The Photo Center — Local services in Brick Township

I wish I was leaving a higher review for a standalone camera store as not that many exist anymore. I walked in here and was very intrigued by the selection. Its always nice to see a shop selling 35mm film as that is what I primarily shoot. I happened to be driving through the area and had my Leica M6 on me so I went in to inquire about a 50mm lens. I had to wait a solid 5 minutes before being acknowledged by anybody. One party was being helped and there were at least 3 other people there. I was pointed to the other counter and again had to wait there while a woman was standing about 4 feet away completely ignoring me while working on something else - didn't really mind this at first but it all adds up later.... Once she finally asks me for help I told her what I was looking for and she calls the owner over. He said he has lenses that I would be interested in but would need time to go find them and dig them out and to hang out for a few minutes. I wasn't in a hurry but certainly didn't wanna spend a considerable amount of time in there. He told me that I was more than welcome to walk around and check out the selection of both film and film cameras. I checked out the film cameras and found nothing to be priced - and the only way to get a price was to ask somebody. Not a very preffered way to shop when everything is locked up and not even tagged visibly. I then went to go look at the film which was towards the counter, I had asked if I could approach the shelf since it was in an awkward spot. The woman told me "no you can't go right up to it but you can ask me questions about them"...Who in their right mind can read boxes of film from 10 feet away? I had to ask her to bring me ones individually in order to see what they had. Are you serious? Not to mention, the ones I asked about had a $7-10 markup compared to other small film retailers that were local to NJ that also sold online. I get supporting standalone camera stores is important but spending $7-10 extra per roll is absurd once you factor in processing and development. Not to mention, that entire time I was in there the owner decided to not even attempt to look for the lenses I was interested in. I had to walk out as there was zero drive to assist me or make a sale. Not sure if its because I look young and maybe they assumed I don't make enough money to afford their products or what it was but they clearly though of me as a waste of time. I will not go back and if you're looking for film anything check other NJ based stores first as their prices are very much marked up here to the point where you can be spending $100s more on used stuff per their website vs others. Again I really wish I had a better experience I have never dealt with a camera store like this having been to many over the years and loving...

This is, unfortunately, not a good review, but I am not interested in tanking a small business with a low rating so I'm giving 4 stars. I just want to say my piece.

I brought my film camera in last year to get cleaned, tuned up and to get a replacement battery cap.

When I went in literally months later (I live far away, so I can't make the trip that often) They couldn't find my camera. Turns out it was just misplaced - randomly in a cabinet somewhere - but of course that meant it had just been sitting there, no work done on it - in months. (question - don't you put your slip work orders in the computer somewhere? How did a work order just get missed for months just because a camera was hiding in a cabinet?) They asked if I could "just come back at 5 pm" - I live far, I was leaving on a trip the next day, and I could not do it. So I left and said it's fine, just make sure it's done for next time.

I waited some more weeks, and I called to make sure the camera was done. It was not, apparently because they battery cap still hadn't "come in." I explained my frustration and the saleswoman, who clearly knew this was not good service, assured me she would personally make sure it was done and would personally call me when it was done. She did! And (only because I asked), she said she would give the battery cover for free (a very cheap little piece, I still paid for the work).

Two months later, I finally am able to make it into the store. They have my camera, I pay $50 for whatever they did to it, with the "free" battery cap. Guess what? The battery cap they THEY put in my camera is broken - cracked right in two. I showed it to the nice girls at the desk, and they offered to keep it so Jeff could look at it tomorrow. I said no, it's already been way too long and at this point I can find a battery cap myself.

I hate leaving bad reviews for folks who are obviously very nice people, but the way this business is run is completely disorganized and the ineptitude is apparent. It's so incredibly frustrating to go back and forth for months for such a tiny thing as a battery cap, only to feel like a complete fool at the end of it. There is no solution to make this right, really - what discount or free service would I need now? The free thing you tried to give me for my trouble is already broken, like a cosmic joke. Such a foolish goose chase. I would recommend this place for developing photos but if you need any work actually done, you'll have to go out of your way as customer to stay on top of them to make sure it's done at all, let...

I have never written a review before, but after dealing with Brendan at The Photo Center I must share my thoughts. I had been looking everywhere for a specific camera, and to my dismay all the local camera stores and big box stores in my home state of Maryland had the camera on back-order with no promise of a date of delivery. It seemed as if this were also the case with online searches as well until I saw a link for The Photo Center in Brick Township, NJ, which listed the camera as "in stock". When I called to order the camera, Brendan was most helpful in answering all the questions I had as someone new to this type of camera. A week after receiving the camera, wanting to patronize this store again, I called to inquire about a charger for the camera's battery. I must have called at a busy time because I was told that someone would call me back. But no one did. So I wrote an email instead to ask my questions. In it I mentioned that no one had called me back the previous week. Within 15 minutes I received a response from Brendan with not only an apology that no one returned my call, but an order specific to my request that was ready to ship the next business day. In all my years (and they are many) of purchasing all sorts of big ticket items most places forget about customer service once they get your money. NOT SO with The Photo Center. I have never experienced such wonderful and professional customer service in my 70 years! Thank you, and God bless you, Brendan and The...