Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Samy's Camera buy used cameras / used camera equipment?
Privacy & Security Policy
Safe Purchasing
This site looks broken on my browser!
Payment Methods
Samy's Gift Cards & Gift Certificates
Web pricing
Backorders
Minimum Advertised Price
Mail Order Return policy
External links
Terms of Use

Does Samy's Camera buy used cameras and/or used camera equipment?

Yes. Call us at 888-527-6453, 323-938-2420 x1293, or 323-938-2420 x1297.
Or send an email to used@samys.com

Privacy and Security Policy

At Samy's Camera, we value your privacy and personal security. This is as much for our protection as it is for yours, and we take it seriously. Any information you give us is treated confidentially and steps are taken to make sure that it is protected appropriately.

We do collect some information from our users, which is gathered either in the course of transactions or internal monitoring. All such information is detailed below:

Anonymous user information
As you browse our website, our web servers do record data on your visit, using cookies and other tracking methods. A cookie is a small file that is stored on your computer that identifies it specifically with our website, allowing us to simplify the login and checkout processes. This information also allows us to analyze what our visitors are looking for, whether or not they find it, and how they work with our website. None of the information collected by these methods in any way contains personal details about you or any of our other users - it is strictly statistical information about your computer and internet connection. We will never sell or give any of this information to marketers or solicitors.

Purchaser information
If you make a purchase with us at Samy's Camera, we require personal information to complete the order. This includes name, address, and other contact information that you provide. All of this information is maintained on our servers which are rigorously protected. We will never sell or give your personal information to marketers or solicitors.

Credit card information
We collect credit card information in order to finalize purchases on our website. We treat this information with tremendous care, and encrypt it in our database. We take these exceptional security steps for a good reason: your security is our security.

Safe Purchasing

If you've bought online from other stores, you probably think we're asking a lot on our online forms, and you're right. But the business we're in is particularly prone to fraud and theft, and we take as many steps as we can to prevent that. Rest assured that all of your purchases with Samy's are verified, secure and authentic.

Samy's Camera is publicly rated on ResellerRatings.com, an online repository of customer comments and reviews for online resellers. Please, take the time to read our ratings and submit one of your own.

This website uses SSL secure server technology to encrypt your critical information while in transit. That means prying eyes can't get at your credit card or personal information. Our secured certificate is provided by Thawte, and you can view the credentials by clicking here. Wherever you see that certificate or the secure icon at the bottom of your browser (typically either a lock or a key), you know that we are who we say we are.

But what about you? The only way we can safely verify that our customers are who they say they are is by using thorough checks and having all the relevant information. That's why we don't currently ship anywhere but the billing address, and that's why we require the amount of information that we do. We realize the inconvenience this might create, but we feel building a mutual network of trust is crucial to having faith in your purchases on the web - particularly if you're purchasing expensive equipment on time-sensitive deadlines!

We are of course looking for better, more convenient solutions to these problems all the time.

This site looks broken on my browser!

Every web browser displays pages slightly differently. While redesigning samys.com, we went to great lengths to ensure that the site would look consistent for most of our viewers. Some browsers display properties very differently from other, more common browsers. If there's something displaying wrong on the site, you've probably run across an issue we haven't seen before. Please send an email to the webmaster and let us know so we can address it.

Payment Methods

We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express* and Discover. We also accept Samy's Camera gift cards**, cashier's check, personal checks, postal or bank money orders. Gift cards, personal checks and money orders are subject to verification which may take several days or longer.

*Orders paid by American Express may be subject to additional limitations. Please call for more information or to place your order by American Express. **Orders paid in whole or in part by Samy's Camera gift card are subject to additional processing. A Samy's customer service representative will contact you to complete your order.

Samy's Gift Cards & Gift Certificates

Currently, Samy's Gift Cards are available by calling 800-321-4726. Samy's Gift Cards and Gift Certificates were designed to be used in Samy's stores. However they can be used online if they are mailed in along with your order. Our sales reps can help you with this procedure; please call 800-321-4726 for assitance.

Why are the prices on this web site different from those in your stores?

