Bedford Camera & Video — Attraction in Springfield

I went into Bedford the other day (in hopes they had different staff from when it was Lawrence) unfortunately I recognized almost everyone. I've had multiple issues in the past with attitude and treating me like a child (I get I look young, but I am a twenty-something and age is no reason to treat someone poorly). Just to preface, I have 8 years of darkroom experience. I came to Bedford to purchase some film for a roadtrip to the Pacific Northwest. When the staff asked me what speed I wanted I hesitated, knowing I would be shooting outdoors however the PNW is not known for its sunshine. So I decided on 3 rolls of 400 speed film. The staff asked if I would be shooting indoors or out. I replied out but that I still wanted the 400. He suggested against that and said I should get the 160 instead. I firmely stated that no, I wanted the 400. So I bought three rolls and didn't bother to check the bag. The day before my trip, while packing, I realized he had gone against what I wanted and gave me two rolls of 160 and only one roll of 400. I was infuriated. I payed for 400 but the staff did not listen to my request and felt he knew better what I needed to be shooting. Low and behold the 160 has been a nightmare to shoot in dark forest lighting. I've had to stop at a camera store and buy all knew film. I wasted $30 for absolutely nothing. This behavior is unprofessional and dishonest. I will never be back to purchase or process any of my film here. I am completely disgusted by the way I...

Here I have a mixed review because two, out of the three staff I spoke with were very kind. However, when I spoke to the manager I told him I would look back at home to see if I could get a better price and he immediately was done with me. Well, Walton at Best Buy wasn't that way and he met with me several time. I ended up buying as Canon 80D, two extra lenses, a tri pod, camera bag, two batteries and several cards. I also ended up buying a Tamron 70-200 lens. They didn't have one, but he still let me know of what in would be getting it intent that direction. How many times a year do you lose thousands of dollars off a bad attitude. I hope it's just this once, because would live to build a relationship with your company. See you soon! Update: I went there April 14th and was very pleased to see such a change. I went in looking for a camera bag and spoke a sales person who was very good and lead me to the right backpack. He has a wife who works there as well and she she lead me to a lens I had been looking for, but didn't realize the name or the low cost. So I bought it too. Now here is the kicker, the Manager recognized my name and personally came to apologize for my experience. This is huge and one of only a few times this has ever happened. Guys, like I said, I want these places to do well so we have a option of not just buying online. Keep up the great work, and...

I came looking to sell a camera and upgrade to a more powerful one. I was treated as if I didn’t know what I was talking about. The person inspecting my camera repeatedly insisted it was a grey market camera and mansplained what that meant to me. I even mentioned that while I am an hobbyist, my father who has been lead photographer for dozens of companies has taught me everything he knows so I kinda know what I am doing. (Can we not treat anyone with a love of photography both as an hobby and a profession with respect?) After repeated attempts to say it was not grey market, he finally admitted it wasn’t and proceeded with a quote. I was quoted a ridiculously low offer of $240 and told specifically not to look at other websites because they wouldn’t offer me any more than that. So of course I went home and did just that and discovered that every. Single. Site. offered more. Some being $100 or more from every single reputable gear site. I went with an offer of $400 and to prove it I have attached three other sites offering more than Bedford. When the cameras resell value is $900, Bedford shouldn’t be lowballing. I respect that they need to make a profit. But to be treated like I don’t know what I am doing while also being lowballed means I have lost respect for this company. I certainly will not be giving them any business...