Claremont Camera

not sure why there are so many negative reviews for this shop. I have been coming here for a few years now and it is fantastic. Hossein, the owner, has been very helpful for all of my needs. I recently found some old photos and home videos as I was getting ready to move and had them all scanned and transferred to DVDs. The prices were very reasonable and Hossein even made a nice DVD Slide show of all the old pictures with music and everything. Due to copyright issues I had to provide my own music, but it turned out great. Most of the old video tapes were starting to deteriorate so I’m glad I got them transferred while I still could. He gave me a very good price too as I was considering taking it to Costco. However he was able to do it all in house and I didn’t have to worry about it being sent out somewhere where it could get lost, and I love supporting local family owned businesses.

A friend of mine used to know the previous owners so recommended this place for camera repair. Then we found out it was bought out by the guy who runs the VERY small cluttered «shop.» I understand they outsource their work but the «shop» was very unprofessional looking. The price was relatively cheap though so I took my chances.
I turned in a professional Sony digital camera to get the screen fixed so we can see the pictures we were taking on display. That was July 31, 2014. I hadn’t heard anything for a while so I called in to check the status. They had to order a part and we’re waiting for it to arrive. A month plus passes and still no word so I call again. The part came but it was the wrong one so they had to order another one. Well, needless to say I went in to that store in December and picked up the camera (still not fixed!).
I didn’t have the credit card I used to put the $ 50 deposit down on it so the guy wrote us a check MINUS the 5% fee that HE was charged initially when I paid. It was less than a $ 3 fee and he was making a big deal about it. If it were me, and I was truly sorry and wanted my business again, I would’ve taken the less than $ 3 hit and paid the $ 50 deposit back in full.
With my experience, I will never go here again nor recommend them. Communication was nil, I kept having to call. Im pretty frustrated that after 5 months they couldn’t get the camera screen fixed.

They don’t keep their word when it comes to honoring pricing. The place is full of dust who would even let them do any work is beyond me. the place is like the inside of a dumpster. They lost a GOOd customer today. Bought there because I support small local business. Close your doors!!! Buy elsewhere people.

I see a couple of reviews here from years ago — I think they have trained their employees better since then or gotten new ones because I got great customer service from them! Justin was especially friendly, helpful, very knowledgeable and helpful. I highly recommend you try this store!

Horrible customer service, pictures also not ready when promised. Stay away!!!

I should start by saying, Claremont Camera has a ton of great stuff for professional level photography, and I don’t think there’s as good a camera shop in terms of selection and variety within 30 – 40 miles of Claremont Camera.
However, all of the wonderment and joy of such a large and widely stocked camera store is taken quickly away by the absolutely atrocious customer service. All of my friends who do amateur photography have blacklisted this store because the customer service is so terrible. Employees are really rude if you need help. (Like they make it seem like if you have a question you must be an idiot, and they’re happy to reinforce that idea in their responses).
If you’re really desperate for something they don’t carry at Ritz or the like, go here. But personally, I’ve just left this store pissed one too many times because of how I was treated to ever go back. I would recommend, because it’s worth the money to actually get some real help when you need good advice and technical knowledge, to go to Freestyle Photo on Sunset in Hollywood.