Bel-Air Camera Superstore

I used to go here frequently as it's just around the corner from me. I can practically walk there, but instead I now either get in my car and drive all the way over to Samy's or I go online. Why would I go out of my away to avoid this place? For starters, the staff can be rude and indifferent. One time, I waited nearly 15 minutes at the rental counter trying to get someone's attention. When finally someone did notice me they just looked at me and said, "What do you need?" as if I were an annoyance. Then, they told me that the rental guy was out to lunch and to come back in an hour. Sorry, but if I'm a paying customer paying the prices they charge, I expect a little more than that. There was another incident in which I asked one of the salespeople to explain some of the features of a Nikon DSLR. When I was new to the SLR world and learning about DOF and asked him to explain it to me and how to view the DOF at various F stops and I didn't understand the concept at first, he g... Read more

I'm appalled at their level of customer service (or lack there of) not to mention your petty use of photography to deceive the customer. Point in Reference: On Sat 09/05.09, I made the purchase of a used Canon GL1for $600.00 from a listing on Craigslist by one of your employees. That employee wasn't there but the product worked well but was missing a couple parts. I returned the next day and pointed out that camera was missing the lens hood he "retorted" that the ad clarifies that the picture is only a "representation" of the product and that the sale actually only included: 1) the camera 2) the charger & 3) the battery. (Why not just take a picture of the actual product and avoid the confusion?---You ARE a "camera store after all!) I then pointed out that the "Lens hood" is a part of the camera. The employee acquiesced to my point of view and agreed to give me the lens hood for $5.00 (which is a joke---you should have given it to me for free on PRINCIPLE). This employee then ins... Read more

The below bad reviews are right. Belair camera are arrogant, lazy, and overall a terrible business. I recently purchased a new Canon PowerShot SX1IS Digital Camera online and confirmed over the phone. After not receiving anything for a week, I called to check. The arrogant employee told me they shipped it four days ago and it should be there the next day. So I waited, then after two days nothing came and I called back and asked for a tracking number. The same arrogant employee obviously fumbled around for a bit and after a long pause told me that they made a mistake and would ship it out the next day. Then, I asked for the manager, in which he told me he was the manager. He said he would send me an extra something to cover the mistake they made. The product finally came, almost two weeks late, and the camera inside looked used and scratched up. And the extras seemed damaged as well. I paid for a new camera and they won't accept my camera as return because it has scratches. DO NO... Read more

I really don't know about the below posters who claim they have had bad experience at Belaire, I have shopped at Belaire for the majority of my video, camera gear, and have always been treated with courtesey and professionalism. The sales person who sold me my Nikon has been at the store for years and was very hepful and check for all the latest discounts and packages. I just checked with a competitors website and they have a disclaimer on their web prices, with a short explanation of web price differences. Yes I would like to get the best deal but I also prefer to see the merchandise in my hand and have it all explained knowledgeable sales person. further, its is impossible to get a trade in online. I got a descent trade in for my nikon an video camera at Belaire. Yes I have purchased on line and yes I have gotten good prices, but for certain items I would like to see it in person , ask about trade in possibilities and get a decent demonstration of the merchandise.

I went to Bel Air Camera today to buy an HD camera and waited 30 minutes to get service. Sales reps are slow and arrogant with litle regard for customer appreciation. The store is very nice though with plenty of high-end camera to see. Customer service is critical in any business and bad customer is on of the reasons why Curcuit City went under. Bel Air sales reps act like the customers owe them something. I saw a guy today in Bel Air Camera spending big dollars and was buying cameras and equipment left and right and the sales rep treated him like he was a two dollar customer. They gave him no special treatment or showed any excitement about making well over $5000.00 in one sale. Next time I will buy online and get a cheaper price.

Rather than being helpful, their arrogant camera sales staff expend their energy on passive-aggressive behavior. Do yourself a favor and stay away!

So snobbish. It's too bad that car lots don't have the same customer service - there would be a lot less cars on the road. I have no idea what type of people can put up with this staff and buy something. Don't waste your time. If you have ANY dignity you will leave promptly without buying anything anyway.

Bel AIr Camera is what every customer wants in a store, knowledgeable staff, friendly service, staff that will go the extra mile to help you, and stock of the newest best products. In less than 24 hours I had two above and beyond super positive experiences at Bel Air Camera. I guess that is why is is considered the "jewel" of Westwood.

I am a Manager at Bel Air Camera. just a quick response...I don't know about this exact transaction but I can say this...The day this occurred, Canon had just started an instant rebate program on their lenses. it's possible that the person you spoke with was unaware of the instant rebate and as such quoted a price that was too high. Not a great defense, I know but without knowing who the person you spoke with is or what lens we are talking about, it's the best I've got. I am usually able to honor our internet pricing in the store, as long as you tack on the $15.00 average shipping charge. You must understand that there are higher costs associated with a brick and mortar store as opposed to an online site...we have salespeople to pay, you get to try the equipment, see it there are any imperfections in the lens, open it and make sure it's exactly what you want and will do what you want it to do etc. I appreciate hearing about issues like these because it gives me the opportunity to a... Read more

Snotty, condescending customer service. Web pricing much less than in-store. When I called, the difference was $120 on a $400 lens. What was I thinking?! I get lousy personal service and a hundred free prints for the extra money! Wow, I guess I'm just a dumb customer. Shipping choice on web is only 2nd day air or faster, even if you're in the same county and ground is faster and cheaper. Don't bother asking about other shipping options, they'll make you feel like an cheapskate. If they get defensive when responding to inquires about pricing variances between the web and in-store, then they should raise the web price and lower the in-store price and make them the same. Give more shipping options and not try to make up a low web price by jacking up the shipping price. It would make them look better and they wouldn't have to get defensive.

