Mike’s Camera

I am a fan of Mike’s Camera and their customer service. However, I was unable to use my smile club discount on a recent online order I placed. It seems it’s not set up to do so yet, in store use is the only way to take advantage of the discount, which has an annual fee.

I’m giving Mikes Camera 1 star today. After driving from Denver to pick up a lens I called to set aside for today, I was told upon arriving that they wouldn’t take my husbands debit card because he wasn’t present. I realize this may be policy, but the manager was extremely rude and condescending while asking him to make an exception for my case. (We just had to cancel every credit card we have due to fraudulent charges that were made on them last week). I had no card with my name but did have my husbands as well as forms of ID’s of myself. I even called my husband to have him give them the okay to use his card. The manager wouldn’t even speak to my husband. I’ve never been turned away for doing this in the past from any other retailer etc. I’m supposed to shoot a family this evening and I’m without a lens and wasted 1.5hrs of drive time/​gas. I left frustrated, and had my husband call back to chat with the same manager. My husband spoke with him, caught him in a lie about their policies, and when he called him out on it, the manager hung up on him. I know folks have bad days here and there, but the way we were treated today is inexcusable. We are extremely disappointed with Mikes Camera.
On the contrary, Ryan, the rental manager was amazing while speaking with him on the phone to reserve the lens in the first place.
Sorry for anyone who has to come into contact with the old crotchety manager today. I will not be giving this location my business in the future.
*edited after reply from Mike*
I appreciate the response to this review. I do not appreciate how we were treated and will not be doing business with Mikes Camera. My husband and I were both willing to do whatever necessary to work with your manager in order to take the rental to my photo shoot that evening, but instead, we were treated poorly and no one felt it necessary to work with us back. Mocking customers is something you should not be proud of and the photography community in Denver will probably agree. Unfortunately, this situation put me in a bind as well as clients who counted on me. Maybe instead of living on a power trip, your manager could practice compassion and work with customers in a bind (especially after the credit fraud) to work with us instead of insult us. We were willing, you were not. I have already shared my poor experience with your company to my photographer friends and THANKFULLY was able to borrow lenses to shoot my clients that evening but I sure was scrambled and frazzled after this fiasco. Thanks but no thanks, Mikes Camera.

Employees are nice and helpful. Overpriced and usually don’t have exactly what I need.

I had a less than stellar experience with this Mike’s Camera location on Colorado Blvd. when doing some minor photo imaging and printing of table numbers in preparation for my wedding. While they were recommended to me by a friend who said they did quality and reliable work, for me, their photo imaging service and lack of communication throughout the process was deeply disappointing. I found it incredibly frustrating that I was told this process would take 48 hours and a week and a half later I still did not have a complete, nor quality order. On top of the substantial delay, I received no notification along the way when things were clearly not on schedule, orders were not put in, electronic files were misplaced, there was inconsistency in the pictures being printed in matte vs. glossy, and the actual finished product contained one egregious print with absolutely no explanation for it upon pick-​up (we didn’t notice until we got home). I was pleased that I was given a substantial discount on my order and the one print was eventually re-​done, however, I would have gladly paid in full if it meant some peace of mind in the hectic days leading up to the wedding.

I’ve given Mike’s Camera business for over two years now and my biggest issue with them are there customer service skills. It’s as if they are doing me a favor for choosing to do business with them.
I’ve had issues with many more orders than not. They do some things well like stock cameras but their photo processing part of the company is lacking in the customer service area.
I won’t be using them again as there are many other options in the Denver area that do a better job.

Although their developers have been in repair and they had to ship out the film to be developed for a little while, which was inconvenient, the employees show very high customer care.
If I wanted my film to be developed with utmost quality, I would go somewhere else and pay a higher price, but they have pretty good quality and turn around time, not to mention many choices for film to purchase.

I just left what I believe will be my last visit to Mike’s Camera. This location in particular but I have little reason to believe it’s different at the others.
What is your company culture like? Do your employees like their jobs? Do they even like photography? If they do, it’s not showing.
I keep thinking it’s just a fluke but every time it’s the same. Even my poor husband who tried to buy me some gear as a christmas present walked out after the way he was spoken to. Now I know why.
It’s so discouraging to be an aspiring professional (with a fair amount of knowledge on gear) who is ready to make an expensive purchase and to consistently be treated with what can only be described as maybe passive disdain. They don’t really care, but they’re also a bit annoyed at your question.
The only nice person I’ve encountered has been someone clearly overeager to make a sale. Not to help me. Just to sell me.
Everyone else is generally pretty rude. I’ve come in a few times and today, I literally chose not to purchase something because I couldn’t justify it based on the customer service.
Based on the other reviews, it sounds like if you buy an expensive camera they’ll play nice. Anything else and you are out of luck.
You have a lot of work to do. Camera gear is intimidating to begin with and you guys only make the experience worse. Sigh. Back to amazon I go…

They charged $ 35 for a couple of photos for a Canadian passport. A business that charges such rapacious prices doesn’t deserve to stay in business.

