depressing experience ordering XHA1 / onecall.com

depressing experience ordering XHA1 / onecall.com

  • Yes, Onecall.com is great and I will continue to shop there.

    Votes: 5 27.8%

  • No, Onecall.com is horrible, I will NEVER shop there again.

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • Ehh, wouldn't call it great but it wasn't horrible. I'm indifferent.

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • Never used em, why would I with B&H around?

    Votes: 11 61.1%
  • Total voters
    18
toddmcm

toddmcm

Carbonite Member
So I've been lurking for awhile reading about the HVX, the XH a/g , the sony... on and on. So many choices these days.

I opted to order an XHA1 to replace my trusty "OLD" DVX. Shopped around, even though I planned to buy from BH just like my other 100K in equipment. Saw a link on this website for a deal at onecall who I actually used to order a 50" tv almost 8 years ago.

Check out the site on Saturday, give em a call... see that they actually quote me a better deal over the phone than what's on the site... offer me 12 month no interest line of credit, next day shipping, camera should be here Tuesday.

SWEET.. done deal. Check order status today to verify delivery tomorrow. Order Status: ON HOLD. WTF... call em up, no camera, none on order, it will be at LEAST 2 weeks.

So I'm screwed, I could buy elsewhere but that sucks. They ran my credit, issued a line of credit which does affect credit score. I'm completely irate and there isn't anything I can do other than wait. What do they care if I order somewhere else anyway? They don't....

So here I am, no camera for another two weeks. They did offer to refund the shipping and ship it next day as soon as it comes in but it's kind of bitter sweet. I leave for Kauai in two weeks and was hoping to get some time with the cam before leaving. Now it looks like it may not even arrive in time.

LAME... onecall gets an F in my opinion. I will stick to BH for everything from now on. Lesson learned.

Sorry, but I feel much better now.
 
toddmcm said:
LAME... onecall gets an F in my opinion. I will stick to BH for everything from now on. Lesson learned.
Click to expand...


Dude, that's a pretty extreme response. "B&H or nothing" because you got boned by a reputable dealer? The first thing I ask when I call an order in is "Do YOU have it in stock?" The guy who took your order was no doubt spouting the company line for all orders without checking if the camera was even in stock.

I personally have never had any issues with buydig.com/Beach Camera. None. They're super efficient and thorough. I like ZGC, but their prices aren't low enough for me.

I tend to avoid B&H since I live in New York State, and they generally have prices on the high end.

I use "pricegrabber" whenever searching for gear to find reputable dealers who have low prices.
 
Of course I asked if it was in stock, I've been buying online for a decade or so now. I've been shopping at B&H for about 7-8 years and have NEVER had a problem.

So for my hard earned 10K a year or so that I spend on new gear, I will buy from B&H until they give me a reason not to.

Whatever, some people don't mind getting "boned" but when I'm gonna give you my $4,000 you don't get to bone me... in fact you better get on your knees if you want my money.
 
That's cool. I guess if I had KNOWN it wasn't in stock this whole thing would be fine because

A. I could have ordered from somewhere else
B. They wouldn't have run my credit

It's cool that they think all it's worth is about $25... "we'll pay the shipping"

Gee guys, thanks, that's damn big of ya.
 
Honestly, now that I've had a night to sleep it off and cool down a bit, I don't think he lied to me. When I placed the order there were a few in stock. SOMETHING happened over there that caused a problem with my order (they didn't even know) that caused it to be placed "on hold"

This is what concerns me most is that nobody could even tell me what had happened or why. Then to admit that people that ordered after me had cameras ship out yesterday.

Tell me you wouldn't be steamed man...
 
Well, if it makes you feel any better, I ordered my A1 from B&H late on a Wednesday night. My order sat in 'processing' state until the weekend came and then Monday they were closed for a Jewish holiday (I have not problem with this) and Tuesday came and still no shipment. Wednesday I called and was told the order was in their verification department but could not tell me why. I've been buying from B&H for years and have no credit issues. It was shipped that night but I didn't get it until nearly 2 weeks from when I placed the order.

I've NEVER had a problem like this with B&H. I bring it up just to illustrate that stuff like this happens even with B&H. I had ordered it with enough leadtime prior to the job I was planning to use it on that a week's delay wasn't a real problem. More irritating was the followig Monday when Canon announced a $250 rebate. :(

-Dan
 
Ya, I know; I've read of other instances where things haven't gone right at B&H.

Like I said, I have used onecall in the past to order a 50" TV and everything went smooth as could be.


So an UPDATE: Got a call from them today. They have come through with excellent customer service after screwing up, and admitting that they screwed up. That actually says a lot about how they run stuff over there.

