M W Classic Cameras
Camera store M W Classic Cameras, Unit 3k, Leroy House, 436 Essex Rd, London N1 3QP, United Kingdom:
57 reviews
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Address: Unit 3k, Leroy House, 436 Essex Rd, London N1 3QP, United Kingdom
Website: mwclassic.com
Phone number: +44 20 7354 3767
GPS coordinates
Latitude: 51.5462930Longitude: -0.0860620
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reviews
terah clottey
pure scam. no reply, no tracking number. after almost one month of waiting. had to issue a paypal case to get my money back. if you dont want this kind of trouble in your life: DONT BUY HERE!
1 month ago
reena aggarwal
I've been buying lenses from that place from time to time for two+ years.
This place is not far away from me, so when I was physically coming to the store there were no problems. The owner seemed a very friendly and nice guy and the store itself is quite a cool place.
As I started to use delivery I've got one issue: the lens that I bought stopped to focus(the ring stuck) on the first time I went out to use it. I was trying to contact the store, sent maybe around 10 emails, and never got a response. Recently I've ordered another lens and delivery time was really long, I've sent an email and again it was ignored. I made a call and the guy kindly explained to me the reason for the delay. The issue is solved.
My opinion about the store was changing during these two years from love to hate and I feel that the place has the potential to be a 5 stars place, cause some of the lenses they get are much cheaper than anywhere else on the market and some of the items are really hard to find. But they have to fix the communication issue and optimize the website.
Hope this is helpful
2 months ago
Jorgen Madsen
I am a long-term customer (over 5 years, at least 10 orders) and find this store highly unreliable. Only about half my orders have arrived, there is no communication from the store at all (no shipping notifications or order updates), and any refunds for non-arrived orders have always gone through paypal, as the store itself simply does not respond to emails or phone calls. When orders do arrive they are generally as described, but it's luck of the draw. Not sure how they survive. Shame as I appreciate their stock and website.
6 months ago
Harry Anischik
Ordered a camera well over a month ago, it hasn't been shipped and when I called them previously they said it would go out that week. They have now stopped picking up their phone so I am going to have to get a refund through PayPal. Cannot recommend at all
7 months ago
Brett Fuller
Well, the guys have pretty bad reputation at the moment, but from what I've read it used to be very reliable place. Nonetheless, I gave them a go and everything went good. Payed on Sunday via PayPal, item shipped on Tuesday, and it arrived on Wednesday - well packed and sealed. The lens (Olympus Zuiko 24/2.8) is in "as described" condition (very good) and works as intended. Nothing more to say, hopefully they'll put their socks up!
3 weeks ago
mike runyon
Hi Guys. Did you send my order #159926? I bought auto cle flash 2 weeks ago.
Greetings
4 months ago
billy williamson
M W Classic Cameras, really needs to work on customer care ?
After many phone calls e mail s, Don" t take likely to being fobbed off .
Was sold a camera working at 94% , which in the end needed a CLA .
If it was not for it being a rare camera would have sent it back !
Has now covered half the cost for a CLA so / have to cover the other half .
Left now 80 euros short .
Dealing with classic cameras you need the virtue of patience ?
Not how it should be .
7 months ago
Nova Raine
AVOID. Ordered an adapter from their website several weeks ago, and paid the extortionate £8 shipping for such a small item. After a week I called to find out where it is, and the guy on the phone said he had my order in front of him and would send it within a few days. Fast forward several weeks... They are not replying to emails, not answering the phone, and not replying to WhatsApp. I've opened a claim with PayPal and even PayPal have not had a response from them. AVOID.
7 months ago
Sheila Donovan
My experience with M W Classic Cameras after a transaction and talking to the owner David Woodford on the phone on two occasions is that David is genuine, helpful and friendly. He obviously knows his stuff and has the knack of finding very interesting and often rare cameras and lenses and sells them at very competitive prices. He is clearly very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, Camera shops like this are becoming a rare commodity. My experience with David was a good one. I would not hesitate to recommend M W Classic Cameras and I'll be scouring David's website myself very soon to see what else I can find. Chris Drabble
8 months ago
Mark Liebiediev
I advise you not to buy from this firm by mail order. In mid-March I paid for three lens caps. After email reminders because nothing arrived, I got a phone call, when the owner explained that since confirming my order, he had sold one of them sold to someone else! We agreed on a compromise: he would send one lens cap – the other one available I didn’t really want – and refund the rest of the money. Since then I have heard nothing, despite reminders. I have reported this to the local Trading Standards.
