Lenscoat

[Colin Key]

Just wondering if anyone here in Continental Europe (non - U.K.) has ordered any "LensCoat" products directly from the the company in U.S. (New Jersey) and experienced difficulties with delivery.

I tried to buy a LensCoat for my 500mm f/4 about two years ago and had huge problems with them accepting payment on three of my cards (this seemed to be a glitch with their card processing company). Eventually I managed to get this item from Warehouse Express (U.K.) and had it delivered by courier. I am VERY pleased with the quality of this lens cover and, although it is expensive for what it is, I could now not do without it.

I recently decided to buy a LensCoat for my Canon 400m f/5.6 but found that Warehouse Express no longer deliver to Portugal (and no other on-line "appointed" dealer in Europe had what I wanted). I tried the manufacturers website again and, hey presto, paid for exactly what I wanted with my Visa card and received confirmation of the transaction almost immediately a second email to say that the package was shipped the following day; that was on the 13th May. I paid for USPS (United States Postal Services) express /insured 6-10 day shipping.

The package was shipped seven weeks ago today, it was (according to USPS tracking service) received by and "being processed by" Portuguese Customs on 20th May (six weeks ago). I still have not received this package.

I have sent several emails to LensCoat customer service and received placating replies; they have contacted USPS who have in turn initiated an "inquiry" with the Portuguese Postal and Custom Services who apparently have 17 days in which to respond. That 17 days have now passed and I have heard nothing.

This is not the fault of "LensCoat" (although I think their response has been dilatory), but when USPS charge approximately 30% of the cost of the goods for "Express Delivery" then it is down to them to investigate and pursue the matter.

The total value of this order is approximately £57 ($108) - for this I have been waiting now seven weeks, written several long emails and spent several hours in total discussing the matter on the telephone and in person with the Portuguese Postal authority.

Life should not be like this; does anyone else have any similar experience?


Colin :mad::hmpf:

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Hi Colin

I asked my brother who lives half the year in France and half the year in England where he obtained his lens coats. He gets them from Wildlife Watching Supplies http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/ who just happen to have an agent in Portugal.

Colorfoto de Barreiros da Silva, Lda.
LOJA DE ALVALADE
Praça de Alvalade, 2-D
1700-035 Lisboa
Portugal
Tel: (+351) 21 793 24 75
Fax: (++351) 21 793 10 09
Email: balcao.porto@colorfoto.pt
lab.porto@colorfoto.pt
http://www.colorfoto.pt/

I hope they have what you need.

[Colin Key]

Thanks for that response Jacqueline. I am aware of Colorfoto in Lisbon and have bought a few things from them in the past. Unfortunately, they did not have the LensCoat which I wanted, nor do they have the portable hide produced by Wildlife Watching Supplies which I was trying to buy. Buying anything to do with photography in Portugal is extremely frustrating ("Yes, of course we can get that for you sir, it should be here within 6 to 8 weeks") and also 50% more expensive than anywhere else in Europe.

The good news is that LensCoat re-shipped the item from the U.S. and it arrived without problems within a week. I eventually found out that Portuguese Customs had returned the original package to the sender - why, we will never know.

Colin

[Jacqueline Burrell]

I'm glad you got your problem solved. As you can imagine, living in Egypt, I fully understand the frustrations although I'm fortunate to have a friend here that visits the UK on a regular basis. He has, however, complains that I treat him like a pack horse!