Caveat....perhaps I've just had one bad experience. I've not used these people before so this is just one anecdote. But I feel I should warn people.
Bristol Cameras (bristolcameras.co.uk and a physical shop in Bristol) offer a very good range of bulk 35mm film among other useful items. Back in June I ordered 100 feet of Ilford Pan 400 as they are one of the few UK suppliers stocking this film. I was prepared to wait a while as I noted it was "out of stock" and I didn't need the film until late September.
By the time late August came around, I was getting a bit concerned. Tried to email them....the email address they used to confirm my order is of the "no reply" variety. There is no email address with which to contact them and no form on their website. There are two phone numbers given. I strongly prefer to do things in writing, but on 22 August I called them anyway. The person I spoke to did note that long delay in my order but said they were due a delivery from Ilford and they'd email me soon.
Another week passed and I heard nothing so I called again, to be told they'd had said delivery but whoever I was talking to didn't know if any Pan 400 100' rolls were included. They'd get back to me. To their credit, on 2 September I received an email (again from an address that is "no reply") saying that they were unable to obtain any Pan 400 and they would cancel my order and process a refund.
Since 2 September I have phoned them three times asking about my refund. First time I was told that the person who can process that was out for a couple of days but it would happen soon. Second time I was told "Hmm, I don't know why you haven't been refunded" and similar the third time. Each time they mention some external organisation who handle all their payments and refunds, so this clearly isn't something they can do in the shop.
As of 27 September I have no film, they still have my money and I have been effectively forced into buying something more expensive elsewhere at short notice for this coming weekend.
Personally I will not be using Bristol Cameras again. YMMV.
Bristol Cameras (bristolcameras.co.uk and a physical shop in Bristol) offer a very good range of bulk 35mm film among other useful items. Back in June I ordered 100 feet of Ilford Pan 400 as they are one of the few UK suppliers stocking this film. I was prepared to wait a while as I noted it was "out of stock" and I didn't need the film until late September.
By the time late August came around, I was getting a bit concerned. Tried to email them....the email address they used to confirm my order is of the "no reply" variety. There is no email address with which to contact them and no form on their website. There are two phone numbers given. I strongly prefer to do things in writing, but on 22 August I called them anyway. The person I spoke to did note that long delay in my order but said they were due a delivery from Ilford and they'd email me soon.
Another week passed and I heard nothing so I called again, to be told they'd had said delivery but whoever I was talking to didn't know if any Pan 400 100' rolls were included. They'd get back to me. To their credit, on 2 September I received an email (again from an address that is "no reply") saying that they were unable to obtain any Pan 400 and they would cancel my order and process a refund.
Since 2 September I have phoned them three times asking about my refund. First time I was told that the person who can process that was out for a couple of days but it would happen soon. Second time I was told "Hmm, I don't know why you haven't been refunded" and similar the third time. Each time they mention some external organisation who handle all their payments and refunds, so this clearly isn't something they can do in the shop.
As of 27 September I have no film, they still have my money and I have been effectively forced into buying something more expensive elsewhere at short notice for this coming weekend.
Personally I will not be using Bristol Cameras again. YMMV.
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