I’m disappointed, not only because of losing money but also because I have bought nice photo kit from the firm a few years ago; since then one of the two original directors has left.
It may be OK to buy if you can go and collect, but I wouldn’t hand money over before I saw the goods.
1 month ago
Ginger Hansen
Great shop, a huge selection of cameras! Dave is very friendly and knowledgeable and it was a pleasure buying a camera. Highly recommended!
11 months ago
Joshua Raymond
AVOID BUYING FROM THIS SELLER. Waited OVER A MONTH with many phone calls and emails, and NEVER SENT THE ITEMS.
I feel I was never told the truth when asked why my order wasn't here. No excuse or reason, eventually got through and was told my purchase would be looked at.
I contacted PayPal for a refund and got money back through PayPal fairly quickly...why advertise as online seller and update website everyday if you havent a clue how to run a business..very disappointed
avoid this seller...not worth the stress
10 months ago
David Peskin
If you want to receive your purchase do not buy from MW Classic Cameras. Rang spoke to the owner about a moderately expensive lens paid for it and received it the next day. However my next purchase (a cheaper item) 5 weeks on has not arrived I was advised by the owner x3 that it would be posted that day or the next, never arrived. I have been been informed I will receive a refund the next day x2. No refund. Not to be trusted. Now pursuing a refund via the bank.
10 months ago
Tommy Hall
I read a lot of different experiences and reviews about this shop on Google and I believe they might have been overly harsh.
I've put my order in on Sunday night to then follow up with a quick phone call on the Tuesday and the day after I've received my 2 lenses in perfect condition.
This is not Amazon and it shouldn't be, not all purchases online can happen with a one day turn around, especially for smaller business.
I'll definitely keep buying from them in the future.
3 months ago
Mirian Mendoza
Ordered an item and waited 10 days before phoning to chase. Gentleman on the phone was polite and knew about the item I had ordered - I was told that they hadn't been able to find it and so they would refund. Frustrating that I had to phone before they issued the refund, and that I wasn't contacted when they realised the item had already been sold.
7 months ago
Nils Perez
AVOID BUYING FROM THIS SELLER. Waited OVER A MONTH with many phone calls and emails, and NEVER SENT THE ITEMS.
I feel I was never told the truth when asked why my order wasn't here. Never sounded sorry, after 6 phone calls and 2 emails, more than a month had past and nothing had been sent.
I ask for a refund the same day, 10 minutes after the phone call I get a full refund.
I cannot stress how much I would avoid this seller.
11 months ago
Sowmya Chiranjeevi
Hopeless. Ordered two small items. A lens hood and filter. Only £30 in total. Waited 3 weeks, nothing. Ignored many emails over a 5 week period. Escalated to Paypall. Still nothing. No correspondence, no items. Absolutely zip. Nada. Nil. Zero.
In the end Paypal reimbursed me.
They even keep listing new gear on their website every day, so they are clearly active so are clearly ignorant.
Don't be tempted. It's like trying to find gold at the end of a rainbow. You won't get it.
Avoid at all costs.
11 months ago
Annette Walker
I am doing business with David Woodford for several years now and he never let me down. Sometimes it takes longer to finalize an order, but I always received my items. Nice cameras and lenses, good descriptions and attractive prices.
4 months ago
Trae Person
Not sure what to make of this company orderd a camera and a metering prism finder on the 7 july and had a comformation of order paid by card and then no responce back from them since i have emailed them also phoned them many times straight to answer phone left a message to call me i haved whats app them but still no joy. Dont think its very fair to take your money but dont get nothing in return very bad company wont be shoping with them again looks like iam going to have to report them to the police for fraud do our self a favour stay away from this camera shop
10 months ago
Eva Hanson
Genuinely just an odd experience. Bought a lens. Read the troubling reviews after so chased up with a call, then got a voicemail response saying they'd sold the lens already.
Website isn't up to date. Really need to sort this stuff out.
On the plus side, instant refund on PayPal but probably only because I'd called the morning after purchase.
