Wilson Camera

I am surprised to see that the non-​recommended reviews are all good but hidden and the ones that show are all one star. What a strange combo!
All I can say is what my experience was… couldn’t have asked for better. Mind you, it was a simple passport photo but I thought it was great.
I had tried a few drugstores for a passport photo buy there was never anyone working in the photo departments. I figured for the extra $ 2 it took to go to Wilson, I’d be getting guaranteed service and probably would look better since it wouldn’t be done in a drugstore under fluorescent lights.
The guy who helped me was friendly, courteous, and got my pictures done quickly. He showed me before he printed them to make sure they were ok with me.
I did read reviews about the pictures not being accepted by the passport people, but mine was. I had a small issue with size, but honestly, I think that was my fault because my printer shrunk the form to fit the paper and thus it printed the box too small on the form. The picture fit into the passport office measuring window but she cut it down a bit to fit my oddly sized form anyway. Either way it worked and my passport looks great.
I DID talk to the man working there about some of the people who said their pictures were rejected and he said in that area (Biltmore/​Arcadia) he gets a lot of women who come in caked with make-​up and ready for glamor shots. He says he tells them they might not look natural enough for the passport office, but they insist on having their picture taken like that. They then get upset when the passport office won’t accept them because they have too much make-​up on and don’t look like themselves… Eeeeeeeven though they were warned.
Bottom line, I’d go there. I don’t know about cameras and camera parts, but for a simple picture, I was perfectly happy.

I have always shot in Auto mode on my DSLR camera and was able to take great pictures until I had a private lesson at Wilson Photography. My camera is far more advanced than I and I often become overwhelmed with all that its capable of. After one lesson and with Jerry and Rudy’s help I have a better understanding of my camera and am shooting in MANUAL! My pictures have went to a whole new level! I could not believe how different my photos are after just an hour spent with these two gentlemen. I am in awe of my own work!
If you want to improve your photography private lessons are what you need!
I also had my camera cleaned while I was there and they did an excellent job. I have read other reviews on here and I did not experience any of those issues. Jerry and Rudy went out of their way for me and treated me with the utmost respect. They answered all of my questions regardless of how trivial my questions were. I felt comfortable asking questions and picking their brains! They made me feel extremely comfortable so I could learn.
I will always be a returning customer and huge fan.
Sincerely,
Tammy E. Manganelli

Avoid this store! Support a different local business but NOT this one! You will be robbed with NO resolution. Upon reading the other reviews, it looks like we can predict Misty H. will comment on this with a customer is always wrong attitude and defend their poor business ethics. Instead of bashing the customer why not reevaluate and provide a reasonable solution for both parties?
I make it a point to support local businesses! Shame on me for not reading these reviews prior to making my purchase. And… shame on me for not performing the proper research, like I normally do.
I recently visited Wilson before leaving the next day for a wedding in Miami. I needed a new lens since I am currently rebuilding my equipment after an unfortunate theft.
I had a budget of 700 — 800 to spend and wanted a 50 MM 1.4 Canon lens for my Canon 7D. I was talked into and sold a 18−250MM 3.5−6.3 SIGMA lens. I appreciated what I thought to be professional advice and trusted the information given to me to be true. I should have followed my gut. I asked their employee if their prices were comparable to prices I may find on the internet? He said yes and also mentioned that I would receive customer service that the internet couldn’t offer. The example given to me was that I could come in anytime to have my lens cleaned.
After returning from Miami and editing the photos I had taken I was more than disappointed with the quality, the amount of noise, most photos were blurred out if the zoom was used, etc… I know I have a lot to learn about photography, everyone can continue to learn and better their skills but these photos were night and day compared to the photos I had previously taken using my 50 MM 1.4 Canon lens. I thought if I was paying an additional 400 dollars I would be receiving a better lens and higher quality photo.
First, I did a search on the internet and found the SAME lens, brand new for half the cost. 100% markup??? (one of my shame on me moments)
Second, I called Wilson and explained my situation to the man who sold this lens to me, he apologized and said he would trade the lens I purchased for the lens I actually wanted. GREAT or so I thought. He said there would be an additional 350 — 400 dollars left over and that he wasn’t sure if he could give me cash back or a store credit. He said he needed to discuss with the owner. I said OK, I prefer cash back so please let me know. He never calls back and I hear nothing.
I waited roughly 2 weeks (I had an emergency surgery or this would have been handled sooner) before making a phone call and speaking with the same employee that I had been dealing with. I tell him you never called me back… I would like to know if I will be receiving cash or a store credit and when is a good time to exchange the lens. He started back peddling immediately explaining they could not take my lens back, wha what??? You already told me you would exchange it and now you aren’t doing anything to rectify the situation? I was dumbfounded and extremely upset. We hung up and maybe 30 minutes later he calls back and says that he would like to offer me a class to teach me how to use my camera. I politely turned down the patronizing offer and thanked him for his time.
So, in summary… I was sold a lens I didn’t want and convinced it was a better lens, sold a lens with a 100% markup attached to it, lied to when I was told they would exchange said lens then basically told I didn’t know how to use my camera by offering me a free class.
AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!

