freestyle, just saying.

Chazzy · Dec 8, 2009

jolefler said:
can you buy hardware from them of the type offered by Adorama? Nah.

Helen's staff in NY was so good during a used equipment purchase, I gotta rate them EX+, right along with Freestyle customer service.

Jo

The one order that I placed recently with Adorama was handled very well.

Removed Account · Dec 8, 2009

I've had nothing but stellar service from Beau Photo in Vancouver. I needed some rodinal and a 5L jug of Ilford Rapid Fix (plus some other assorted stuff) so I contacted them via e-mail since they don't have an online store. They had the stuff packaged and ready to ship before I had even paid! E-mails are always answered within a day, two at the most (except weekends). I had asked them about bringing in a certain Kentmere paper for me quite a while ago, and everytime I send them an e-mail inquiry they remind me that they have it; good to know that they remember someone who doesn't order much! Really good folks, and if they don't have it in chances are they can get it!

WolfTales · Dec 8, 2009

I've shopped at all of 'em. As long as I get what I need....

Phillip P. Dimor · Dec 8, 2009

I had a very similar experience with Freestyle, having received a call no more than 20 minutes after placing it online. Also, the one time I had purchased expired film from them at a huge savings it was actually defective. They took the unused film back with no problems.

vdonovan · Dec 8, 2009

I ordered some Fuji Instant from Freestyle while I was in Spain, it arrived in 5 days, nicely packed. Their international shipping was cheaper than the others too.

Mahler_one · Dec 8, 2009

Judging from the responses here, most of us have had good and bad experiences at all of the named stores. However, for your information, take a quick look at the prices for Ilford Delta 100, 8x10, from Freestyle, B&H, and Adorama.....then tell me whom YOU would order from.....how can there be such an amazing disparity in price...with the utmost respect, if anyone wants to spend so much more for the same item then please tell us all why. Please note: It is important that you all know that I have no affiliation with any of the stores mentioned, and have had fine experiences with all of the vendors noted.

Ed

rustyoldbug · Dec 8, 2009

I suppose I am fortunate - I have used Freestyle and B&H, but I live close to at least four local independent shops in San Diego that have managed to stay in business around here. Sometimes it might cost me a couple extra dollars for my chemicals or film, but having owned a business in the past I would rather that money stay with local community instead of vanishing off into the "net" somewhere.

2F/2F · Dec 8, 2009

Freestyle is the best. I am a lucky duck to be able to drive there in about 30 minutes. Aside from geographical location, I don't know why anyone goes anywhere else! If you are ordering online, please give your money to Freestyle to help them stay in business. B&H doesn't need your money. They are selling enough digital crap to stay in business. Freestyle, on the other hand, would seriously benefit if everyone who bought film at places like B&H went there instead!

P.S. I do also go to one of the Samy's "satellite" stores, as it truly is like a "local shop" to me. I can drive there in five minutes and get most of everything standard that I need...and the manager of the film counter is super friendly and knowledgeable...plus I can drop off film to be couriered to A and I lab so I don't need to drive to Hollywood twice; well worth an extra dollar per roll, unless I have a very large batch. They have a small section of real estate in the store, but they do carry most of the essentials.

When I am stocking up, however, I go to Freestyle. Samy's just gets me through in between Freestyle runs, and has the very helpful courier service to A and I.

Mahler_one · Dec 8, 2009

I can understand loyalty to a store, and appreciate that such a location should be nurtured....however, Freestyle charges about $20 more than Adorama for the exact same film...charges even more than B&H...one can readily justify a few bucks more for better service, etc., etc. However, IMHO, about 25% more for the exact same film is almost ridiculous...sorry, but there is no way to justify the price... I would like to support Freestyle. The company is great, and the service is great. However, they should know that the price for Ilford Delta film is simply off the charts as compared to one of their major competitors. Want to spend the extra dollars? Then of course one makes an individual choice that I respect.

2F/2F · Dec 8, 2009

Well, if there are better options than Freestyle for a specific product, go for it. I certainly do. I would never buy a camera or an enlarger there, for instance.

I don't shoot Delta 100 at all, so I was unaware of the large price gap. B&H/Adorama will always be cheaper...they have so much more buying leverage over the film companies, and are mostly kept in business by other products. Not only that, but they are cutthroat businesspeople in a powerful position in which they basically set the retail prices for the entire market. They know that everyone will be sitting in front of their computers judging everything from every other shop against their prices, and they also know that hardly anybody will buy from anywhere but the cheapest reputable Internet source. They would drop film without a second thought, however, and the Internet people who you deal with know practically nothing about it...not compared to the people at Freestyle, at any rate. Film is Freestyle's bread and butter, and they are devoted to it. They would go out of business if they stopped carrying it.