4 weeks ago
chris dawson
AVOID! Won’t send the item! I have bought 5 ounce silver coin on 4th may. After 5 emails and few phone calls finally got to speak to the owner who said he don’t have the coin!!!??? I know exactly why he don’t have it since the silver gone up he refuse to sell for listing price. He is running camera shop so probably don’t know anything about silver bullion anyway, as he listed this for 89£. Issued a refund after holding my money for over two weeks!!! Never again, absolutely shocking way of running business! Wish I could check the ratings before I have made this unfortunate purchase.
2 months ago
Donovhan Lewis
Ordered and payed for a camera 3-4 weeks ago. Rang them one week later to see where the camera was as I hadn't received it. I was told it would be posted that day. Another two weeks later still no camera. Rang them again only for them to tell me they had sold it (after I had bought it)
Absolutely shocking company. Wouldn't recommend these to anyone who actually wants to receive their goods.
3 weeks ago
JJJEREMY Hei
Omg good luck if you choose to roll the dice with these people
1 week ago
emmanuel alfaro
I have bought gear from MW Classic a number of times over the years, but will no longer use them. The have a huge amount of stock, regularly updated, and I'm sure the guys' hearts are in the right place, however as far as running a business goes they are an utter shambles. I ordered a few small items mid-July and by mid August nothing had arrived. Emails, as always, are ignored. Eventually getting hold of them on the phone they assured me the order would go out or be refunded, but two weeks later no sign of either the order or a refund, so I eventually had to get paypal to intervene to get a refund. Absolutely indefensible conduct on the part of MW Classic, who were given plenty of opportunity to rectify the situation.
The other thing prospective buyers should know is that their condition ratings online are pretty optimistic. Anything described as 90% is likely to look pretty heavily used. Anything in the 80%s is going to look rough. Less than 80% and your item will likely look like it's been thrown from a moving vehicle. Also, presumably due to their level of stock incoming, don't expect them to have thoroughly checked or tested anything - I.e. you are going to find easily spotted problems, and then descend into the rabbit hole of spending weeks trying to contact them for a repair or refund. Life's just too short for this, so I'm only buying from places that take their business and customer experience seriously from now on.
2 months ago
Richard Vaniman
I have used this dealer for years. They used to be disorganised but since the retirement of one of the partners it has deteriorated. The main problem is the web site is not up to date. Some items have been on there for months or even years. This means that there is a chance that something you are interested in has been sold. Do not pay for anything until you have established by telephone that the item is still available. if you must purchase by internet click the 'pay on collection option' and then pay when you get in contact by phone or e-mail if it is still there.
Telephoning the store first is the best option but the owener may not be in the shop and has to call back at a later date. Even if in the shop it may be that the item can not be found even if it has not been sold. All of this is very frustrating. However the shop does discover some really interesting gear and it is priced to sell if he can find it! Just be careful.
2 months ago
Nick Avery
I ordered a flashgun on the 20th of July. I gave them a couple of weeks to deliver it as I know they are a small company so wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I called after 2 weeks and they assured me I would receive it in a couple of days. I waited another week and nothing, so then I called again & again and was told the same thing, "I'm sorry it will just be a couple of days." I'm yet to see it. It's now past the limit I can dispute it on paypal so I am down £59.
PLEASE DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY! You will end up out of pocket or given the run around. Untrustworthy.
2 months ago
Jordan OHearn
DO NOT ORDER ONLINE FROM THIS COMPANY!
I ordered a camera from MW Classic Cameras through their website, what a mistake.
Fifteen days later after hearing nothing and more importantly not receiving a camera I sent an email to the address found on their website. No reply.
Six days later I call and am told "we have stock everywhere and we will get round to it."
Four days later I call again to see whether it has been found and if it will be with me by the end of the coming week. "Yes, we'll get it out to you."
Five days later I rang and left a voicemail (early in the morning and on a working day), I never received a call back.
One MONTH after initially placing the order I am told that, "It must have been sold and not taken off of the site, we'll give you a refund."
I ordered this camera specifically to take to a family wedding. I believed that ordering an item one month in advance would be ample time to receive it and become accustomed to using it but unfortunately I didn't even get that far.
Dreadful Online Service.
6 months ago
Glenn Hyatt
I have ordered a number of small items from Bolex (filters mostly) on the 24 of October and I have been waiting for a month now without receiving them. I sent 2 emails that were not answered and after contacting them on the phone I was told to expect a backlog from orders.
