Precision Camera & Video — Attraction in Shenandoah

Where do I begin? Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. To give this review context you need to know the whole story. I don’t know when I first went in but it was when they had first opened. I had just moved here from LA and thought the timing was perfect. I didn’t come into the store to buy but the staff was understanding but helped me anyways. The conversation was long but very informative. The guy I talked to knew his stuff. We clicked due to both being video shooters. I told him I’d be back to buy later. Once I saved enough and was ready I headed in. That experience was less than pleasant. It was I think in August of last year. Just like the previous gentleman the person I talked to was into video as well. But that’s when it took a turn. She was either constantly lying or spitting out generalizations constantly. The guy who who spoked with before wasn’t in so I was stuck with her. I was so displeased I just left and bought everything online from B&H. It was well over 25 thousand dollars what would have been a nice sale for a local company. I took the high road, didn’t write a review and carried on. But after a few weeks it killed me knowing she was “helping” others. So I reached out to the guy I spoke with first and he was very apologetic , responsive and respectful. He gave me his number for any questions or to see if they had an item in stock. He told me the situation was handled and I thanked him. I did mention I may never come back due to it though. Now to the other day. Well the store is even worse than before. I reached out to him about stock he told me he was no longer with the company and I should call them instead. That’s when I should’ve turned around. But I gave them another chance. I regret doing that. The people I talked with were much of the same. Didn’t k ow what they were talking about but at least looked things up. But looking things up doesn’t give you that personal experience that can assist your problem. That is something they don’t seem to have. The what I assume are new employees are slow and push certain brands. Either due to favoritism or an agenda by the company. This was reassured when an employee had a hat where tape covered a brand logo. That logo being Nikon as he joked about it being a bad brand. They also felt very creepy. Without describing it I’d like to say, even though I’m a male it doesn’t mean I want to see the photos you showed me. It’s not pictures I’d show customers either. I will not return and luckily never spent a penny with this store. I wish I had the money then when the employees seemed to care. I get it employees come and go. But the whole store is different and took a turn for the worse. Different employees and a different manager. I didn’t mention names in the review due to the previous girl being fired. I don’t know if I caused that or not. But I do apologize and hope things get better. But by the most recent reviews it doesn’t look like it. But is it that hard to find knowledgeable employees who actually seem to care? I guess Houston is a small city and doesn’t have enough people. This is a sad waste of a store and from the people I work with in the city they have told me similar things as they used to be great but now are terrible. But that was such a fast turnaround. Overall my thoughts are this avoid this store...

Review of Precision Camera & Video – Shenandoah, TX and Austin, TX Locations

I'm writing this review because it's clear that something needs to be done about the online presence and operations of this company.

Unfortunately, I had a disappointing experience not once, but multiple times in the same day. First, I saw a Sony A7 II listed on their website for $499.99 in EX+ condition. When I called to confirm availability, I was told the listing was incorrect and that they would not honor the listed price or condition. That was strike one. (Camera was 499.99 but in EX- Condition)

Next, I saw a Nikon Z7 listed at $774.99 online, so I went directly to the store. Upon arrival, I was told the camera had already been sold, even though the listing was still live on their site. When I asked about the outdated listing, the manager refused to acknowledge the issue, and an employee mentioned the website is maintained by only one person. If that's the case, it's time to hire more staff to manage the site properly. Two major issues in one day from the same customer should be a serious red flag. Strike two.

Strike three was the refusal to honor the listed price / condition of the cameras, and the staff doubling down rather than owning the mistake. While I understand that pricing errors happen, failing to update listings and not taking accountability is bad customer service.

Continually displaying outdated or incorrect pricing may be considered false advertising, particularly if it occurs repeatedly, and could expose the business to complaints filed with consumer protection agencies or potential legal action under state laws.

To be fair, the employees at the Shenandoah, TX store were helpful and professional—unlike the store manager, who refused to engage constructively. The overall vibe of the store was unwelcoming, largely due to management. I also called the Austin (West Anderson) location, which seemed to have similar issues regarding inventory accuracy and customer experience.

Lastly, please stop offering small freebies (like a 64GB SD card) in exchange for 5-star reviews, especially when customers are already upset. That feels disingenuous and undermines trust further.

I did end up purchasing a Sony A6400, but only because of the helpful employees—not because of management or company policies. Fix your website, own your mistakes, and improve your communication and customer service. A business in this industry, where people are spending serious money, can't afford to operate this carelessly.

Address these issues before they cost you...

I’ve given this store three tries. All three times the gear I purchased and tried to purchase was faulty (Sony Fx3x, 7inch monitor, and just today, a small tripod that didn’t have the arm). The people on the store were intentionally unhelpful. I tried to speak to a manager, and while trying to get their name and email (they weren’t in the store), an employee CALLED THE POLICE! This wasn’t a heated situation. This was me asking if they had a missing tripod arm on a new tripod I was trying to purchase. I was frustrated and expressed my frustration over past faulty gear sold.

The assistant manager John was really bad, he seemed to revel in not helping me.

Don’t shop here. It’s fishy and poorly run. And if you have an issue you want escalated to a manager, they will call the cops. Which is crazy.

Edit for an update: In an attempt to repoorte my experience with the Houston Manager, the Austin General Manager, and eventually, the Owner, I received one contentious email, was hung up on several times as soon as I was put on hold to retrieve the Austin manager (which admittedly might be their phone system), and then a curt and clear convo from the Owner.

I eventually received a call from the CEO, and he explained that in order to not be liable, he would not be explaining anything to me or offering and apology for my experience, that the employees were in instructed to hang up on me, and that Precision Camera employees were not to sell me anything in the future.

I respect and understand that this makes me sound like I went into the store and caused a huge scene. They have definitely responded to me as though I did. I admit that I was confused why the one employee would sell me a separate arm, then the assistant manager wouldn't, and then while I was waiting from an email response from the Houston manager, the police showed. It was a confusing escalation. I was frustrated. I'm sure I could have been more polite, but now that I've experienced the entire chain of command, it seems the culture there is in line with the treatment I received.

Shop elsewhere. I will. I mean, I have to now... not that I had planned to come back, but you should go elsewhere for whatever...