MW Classic Cameras London online shop experience/opinions/recomendations

[Zuiko-logist]

This is such a shame.

I used to love MW Classic Cameras - had a bunch of stuff off them about a decade ago. Always really well priced, and they were reliable with shipping orders out promptly. I even went to visit their old offices a couple of times (someone in the l-camera-forum thread posted a link to a blog where someone did just that: The MW Classic ); it was borderline chaos, but they at least knew where everything was.

However, I did notice once or twice that something would be sold in person then not removed from the website for a while. If they're now selling on eBay as well, I suspect this is the root of the issue - they're not keeping track of stock properly across the two platforms.

Last time I tried to order from them online was probably in 2020 or 2021. I'd seen reports about people not getting their orders, but thought I'd give them a chance. Sure enough, months of emails but still no order. I ended up getting my money back through Paypal. Now they don't even offer Paypal as an option on the website - I'm guessing Paypal closed their account due to the amount of chargebacks they were getting.

At some point after that I tried arranging a visit to their new office in Bethnal Green to buy something in person; no one replied to my emails, the form on the website to arrange a visit didn't seem to work, and no one was answering the phone. I eventually chanced it while I was in the area. No one answered the door.

I don't know how on earth they're still in business.

I have been to the Islington office. It is chaotic and their stock control is hopeless. I always picked up items from them rather than risk postage. I would arrive at their offices to be told the item had been sold and a refund was made on the spot.

 

[Malcolm M]

Progress on the FOKOS ordered a month ago, as mentioned above. We'll see how it progresses.

16/12/24
Thank you for your order
Hi Malcolm,
Just to let you know — we've received your order #250767, and it is now being processed:
[Order #250767] (December 16, 2024)


10/1/25
Any feedback on the item below? Nothing has been received to date.


17/1/25 13:06
I have received no reply to the email below. Can you please inform me of the progress of this order.


17/1/25 14:41
Hello Malcolm
Thank you for your order.
I will send off the finder to you early next week
Apologies for the delay
Regards
David

 

[Mark240590]

Well, Atleast you’ve recieved some correspondence!

 

[Arnold Layne]

Progress on the FOKOS ordered a month ago, as mentioned above. We'll see how it progresses.

16/12/24
Thank you for your order
Hi Malcolm,
Just to let you know — we've received your order #250767, and it is now being processed:
[Order #250767] (December 16, 2024)


10/1/25
Any feedback on the item below? Nothing has been received to date.


17/1/25 13:06
I have received no reply to the email below. Can you please inform me of the progress of this order.


17/1/25 14:41
Hello Malcolm
Thank you for your order.
I will send off the finder to you early next week
Apologies for the delay
Regards
David

That is great news, I'm happy for you!
I placed the order on 25th december but never recived any mail at all... Maybe I'm a fool, but I'm still waiting...

 

[z.bruce.li]

My recent transaction with them on eBay was ok albeit lack of communication. I placed the order and paid on Dec'18, and queried them via PayPal contact on Dec'21. They shipped out via DHL on Dec'23. I did get DHL tracking emails and everything, and arrived in California rather quickly despite the holidays. And the item is as good as described, no issues.

 

[Retina43]

Have bought from them going back over ten years. They are inconsistent with communication but they are not scammers by any means.

Agree as I’ve had similar experiences as well

 

[Malcolm M]

Update on the order for the FOKOS above. Nothing has arrived, and they haven't replied to any further emails. Text of email sent a couple of minutes ago...

It is almost a month since your last reply, and nothing has arrived. Do I have to begin legal procedures to reclaim my money?

 

[Zuiko-logist]

I would try a phone call.

 

[splitimageview]

Keep following up.



On Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM David Woodford <mwclassic@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for the link to the forum, Robert. Yes I have issues to sort out and work to do. I am mindfull of this and will keep working on improving customer service

 

[Malcolm M]

Do we believe this....?

Dear Malcolm

Thank you for your order - the FOKOS rangefinder is being sent TODAY by DHL 24hour courier

You will be emailed the tracking details later today

Apologies for the delay

With Regards

David Woodford

 

[Philip Whiteman]

I must say that I have had nothing but happy dealings with David Woodford over the last five years or so - any amount of Contax RF stuff from MW at very good prices - but I have always enquired and ordered over the phone...

 

[Farside]

Hi all.

I created an account on 25th December, placed an order of £209.00 and I have no news at all. Didn't even recived an e-mail for the order confirmation. I sent an e-mail asking for info but no answer. If I look in my account in the orders section, it just says "Processing".

What to think? Do you have any experience with them?

I first dealt with them a decade ago and they were fine. The last two times, they were awful. I eventually got refunded, and will never attempt to buy anything from them again.
I read somewhere that one of the partners had left, and that's when it all went bad, the timing of which explains the difference I found.

 

[Valkir1987]

I first dealt with them a decade ago and they were fine. The last two times, they were awful. I eventually got refunded, and will never attempt to buy anything from them again.
I read somewhere that one of the partners had left, and that's when it all went bad, the timing of which explains the difference I found.

I had exactly the same experience. Tried to buy a Leica Standard from them, but ended up getting my money back from Paypal. Someone who works a lot in the second hand camera trade told me the same story. One of their partners left and it went downhill since.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

I must say that I have had nothing but happy dealings with David Woodford over the last five years or so - any amount of Contax RF stuff from MW at very good prices - but I have always enquired and ordered over the phone...

I agree. The phone is the best way to deal with them.

 

[Farside]

I had exactly the same experience. Tried to buy a Leica Standard from them, but ended up getting my money back from Paypal. Someone who works a lot in the second hand camera trade told me the same story. One of their partners left and it went downhill since.

I don't think there's any intention to scam anyone, it's just chaotic.

 

[z.bruce.li]

I bought from them again over eBay, and the overall experience is fine. Shipping from UK to US is quite fast, and the items are as described. There is a lack of communication, but I guess they might be busy.

 

[Mark240590]

I first dealt with them a decade ago and they were fine. The last two times, they were awful. I eventually got refunded, and will never attempt to buy anything from them again.
I read somewhere that one of the partners had left, and that's when it all went bad, the timing of which explains the difference I found.

I heard he had died and the remaining fella seems to just not be very good at sorting. I don’t think there is any malice involved with mw just a lack of organisation and willing.