P.S. Where is Adorama's brick and mortar location? NY as well, like at the bottom of their Webpage? Is it actually a walk-in shop of the level that Freestyle or B&H are?

michaelbsc · Dec 8, 2009

Christopher Walrath said:
That being said, I am going to turn my support locally this year. At the increased cost, I want Cameras Etc. of Newark to be there for me (with the darkroom chemisrty on the showroom floor) when I need them in the future and the best way I see to do that is with good old-fashioned MOO-LAH.

There's merit to this. I have *NO* supplier in town any more, and spent one afternoon calling all the portrait studios in town looking for a lousy package of developer. Unfortunately the small smattering of pro shops in town have moved on to digital and I got nothing.

It's no better now, except that I realize I cannot get anything in town any more, so I plan accordingly. It was shocking to discover that I cannot even buy a roll of 120 film from any camera store in town any more. I can buy a whole brick if I'll wait for it and pay up front.

I could probably buy dynamite easier than I can buy photo chemicals.

MB

Ken N · Dec 8, 2009

I buy all of my film from B&H because of the extreme cost savings as well as a bunch of other supplies and things. Never, ever have had a problem with B&H that wasn't solved quickly and completely. It has always been a class-act in my book. Yes, you do get the NYC gruffness, but I get over it pretty quickly. I've also purchased digital cameras from Adorama and Cameta with exceptional customer service.

For darkroom supplies, I buy everything I can from Photographer's Formulary. Folks, it doesn't get any better than this.

But, for the first time I've ordered something from Freestyle. I'm actually a little upset--I'm upset that their prices on film aren't more competitive with B&H. I'm so pleased with the entire experience that I'd be tempted to do all of my shopping through them. This is not to say that B&H is bad--far from it, but what I'm saying is that Freestyle somehow elevated the experience into something beyond what I ever expected to see in this industry.

Calumet, on the other hand... I'd rather deal with my cellphone company. They deliver the goods, but I think I'll stop saying anything more other than I ONLY buy from them only what I must--nothing more.

The point is, that buying is an experience with all of these companies. Each one sells and ships everything just as I'd expect and hope. But the interaction on the phone, the on-line ordering systems, even the customer-service calls are different. Of all of the above mentioned companies, really only one do I feel the need to go wash after a call.

Ken

Mahler_one · Dec 8, 2009

Cannot answer your question about the location 2F. And I agree about Freestyle, and the need to keep them in business....we would all be worse off without Freestyle, Adorama, BH, Formulary, B and S, Calumet, and others not mentioned. We also agree that there are better options for various items at various places. For example, it is likely impossible to get the new MCC paper from Adox anyplace else BUT Freestyle....they have an exclusive for the product. It will be very interesting to see how the price of that paper tracks over the coming months.

But enough...points have been made, options explored. It's good to know, as stated by so many here, that we have options and favorites. Let's hope that all of the options remain in business, and have products to sell to analog photographers.

Ed

DLawson · Dec 9, 2009

Richard Jepsen said:
Freestyle's customer service and packaging is top notch. The big NY store is far down the list.

I've dealt with Freestyle as well as two different big NY stores early in the alphabet. The only complaint I have about the three of them is that they are too far away to go window shopping.

wruzin · Dec 9, 2009

Perhaps my case is unusual, but I have been frequent customers of all three ( B&H, Adorama and Freestyle) on and off for 30+ years and have never had any complaints with purchases nor delivery. Because my purchase experiences have gone so smoothly, I have never needed customer service. We are fortunate to have these businesses as resources for our photographic needs, and while nothing is perfect in this world, I think that all three deserve credit for the services that they provide.

naugastyle · Dec 9, 2009

2F/2F said:
Freestyle is the best. I am a lucky duck to be able to drive there in about 30 minutes. Aside from geographical location, I don't know why anyone goes anywhere else!

Right. But for millions of us, B&H and Adorama ARE the local shops. I will always shop at one of those two if it's an item they all have. Adorama preferred.

2F/2F said:
P.S. Where is Adorama's brick and mortar location? NY as well, like at the bottom of their Webpage? Is it actually a walk-in shop of the level that Freestyle or B&H are?

