site - I am sure I am being very dim but couldn't see that anywhere.
 
I find it best to upload to a host such as Flickr and then use the code they supply to insert a link to display your image in a post, I usually don't go above 640px on the longest edge for the version displayed in a post - but I think the forum is ok up to 1024px or thereabouts. There is definitely a guidance post on this somewhere on the forum - maybe in the help/tutorials section, or in the t's&c's.
 
Great advice Alastair.
I certainly don't intend being a one-time poster on this site now I have found it and hope to share some of the shots taken with my brand-new D750! Out last night at the Forth Bridges, along with several others. One question, what is the maximum file size for the site - I am sure I am being very dim but couldn't see that anywhere.

Create a flickr account, upload some pics, click on the image you want to upload, bottom right youll see a bent arrow, click it, choose BB Code, choose a size, say Medium, then copy the URL below. To post the image on TP click the little mountains in the reply post and hit paste to add what you copied from flickr.

Job done.
 
Antony, you just happened to follow a very well established pattern of first-time (and usually one-time) posters who join to sing the praises of a certain small group of "retailers" (this is not the only one) who are cagey......

The postings to seem rather similar the way they flow, maybe it's just coincidence.. I would definitely sign up to a forum to complain about a retailer. But not sure I would bother to join a forum to sing the praises of a business, after all a business should treat you well. But anyway time will tell, lets see what new members continue to post..
 
Great advice Alastair.
I certainly don't intend being a one-time poster on this site now I have found it and hope to share some of the shots taken with my brand-new D750! Out last night at the Forth Bridges, along with several others. One question, what is the maximum file size for the site - I am sure I am being very dim but couldn't see that anywhere.

We've a couple of people posting images from around there. Be interesting to see your take on it.
You can direct load into the thread, I think it's 1024 longest side
 
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New person and getting worried. I ordered a. Camera from them Saturday and have no tracking or delivery information and no reply from customer services. Did anyone else find this ?
 
Can't say about cameras but I have purchased a few lenses from "grey "importers (not this particular company in question). Yes there is always a risk of a camera manufacturer not wanting to repair an import, thinking of a few years down the line, therefore camera wise I would always buy from a retail outlet based in the UK. Consider cameras can be worth several thousands of pounds, is it worth skimping to get one a little cheaper elsewhere? Having said that I have no reason to believe "grey" imports as any less reliable that UK models.
 
Great advice Alastair.
I certainly don't intend being a one-time poster on this site now I have found it and hope to share some of the shots taken with my brand-new D750! Out last night at the Forth Bridges, along with several others. One question, what is the maximum file size for the site - I am sure I am being very dim but couldn't see that anywhere.


Anthony never came back... one photo post and everything else in this thread :(
 
Anthony never came back... one photo post and everything else in this thread :(
Strange, as the IRL identity of @antonyjb is so easy to find - FB, LinkedIn, etc. - makes you wonder if genuine individuals are being put up to shill by a certain import agent and/or paid to come here and create these posts, or if the import agent in question is utilising identity fraud to boost his reputation. Or maybe these are just folk that tire of photography very quickly?

@maxine moar - I don't think anyone's complained that haven't received the goods from this import agent, the complaints and comments are more around certain business practice's and the clarity or lack of clarity around the impression buyers are left with versus the terms and conditions of the transaction. If you read the terms and conditions of your transaction closely you'll find that you haven't ordered or purchased a camera from the website in question, you've instead authorised them to act as an agent to order a camera on your behalf from an un-named overseas third party of their choice. And your contract is with an offshore registered company.

I'll avoid naming them so we can avoid the usual spate of shill posts following a Google alert of a fresh name check.
 
Maxine. You registered, then posted & asked a question @ 3.14 PM but haven't logged in to read the responses since?

Now call me cynical (hope I'm wrong) but I'm expecting a glowing report soon about how good they were in the end & how she shouldn't have worried etc
 
Sorry I stupidly thought I'd get a notification if anyone answers and I didn't so I came back to check.
I wanted to tell everyone who was worried that I finally got a tracking number today and it's on it's way.
You are a cynic as I was truly worried and that's how I found the forum and asked the question. I now feel comfortable I will get my camera and all will be ok and that's not because I'm a plant but because I'm someone who was worried. Just thought people may like to know.
 
Hi Maxine. I noticed you were online @ lunchtime. Goods arrived & everything hunky dory? ;)
 
Sorry I stupidly thought I'd get a notification if anyone answers and I didn't so I came back to check.
I wanted to tell everyone who was worried that I finally got a tracking number today and it's on it's way.
You are a cynic as I was truly worried and that's how I found the forum and asked the question. I now feel comfortable I will get my camera and all will be ok and that's not because I'm a plant but because I'm someone who was worried. Just thought people may like to know.
LOL, i know the woman in your avatar pic
 
LOL, i know the woman in your avatar pic

Ask her if she's in the market for a camera, Gary.

