shauns@vice.UUCP (Shaun Simpkins) (09/24/84)
Anyone out there have any opinions on Olden Camera Co. (Mail Order Dept.)?
I'm thinking of a purchase through them and would like to find out about
their past performance, reputation, etc.
Good and Bad comments are equally welcome.
Thanks -
The wandering squash,
--
Shaun Simpkins
uucp: {ucbvax,decvax,chico,pur-ee,cbosg,ihnss}!teklabs!tekcad!vice!shauns
CSnet: shauns@tek
ARPAnet:shauns.tek@rand-relayrose@sjuvax.UUCP (rose) (09/29/84)
I had a nerve racking experience with Olden last year you might
be interested in. A month before my marraige & honeymoon in Spain I
decided I couldn't live without a unilens. A 28-80 Soligor seemed to fit
the bill nicely, and Olden had the best price at the moment (although
many had lower prices advertised, they all had some way to boost it
higher than Olden's).
Olden was fast and efficient on the phone and promised me delivery
within 5 days (New York to Philadelphia) and even quoted me an exact postage
cost (something other mail-order firms wont do).
Two weeks later my lens arrived. I had started to get nervous after
a week had passed but frequent calls to Olden only led to frustration. 'We
cant check where orders are until we're sure they are lost' was the average
response I recieved. These calls were made at my own expense as they wouldn't
talk to me about orders in progress on thier 800 line.
Of course the lens came with the wrong mount ( a U-screw instead of a
P-K). I had to send the lens back at my expense and wait until they decided I
had suffered long enough. A very sympathetic salesperson told me to address
the package to her attention and she would personally get it in the mail
immediately. When I called to inquire if she received it O.K. I was informed
she would be on vacation for the next 3 weeks.
After much screaming and threatening I convinced them to send the
correct lens by express mail. I received it 2 days later as I was going out
the door for the airport. It was the right lens, finally!
Hope this helps you decide if you want to use them or not.
Jon Rose
{allegra|astrovax|bpa|burdvax}!sju!rose
p.s. the lens was a real dog!