Frequently Asked Questions
What time are you open?
For our London Store:
- Monday – Friday 9am - 6pm
- Saturday 10am - 5pm
- Sunday 10am - 3pm
For our Chelmsford Store:
- Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm
- Sunday 10am - 4pm
This may change due to company events, stock take or even weather. If this is the case, we will update our website as soon as possible.
Can I park my car near your shop?
Unfortunately, there is no parking facilities directly outside our stores. However, you can collect large items by car from the rear of our Chelmsford Store.
The nearest off street parking facility to our London store is NCP, 45-46 Berners Street, W1T 3NE. Its only 5 minutes walk from the car park to the shop.
For Chelmsford, since the shop is part of the High Chelmer Shopping Centre, there are numerous car parks within walking distance of the shop. The nearest is a on Market Road
Please note that CameraWorld cannot take responsibility for the loss or damage of your vehicle when you leave it in these car parks.
Is everything on your website available at your shop?
Our website is not linked to our stock system yet. We hope to achieve this in the future. It is, therefore, always advisable to call us first to check availability.
We hold over 3000 different lines of stock on our site. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for us to hold everything in stock. There are times when we do sell out quickly. Our stock levels for either store are not reflected on the website, with the exception of Used Equipment.
We always suggest contacting one of our stores before making your purchase, especially if it is a gift and time is of the essence. If you do order something with us, and it is out of stock, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternatives, estimated time of delivery and your options.
What is renewed stock?
‘RENEWED' is just a generic term used to describe something that can’t quite be sold as brand new. In most cases it’s just an item that has been returned after a change of mind, maybe after stern words from their better half when they got home. Usually the only sign is a slightly marked box.
They may have a small fault that is then rectified. They may have been used. Whatever the reason, these items are then individually checked by the manufacturer, warrantied and supplied with all original accessories. But, for the lucky buyers it means BIG SAVINGS!
There are several reasons why an item is labelled "Refurbished". These include:
- The item has previously been returned to the manufacturer under a refund/exchange policy once returned the item is inspected and repackaged like new.
- The item's box or packaging was damaged whilst in transit to a retailer the retailer returned the item to the manufacturer who in turn inspected the item and repackaged it.
- The item had a minor fault and was returned to the manufacturer for repair. The defective part was replaced, fully tested and then repackaged like new.
- The item was returned because it had a cosmetic mark on its body.
- The item was a demonstration unit and was returned to the manufacturer to be refurbished these units are inspected, tested and repackaged.
- The item's box was opened. The item was then returned to the manufacturer, tested and repackaged.
- The item is brand new but returned by a retailer as an "overstocked" item.
It is impossible to know the history of each item, but for whatever reason the unit has been labelled "Refurbished". It is inspected & serviced by the manufacturer or their agents, then tested and repackaged to meet original product specifications. With refurbished stock, if there is an item that you have ordered and it is not available, then your order will be cancelled and all monies refunded. This is because manufacturers will approach us to sell the goods.
All refurbished items are guaranteed for 6 months unless otherwise stated.
Can I reclaim my VAT?
VAT Reclaim (VAT 407) scheme
We are happy to welcome new customers from around the world, and we do operate a visitors VAT Reclaim (VAT 407) scheme. However, completed VAT forms cannot be supplied with mail order or internet sales. We are able to supply a form in store for purchases over £100 made in our branches. We supply this form free of charge, but all claims are subject to a £15 administration charge. You will also need to bring your passport. Once we have completed the form, declare your goods at Customs check point who will stamp the claim form. There will be a red post box just after the Customs desk for you to post back your form. We will then process this and issue you with cheque which will be sent to your home address.
Information for Travellers
Non EC Visitors
If you are a visitor to the United Kingdom (UK) and your normal place of residence is OUTSIDE the EC, you may be able to get a refund of the VAT paid on certain goods that you buy whilst shopping.
Entitled EC Residents
If you are an EC resident who intends to leave the EC for a period of at least 12 months, you may be able to get a refund of the VAT paid on certain goods that you buy.
Students and Migrant Workers
If you are a non-EC resident who is studying or working in the UK, and you intend to leave the EC for a period of at least 12 months, you may be able to get a refund of the VAT paid on certain goods that you buy.
General
The goods must be exported from the European Community by the last day of the third month following that in which they were purchased. Customs officials may ask to see evidence of your entitlement to use the scheme.
If the goods are brought back into the EC at any time they must be declared to the Customs Authority in the Member State of importation unless they are within the duty or tax free baggage allowance of that Menber State.
For full details: Call the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm
How long does it take to deliver my order?
Orders placed before 3pm Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are dispatched the same day. Any orders delivered via First Class Royal Mail and may take a few days. We will only send items via Royal Mail if we know that they'll fit through a normal letter box. All other orders are dealt with via courier partner, Interlink Express/DPD.
The delivery is usually next working day. To receive your order, you will need to sign for the parcel. However, geographical restrictions may mean that the delivery time is extended to a few days. European delivery is 3-5 working days. All orders will recieve a tracking number available from 5pm the day of dispatch. For more information, please check our delivery section.
There may be occasions when we will not be able to deliver to an alternative address. If this is the case, we will contact you first.
I want to return something
If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you have the right to cancel your order either before or up to 7 working days following the date of delivery for full credit or exchange less any applicable delivery charges.
It is your responsibility to return any such items in a unused, unopened, pristine saleable condition in their original box and packaging, along with any promotional items that were offered to you with your purchase. You must also include proof of purchase from our stores.
