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October 2024 by K.W
I was just checking out the place for the first time and some sennheiser headphones were on sale and caught my attention. Zac quickly found me standing and drooling over the headphones and came to help me. He and the manager were nothing but great, they did not only honour the discount but also offered a student discount on top of that. I can’t have a better experience than this. I sure will come back!
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October 2024 by Shaun ODwyer
I always come to vistek when I need to rent photography equipment. They are very reasonable and easy to work with. Thank you for making my job easier!
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October 2024 by Kevin Zentner
UPDATE: After discussing my concerns with Vistek's Store Manager, I was offered a refund for the full cost of my rental. This is appreciated and I accepted the refund to ameliorate my dissatisfaction. Still, I was required to pay for the 3rd party program outlined in my review to retrieve my data from Vistek's faulty memory card. This is probably fair, given the circumstances. I have changed some of the language in my review below to account for this new information. From my discussion with the Vistek Store manager via email, it is clear they do, in fact, care for their customers, despite my numerous challenges with this particular transaction.
REVIEW: Vistek's employees certainly tried to help when things went wrong on my rental, but unfortunately, this particular rental was a disaster.
I requested an HD video camera for an interview series in Calgary and Edmonton. The interview material is sensitive in nature and cannot be replicated in the event something fails. This project is for a nonprofit with limited budget. They recommended a Blackmagic camera and quoted me at $289 for the rental period.
I picked up the camera, but quickly realozed it required a specialized SD card to use. Frustrated, I returned and they begrudgingly rented me one after initially insiting it was my responsibilty to purchase this specialized SD card. I was puzzled why a critical element was missing for the equipment to operate. Regardless, I drove to Calgary and filmed the interview, then returned to Edmonton to complete the last interviews the following day. When I arrived at the location, the Camera would not recognize the provided SD card. This was infuriating—not only was I concerned about the interviewee sitting in a chair, waiting to tell their story, but the camera asked me to reformat the card.
I called Vistek and they prepared a new Camera for me. I drove down as fast as I could and they asked for the old camera back. I still needed the data on the card and I wasn't expecting them to expect me to swap cameras, I just needed something immediately to complete my shoot. The staff joked about Blackmagic cameras containing black magic, and that they were finnicky and few staff knew how to operate them. This wasnt helpful. I asked why they even rent them then if they have issues, and they responded with that some people demand them. This was not me, I asked for an HD camera that I expected to work for the entire duration of my rental. They then informed me that, "usually they would require ANOTHER $2000 DEPOSIT," but they would waive it this time only if I promised to bring both cameras back. They told me I wouldn't pay for the old camera, just the rental of the new one before I left. I grabbed the new camera, lens, they installed 2 new (different style) SD cards and set record to both, and returned to complete the interviews.
When I got home, I found several software options to try and recover the data on the faulty SD card. After failing with several free options, I paid $130 for Disk Drill, and it magically recovered the files from the shoot in Calgary.
When I returned the gear, my bill was now $490 from Vistek. I guess what they failed to tell me was that the new camera was nearly twice as expensive and they charged me for both SD cards. Vistek rented me faulty gear, making me return to get an SD card to even use the camera I rented, making me spend $130 to recover the files from my interview that was out of town, made me return to get a new camera, and then expected me to pay 70% more for the rental than I was initially quoted.
Thankfully, the employee reduced the price of the rental to what I was initially quoted, and the Store Manager offered a complete refund after I made my dissatisfaction known.
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October 2024 by Rafa Algifari
They offer very affordable lens rentals. I rented a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens at their weekend rate, which cost me a total of $37.80 for the entire weekend. I picked it up on Friday and dropped it off on Tuesday due to a statutory holiday. The only downside is that they have just one location for pick-up.
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October 2024 by Punyawee Sukrongpang
I got my new lenses from here and the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful.
The trade-in price was okay given how convenient the process was.
You can also place deposits online for pickup, unlike many online stores that would either require a full payment or you have to go into the store to make any pre-order.
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September 2024 by jesse hamel
I had an excellent experience with Vistech. Jaime went above and beyond to help me find a used Fujifilm camera along with a matching lens, sourcing them all the way from Ontario. She also provided valuable information about their financing options. The experience was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I’m thrilled to say I’ll be turning to them for all my photography needs from now on.
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September 2024 by Vic Can
love this place
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September 2024 by Kyle Chow
Wes always provides great service and everyone here is very friendly, will continue to come back here for my camera gear
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September 2024 by Marian Yauder
Huge shoutout to Jaime! The best & nicest person ever! My rental lens went on a little vacation when I returned it. It came back to my city's holding facility twice when it should been sent back to Edmonton. I was beyond past the due date by then and I was not even at home to deal with it. I phoned Jaime and explained her the situation. She understood right away and let me handle it once I got home. No charges for me at all! I am gonna cry. Jaime is so quick with all communications and very accommodating. I can't thank you enough!!
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September 2024 by Mike M
Friendly staff, huge selection. Overall great vibe in store.
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August 2024 by Sarah Unruh
awesome service. bought a drone with Daunte’s help. very easy and helpful.
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July 2024 by Jake Moffat
Rental guys are super friendly. Gideon was super quick and got me everything I needed. Vistek is for sure my favorite place for quick rentals. Great rates and promos.
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July 2024 by Sajaa Huoseh
Dante was so helpful and informative! I had such a great experience!
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July 2024 by Ana Salas
Always my go to place for all things photography and Wes is always so knowledgeable and helpful with all things Nikon
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June 2024 by Tom and Alana S
Businesses succeed on positive customer relations - especially going over and above to help. Vistek's Edmonton staff hit that mark: providing proper customer care rather than what seems to be the industry-standard of minimal support/care to fulfill an immediate sale. We will definitely be back as loyal customers (special thanks - Emmet)