So still nothing more than free shipping, whatever though. I've now been informed that a few cameras are coming in either Friday or Monday and that I will be the first one shipped out for early am next day delivery.

If the camera gets here by next Tuesday I'll be a "satisfied" customer. I still wouldn't say a "happy" customer but I'm certainly not quite a PO'd as I was when I thought I wasn't going to get the camera before I leave.


All in all, I MAY give onecall another chance somewhere in the future. We'll see how it goes in the next week.


DAN: by the way, it doesn't make me feel any better ;-)
 
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I have currently the same problem in New Zealand. But it is not the company. Apparantly Canon NZ and AU are both out of stock on PAL versions of the Xh-A1. So what would be in my caring arms now is set for next month!

That blows
 
I ordered the Xh-A1 from onecall on Sunday. When I called the website said it was in stock, but the salesperson told me there were none in stock before I placed my order. He was very friendly and didn't try to upsell me or pressure me to buy the camera. Very good experience so far.

I was told today that there was an inventory issue over the weekend when I called to ask if there was an estimated time of arrival for the shipment. He wasn't sure when the next shipment was coming, but that it was probably in the next 7-10 business days. He told me that Canon was sending 6 units, and that I was in the top 6.

I am a little anxious, since I need to learn how to use the camera before my next contracted event.
 
I think it's worldwide that stocks of the XH-A1 are low. Had to wait two weeks too for mine. Then I go there and forgot to adjust my spending limit on the credit card. Doh! I'll go in when that's fixed. Meanwhile I can look around for that UV-filter and tripod!
 
Redemption: OK so I get my camera tomorrow. They are shipping next day air / Saturday delivery for no charge.

They threw in a 970G at cost. I'm rather happy all in all at this point; will be happier when the cam is in my hand tomorrow though.
 
Todd,

So does that mean that the 6 Canon's arrived at OneCall? I heard they were getting them today(fri) or monday.

They better not be bullsh*tting me, saying I am in the top 6. Supposedly they have 12 orders and Canon sent out 6 cameras Tuesday to Onecall. For the unlucky back 6, I have no idea when Canon is sending them more cameras.
 
I ordered mine on Monday afternoon over the phone. The ordering experience was great. They were very friendly and didn't push me to buy accessories. I'll wait til my camera is actually in my hands to make a final judgement though.

I hope my order is one of the 6 that are coming in from Canon. If not I've got an HV20 coming in soon too. I guess I'll have some sort of new toy to test out next week.
 
Cameras are indeed in stock. They ALL know who I am over there right now... LOL, and I think they might be a little sick of hearing from me.

Anyhow, there are indeed cameras in stock. I don't know how many but mine is shipping today! I plan on calling for the fifth time today around 4:45PM to ensure it gets out on time.

I wish you guys the best of luck!
 
awesome Todd.

I just got a call from onecall myself. They wanted to let me know that they were sending mine out today and it should be here by Wednesday, latest. I am in Portland and I think they are based out of Spokane so I probably will get it sooner! :)

Anyway, I am impressed that they called me.
 
Overall experience with onecall not bad. I guess I was a bit hasty with the response, but man was I steamed.

Anyway, every single person I dealt with over there was pleasant to deal with. They did everything they could to rectify the mistake, and are really only 4 days late from the time quoted on the original order. So I have to appologize, take back the F and give Onecall a solid A rating.

They also have great prices on shipping otherwise. I will most likely give them more business in the future. (if they still want it after what a pain in the butt I've been)

Camera will be here before noon tomorrow!
 
shipping

shipping

I ordered mine on Sunday. Today I got the call that it shipped:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) and should be in my hands by Wednesday as well. I've had nothing but excellent dealings with them in the customer service department. Very cordial and informative.
 
My A1 arrived from Onecall this morning. I ordered on 4/16, with a status of "Backordered" showing on their website. I was expecting to wait another week or two, but it came today.

The camera is pristine, and came with all the factory extras. Bought for $3049.

So my entire experience with Onecall has been nothing short of fantastic.

Since the original poster (toddmcm) has done a 180 degree turnaround on Onecall, can we change the title of this thread? Seems really unfair and inaccurate, when in fact everyone has been singing Onecall's praises.

And by the way, the A1 is nothing short of incredible. Much, much, better than I'd expected it to be. I shot some footage and saw it for the first time on a 42" Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK plasma HDTV, through the component, and uhm, it's jaw dropping. Right out of the box. And much moreso with some of the better Custom Presets loaded up. And here's what's scary: I was shooting with a UV filter on, and this set is only 1024x768. A 1920x1080 set would look... I can't imagine.
 
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