Mike's Camera Inc. Boulder — Attraction in Boulder

They broke my camera and wouldn’t even take responsibility for it!

I brought my Nikon D610 to the Boulder store for cleaning. I dropped my camera on Tuesday and it was ready on Friday. The repair technician was very accommodating and friendly on the phone.

I picked up my camera on Saturday afternoon and headed to my shoot location in Boulder about 15 min away from the store, but the camera just wouldn’t work; it wasn’t focusing. I called the store and speaking to Tony, the rental manager, he said to bring it back that he would lend me a different camera since I had my shoot scheduled already. I returned the rental the next day and waited to hear what was going on with my camera.

On Tuesday, the repair technician called and said that the metal pin that operates the focus mirror was broken - My camera worked perfectly before this cleaning, never even had the slightest issue. He said they have to send it to be fixed in New York and could take several weeks. I had shoots scheduled every weekend for the several weeks, so this was definitely a big inconvenience. He assured me that we will ‘work something out’ as far as the price and rental for my upcoming shoots that couldn’t be rescheduled. He said we could split the bill plus they could apply the price of the cleaning towards the repair, so I would end up paying about $17 for the repair. Although I shouldn’t have been paying anything since they broke my camera, I wasn’t going to fight over $17.

When I called the store several days later to arrange for a rental, the rental manager Tony said that they are not taking responsibility for the damage to my camera and that I had to pay full price for a rental. The camera worked perfectly, then it was cleaned at the store, now it doesn’t work, but they are not taking responsibility?!? He was relentless and completely unapologetic and unhelpful.

I spoke again to the repair technician and he was kind enough to call other stores to see if I can get a free rental. He managed to secure a Nikon D750 for me from the Colorado Blvd store for the next two weekends.

I received my camera about 3 weeks later, fixed, but was required to pay $100. Apparently since I received a free rental, they were not going to discount the repair any further - still not taking any responsibility for breaking my camera.

Bottom line - they broke my camera while cleaning it and wouldn’t take responsibility for it. I am definitely discouraging everyone in my photography circle to do any business...

I used to really enjoy getting my film developed here but after my recent experiences I unfortunately will no longer be using them. While usually the turnaround time isn't too terrible, I dropped an order off in October and was told I would get my images back in 6 weeks, which was already an incredibly long time but I decided to just go for it, considering they were the only lab I knew of that was able to do digital scans of disposable camera rolls. After 6 long weeks, I didn't receive my scans on the day they were promised, and so I called. I spoke to a kind gentleman named Ken (who provided great service), and he told me that it didn't look like my scans were done yet (he actually said they hadn't even been started) but to expect them by either 4pm or the end of the day. I was shocked that they could have my camera for SIX WEEKS, and not have even started them by the day they had promised. I knew they closed at 5, and so when I didn't get my scans by 4:50, I called again and spoke to a different gentleman (who didn't provide his name) and told me that their printer had broken last week and my scans were still not done, and to expect them by the end of the week. Normally, I wouldn't go out of my way to post a negative review, but this was honestly so infuriating. Nobody had called to let me know the printer had gone down the week earlier and my scans wouldn't be done, and that was not mentioned on the phone earlier the same day. In fact, I was told to expect my scans by the end of the day. 6 weeks is already a very long time, especially knowing there are companies who can do scans in a much shorter time period, but I had been loyal to Mike's for over 2 years that I decided to stay with them, which was clearly a mistake. I'm not sure why I wasn't informed of this printer issue on my phone call with Ken, or moreover why I wasn't given a call when the printer went down and I would need to wait another week. I'll now be waiting SEVEN weeks for scans. This is the second time (IN A ROW) Mike's has been unable to give me the scans on the date they were promised, and I'll certainly never use them again, as well as be sure to warn others of my lackluster experiences with a once reliable photo lab. Even if I have to start mailing my film, it'll likely be better than the false promises Mike's Camera seems obsessed...

Updated on November 08, 2021 I was contacted by Mike from Mike's camera and he helped me resolve my order issue. I received my lens on Sunday, November 7 and was pleased with the support that I received in store. I will continue to shop Mike's Camera whenever possible. They will listen to customers and they will try to make things right when possible. Thank you very much!

Updated on October 22, 2021 I have been trying to give business to Mike's Camera in Boulder and had two good experiences ordering online for pick up in store, one in May and one a few weeks ago, but today did not go so well. I ordered a lens this morning for pick up in store and the order went through and was confirmed. I live about 1.5 hours from Boulder so I started the drive to pick up the product. I know I should have waited for the pick up confirmation but I wrongly assumed that allowing me to order for pick up that the item was in stock or at lease a regularly stocked item. The store opened at 10 a.m. today and I had not heard from them by 10:30 so I called. I was told that none of the Mike's Camera stores in Colorado had the lens in stock. Unfortunately Mike's Camera does not provide any information on there web site about product availability.

What I was told next was what really surprised me. They stated that I could give them a $100 deposit and they would "special" order the lens for me. If the lens was a special order item why was it not listed as such on their site. Why would I want give them $100 and have an order placed for the item now? I don't really need the lens for another month so had I been informed that they were expecting more soon I would have waited until the product arrived. But from the conversation I had with the salesperson this is not an item they regularly stock so I would need to special order it. I am not sure why they show it on their web site.

I am not really sure what to do with my online order. I haven't paid anything yet but the order still shows on the Mike's Camera site under my login. I don't see a way to cancel it.

I try, I really try, but my time is worth something. I will order online from another source, at least I can get a projected...