(I'd already put her name in goggle last week & was waiting to ask a couple of things once she returned. ;) )
 
Maxine Moar is a very searchable person, the picture used here is that of Maxine Moar

I would find it strange given the above that a company/plant would use such a searchable person for their shenanigans
 
Hi,

Like Anthony before, I'm another 'first timer' entering the fray of this debate; and not yet decided as to whether I'll also be a 'one timer' too!

Why you might ask?
Because when doing a Google search for 'Cotswold Cameras Reviews' guess what comes up as the first post!

So I thought I might try do others like myself a favour and put my aspect of balance on this discussion.

Originally I was thinking of getting a Nikon D5500. However, the more research I did the more I was getting pushed in the direction of a D750, knowing that as a long term investment it was going to give me so much more.

Only problem being the price difference, the D750 with 24-120mm f4 being around £2000-2300 if bought from a UK high street retailler.

That is until SLRHut appeared on my radar, selling the same item for £1340.
I emailed them a number of times and they were timely and courteous in their responses. What put me off though was the fact that if anything goes wrong the item has to be sent back to the USA for fixing. I also noticed that their UK postal address is a Mailboxes shop. I don't actually have an issue with this either, as we use a local Mailboxes to print literature for our business and had considered using one of them ourselves instead of our home address. We didn't though because we know how other people might have a loss in confidence, so I can understand how people might also in this case. Other than for this, I cannot comment further on SLRHut.

I did go back to London Camera Exchange though and asked if they would be able to better their price so that the difference was not so great. What did I get back from somewhat snooty and uninterested sale person? That they couldn't and, besides, anything from the likes of SLRHut, et al, would be sub-standard and made from cheap parts. "You mean, they would be fakes?" I inquired, the answer essentially being that they would be.

Funnily enough I've been put of LCE ever since, as this was factually incorrect and unprofessional behaviour, essentially trying to scare people into being put off buying from outside the UK.

It was then that I heard about Cotswold Cameras. I did a search and found they sold the D750 with 24-120mm lens for £1550. Reading their website's T&Cs and FAQs pages, to me, they appear perfectly transparent in the way that they operate. The fact that if anything went wrong with the camera I would be dealing with them based in the UK was at the time sufficient for me to pay slightly more than SLRHut for the same item, plus they gave a 3yr warranty (through them beyond the standard 12 month manufacturer's warranty) included in the price. Extra warranty with SLRHut is really quite pricey.

It was then that I did the google search to try find out about their reputation, and came across this post.

I have to say, considering the way that people have been towards this David fellow at Cotswold, and the professional responses he has provided in each case, I was actually pushed more in the direction of buying from him! If you wish to pay through the nose then go to your local snooty LCE, if not perhaps go talk with Cotswold. Like he essentially says in his posts, as a consumer its your choice to make.

That is, until I saw OldCarlos mentioning Panamoz (thanks by the way!). At this point I had never heard of this outfit, but then did some research. The bottom line being that I could get the camera and lens for £200 less than Cotswold, and with a 3yr warranty.

My research showed that they operate out of Hong Kong and that they have have sold enough equipment and got enough seemingly genuine reviews to have the confidence that they will not go bust within the next 3yrs. You never know though, they might!

However, considering that I now have exactly the same item (with UK plug on charger, English set by default as the menu language, English instructions) for just over £1000 less than snooty wanted me to part with, I'm actually not overly concerned. Chances are that if its going to go wrong it'll be in the first year anyway. After a month so far though, it has been nothing short of superb.

It was sent DHL with every part of its journey via Dubai tracked for me to see.
It also turned up in half the time LCE said was the quickest they could've got one to me.

Did I buy the thing by doing a bank transfer to save another 3%?
NO, OF COURSE I DIDN'T!!!

I paid with my credit card so as to enjoy all the consumer protection that provides, rather than being greedy over another £50.

Even though Panamoz have, so far, served me well, I still wouldn't pay for anything else by direct bank transfer. But then I don't with UK retailers either. When things go wrong its a whole lot better position to be in when you can just tell your CC vendor to go sort it out rather than trying to get your physical hard earned readies back.

---
Import taxes: http://panamoz.com/index.php/terms-conditions

"Import and Customs Charges

The prices on Panamoz.com are all inclusive. All import and customs charges will be covered by us fully, and will be billed to our shipping account directly. You will not be billed. These charges include import taxes and duties, such as VAT, and all associated charges, such as administration fees."

However they resolve this it is Panamoz's responsibility and legal obligation to meet your country's import regulations.

My item went straight through customs without any queries being made, so I am taking it that this is indeed the case.
---


MY ADVICE?:
===========
Its your money, you do what you are confortable with. If you would rather go give snooty (apologies to all high street vendors who aren't by the way!) an overly inflated amount of your readies, then you go do so if it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling.

Otherwise, if like me, you don't believe that their overheads justify the monstrous difference in price for EXACTLY THE SAME PRODUCT, then look elsewhere and do your research on the alternatives.

---

I do hope this somewhat long posting helps others who find themselves in the same position that I was not long ago.
 
I also forgot to mention, both my camera and lens registered with Nikon without any issue.
 
This is getting comical now.

Bring out your shills! Bring out your shills!
 
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