Our stores are staffed with a wide variety of product specialists and support staff, each of whom make an effort to be responsive and pleasant to deal with. We're also able to provide a customer with any item from our inventory to inspect and test. The cost of this customer service is an increased overhead for our in-store prices, to pay for the store space, the training of our employees, and other considerations not present online. We're happy to offer reduced prices online and hope that you will be satisfied with your purchase no matter where you decide to buy.

Backorders

For orders containing items on back-order, Samy’s Camera will hold the order until all items are in stock. Once all items are in stock, Samy’s Camera will ship the complete order. Customers may request that in-stock items be shipped as soon as possible, with back-ordered items shipped when available. For orders split into separate shipments, the back-ordered items will ship by UPS Ground once they are in stock.

Minimum Advertised Price

You may have noticed that some items simply have a price listed, while others have a price that is linked or directs you to "Call for our price!" Why aren't all of our prices treated the same way?

This is because of something called Minimum Advertised Price, or MAP. MAP is an agreement between a reseller (such as Samy's Camera) and an equipment vendor or manufacturer, wherein the reseller agrees to advertise products only at a certain price - even if you can actually buy the product for less! As a reseller, it's beneficial for us to adhere to MAP, because then we get a favored status with vendors that includes better and faster access to new products and information.

As a customer, we understand that MAP pricing can be confusing. But we've tried to simplify the process as much as possible. If you add any item to your shopping cart, the price you see in the shopping cart will always be the absolute best price we can give you on that item. You're under no obligation to buy any item in your shopping cart... just click the "remove" button at any time and it's gone. We'll continually try to find the best ways to get the best prices to you in the most straightforward way possible.

Mail Order Return Policy

• Time period is two weeks from the time that you receive the order to exchange or return item.
• All returns must be received in their original packaging, intact. Warranty cards must be returned blank. Any item that is received by Samy's with missing or damaged packaging, or has had the warranty card filled out will be returned to the customer at their expense.
• All returns for refund will be subject to a 10% - 15% restocking fee.
• Exchanges for items of equal or greater value will not be charged a restocking fee as long as the item is returned in a "like new condition".
• Defective merchandise can be exchanged within 30 days of purchase as long as you have the original packaging and warranty card and the warranty card has not been filled out. If you do not have the original packaging or have already filled out the warranty card, you'll need to send the defective item to the manufacturer.
• No returns or exchanges on Film or Sensitized Materials, photo-paper, one-time use batteries or cameras, etc.
• No returns on opened inkjet cartridges, inkjet paper, dye-sub materials, printer ribbons or donor, etc.
• Software is not returnable once it has been opened, except for exchange for the same item in case of defect.
• Returned products will be subject to a restocking fee unless returned for exchange.
• Shipping is not refundable.

External Links

At any time, samys.com may contain links to other websites beyond the control of Samy's Camera. Samy's Camera takes no responsibility for the content or presentation of these websites. Links are added and edited as needed. If you have links you would like to submit or correct, please send an email to the webmaster.

Terms of Use

Your viewing and use of this site is at your own risk. While Samys.com makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information, this site is presented "as is." Samy's Camera makes no guarantees with regard to the content or services of this site, nor the accuracy, suitability, or reliability of any of the information or services provided on the site. Samy's Camera makes no guarantees that the web server used to present this site is free of harmful agents including viruses, downloadable software, or other components that could affect your computer beyond the control of Samy's Camera.

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold Samy's Camera harmless from and against any and all liability and costs (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and costs), incurred in connection with any claim arising out of any breach by you of these Terms and Conditions of the foregoing representations, warranties and covenants. Samy's Camera reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you and you will not in any event settle any matter without the written consent of Samy's Camera.

Samy's Camera is a registered corporation operating in the State of California. These Terms and Conditions are governed and interpreted under the laws of the State of California, United States of America, without giving any effect to principles of conflicts of law.

All prices are good for mail order and Internet only. Samy's is not responsible for typographical / photographic errors or manufacturers' price increases. All prices subject to change without prior notice. All images are for illustrative purposes only. Send your questions or comments to webmaster@samys.com.