Shot On Film Store — Local services in Seattle

I live in Dallas, Texas - obviously nowhere near where this store is located. Why am I reviewing it with 5 stars?

On Saturday, February 6th, 2021, I found an extremely rare camera that I knew I had to buy immediately for a project that I am working on - building a screen accurate replica of the night vision goggles from Jurassic Park to go with the screen accurate Ford explorer also in the works. (The goggles use those exact camera's lenses) ;) The attached photo is a comparison photo created by the person who first figured out exactly which camera model lens was used to make the goggles in the movie. This is the camera I bought from the Shot On Film Store.

I called the store early in the morning to verify that they actually had the item in stock and that their online inventory listing was accurate, which it was. When I said that I would be purchasing it immediately and was curious how long it would take, the person on the phone, I believe he said his name was Vince, said it would ship out on Tuesday because their regular shipping person was out until then. But right as he said that, I heard a voice in the background and Vince said, "actually never mind, the owner said he can do it today for you." Lo and behold, the camera was packaged and mailed within a few hours of me purchasing it - on a weekend. That's a big thing.

It was nothing crazy, but a business going out of their way to do something for a customer when it isn't necessary at all and even without being asked, is a tremendous thing and I really hope they realize how they made a customer very happy! I wish them all the best in this trying time, and look forward to buying from them if the time comes again!

It looks like they truly care about what they do - if you read this review and see something in their store you are interested in, give them your business - I have a feeling you won't be disappointed!

Store team, I will be sending you guys a little JP goodie in the coming weeks as gratitude for playing your part in helping me toward my...

Condescending and arrogant shop owner. I’m a new film photographer and have done a ton of research the past few weeks. I walked in to go look at his 35mm starter kit cameras where you get a camera, lens, and a roll of film for $99 (pretty much all of the cameras in those bins were grubby and scratched), I started listing the brand names that I liked, and he cut me off, scoffed at me and said that brand name didn’t matter. That was kind of rude, but I brushed that aside.

I found a camera I was interested in, and upon inspecting it, I asked him if it would be easy or worth it for me to replace the heavily scratched SLR mirror, and he condescendingly said “OBVIOUSLY that wouldn’t affect the image” as if I was a fool for asking.

I say “”Obviously?” You know I’m inexperienced, and I don’t appreciate when associates talk down to customers.” He said he wasn’t talking down to me. I told him that I don’t like it when employees belittle customers to stroke their own ego. He reminds me of my coworker who used to do that to customers to make himself feel big.

I got very strong Simpsons Comic Book Nerd vibes from the guy. He has a superiority complex over people who aren’t familiar with the details of the niche subject of film photography.

And it smells like cigarettes.

Later that day, I went up the street to Kenmore Cameras, who were super nice and professional, and helped me find a classic Pentax camera in excellent shape that I am...

While this store has an impeccable lineup of cameras in great condition and most film offerings of what you’d need to get going as well as a fine selection of digital, there are glaring issues. Overpricing that the owner has no answer for - not even a “we are a local business and thus we must charge more” which would be respectable. You only get an answer of “well you can buy it online but you’ll just get a lemon” which is only a half truth. Additionally, their return policy is the only place in town that I’ve found to not have one. There just simply isn’t one. They have exchanges, but if you suffer from buyers remorse, you’re out of luck. They have an amazing scanner, but use drop box for their app of choice to send you scanned exposures, which is extremely inaccessible. I give two stars 1 star for the great selection of fun, interesting, sought after cameras 1 star for the great scanner that they use - it’s probably the best quality scans you’ll get if you have them take care of your color film stock. (However the Dropbox method of receiving your scans is another issue)

They lose 3 stars for meaningful customer service, lack of return policy (eg they don’t say “by the way all sales are final”).

This shop could easily be the best in town along with their smaller one in Ballard. I’m not saying to not go to shot on film, there are great things to say - but for me, unfortunately, the negatives outweigh...