Backdrop Outlet

The website about half the time has performance problems so spending time there is frustrating. The «Candy» print backdrops are the same as you’d find on ebay printed by Chinese, only at a huge inflated price. Ordered a very large flex backdrop that was supposed to be wrinkle free, and it had so many wrinkles it was unusable.
You will find the majority of their equivalent stuff online at ebay. You’ll find quality products at BH, Samys, Adorama and the like.
I wanted to love this place since it is on this coast, and I did go to a seminar there once that was great… but there haven’t been any purchases from Backdrop Outlet that made me glad I went there.

+Their warehouse sale was absolutely incredible!
+I was in Heaven! It’s not often you get ridiculous low prices on anything related to photography.
+Got some great backgrounds.
+I hope they have another one. I will be more prepared. Especially in dealing with the ruthless bargain hunters. My friend pointed out a background to me and the chubbette in front of me just grabbed it away without even looking at it. I will bring a baseball bat next time.

I’ve ordered from this company twice. I had no issue with my first order (hence the two-​star rating), but have had multiple issues with the second.
I ordered a diamond cloth backdrop on 5÷13÷15 for a shoot, but after a few days, had not received any shipping notification. My shoot deadline was quickly approaching, so I called and asked customer service to cancel the order (5÷22÷15). I got a backdrop from someplace local.
It’s been nearly 8 weeks, and I still haven’t received my refund. I’ve made three calls to customer service, and magically, every time I get the same answer, nearly verbatim: «I see your cancelled order, but unfortunately, I cannot tell you why it hasn’t transferred because our accounting manager is out of the office.»

Erik, the General Manager, got in touch with me after my last review. He said my product would be in stock and shipped within two weeks. Its now been two weeks and I still don’t have my product, and customer service continues to tell me that there is no estimated shipping date. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau that has gone unanswered from Backdrop Outlet.
Erik offered to give me a full refund and then they would re-​bill the product at a 25% discount due to their failure to deliver, along with a $ 50 gift card for a future purchase. The refund has not shown up and I have not heard another word from Erik. Customer Service only offers to give me store credit and refuses to give a refund.
This company has the worst business practices I have ever seen. In fact I think it borders on fraudulent. If you visit the BBB listing for Backdrop Outlet you will see a large number of complaints against this company. I wish I had done more research on them before ordering anything from them. Consumer beware! They will take your money and either not deliver, deliver late, or deliver your orders incomplete. Stay away, find another supplier for photographic backdrops.

Good for backdrops. HORRIBLE for props!
I never write reviews but the service from backdrop outlet has been SOO horrible that I just had to.
I had ordered from Backdrop outlet before and thought the experience was wonderful. I ordered only backdrops at that time and everything was shipped on time.
Black Friday November 2014 came around and I decided to make use of the black friday deals to buy some more backdrops and props.
I received my backdrops on time… the props took over 2 months to come to me BUT not all the props were shipped.
To date, I am STILL waiting for one of the props I ordered to come. It has been well over 7 months now!
I have been working with Mehgan in customer service. She has been great help but she needs to follow through with what she said she would do. My last email to her was on June 2, 2015 and she said she’ll contact me back within 24 hours with the status of my prop. I did not hear back from her and its now the end of the day on June 5, 2015. This isn’t too big of a deal me. I understand she may not be in the office.
Lastly, and possibly the thing that REALLY UPSETS ME is that since I ordered the Cow Knitt Hat (CCA55) and the WRONG item was sent to me. What’s even worst is when I exchanged the wrong item for the correct CCA55, I was charged an extra $ 10.80 when it was a straight exchange. I contacted backdrop outlet multiple times and was told by Mehgan that she would pass the information account manager to get the refund. I NEVER got the refund from backdrop outlet. I had to contact Discover Card to dispute the transaction.
So once again… if you’re ordering backdrops from backdrop outlet then they seem to do a good job BUT if you order props… be prepare for a long LONG wait.
Go buy the stuff off Amazon. You can find similar backdrops and props on amazon.
Never again backdrop outlet!
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Update 6÷18÷2015
I decided to give up on my wait for the wings that was a replacement for my Cow Knitt Hatt (CA55). I picked out a different item that I didn’t really care for as much just cause I got tired of waiting.
THEN something unexpected happened.
Erik Gupta (General Manager) contacted me to express his concerns with my order delay. I did not expect to get contacted by anyone from backdrop outlet. Hearing from Erik really change my mind about the company. He really did try everything possible to make it right for me.
Due to this unexpected gesture, I have changed my rating from 1 star to 4. It doesn’t make up for all the loss time but it surely does show that Backdrop Outlet cares about their customers and will try their best to make things right.
I’ll definitely buy from backdrop outlet again but this time I’ll email customer service to check for item availability before I buy them.
Thanks Backdrop Outlet!