I’ve just bought my second camera from Wilson Camera, and, once again, it was a great experience. Not only did I get a very fine camera (Nikon D3200) at a good price, I got the benefit of their help and expertise. In particular, I have always found Jerry, the Manager, to be particularly helpful. You let him know what kinds of pictures you are trying to take, and he will tell you the basics you need to know to get the kind of quality you want. Wilson Camera has been a very successful business for a long time, and I’m sure it’s because of the way they treat their customers. They welcome you like an old friend — whether you’re there to buy a camera or to get some operating tips or to just say hello. No wonder they get repeat business. Why go someplace else when you know you will get the service and quality that you need at Wilson Camera.

I had extremely poor service here, at least at the location on Camelback. After buying a camera off EBay, I brought it and a point and shoot camera here to be cleaned. While the service was speedy, it was poor. The camera I bought off EBay had a working flash before I dropped it off. After, it did not. However, because I bought it off EBay, I didn’t think it was fair to be upset about this. But the other camera was in basic working condition. It took photos, the flash and zoom worked. While I did check both the cameras at the store, I did not try the zoom. As soon as I went to use the camera a few days later, I tried the zoom and the lens stuck.
Total, I spent about $ 130 to have the cameras cleaned. I felt the lens on the point and shoot had somehow been damaged and it was $ 25 for that one only. I thought it was perfectly reasonable to ask for a refund for that camera only. I went in planning on buying addition parts for my other camera that I bought off EBay as long as they refunded me for the cheaper cleaning. The manager, Jerry, refused and immediately became agitated. He argued he couldn’t have possible damaged my camera. I argued that it worked before and didn’t think I was asking for an unfair refund. After realizing he was not going to give me a refund, I let him know that I had planned on putting the $ 25 toward the credit of another purchase. I also said that I was a journalism student and would be letting people know about my poor experience. This is when Jerry got very angry. He said it was unfair of me to share with other people and that it was my fault the camera didn’t work. He proceeded to call me a liar. I kept saying I didn’t want to argue and was trying to leave but he kept escalating the argument. While I was there, the owner happened to call and overhear. He told another sales person to authorize the refund which caused Jerry to sputter in disbelief. He said he felt wrong about it and that this was unethical and taking blame for something they weren’t responsible for. He continues his tantrum for about five minutes before I finally snapped and returned his rude attitude. I asked him to give me the refund or let me leave. He took my credit card and continued to insult me and call me a liar. He was taking a lot of time to run my card and I said he needed to give me back my card without my refund so I could leave or run my card in silence. He kept antagonizing. I finally asked the other employee to call the owner.
While it was nice of the owner to speak with me on a Saturday and at home, I don’t think he addressed my concerns very well. He assumed because I was a student I was young and unaware of «how the real world outside of school worked.» He also said I was lying when I said I had planned to come in there and spend three or four hundred dollars if I had been given a refund. I know this much about the real world: When employees are rude, especially in a small business, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The point of spending a little more money at a small business is because they are usually a little more flexible about being able to fix errors. They don’t have to go up the corporate chain. They could have earned business by giving me a $ 25 refund. Instead, I went to Best Buy and spent $ 600 on camera equipment and was given an extended warranty that I know they will honor. I would have liked to support small business, but the rudeness of this employee made that impossible. In the «real world» I only spend money where I am treated with respect.
Edit as of 11÷28÷12: After reading the comment from Wilson employee Misty, I had to laugh. She wasn’t even there the first two times I was in the store so I find it hilarious that she’s lying. Also, I was not asked to leave the premises. I was held up by the fact Jerry wouldn’t give me back my credit card. There are too many more discrepancies to list and to date I’ve spent more than a $ 1,000 around the valley on camera equipment at places that deserve my business. There are two sides to every story; I’m still mayor of this store on FourSquare which tells me no one checks in there. I see nothing but poor reviews for this store. And on top of it, the fact that you saw the need to defend yourselves tells me you have reason to be defensive. This business is a sinking ship and I can’t say I’m sorry. You come to Unilocal and spend time defending yourself when your time would better be spent working on your customer relations.