You will be wholly responsible for the return of the goods and any associated costs of return.
Goods received back incomplete, damaged or in any condition other than saleable, will be returned to you and the cost of return carriage charged to your account. This also includes any products that have been registered with the manufacturer for promotional or warranty purposes.
Prior to returning any products, please contact us.
If you do not return goods within 7 days after you have informed us that you wish to cancel your order, your right to cancel will be revoked.
The refund will be subject to a 10% restocking fee and this is based upon the till receipt purchase price of the item only and does not cover any transport costs.
In Store returns
Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, you (the customer) may be entitled to a refund, replacement or repair where goods are faulty or not as described. In other cases, for example, where you, the consumer has bought an item of clothing in the wrong size, or they have changed their mind, or an item is an unwanted gift, there is normally no automatic right to return goods.
If you change your mind about your purchase, please return the unused and unopened goods to us with the original till receipt within 14 days, and we will offer you an exchange or a credit note. This does not affect your legal rights, including your right to claim a refund, replacement or repair where the goods are faulty or mis-described.
If you would like to return the item for a refund for any other reason, the item must be returned with the till receipt within fourteen days and must be in an unused and unopened condition. The refund will then be subject to a 10% restocking fee and this is based upon the till receipt purchase price of the item only and does not cover any transport costs.
Used Equipment Returns
If you decide, for any reason, you don't want the used item you ordered it can be returned within 7 days for a full refund less postage costs if applicable. Used items must be returned in the same condition as when you received them and be accompanied by the purchase receipt. Please click here to download the RETURNS FORM and include with the package.
You can send the item back at any point within the seven days at your own cost, but please contact us first on [email protected] or 020 7636 5005 to let us know, and be sure to use an insured delivery service in case of loss or damage.
On Used Equipment refunds in store, please contact the respective store manager. Refunds are dealt with on individual merit and are subject to a minimum 10% restocking fee.
Software & Memory Cards Returns
Software & memory cards can only be accepted if still sealed.
This policy is to avoid any potential breach of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (CDPA) 1988. All opened software is exempt from return under the terms of the Distance Selling Regulations (SI2334/2000). Software that arrives damaged or is physically faulty may be returned under our normal returns policy.
Faulty software may be returned only after confirmed and referenced conversations with the manufacturer. This will need to be included in any returned software before refunding is considered.
We will not refund any software on the basis of non-complient specifications for your personal computers. Please check full system requirements before purchase of ANY software on manufacturers website.
Any faulty memory card will be checked prior to refunding taking place. If there is physical damage to the card (post original transaction), this will not be refunded. All memory cards will be checked before confirmed refunds take place.
Is the website secure and how can I pay?
At CameraWorld, we take your online security very seriously. Our site uses high-level 128 bit encryption technology, the most advanced security software currently available for online transactions. Rest assured that we take the privacy and security of your personal and payment details very seriously. If you have any problems we are always here to help.
This security software encrypts all of your personal information including your credit card number, name and address, ensuring that nothing can be read as it travels over the internet.
CameraWorld prides itself on taking fraudulent transactions very seriously. We have an independent fraud check that will check all details before proceeding the order. To help ensure total security, we may decide, dependant on the value of an order, to send an order to a home address instead of the requested alternative address. In those cases, we will contact you as soon as possible.
Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode
For even greater confidence in shopping with CameraWorld, we have adopted the Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode fraud prevention service schemes often referred to as 3D-Secure. These services help enhance your existing card account against unauthorised use. We encourage our customers to sign up to these service schemes. In order to do so you must register with the bank or other organistaion that issued the card.
If your card fails the 3D-Secure authentication, we may not be able to accept your order, depsite you receiving payment approval. In this instance, we will contact you to discuss options.
Once you have registered and created your own personal password with the card issuer you will be automatically be prompted in the checkout to provide this password each time you shop with us.
For more information, please click the following links in relation to your card:
CameraWorld does not have access to your Verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode passwords.
CameraWorld also accepts payments via PayPal for online transactions.
My item has developed a fault. What do I do?
If your product develops a fault then all you need to do is return it to us and we will repair it in line with your statutory rights. In all cases we reserve the right to inspect the product to verify the fault. Sorry, but this guarantee excludes items whose faults have been caused by customer neglect, misuse, accidental damage or fair wear and tear.
You will be required to provide the relevant store with reasonable proof of purchase (being either a receipt or deposit receipt).
All products returned as faulty will be checked by CameraWorld and if found to have no fault may be returned to you. CameraWorld reserves the right to charge for the return of any products found to be without fault.
Do you offer a repair service?
Yes we do. However we do not do repairs in either of our stores. All repairs are sent back to either the manufacturer or to an authorised repair agent. If the product has been damaged in anyway, even within its manufacturer's warranty, there will be a £35 Chargeable estimate.
This will quote for the estimate cost of repair. Should you agree to meet that cost, the £35 will be deducted from your total bill. If you refuse the estimate but decide to purchase a new camera, the £35 will be deducted from your bill. Repair times do vary from one company to another.
Please contact us for more information.
What additonal services do you offer?
At CameraWorld, we don't finish looking after you or your camera once you receive it. We're with you all the way.
As such, we have a range of services designed to keep your camera and your photographs safe.
From cleaning your sensor to getting back lost images, we're here for you.
To see our full range of services, click here
