Lens & Shutter Cameras


Sarah Mayzes
8 years ago

I went in to this location today with my boyfriend to browse as I was in the market for a new DSLR. The Canon 7D Mark II was on the shelf with a price tag of $1499 in front of the camera body and the sales rep verbally confirmed this as the price when I asked her. Yet then she suddenly refused to sell it to me for that price as she stated "she made an error on the price". I questioned if they had a policy regarding honouring the advertised price, she stated only a manager could decide if they would honour it or not. I asked for a photo of the price tag as proof and was met with a condescending remark from the employee. She appeared reluctant to allow me to do so but gave in. She reiterated that I could speak to the store manager, as she personally would not honour the price on the shelf, but that there was also no manager present. We left the store for 5 minutes and I looked up their policies. We then returned and I informed her of their price integrity policy. She then claimed she did not understand the store policy and that she needed the manager once again. I attempted to explain their own policy to her, as we had the same policy at the electronics retailer I previously worked at. She would not listen and started to throw out remarks such as how we "would force her into an early retirement" if she honoured the price. Based on her behaviour and change in tone and wording it appeared to us that she was taking the request as some form of personal insult and at the same time was actively trying to get us to pity her. I attempted to assure her that this was not against her, I just wanted the store to do the right thing. I attempted to explain to her again what should happen based on their pricing policy but she continued to try to debate with me. It became apparent that she was not going to offer us any form of resolution for this problem. I asked for the managers card at this point as she was clearly not understanding the policies of the store she works in or the basics of customer service. The price was in print and it should be honoured by the business as per policy. The customer should not be penalized for an error made by the store or an employee but that is where the situation currently stands. I have emailed the store manager and am waiting on a response, which will hopefully resolve this unfortunate experience. **UPDATE: Both the store manager, Michelle Watson, and now a second representative of Lens & Shutter, Guy Northcote, have both offered for me to buy this at $1999.99 claiming that their store does not have a policy for accurate pricing, price protection, and furthering the fact that this location does not practice with integrity or good customer service. I was offered a free accessory as an 'apology' which still does not address the problem. The latter of the two representatives from Lens & Shutter also responded purposefully cutting out the line about Lens & Shutter matching advertised prices in their response to me. Neither representatives of this business seem concerned about keeping in line with the Competition Act of Canada or the Scanner Pricing Accuracy Code which is endorsed by the Competition Act of Canada. PLEASE AVOID THIS STORE if you plan to purchase any photography equipment and give your money to other retailers who follow the Act and Codes set out for Canadian Retailers and value their business integrity and customers.**
The Business Owner Replied:

Hi Sarah, It’s unfortunate we couldn’t come to an agreement on the additional items Lens & Shutter were willing to offer you as compensation for the "hand-written" tag error. As mentioned, the national price (L&S is to sell at as per Canon M.A.P.) is $1999.99. Should you choose to purchase your 7DMarkII with L&S, our offer of additional compensation stands. Best of luck with your photographic endeavours and happy shooting! Roy King, President

Written on 07/13/2016