Refused to book appointment for Digital Photography Workshop for Groupon customer. Have tried to book appointment for workshop 5 times and each time we get the runaround – anything from we’re too busy to hold the class, not enough students to have the class, we’re not booking anything right now call back in August, to we’re not booking Groupon customers. The funny thing is that I even tested them to see if they just weren’t booking at all or just not Groupon customers. As it turns out, when I wouldn’t mention the Groupon, they had plenty of room and no problem booking! It’s only when I mentioned the Groupon that it became an issue.
They sold over 300 of these Groupons to users. I can’t imagine that we are the only ones who have been denied the ability to use our Groupon.
Very unprofessional and we do NOT recommend.

I’m a small business owner, so of course I want to see small businesses thrive.
BUT, I have a story to tell. I am telling it in hopes that this conveniently located camera store will change its ways.
I came into this store looking to BUY a camera battery charger for a very small camera battery. The store sells them — usually — but was out of stock. Heading on an excursion and wanting to have some juice in my camera for a little budding photographer in our family, I asked if there was any way they could charge my camera battery with a charger they weren’t planning to sell individually (i.e., one that came with a different camera, etc).
REMINDER: I was looking to buy one, they didn’t have one to sell me.
The guy in the store was super-​nice. He checked around and came up with a charger that was to be sold as a part of an assembly with another camera.
He plugged it into the wall and charged the battery I’d brought in for about 30 minutes while we went to eat (Delux is right next door, and we eat there ALL THE TIME, so I had planned to buy my own charger and plug it in one of their outlets, which their super-​friendly servers and the AWESOME ownership would’ve allowed in a heartbeat!).
30 minutes later, we head back over to Wilson’s. The guy says «it maybe has enough for 20 to 30 pictures in it, are you sure you want to take it?» Um, yeah, guy, I had told you we just wanted to charge it quickly on our way to our excursion. We had told this guy our plans to run eat, then head out!
I said «yeah, we’re done with lunch, and we have to leave.»
He said, and this is the part where my jaw hit the floor: «that’ll be $ 10.93.»
WHAT?
REMINDER: I was looking to buy a charger, they didn’t have one to sell me.
I don’t want to pay their &$(#%&*%& electricity bill, however. Not exactly a tangible good or service!
I thought he was kidding. Because seriously, who charges MONEY to charge someone’s very low-​voltage camera battery for 30 minutes?
I’ve never charged my clients for such a thing. And I’m an attorney! We practically coined the phrase, «nickel and dime!»
I handed him $ 11.00. As I did, I told him him in very nice tones «I am floored. I seriously had no idea you’d charge me. I am absolutely floored. I had no idea you’d charge me.» Massive hints, guy.
He said, «I probably should’ve told you there would be a charge.»
And then, with a smile on his face, he gave me $.07 back.
****
UPDATE: I saw the owner responded. The person minding the counter very clearly told me he was charging for the voltage. I went to BUY, not «rent.» And yes, I am a lawyer and I charge a fee for my services. You’re a camera store, and you charge a fee for your… electricity? Paper boxes? NO — your products! You charge for products. Your service, your expertise — not voltage, not taking a thing out of a box and then putting it back in.
See the other one-​star reviews. The correct answer, if you’re an owner, is that the customer dictates the market.