martin_reekie Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Nicolas Photographic, 15 Camden High Street, London. Has anyone used these people and had a similar story? A few years ago I had a poor experience in buying a back for my Rollei 3003. Foolishly I�ve just tried them again to purchase a lens for my SL66. Basically I paid way over the odds for a lens that isn�t HFT and isn�t even E- in quality, the price just about justifies a mint HFT. They don�t rate their second hand equipment and seem happy to charge you whatever they think you�ll pay. I�ve been unable to contact them (probably due to the holidays). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_ferguson1 Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 How did they describe the lens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bashir_lunat Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Why dont you return that lens for a full refund as they always say in their ads that if you are not happy,no questions asked !They seem to have a lot of unusual items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h._p. Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I've been in two or three times but never bought anything as their prices are a little optimistic, to say the least. That said, they do seem to get their hands on stuff that no one else has. I'd certainly hold them to their return guarantee if you're dissatisfied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_henderson Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Only bought a Speedgrip from them a few years ago at what turned out to be a high price. Didn't really take to them either. Can't say I'm looking for reasons to buy there again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy m. Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Send/take the lens back and get a refund if you aren't satisfied. I have done this in the past with Ffordes (very rapid refund, by return post) and also with some other U.K. dealers with less rapid, but eventually positive results. I have never had a dealer refuse a refund within their stated approval period. Let us know how you get on. Good luck with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_estcourt Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I have never used this company but I have bought plenty of mail order equipment from other companies (some mentioned above). In the UK there is a growing trend for mail order second hand shops to offer a 14 day money back garauntee. I understand that this is backed-up by UK consumer law which states the need for a period for the purchaser to view the equipment which was purchased without seeing the equipment first. You don't need an excuse to return the lens during this 14 day period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin carron Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 I saw their ad in AP and went along to check them out at first hand. I asked to see a lens as advertised to be told it was 'at the warehouse' but what about 'this instead'. When I commented that the glass of the offered lens was dusty it got wiped on the end of the shopkeeper's tie and handed back for my approval with the words 'Make me an offer'. I left. I don't like the way they do business and the way they look after their stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn_warren Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 I had a similar experience to Colin. I went to have a look at a I had a similar experience to Colin. I went to have a look at a Contax 85mm 1.4 of which they had several advertised to be told it was at the �warehouse� and the a colleague would bring it to the shop in half an hour. When I returned to the shop the assistant told me all the 85�s had been sold and the colleague was instead bringing a 135mm 2.8. This makes me wonder if they actually have the rare and exotic gear they advertise weekly in AP in stock, and I would be very wary of doing business with them. I would certainly return the lens if not as described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_reekie Posted January 6, 2004 Author Share Posted January 6, 2004 Thanks for everyone's comments. They only support my feelings about the company. I've returned the lens and - hopefully - will get a full refund. I have had only good service from MXV and Ffordes, so there is no need to use Nicolas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_reekie Posted January 16, 2004 Author Share Posted January 16, 2004 Final note! The lens is back in my possession. To cut a very long story short, I failed to comply with Nicolas�s requirement for the equipment to be returned within 7 days. The cost and hassle in trying to get my money back would be excessive with little or no chance of an acceptable result. At the end of the day the lens is optically acceptable and aesthetically reasonable. They sent an exceptionally long letter, apparently copied to my credit card company and the photo magazine where the advert had originally appeared. They came out with a load of inaccuracies, for example the lens was on commission (which at no time they told me and legally is irrelevant as my contract was with them), they�d paid the person so couldn�t reimburse me in any case. The lens had been modified for me hence the cost � this I was not told! They had avenues covered that I hadn�t even thought of, which goes to show they�ve been in this situation many times. Wonder why? Companies like Ffordes describe the item well, you know the price is acceptable. The item arrives well packed and on opening you find the condition to be even better than you thought � result one happy client. With Nicolas critical information is omitted (economical with the truth), the condition is not in the advert; the item arrives in a disintegrating shoebox. Once you�ve satisfied yourself that there has been no damage in posting you see the item isn�t as good as you thought it would be � result, my experience on two times out of two. My advice � avoid them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy m. Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 Thanks for the sharing the information, Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_lawrence3 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I've had at least one bad experience at Nicolas. I part exchanged a Mamyia SV pro meter prism (mint) for a higher model which he didn't have in stock (he earlier said he did) but promised he would have one within a couple of days. He told me there was one on the way as we spoke. Days turned to weeks, and during that time he gave me nothing but excuses and lies. In the end I asked him to return my original meter prism. He then informed me that it had been sold! He offered me a cheque for about ﾣ50. I had no choice but to take it. He'll never see me again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_lawrence3 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 That fifty pound cheque from Nicolas did not bounce but I was clearly ripped-off. MXV aren't much better but thats another story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_fitzmaurice_brown Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Nicolas photographic has been in many peoples bad books for many years. The company was so bad that it was banned from advertising in the photographic press for quite some time amateur Photographer etc.I notice they have accepted their ads again but people should remind AP that the circumstances have not changed I too fell foul of 'Nicolas many yaers ago and have never been tempted to go back. One wonders how the firm has so much stock and how it manages to make a living ? any investigators out there ??? KFB BBC radio 4 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanair Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I have had near bad experiences with Nicolas. The items are overly priced, sometimes almost as high as a new one. I wont go there anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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