I am one of those retail cogs in the wheel without the power to change things. We are not all cut from the same cloth. Addressing the internet price difference, yes the prices are cheaper on the net, and that is true in most stores with an online presence. The response to the clients that have given us a negative review should have been respectful and informative. I am very sorry if some of my fellow staff were curt, this type of behavior reflects on all of us badly, and for that I sincerely apologize for all of us. Believe it or not according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services we are paid below, at ,and slightly above poverty wages. Salesmen and women rely on commission to make ends meet not unlike a waiter who depends on tips and not the hourly pay. So the idea that a minimum wage employee would be better is not true because that is what we are paid, give or take a dollar. The result is a worker who must sell to survive and this can erode the service at... Read more

By far the worst customer service I have ever had in my 32 years. In thousands of retail experiences I have never met such hostile employees. Honestly, I feel they are in a competition to see who can get a customer out of that store the fastest. I suggest you shop there if you want to be made fun of in a way that only "comic book guy" from the simpsons could. Their unfriendly, unhelpful, know-it-all attitude got me out of there in less than 10 minutes. They would be MUCH better off with minnimum wage summer job teens than those clowns - I would raher have had lazy hungover people helping than ones that were serious about giving me a hard time.

I went onto Bel Air's website to look for a specific lens. Found it and on the site, it was quoted as 70 dollars. Since I'm local, I drove in the middle of rush hour to Westwood to get the lens. When i got to the store, I discovered that the lens is not $70 but actually $109. I asked why their website said another price and he snobbishly said "oh, that's the website price" and I asked what the difference was and he said "because you get service here and you can play with it." First off, what service!? I stood there waiting and when he was done with a customer, he stood there and ignored me! I had to motion to him that I needed help. And secondly, for someone who already knew what they wanted, that was a BS line to use regarding playing with the product. All was doing was making sure I wasn't going to take something broken home. It's not like I ask what his opinions were on certain lenses. I will NEVER set foot into that store ever again. Talk about false advertising!!! And ... Read more

Although I am a very price oriented person, and Bel Air Camera does not necessary have the best prices I end up buying a lot of accessories there. It is probably because of the staff, not all friendly but all very knowledgeable. My particular favorite is Ozzy, who's been very nice and helpful with pointing me in the right direction - about lenses,filters and bodies. I will not buy anywhere else, because no Best Buy even Fri's employee can give you an adequate advice on cameras (or anything else for that matter). They honor all Canon and Nikon sales, which count often save you as much as 10%. A great store for the not so experienced photographer. Cons: Price of prints is very high.

Great place to go if you need expert knowledge and friendly service. Decent prices and convenienct location in Westwood village. Parking on site. They usually have everything in stock too.

The Scene This Westwood Village institution is a Costco-esque discount warehouse that's managed to preserve its mom-and-pop roots. Staffers know their stuff--many are pros who can talk lighting setups with film crews or explain the basics to neophytes. The clientele is a mix of Westside professionals and UCLA students, plus one famous Los Angeles Laker. The Goods Canon, Minolta, Nikon, Pentax and Polaroid are all well represented, as are specialty items like strobes, light meters, hand-coloring sets and pinhole cameras. Bel Air managers claim they won't be undersold, and the prices bear that out. The sophisticated Nikon F-5, for instance, sells for about considerably less than retail, and popular models like the Nikon One-Touch are discounted by about 10 percent. The store also sells recycled equipment and takes trade-ins. The always-busy in-house film processing service is known for high quality and drugstore-comparable prices.

This is what I wrote years ago: "Great prices but also a knowledgeable, friendly professional staff that will take their time to help you make the best selection plus a rental department". NOW.... I used to love this store but what a shame. It is just about the sale. Walk in the door and they might deign to give you their pronouncements about all things photography. If you buy- it is all good and lots of promises to back up the product but they don't give a damn once you walk out the door. Go online. Cheaper and you know it is about the sale and you don't have to deal with the super cameraman attitude.

This store feels more like a warehouse when you walk around. And it looks like there might even be some junk piling up in the corners. I get...

If you're a professional photographer or afficionado looking for a high end camera or specific material this is a good place because they ca...

Great store, impressive collection of cameras, both digital and film, various photo accessories, and photo development center. Prices are r...

They offer cameras, pro rentals, pro lighting, video cameras, video editing, digital imaging and one-hour processing servics. Additionally,...

This camera store in westwood village has the best prices, selection and expert employees in LA. They always surprise me by having just what...