Bel-Air Camera Superstore

So snobbish.\r It's too bad that car lots don't have the same customer service - there would be a lot less cars on the road. I have no idea what type of people can put up with this staff and buy something. Don't waste your time. If you have ANY dignity you will leave promptly without buying anything anyway. Cons: Too many to list more

Bel AIr Camera is what every customer wants in a store, knowledgeable staff, friendly service, staff that will go the extra mile to help you, and stock of the newest best products. In less than 24 hours I had two above and beyond super positive experiences at Bel Air Camera. I guess that is why is is considered the ""jewel"" of Westwood. more

I am a Manager at Bel Air Camera. just a quick response...I don't know about this exact transaction but I can say this...The day this occurred, Canon had just started an instant rebate program on their lenses. it's possible that the person you spoke with was unaware of the instant rebate and as such quoted a price that was too high. Not a great defense, I know but without knowing who the person you spoke with is or what lens we are talking about, it's the best I've got. \r \r I am usually able to honor our internet pricing in the store, as long as you tack on the $15.00 average shipping charge. You must understand that there are higher costs associated with a brick and mortar store as opposed to an online site...we have salespeople to pay, you get to try the equipment, see it there are any imperfections in the lens, open it and make sure it's exactly what you want and will do what you want it to do etc. \r \r I appreciate hearing about issues like these because it gives me the opportunity to address them with the staff so that in the future, the same mistakes are not made. I only wish that whoever had this experience would have asked to speak with the manager so I could have dealt with it right then and there, I can't fix a problem that I know nothing about.\r \r If anyone has an issue with any aspect of Bel Air Camera, please feel free to contact me\r \r barry@belaircamera dot com more

Snotty, condescending customer service. Web pricing much less than in-store. When I called, the difference was $120 on a $400 lens. What was I thinking?! I get lousy personal service and a hundred free prints for the extra money! Wow, I guess I'm just a dumb customer. Shipping choice on web is only 2nd day air or faster, even if you're in the same county and ground is faster and cheaper. Don't bother asking about other shipping options, they'll make you feel like an cheapskate. If they get defensive when responding to inquires about pricing variances between the web and in-store, then they should raise the web price and lower the in-store price and make them the same. Give more shipping options and not try to make up a low web price by jacking up the shipping price. It would make them look better and they wouldn't have to get defensive. more

I am one of those retail cogs in the wheel without the power to change things. We are not all cut from the same cloth.\r \r Addressing the internet price difference, yes the prices are cheaper on the net, and that is true in most stores with an online presence. The response to the clients that have given us a negative review should have been respectful and informative. I am very sorry if some of my fellow staff were curt, this type of behavior reflects on all of us badly, and for that I sincerely apologize for all of us.\r \r \r Believe it or not according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services we are paid below, at ,and slightly above poverty wages. Salesmen and women rely on commission to make ends meet not unlike a waiter who depends on tips and not the hourly pay. So the idea that a minimum wage employee would be better is not true because that is what we are paid, give or take a dollar. The result is a worker who must sell to survive and this can erode the service at times.\r \r I can say from personal experience that many of our clients are very happy with our expert service and that many of us absolutely do take the time to help a customer learn about the camera they are buying. We also welcome our clients to come back for further instruction if need be. Many of our customers arrive with both camera and laptop. Mac or PC we do our best to help, try getting that kind of service with a big box retail clerk or an internet salesperson.\r \r If any client has a problem at my store they should ask for a manager immediately. Barry, the floor manger, would not hesitate to help. In fact anyone who may be reading this and would like to complain/complement any of our staff should do so. Bel Air Camera_310-208-5150 ask for Barry\r \r --TCW Pros: 50 years in the business with good old fashioned service. Cons: Old fashioned service. more

By far the worst customer service I have ever had in my 32 years. In thousands of retail experiences I have never met such hostile employees. Honestly, I feel they are in a competition to see who can get a customer out of that store the fastest. I suggest you shop there if you want to be made fun of in a way that only ""comic book guy"" from the simpsons could. Their unfriendly, unhelpful, know-it-all attitude got me out of there in less than 10 minutes. \r They would be MUCH better off with minnimum wage summer job teens than those clowns - I would raher have had lazy hungover people helping than ones that were serious about giving me a hard time. Cons: Employees are HOSTILE more

I went onto Bel Air's website to look for a specific lens. Found it and on the site, it was quoted as 70 dollars. Since I'm local, I drove in the middle of rush hour to Westwood to get the lens. When i got to the store, I discovered that the lens is not $70 but actually $109. I asked why their website said another price and he snobbishly said ""oh, that's the website price"" and I asked what the difference was and he said ""because you get service here and you can play with it."" First off, what service!? I stood there waiting and when he was done with a customer, he stood there and ignored me! I had to motion to him that I needed help. And secondly, for someone who already knew what they wanted, that was a BS line to use regarding playing with the product. All was doing was making sure I wasn't going to take something broken home. It's not like I ask what his opinions were on certain lenses. I will NEVER set foot into that store ever again. Talk about false advertising!!! And as a foot note: While doing my research for the lens in prices, this placed ended up being the most expensive place to buy anything. Buyer Beware. Pros: none. Cons: customer service, false advertising through website. more

Although I am a very price oriented person, and Bel Air Camera does not necessary have the best prices I end up buying a lot of accessories there. It is probably because of the staff, not all friendly but all very knowledgeable. My particular favorite is Ozzy, who's been very nice and helpful with pointing me in the right direction - about lenses,filters and bodies. I will not buy anywhere else, because no Best Buy even Fri's employee can give you an adequate advice on cameras (or anything else for that matter). They honor all Canon and Nikon sales, which count often save you as much as 10%. A great store for the not so experienced photographer.\r Cons: Price of prints is very high. more

Great place to go if you need expert knowledge and friendly service. Decent prices and convenienct location in Westwood village. Parking on site. They usually have everything in stock too. Pros: Parking, service, location Cons: busy store more

This is what I wrote years ago: ""Great prices but also a knowledgeable, friendly professional staff that will take their time to help you make the best selection plus a rental department"".\r \r NOW.... I used to love this store but what a shame. It is just about the sale. Walk in the door and they might deign to give you their pronouncements about all things photography. \r If you buy- it is all good and lots of promises to back up the product but they don't give a damn once you walk out the door.\r Go online. Cheaper and you know it is about the sale and you don't have to deal with the super cameraman attitude.\r \r Pros: The staff know their stuff but do they have to be so rude and condescending? Cons: Push product, sales, sales sales and they don't want to see you after the sale. more