Houston Camera Exchange — Attraction in Houston

I have shopped this place for multiple decades. Their selection is great and facility is clean. Its been about 9 years since I last came, but they came to mind when it came time to trade in a canon 5d mk 2. I called in advance, before spending money on the tollroad to go there, to sell a used camera body. I asked if they took this specific body. Yes. I asked if there was anything I needed to do before, I was told no, walk ins were welcome. I was asked if the camera has a battery and charger. I stated no. I was told that it would decrease the amount of the trade in. Not a problem. An hour later I arrive after I drive half an hour to get there. I walk directly to the counter, am greeted by a different gentleman than the phone call, and when I produce said camera, without even looking at the camera, am told we dont buy those anymore. When I insist that I called ahead to check on this, he asked who I spoke with, and I explained I wasnt given a name, that the gentleman answered about an hour ago, and just said houston camera exchange. He then huffed, types on the computer like my existence bothered him, and says do you have the charger and battery? I said no, I understand that drives down the trade in value, as the gentleman on the phone stated that already. He responds with we wont buy the camera at all without those. At that point i began packing my things up. I asked a question about camera repair because it looked like the reflector in the camera body i was holding has simply popped out of its frame, and he proceeded to emphatically go oh god no we wouldnt buy it like that anyway, and we dont repair anything, go down there and have them do it. I asked for the info for the person he was referencing, which further put him out, and was handed a slip of paper with three shops in houston. I left. This entire experience was a complete waste of my time, and the gentleman was so dismissive and dramatic it bordered on rude. Not a great way to stay in business. Will take my business elsewhere in the future. Sellers beware. They have a form you can fill out online to get a quote for your trade in. But specifically state they will get back to you in a couple days. Maybe thats the only real way to get good information, as no one provides names anymore. I didnt see a name tag on this gentleman either so theres that. Can't complain without a name I guess.

Should be noted, I walked to my car and in the light of day, could see that the reflector had simply popped out. Once realigned, the camera was fully functioning. Did not require repair or all...

HCE is a pretty good store. They survived where other camera stores in Houston failed for a good reason. I can't even tell you how much money I have spent and received from them buying and selling gear here. I try as much as I can to buy gear from them as I can't put my hands on cameras buying online. I know within 5 minutes of playing with a camera if I will like it or not. Being that I have very fickle taste, it is important for me to try before I buy. On the occasions that I have been wrong and purchased something I didn't like, they have a very reasonable return policy. I also love that their staff all seem to have strengths that they put forward to different kinds of customers.

I mostly talk to 3 people while I am there

Matt Weintritt: Dude actually LISTENS to what you have to say and makes great suggestions. I think my tastes are a little eccentric for him but we see eye to eye on a lot of things. Beyond that, he is downright friendly and a cool dude. Good photographer who shoots regularly on top of that. Not many people in the city of Houston that I trust more than him when it comes to photographic matters.

Charlie Nelson: I really like to talk to him about Leica in general. He is pretty down to earth about shooting and I have seen him giving really sound advice to less knowledgeable photographers.

Rei: I talk to him when I am drooling over the film cameras. He has sold me a few cameras and knows his stuff on older gear. He is always pretty chill and willing to help with finicky old film gear.

If you are like me and buy mostly used cameras, make sure you check their used website daily and survey their cabinets carefully. Sometimes there are things here and there in the cases not on the website.

My only complaint about HCE is that they close too early! I know its hours are targeted towards people with 9-5s so that they can come in after they get off work but there are many times I am out shooting all day and when I run out of available light, I would love to come into HCE and browse around before...

Normally come here and have a great experience but that wasn’t the case with my most recent visit. My boyfriend and I entered the store and an older woman started helping us. We told her what we needed, she guided us to it and said “we may have one used.” She pulls out a used one, we ask the price and she says “I can do $15, just tell them up front I said it.” Cool! Start looking at other items and proceeded to get great customer service from another older woman behind the counter.

Proceeded to checkout and saw a young woman scrolling on her phone. We hand her the item and say “we were told to come up here and say it’ll be $15 by the woman helping us” then looks the item up and says “it’s not $15, it’s $30” I proceed to tell her “that woman points to her over there told us $15 and to come up here and say that” she further says “well she’s not the manager so I don’t know why she said that”.. I told her I could go get her if there was any issue and she walks off saying she’s getting the manager. Her coworker further says “she’s right.. that isn’t the actual manager” as if that helps the situation. The manager comes out and in the end, gives us the $15 as quoted. As soon as said “The lady gave it to us used” he completely understood what was going on.

I don’t know what that girl’s issue is but she definitely needs some sort of training on customer service. She tried to be rude and talk over me but as soon as I gave that energy back, she went to the back, peaking around the corner to see if we left or not. Definitely not a good look. Also if giving out prices for non marked, used items, is a no go or can only be done by the manager, please let your employees know so others don’t have to deal with...