The prices are pretty high. This particular location doesn’t seem to have a lot to choose from as far as accessories goes. SD card prices are outrageous.

If you are looking for quality prints and great service-​do not go to the Colorado store! This is the 2^nd time I have had horrible prints from Mike’s. I thought I would give them another chance since I do like that I can go in to pick up my photos. This will be the last time I purchase from any Mike’s camera store. Several times I have had different photo projects and the last 2 visits I was cheated out of my photos. I literally have to throw away my prints. I ordered an 11×14 photo and half the photo is white. where’s my photo??? I can’t even frame this crap! The other project I had an uneven photo that was on a styrofoam board. How can you think it’s okay to sell low quality products? I am very furious and plan on never going back.

The staff, particularly Jonathan, at Mike’s camera is phenomenal! I recently bought a Canon T5i with a telephoto lense from them, and the process was very easy and affordable. I have been back on numerous occasions to talk shop with Jonathan and he is always very generous with his time, and he is extremely knowledgeable about the features of my camera. I have printed numerous pictures at Mike’s camera as well, and they have all been extremely high quality. If you are looking for a great camera buying experience, I highly suggest Mike’s Camera on S Colorado. Ask for Jonathan. He is awesome!!!

I’m a working pro and recently moved to Colorado and was delighted to see well-​stocked camera stores. I generally spend around $ 5k a year on photo gear for my business. The Mike’s location on Colorado Blvd was only 10 minutes from where I live, so I was very excited. However, after my last visit to the store (Aug 2014) I had enough of the odd customer service there.
I had made about 7 visits to the store up to that point and purchased something every time. In total I think I spent a little over a grand. What I found odd was that I would never be greeted when I entered the store, and most of the time never acknowledged! The last time I went I had a question on an umbrella holder and found my self searching through a glass case positioned next to the door that contained mono light adapters and expensive wireless remotes and other accessories. I walked over to several sales reps from whom I had purchased items from previously and they nonchalantly signaled that they would be right with me. Thirty minutes later still no assistance a per usual. By this time I had emptied the contents of the «secure glass case» by the door, and found the item I needed with a little research on the web with my phone. I then re-​packed the glass case and secured the doors. To my amazement not one of the 5 reps present that day, of which not all were NOT that busy even looked in my direction. This would literally happen every time I went to that store and this time I decided it would be the last. I politely walked up to the counter, excused myself with the weekend amateur that was being assisted with his battery selection, and let them know how I felt.
After getting very blank looks from the staff (as if the problem was with me) the new guy Chris stepped up and asked me how things could be made right. He took my number and researched one of the parts I was unable to find and called me back a couple of days later with the details. But this was too little too late quite frankly.
The odd thing is that this store has knowledgeable reps who once they begin helping you will give good service. The young man in the back Sebastian being one of them, he tries very hard to help. But from my experience, getting assistance in the first place, or even just an acknowledgement was difficult and frustrating. It was like I was invisible every time I went in there. From my perspective the location is lacking customer relationship management, they don’t even use their CRM system to put your name in the computer when you make a purchase. This says volumes about how an organization thinks of its customers if it has the resources but makes no effort to capture the needs and trends of its customers. I know this because I promptly picked up the phone and called Mike Dobson the GM of the company and told him about my experience. He admitted that every sale should be rung up under the customer’s name. Every time I went there I had to beg them to first enter and then find my name on the computer. I don’t want to have to keep receipts etc.
Anyway, I refuse to spend anymore of my hard-​earned money at this location. In all fairness I have not tried any other Mike’s location. Instead I took my business to Englewood Camera (a long drive) where they were most delightful to deal with.

Dumbfounded. I’m a pro and brought in a $ 1,600 lens to see about a repair. A week later I learn it’s a no-​go, which is what I suspected since the manuf. discontinued the model. So I go to pick it up at the back counter and whomever I’m dealing with is kind of flippant about it, but does the basic job of refunding my fee.
Fine, whatever. You’d think that she might say something like, «Sorry it can’t be fixed. Are you interested in a new replacement perhaps?» But based on my experience, that would be giving this location too much credit.
I amble over to the glass sales counter and eyeball similar lenses. At this point I need one — this model’s been my workhorse for years and I have magazine pages published every month. I wait, not very long, and there’s not a soul there to help me. But wait! There is. A gaggle of employees is BSing among themselves and one actually looks at me, then turns away without missing a lick chit chatting.
You’d think they’d see me as a potential customer, someone who’s got a broken, expensive piece of glass for which a similar replacement would fetch around $ 2,000. Not a chance. Too clueless. In fact, two years ago I SWORE I’d never return here because of being blown-​off in this same fashion.
I don’t know any of my pro photo friends who shop at Mike’s. No wonder. With service (certainly not selection or price… or hefty sales tax) being the only discernible advantage a brick ‘n mortar camera shop has going, you’d think they’d have figured it out. Sadly, with this lack of service, I don’t see how Mike’s can continue business.

