Bad experience with Samy's Pasadena (Jim)

I have to let you guys know my experience with Samy's in Pasadena. I needed a 4GB SanDisk Extreme IV so I checked their website and found one for $94.95. I called the store and Jim picked up. I asked him if he has this item in stock and I mentioned that I found it through their site and wonder how much the price difference would be. Jim asked me how much was it on their website and I told him it's $94.95. He said he can do it for $109.95 so I told him to hold it and I'll be there in 30 minutes. I got there and took a number and when I was called, Jim was still helping another customer so he had the lady help me with the sale. She rung it up and it came out to $129.85 and I thought to myself tax couldn't be that much. I asked the lady what the price was and she said it's $119.95 plus tax. I told her that I called in and spoke to Jim and he said it was $109.95 and that their website has it for $94.95. Right after she heard about the website, she mentioned that "yeah but there's shipping and stuff" like she was annoyed. I told her I understand that and that's why I'm paying $15.00 over. She looked over to Jim and said "You quoted this guy $109.95?" and he replied well I just quoted him $10.00 higher than the site. Then she started telling him that the computer has it for $119.95 and then he changed his statement saying that he never quoted me that price. He said he quoted me $119.95 which was a total lie. Keep in mind there was about 6 people behind me and I was a little upset because he basically called me a liar in front of these people. I told him it's not about me paying an extra $25.00 but it's about him implying that I made this up. Anyways, that was my first time and last time to Samy's and if anyone ever ask me about them, I will tell them this story.

Sorry to hear this. Samys usually/generally is reputable and the sales guys usually hold their end. I deal more with the OC store, but I've been to the Pasadena store quite a bit and have even spoken with Jim several times. I'm surprised to hear this testimony, but I believe you. As a consumer you certainly have the right to go elsewhere for your business, but I'd give them a second chance as they are generally reputable.

I kinda have the same experience with my local Best Buy. I asked them to give me a quote on how much to install a Pioneer AVIC-N2 (GPS/DVD/TV/MP3/FM/AM/​CD deck) and told me $180 plus supplies. So I went home and got my van and my system. I left the van overnight because that's when they put me for install.

Next day, they called me and asking me $350 to install it plus $40 for supplies. I told them you quoted me $180 - they were rude so I told them not to touch my van. I went there the next minute and I told the guy I will question their corporate office about how they not follow quote they originally gave - he was rude again, called his manager and the second this manager came in, this guy said I was threatening him. Manager asked me to leave his store and wouldn't even want to hear any word from me. He even threatened me to all the cops.

So - I will never step inside a BB store or buy online even if they offer something for free.

The thing that upset me was that Jim knows he quoted me that price. I can just see it in his eyes when I asked him but I figured he didn't want to look bad in front of his peers and just denied it. I even told Jim that all I expected was a "hey sorry I made a mistake with the price" and I would be OK with that but he straight out denied it. None the less, I paid and left but I will never return to Samys and I will definitely pass on my experience with everyone I know.

Happy New Year to you guys!

Strancali - I've had exceptional service and excellent buying experiences with Ken from the Samy's Pasadena store. He works the pro lighting room and probably can't ring up general merch sales but he's given me great prices and generally discounts my purchases.

I live in OC. I've stopped dealing with Samy's in OC and Pasadena for this very reason. I don't want a demo or sales info, just the purchase. Then you have to haggle on the price. I've switched all my local purchases to Canonga Camera. It may be more of a drive for me, but I'm tired of Samy's BS. With Canoga, if you buy more than about $80, you get the web price, and they don't try to jack you around. Their prices are very competitive with B&H. They actually sell some stuff in-store cheaper than B&H. I just schedule my purchases when I feel like shooting around L.A. on a Saturday. If I'm in a hurry, then I might order it 1 or 2 day from B&H.

@ la_rice cooker, I'm sure there are decent people working there. It was unfortunate that I ended up with JIM.

@ gkas, do you have Canoga's contact info?

I deal with Calumet in Hollywood. It often costs a little more, but it is convenient to work, and no haggling.

With regards to Samy's, I have had good experience dealing with their rental department on Fairfax, but I would not do business with any other department.

I have had OK luck with Samy's Mail order. My biggest gripe is they can not tell me if something is in stock."we don't know till we pull to ship" That's crap in todays world. Also takes them a day or two to get an order out even when ordering before 10AM. I can order out of NY and get it just as fast. I have just started using Canoga Camera- they are doing me right so far. Might be my new fav as I am out West

This guy is stupid over $10 ...if I was Jim I will say this : I am sorry about the price that I quote you ,But anyway ...I'll will pay $10 out of my pocket to you CF card .

Would you take $10 of Jim ?

what?! i dont get what your saying lol QX...

QX56 wrote in post #4618933
This guy is stupid over $10 ...if I was Jim I will say this : I am sorry about the price that I quote you ,But anyway ...I'll will pay $10 out of my pocket to you CF card .

Would you take $10 of Jim ?

QX56, please don't think I'm upset over $10. That's not it. The way he denied it made me look like a liar and that's far from my character. I understand they work on commission and I'm all for it. I have a sales crew that work of commission too so that's not the reason why I was upset. When Jim denied it, I said to him "then are you calling me a liar?" and the guy just shrug his shoulders like a smart ass. That was the reason I got upset. I ended up paying $25.00 over their internet price but that's fine.

Samy's in Pasadena is horrible. I called them looking for a flash and they gave me three different prices in one day and the day before I was quoted another price. I bought it elsewhere.

When I questioned why the prices were so different from different people I was told I had to get a name and make sure they honor whatever price they quoted....??...yeah, it's just as easy to buy it from another store.

LightRules wrote in post #4612007
Sorry to hear this. Samys usually/generally is reputable and the sales guys usually hold their end. I deal more with the OC store, but I've been to the Pasadena store quite a bit and have even spoken with Jim several times. I'm surprised to hear this testimony, but I believe you. As a consumer you certainly have the right to go elsewhere for your business, but I'd give them a second chance as they are generally reputable.

I bought my 50mm lens at the samy's in santa ana. They matched the internet price, held it for me and sold it to me for the quoted price with no hassle. the Pasadena store does not operate in the same way.

Stranali ,

Like I said above ...that guy (is Jim) is stupid ,If he say he made a mistake and offer pay $10 out of his pocket then I wouldn't take it .

If I was you ...I walk away .