Last Updated on March 5, 2024
If you’re always scouting around for new photography gear, the chances are that you’ve stumbled upon numerous sources recommending Adorama as an excellent place to buy cameras from.
But before you add Adorama to your shortlist of places to shop for photography gear, you’d want to learn more about the retailer and how it works. Most importantly, you’d be interested in finding out whether the company is legitimate and trustworthy.
Remember that cameras don’t come cheap. And the last experience you want to encounter while shopping for these products is getting scammed out of your hard-earned cash.
So, is Adorama a credible website and is it safe to shop there? That question shall be answered conclusively throughout this post.
What Is Adorama?
Adorama is one of the websites owned and operated by Adorama Camera, Inc., a retailer that claims to offer a vast collection of cameras and other photography gear at industry-competitive prices.
Adorama Camera, Inc. was founded in 1974 by Mendel Mendlowits. The company is currently owned by Eugene Mendlowits, who also serves as its chairman, with Michael Amkreutz serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). It’s headquartered in New York City, New York, United States.
Adorama is arguably the main online shopping platform owned by Adorama Camera, Inc. But it’s not the only one. The retail giant operates several other online shopping websites, including Sunny Sports, Scuba.com, Leisure Pro, and PRINTIQUE.
Also, while Adorama deals primarily in camera and photography gear, the website avails an extensive array of other electronic products. Examples include computers and printers, film accessories, video equipment like surveillance drones, and audio equipment like musical instruments. These products are available either for sale or rental.
Company Overview
- Company Name: Adorama
- Industry: Retail
- Sector: Electronics
- Company Type: For Profit
- Founder: Mendel Mendlowits
- Year Founded: 1974
- Place Founded: Unknown
- Current Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States (Physical store for all Adorama Camera, Inc. brands)
- Owner: Adorama Camera, Inc.
- Availability: Worldwide
- Operating Status: Active
- Official Website Link: https://www.adorama.com/
- How Did Adorama Begin?
Adorama Camera, Inc. was founded in 1974 by Mendel Mendlowits, with the goal of offering photography solutions to amateur and professional photographers alike.
Mendlowits intended for the company to serve as a one-stop resource that could cater to the needs of photographers in the news, print, and modeling industries.
With time, Adorama Camera, Inc. added other electronics to its inventory, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
Is Adorama Legit?
Adorama Camera, Inc. has been around since 1974. And while the Adorama online platform may not have come into existence immediately the parent company was founded, the long industry presence lends credence to its legitimacy.
Over the years, Adorama has earned itself a place among the most trustworthy online platforms for photography gear and other electronics. The retailer features hundreds of products on its website, which are carefully selected and reasonably priced to suit consumers of all experience levels and budget needs.
Another fact that makes Adorama legit is that the website maintains high-end items from some of the world’s leading camera and electronics brands. These include Nikon, Canon, GoPro, Sony, Panasonic, to mention but a few.
As an Adorama customer, you have the option of buying or renting the company’s gear. That includes both new and used equipment. You can also participate in regular Adorama events, which offer a platform for learning more about the art of photography. What’s more, Adorama lets you sell or trade in your used electronics on its platform.
But while Adorama is a legitimate retailer dealing in high-end, authentic electronic gadgets, the company has earned a decent number of negative reviews.
Many past clients take issue with Adorama’s poor customer service. The company’s support, which should be available around the clock, never seems to respond to complaints in time. And when they do, the response is usually inadequate or a little impolite for a customer care department.
Some users also claim that Adorama has a tendency to ship damaged or the wrong products. Worse yet is that the company never issues refunds in such circumstances.
Adorama has also come under fire for stealing its customer’s data. Apparently, the company will gather too much sensitive information about a customer under the pretext of helping them find a product they’re looking for.
Overall, Adorama currently has 2.4/5 stars on Trust Pilot, with over 1,000 reviews. The website has garnered nearly the same review on Yelp, with 2.5/5 stars from over 1,300 reviewers. Site Jabber and Consumer Affairs have given Adorama 3.9/5 stars and 4/5 stars, with over 400 and 700 reviews, respectively.
Is Adorama Available In my Country?
Adorama is available in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. So, there’s a high likelihood that the company ships to your destination.
Do I Need An Account To Buy From Adorama?
It’s possible to browse and search for products on Adorama’s website. But you need an account to buy anything from the platform.
Below is the account sign-up procedure;
i. Head to Adorama’s official website at https://www.adorama.com
ii. Proceed to ‘My Account’ tab located on the top right corner.
iii. Click ‘Create New Account’ from the dropdown menu.
iv. Fill out the following fields – First Name, Last Name, Email, Password, and Confirm Password.
v. Check the three boxes below and click “CREATE ACCOUNT.’
vi. After signing up for an account, you can click on any of the following links, depending on how you’d like to get started on the platform.
• Visit the Learning Center for tips, tricks, and buying advice
• Watch Adorama TV for a look behind the scenes, inspiration, and how-tos
• Shop our most popular cameras
• Sign up for our newsletter
• Plan your visit to our NYC Store
How Do I Shop For Items On Adorama?
To shop for cameras and other electronics from the Adorama website, proceed as follows;
i. Log in using your credentials.
ii. Type the name of the product you’re looking for on the search function located at the top right corner of the website’s homepage.
You can also shop by browsing through the product categories. Adorama sorts its products by;
• Product type, such as Photography, Light & Studio, Computers, Video, Audio, Gaming, Home Electronics, Musical Equipment, Drones & Sport, etc.
• Brands, such as Canon, Fujifilm, Apple, Nikon, Bose, GoPro, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Microsoft, etc.
• Used items
• Deals
iii. After finding the product you’re looking for, add it to your cart and then proceed to payments.
How Do I Pay For Items On Adorama?
• Adorama accepts numerous payment options. They include;
• Credit cards like Adorama Edge Credit Card, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Venmo.
• Online payment getaways like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
• Wire transfers to the following bank;
Citibank, N.A.
153 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10043
ADORAMA INC.
Account#: 4979165791
ABA Number: 021000089
Note: Wire transfers can take between 5 and 10 business days to be cleared. The shipping process will commence once Adorama confirms receipt of your payment through email.
Also, note that some payments may be subject to verification. This is a standard procedure to protect you from identity theft.
How Can I Track My Orders?
After making your payment, Adorama will generate a tracking number and send it to you. You can track your orders by logging into your account and clicking on the ‘Track Orders’ link.
The following terms indicate the progress with your order;
• Pending – Your order has been successfully submitted and is being imported by Adorama’s database
• On Hold – Your order is being verified or may have potential payment issues
• Ready – Your order is ready to be processed
• Picked – Adorama is currently picking your order in the shipping department
• Invoiced – Your order is ready to be packaged
• Shipped – Your order is in transit
• Backorder – Some items in your order may be out of stock and Adorama is waiting for the items to become available
• Canceled – Your order has been canceled
What’s Adorama’s Shipping and Return Policy Like?
Adorama’s standard shipping time ranges from 3 to 7 business days. However, the actual duration depends on various factors, such as your order volume, shipping destination, and payment getaway.
Adorama offers a 30-day return policy. The company reviews each return request carefully to determine if the customer qualifies for a refund.
However, note that you cannot return the following items once opened:
• Software
• Film and ink cartridges
• Paper
• Notebooks and netbooks
• Computers, tablets, and iPads
• Memory cards
• Underwater equipment
Conclusion
Adorama is a website that offers a wide array of photography equipment and other electronics.
Despite many negative reviews from some of Adorama’s previous customers, the company is 100% legitimate.