Norman Camera Company — Attraction in Kentwood

I have been a devoted shopper at Normans camera for about 3 years and have spent thousands of dollars in their store until today

2 weeks ago I stopped in their store to purchase a new tripod and rent some lenses for a wedding I had to shoot. I purchased a nice tripod and got some rates on lens rentals. The tripod had a defect so I thought I would bring it in with me when I went to rent the lenses.

My wife (who shoots with me) asked if she could stop in near close the night before to pick up the lenses since the wedding was an all day event. she was emphatically told no as it would be another day rental We showed up the morning of the wedding, already kind of in a hurry when we approached the counter. somebody was already at the system for rentals (which he tied up for at least 15-20 mins) so I thought I would discuss the tripod. Nobody could find record of purchase in the "new system" and after the sales rep talked to the manager in the back room (who we never saw) conveniently stopped talking to us about the tripod. So on to the rental. On this, the day of the wedding, I was told at last minute that they would be placing a hold on my debit card for the total value of the lenses. This would mean the the rental I believed would cost a couple hundred dollars would now be taking about 3,000 dollars out of my account (which only has a few hundred dollars in it) When I mentioned to the sales rep that I was never told of this cost, he flat out told me I was mistaken. I was nearly in tears with rage. My wife who was along for all trips to and from this store as a witness told him the same, he still never admitted he made a mistake. and after waiting already about 20 minutes to resolve these issues the associate said he would discuss this with the manager in the back. Another 10 minutes I left with a broken tripod, no lenses and running late for this wedding. I never did see a manager, and I was never treated like a valued customer

Bottom line: if you have a bad experience, don't expect good customer service or expect to see a manager.

I will not ever be shopping at Normans again after...

Do not develop photos here.

I took in a roll of 35mm film and a disposable camera on 2/12/24. The cashier told told me that developing and scanning photos were a separate fee. Because the prices were so steep, I decided to develop and scan both rolls, and print one. I also found it unusual that I paid a fee before the development. Usually, if photos are cooked, they're cooked and there is no charge. I usually go somewhere else local, but I figured I give another local spot a try.

I ended up calling Norman's due to my photos taking a while. When I called, the person on the other line informed me that it takes a while to send photos out. I'm going to say this again, this camera store CANNOT develop their own photos. Reading other reviews, I have to agree that Norman is a bit of a dinosaur. No one here is capable of developing photos, and they did not tell me they were going to send mine out. I was floored. A store that specializes in cameras yet can't perform the underlying mechanics of photo development is like something out of a tragic sci-fi dystopian. We've become so consumerist that we've forgotten the skill behind the profession. This store has no developers, it has no one of trade. It has managers and cashiers. The development of your photos is crucial in the outcome of each individual photo.

Moreover, you guessed it, my film was cooked--an entire roll, nothing. And for nothing? For one set of photos, only scanned? Fifty-three dollars. Overpriced, underwhelming. Too much time, as sending them out caused them to be ready upon 3/4/24--almost 3.5 weeks later.

Granted, the cashier explained that my photos were taking a while because they were sent on the weekend. I think my experience is so frustrating because I felt mislead. If I wanted my film to be sent out, even if it was just to their sister location, I would've done so for half the price and went to Walmart, or Walgreens. I was expecting a level of care for that price that I would expect at Mark's Photo and Video. The irony is that Mark's is cheaper!

Please, if you care about your work and your wallet, please do...

Staff was downright rude insisting that I didn't have enough money. I went in to buy a $4k package, but my card kept getting declined because the chip acts up on certain card readers but not others. Which is a common problem and all I have to do is use a different card reader or to swipe it instead. Its just a problem with the type of card that I have and everyone I know who also has that card has the same problem. But the guy that worked the counter kept on asking if I had enough money in my account, and just to double check I looked online, and while I was LITERALLY LOOKING AT MY BANK ACCOUNT that had WELL over enough money in it for the purchase and more, the guy at the counter asked me at least 3 more times if I had enough $. and I told him yes every time. I even called the bank to get my daily limit moved up, but it still got declined. I tried to explain why it was being denied, and asked if there was a different card reader I could try or if I could swipe it but he refused to even listen and said that my chip wasn't the problem and continued to ask if there was enough $ in the account. He didn't listen at all when I told him it was the chip or when I told him I was literally looking at my account and I had well over enough. The bank was closed since it was past 5 and the ATM's have limits. I went to the bank the next day and asked them what was wrong and not surprisingly they told me my chip malfunctioned. so I was right. I got cash out because I wasn't going to mess with it again. and had to make the FIFTY MINUTE DRIVE trip back to normans because some rude employee won't listen and let me use a different card reader.

I understand that the chip not woking is not their fault but at least let me try the different card reader or try to swipe. and for the love of god its so rude to ask someone if they have enough money! I mean come on!! especially since I told him I was looking at my account and I definitely had enough.

So no I won't be returning. They have a better selection than the kalamazoo location but the staff is so rude its not worth it the...