Yes, NYC, and somewhat more centrally located than B&H. It's smaller, and I find that its ratio of staff to customers is slightly higher so it's easier to find help. Its setup is more like a normal shop, so it's also possible to get away with less packaging there (i.e. if you bring your own bag). B&H of course doesn't use popcorn for in-store purchases, but because of their unique conveyor belt setup, the fulfillment people cannot be made aware in advance that you don't want lots of plastic bags.

As for customer service, I always go in prepared with a list I've printed off the websites and am always rewarded with a quick shopping experience. The last time I was in B&H the darkroom salesperson noticed I had an iPod case on my list and offered to call it up for me (even though I know where they are on the floor...it was just SO convenient for him to do it for me!).

The NY stores are definitely competitive on items that all three stores carry, even including NYC's crazy tax. But Freestyle is unbeatable on special products and re-branded papers and films. I'm thrilled that they have 4" rolls of Foma Variant III, and there's nowhere else to buy that. I still haven't gotten a chance to deposit my 2 trash bags full of popcorn though (no exaggeration, it's from perhaps 4 orders' worth, more popcorn in the box than products), and I don't need it immediately, so I'm hesitating for now.

jono1515 · Dec 10, 2009

I had a very annoying experience with Adorama and haven't gone back to them since. I had placed an order 3 weeks before I was leaving to drive across the country. I was leaving from upstate NY and figured 3 weeks would be plenty of time to get it. About a week before I left I finally found out that they hadn't even shipped the order yet. Two weeks and no notice of anything being backordered, it just hadn't been shipped. No explanation given, as though this is just how it is if you order from them. Actually, when I asked if it had been shipped yet the response I got was "We can ship it next Tuesday." It really felt like they weren't going to even bother unless I started hassling them about it. That was the end of Adorama for me.

I use Freestyle most of the time now. When I'm in a real rush I'll pay the premium and go to Calumet in San Francisco. It's about a 10 minute drive from where I live. So it's super convenient but a bit more expensive. Freestyle has awesome prices on film and chemicals and they are pretty fast with their shipping. I only go to Calumet if I need something within the next couple of days. I'm also a big fan of the Freestyle re-branded films. I don't see Adorama going out of their way to provide super cheap film, chemicals and paper.

white.elephant · Dec 15, 2009

Adorama: Nuts!

In the last six months I have had three horrible experiences with Adorama each of which required multiple phone calls and none were resolved to my satisfaction. There's that old 'fool me once, fool me twice . . ." saying. I will never shop at Adorama or recommend them to anyone ever again.

rphenning · Dec 20, 2009

Adorama has always been good to me, Freestyle (obviously) is my main place to go though. B&H was the only place that has kinda screwed up on me. I ordered a used Contax G2 with 35 f/2 and flash for my sister for her graduation present and when it arrived it was engraved with the previous owner's name....and it was a very big and deep engraving in the metal. The camera was an "8" on their website and said nothing of engraving. I called them up and they offered me $25.00 for this mistake and since my sister's graduation was a few days away there really wasn't much else I could do other than take their offer. Kinda bummed but duct tape is almost the same color as the titanium body. I will still shop at B&H though. They have nailed every other order of mine.

Mike1234 · Dec 20, 2009

rphenning... better stop saying, "just saying", on this forum. There's a whole thread that just recently sprang up about using that term. If you ask me though, it's just snobbery.

Sirius Glass · Dec 20, 2009

Mike1234 said:
rphenning... better stop saying, "just saying", on this forum. There's a whole thread that just recently sprang up about using that term. If you ask me though, it's just snobbery.

Remember campers he was just sayin' that.

Mike1234 · Dec 20, 2009

Nahh... just sayin'.

Tony Egan · Dec 21, 2009

goldie said:
Priority mail. That's the cheaper option.
I've bought from them a dozen or so times, delivery time is generally around 7 days. 5 days this time was impressive.

Same experience. Never more than 5 business days to deliver to Sydney by Freestyle. B&H is also good in my experience. Only a few days longer.

johnnywalker · Dec 21, 2009

Tony Egan said:
Same experience. Never more than 5 business days to deliver to Sydney by Freestyle. B&H is also good in my experience. Only a few days longer.

Your customs inspectors must be more efficient than ours. It takes at least that to get to Canada, and I know Freestyle ships promptly.

Willie Jan · Dec 21, 2009

I you ask a question, you get a response. (Woow!)
I also have good experience with them (from europe)

freestyle, just saying.

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