I am still waiting...
6 months ago
nicholas golia
I don’t usually write reviews, but in this instance it felt necessary.
So I ordered an LTM 50mm Elmar for a reasonable price on Monday evening. I had not read the reviews. But once I had read the reviews, I was a bit concerned, being that this was the first bit of Leica glass I’d ever bought.
I payment was processed quickly. I emailed them asking what method of delivery would be used and when it would be posted. Within a few hours they got back to me, saying it was sent via DHL same day delivery. I am yet to receive the item, but so far, i am impressed, especially as it’s a (basically) one man outfit.
I’ll edit the review once I get the lens. But so far, all good.
4 months ago
Bethany Simpson
Sometimes they send the items but mostly not. Then it is the hassle with charge backs etc . Not recommended.
3 weeks ago
Jack McIntosh
I ordered from them a month ago and they stilled hadn’t ship the item, there is no communication from them and I have to phone them. The owner said the my would fulfill the order next day but it’s been a week now and there is no communication. Not a way to treat your customers.
Last time I ordered from them, this also happened. I would seriously consider not to buy from them again.
3 weeks ago
Tanya Wilkins
I went there the first time but could not find the place. It turned out to be on the third floor of that Leroy House. True that their office is not very organised but the staff are super nice and helpful! I got my camera at very good condition and an unbeatable price.
8 months ago
Lynda Johnson
Stay away! Two orders this year. First, couldn't be found before being sent. Second order, not even bothered to send, but kept my money anyway, and refused to respond to calls or emails. [Update: money refunded after case was escalated with Paypal. Something, I guess.]
[Another update: despite saying 'stay away', they had a ridiculously cheap deal on a lens I was after (and reasonably difficult to find in good condition). I took the plunge, purchased it, and have it 2 days later in my hands. The lens is immaculate, and was delivered super fast. Hopefully MW are sorting their customer service out at last. Elevated my 1 star rating to 3.
6 months ago
shamekia bell
Fraud shop....ordered and paid 3 months ago...wrote to them repeatedly and haven’t received anything yet. This shop is making money out of online shopping without delivering goods. Should be reported to the police
4 months ago
Arnold Kester
Very friendly and helpful owner. Interesting shop, definitely worth a visit. Best to call in advance, to arrange a time (some times open till very late, others till 6pm or so).
5 months ago
Steve Cote
Ordered a couple of old cameras on-line with this company. After a couple of phone calls and a week later the cameras hadn't been sent despite paying £10 P&P. On the second call, to find out where they were after being promised they would be sent, I cancelled the order. Now trying to get a PayPal refund for about 2 weeks. No response to 2 e-mails and one telephone call. Having to escalate to PayPal to get my money back. Not a good experience; although their prices are very good - I will not be using them again!
3 months ago
Robert Hills
Ordered a vintage camera online. Turns out they can't find the product. So instead of telling me they decided to hold on to my £99 in the hope they could either find it or another vintage camera of exactly the same condition to give me instead!! They ignored my emails chasing the order for a week and only told me the situation after I called them. I am a reasonable person, if they called me and told me they made a mistake I would not hold it against them. The fact that, after realising they couldn't fulfill my order, they decided to keep my money is dishonest and I will never buy from them.
6 months ago
Duncan Ploetz
I have bought many cameras and lenses from MWClassic and will return as a very happy customer in the future. I would recommend making an appointment to visit in person, it is a very friendly and interesting place for a vintage camera lover who is also a user. I find the prices very reasonable and the quality often outstanding, especially the clean lenses where many other dealers offer glass in inferior condition at much higher prices. There are also many vintage items with different levels of wear as one would expect and they are rated accordingly on their webpage and priced fairly.
3 weeks ago
Cindy Cox
I have had no problems with MW Classic Cameras and will shop again here soon.
3 weeks ago
Jackie cordell
Good place to browes if you like cameras and photography. Knowledgeable staff, great prices, realistic prices.