I have dealt with Mike’s Camera for a year now. I won’t go back.
I give the Asst. Manager here credit for steering me towards a different camera brand than what I had originally wanted after listening to what I was looking for. I will also give Marc (a former salesman at the Park Meadows store turned camera rep) credit for some of the BEST classes I’ve had anywhere to date. That’s where things turn not so good.
I have taken other classes (including a couple at this store) that were an absolute joke, and nothing more than one of their salespeople reading Powerpoint slides off of the screen and telling us about their impressive (?) resume. It turned out to be nothing more than a sales pitch instead of a learning experience. It’s a very good thing that I didn’t have to pay extra for these classes since they were included in the «Picture Perfect Pack». The sales people use these so-​called «classes» as an incentive to buy the camera from Mike’s. The trouble is, that other people are forking over, in a lot of cases, AT LEAST fifty-​nine dollars to get the sales pitch.
Mike’s also likes to sell you the expensive camera and lens, usually as a package. They carry a decent selection of expensive additional lenses and flash gear which the sales people earn a commission on. They DO NOT, however, carry many of the camera-​brand accessories that are needed. Instead, they want to order the product for you (at least a week out) or sell you their store brand (many of which will not work as well as the camera brand gear).
Yes, I have, in fact talked to management at Mike’s Camera about these issues. I have not seen any feedback from them, nor have I seen improvement in their accessory inventory. You would think that they could stock these accessories in at least one of their stores since there a quite a few in the Denver/​Boulder area, especially if you need something in a pinch.
For my next camera purchase, and all of my accessory needs, I will buy on-​line after doing my research.

I’ve had several unsatisfactory experiences with their printing services. If you want anything out of the ordinary such as metal, canvas or panoramic prints or film development (outside of 4×6) expect to wait over a week. These orders are shipped to the Boulder store and then back. I have been told that prints would be ready on a certain day and I go to pick them up only to find that they are more than 5 days from being ready. No one calls to let me know or asks what I want to do when there is an issue with the order.
The staff seems pretty rude and short with customers at times and also not knowledgeable about services.
I like Mikes Camera in general and went to the Boulder store a lot when I lived there but not sure about these Denver Locations.

This is the third Mike’s Camera I’ve visited in Denver and the experience is always the same: Rude staff, you have to seek sales associate out, then any question is met with the most cursory of information. And by information I mean a sales pitch for MC’s third party, poor quality «[Pro]master series.»
It seems funny that they would be so uninterested in helping a person looking to buy a new camera body, studio strobe kit, SB 910, and new lens. When I’m looking to drop 2500 I really prefer to be supporting a «nice» company that gives a darn.
Pros: Lots of camera equipment to look at and play with
Con: Camera equipment others have sampled are sold as new. Most companies have display versions that if you buy come with a 10% discount… since you know… it’s not new.
Pro: Big spectrum of pricing for accessories
Con: [Pro]master is the main bread and butter of company… a brand that disappoints
Pro: Knowledgeable sales staff
Con: Staff won’t talk to you, staff doesn’t answer questions in depth, Staff will push crappy Promaster over quality items.
Antecdote: Mikes takes passport photos. They have a great, basic strobe lighting kit set up. The lighting kit is NOT sold at Mike’s. Tons of promaster gear lays around, but they don’t use it for passport photos… if they won’t use it for passport photos, why would I ever consider it in my studio?!
Unfortunately Mike’s is a piss poor company and I highly recommend trying out new products at Mike’s before buying on Amazon.

I came by here to look for film for a 35 mm camera. They have a variety of both black and white and color film. There is a great selection of accessories like bags and cases as well as the cameras… the wonderful cameras…
The staff was really helpful.

I love standing at the counter waiting for someone to take three seconds to grab me a few rolls of film while two employees stand next to me chatting… NOT.
The chick who got me my film didn’t know much about the stuff. I would rather go to Denver Pro Photo just because the staff really knows their shit and Mike’s is still really expensive despite being a bigger business. Might as well support a business that hires people who actually know what they’re talking about and who aren’t stuck up. Mike’s employees can be super pushy when you’re looking at expensive equipment, and if you tell them you’re just looking and not ready to buy, their attitude suddenly changes. I will say that the Mike’s Camera in Boulder seems to have much better employees and service.

The guys here are usually pretty knowledgable (though it can be hard to get attention sometimes), but their stock isn’t good. They never have what I go in there to buy or try out. It’s really just easier to buy off of Amazon for most camera equipment.

Very good once again. Outta sight prices on many objects (Lens wrench for $ 15???) really?
Oh well, at least its stocked and there when you need it.