3 weeks ago
kamogelo khakhu
There is none answering at the door or the phone, online it says it's open all day untill 6:30pm and I've been sitting here from 2 till 3:30 without an answer, no sign at the door or online that says it's closed or anything like that. Call in in advance to avoid disappointment
3 months ago
Renarda Williams
I have been a customer of these people for many years. Unfortunately the service they provide has got worse and worse, they seem to have lost interest in their business and are best avoided. I recently ordered two items online. Nothing happened. I then phoned them after a week only to find that the goods had already been sold but they had sat on my payment for 7 days without giving a refund. They are now giving one excuse after another for not giving a refund, it's like trying to get blood out of a stone dealing with them. They seem to think that customers exist just to give them money without them actually doing anything. I'm afraid the statement about good service on their website is blatantly untrue, more like wishful thinking on their part. It's about time the Metropolitan Police took an interest in their activities as it is verging on the fraudulent. I'm amazed that the credit card companies will deal with them. They are just not worth the effort. Best avoided. As you can see from other comments I'm not alone in having this eperience with them.
3 weeks ago
Sylvester Kalanie
Fantastic place. Excellent service and very knowledgeable team. Open by appointment only so call ahead. Highly recommended
6 months ago
BernieMac Photography
Very friendly but terrible organisation. I ordered a camera (Agfa Silette LK Sensor), and called three times over the next few weeks to find out where it was. Each time I was promised it would be sent the same day. Finally I got a call to tell me they couldn’t find the camera, but offered me anything else up to £29, which I thought was quite good as the one I ordered was only £12! I settled for an Agfa Optima iii which was listed at £29. It arrived the next day. Unfortunately the case is clearly not designed for the camera, and I then found that this model is widely available on eBay for about £10 to £15, so it wasn’t really a bargain after all. I would definitely think twice about using this company in the future.
8 months ago
Ande Sullivan
This is my second attempt at buying at this store. The first time I bought a camera and it arrived with a different case than the one featured in the photos. The one it was supposed to come with was an ER case and the one that arrived was just a rigid leather pouch, but fine, I'm not fussy. The camera was supposed to be in excellent working condition, 90+% condition rating.
It was indeed in a very good cosmetic condition, however after trying it out the images turned out very soft, way too soft even for a 70 year old camera. I had it serviced, paid for it out of my own pocket, and it turned out one of the lenses was loose. I understand it's difficult to fully test every camera they have in stock but what's the point of having such a detailed rating system if you're not going to do an equally detailed inspection?
Another thing that should have raised red flags back then was I enquired about a Weston lightmeter that was rated again as full working condition to make sure it was tested and was giving precise readings. Got a reply saying they don't currently have any tested Weston lightmeters but their website featured more than one rated as working. Didn't order a lightmeter from them so no harm done...
Finally, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and ordered a small accessory. That was 2 weeks ago. The item hasn't arrived, no reply to my emails, tried calling them on the phone but nobody's answering.
I have bought dozens of items on Ebay, most from private sellers, from various continents, and honestly the sum of any not-so-positive experiences I've had over there didn't surpass these 2 measly purchases from M W Classic Cameras. Get your act together guys. You've got really interesting items in stock but your service is just awful.
3 months ago
Paige Harris
Ordered Leica R5 boxed with 28 to 70 and motor winder.
Called me back to say hasn't now got the hand grip for the winder, OK no problem, don't realy need one, so send it off please....
Got the gear a couple of days later, winder had 6 old Duracels in it that had burst and corroded the contacts. OK I can fix that (even though I shouldn't have to) but to top it all when I checked the camera, guess what? NO FOCUSING SCREEN!how the Hell am I supposed to use it like that?
So called them up,' Oh no! Don't know how that happened. We'll post you another off straight away, we've got some other R5's in...' so after three days and a weekend nothing turned up yet.
When you sell something you think the most basic thing to do would be to make sure it is fit for use.
Still waiting... more phone calls heading there way soon
3 weeks ago
YU ZHONG
I ordered and paid for a Voightlander LH1 lens hood on March 20th 2018. It is now April 12th 2018 and product has not yet arrived. I emailed this company three times to find out the status of my order. Have yet to receive a reply. VERY POOR customer service. Now that I have read other reviews I will suggest to others that you stay away from doing business with this company if you can call it one.
3 weeks ago
megan hendry
Great service, friendly staff, glorious selection of classic cameras
5 months ago
Lisa Rossetti
A bazaar of cameras and affiliated sundry items. Friendly, helpful owner, with good prices for second hand photographic equipment.
3 months ago
Mullin Studio
Very friendly and knowledgeable with a good selection of fine and rare items on a weekly basis!
4 months ago
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