9÷18÷15− I just want to say that this company is pretty shady in regards to their business ethics.
I feel like i need to update my 2^nd revision to tell you how they tried to rectify the situation. They first told me that they’d give me monetary store credit to either delete or change my first review to something good so they would look better!
I just want to let all the other potential clients of Backdrop Outlet that are seeing these really good reviews and thinking they are an amazing company, especially in regards to their customer service.
{The reason I am updating this so late is because I just don’t feel like it is OK to bribe or pay off your former customers with a store credit just so they can change or delete their bad review!}
Just beware everyone!
4÷5÷2015
I am happy to say that the customer service department saw this and have contacted me in order to try and rectify this situation.
Not happy that they were horrible in keeping me up to date with my purchase or response times via email. At times they took over a week to respond with an answer that DID NOT even answer my question!
I am leaving the old review because I believe its important for people to see that there have been dissatisfied customers but that they are now trying to change that.
Review from Sunday, April 5^th:
I have used this company for a while off and on and their customer service skills are HORRIBLE every time.
One purchase i bought a camera strap that they debited my account for, 2 weeks later I inquired as to where it was and when it would ship and they said it had been sold out and discontinued so I could pick another one… Which I feel THEY should have told me upfront instead of me saying, «Where’s my stuff?»
2 of my backdrops took over 5 months to be delivered! i had to postpone the shoot 2 months and then went elsewhere to purchase the backdrop because I didn’t want to loose business because THEY wouldn’t/couldn’t come through on something I had already paid for.
Recently I asked them to delete me from their accounts and their client base because they are such a horrible company and a Customer Service Manager asked me if I would like a $ 50 gift card/​credit for my troubles & a promise that that is NOT their regular customer service experience. To which I said YES I’ll try 1 more time. Well, that was in Mid March and NOTHING. I haven’t heard back to 2 different emails inquiring about how to get the gift card. And I have received NOTHING in the mail from them!

There was a shipping delay, and a bad print, but the Manager contacted me straight away to fix things. While I am still somewhat frustrated, I do appreciate the attempt. I may try Backdrop Outlet out again, after some time has passed.

I really like the end product that I received from this company. It’s a 5-​star product for sure! Their email support is also 5-​star service, both prompt and accommodating.
The only reason I’m giving it 4-​stars is due to their phone support. (I hate to say something bad when the result was so great, but I’m hopeful that my review will help the business become even better.)
So the phone customer service seems like a bit of a blackhole. I called in to place my order and was told to wait for an email confirmation with the order #. Never got an email. Email support was great though and they were able to find it and pick up where phone support left off. There was a mixup with the orientation of the custom print, so I called in. The lady on the phone (sounded like the same person I spoke with before) said she needed me to email her the pic (even though I told her they already had it). So anyways, she said she would email me first so I had the reply email to send the pic to. Never got an email. I ended up emailing the original email support people and they promptly resolved the issue.
So I don’t know if the phone lady has alzheimer’s or her email isn’t working, but get that fixed, and this is a 5-​star business.
Bottom line: would do business with again.

I called the store looking for an ETA on a package for a shoot that I had in two week, and just the customer service that I got from Rob was outstanding. Easy to talk too, gave me more then enough info, and the confidence that my package would arrive in time. He even told me to call back in a few day to get the tracking number IF lame-​o USPS wouldn’t give it to me… and we all know how terrible USPS is. Anywho… Rob seems like the guy I’d like to buy a beer sometime. A+ and thank you

December 13, 2014
After leaving a not so great review, Erik Gupta contacted me via email. He apologized for the issues. Although things are not completely resolved, I my opinion has since changed. (Two starts moved to four.)
This is a small family business and they still have many ways they can improve their business.
I do want to leave my original review below (I feel a review is a review, there is a reason I wrote what I wrote), so others will hopefully read reviews before ordering and learn from mine and other customers issues.
I suggest you contact Backdrop Outlet prior to placing an order to see if your item (s) are in stock. If they are not, be prepared for long shipping times.
I will be ordering in the future from Backdrop Outlet, but will be checking to see if my items are in stock or not. Also, once back in the San Diego area, I plan on visiting their shop, hoping to meet Erik.
December 12, 2014
Not much of a fan of this company. Don’t get me wrong, their products are great, but shipping services are terrible!
I placed an order back in SEPTEMBER, and have yet to get two of my items.
First of all, after my order was placed, I was never notified that my items have shipped, no tracking numbers, nothing. So I had to fist contact customer service to see if my items have even shipped. Second, once I got some of my items, I realized not everything was there. I once again contacted customer service questioning where my missing items where. I was then let known that two of my items were on back order and would take 4 – 6 weeks to ship (that would have been nice to k now PRIOR to placing an order.) Next, I wait the 6 weeks, still nothing. I contact customer service yet again to learn that the supplier for Backdrop Outlet has sent them damaged items, so Backdrop Outlet did not want to send me the damaged items (well, thats a plus!) Then, I FINALLY received an email with a tracking number for my missing item on ¹²⁄₃. Over a week later, the only thing that says about tracking is that a label was created, not that it has actually been shipped.
It has been 3+ months and I am STILL missing part of my order. For the money I have paid, it would be nice to have my order within a reasonable time. It also would be nice if Bakckdrop outlet communicated better with their customers.
It also would be helpful if their website stated weather an item was on back order/​out of stock. A customer ordering online would never know unless contacting customer service.

I have to say Eric and his staff really now the true meaning of customer service. I had a situation with a class he took care of it and even helped me find the right back drop in the studio. He is a man of his word and has true values that have surpassed my expectations

Eric Gupta, Product Manager, took it upon himself to contact me directly via phone and email when he learned of my dissatisfaction.
I run a small business with a customer service team, so I appreciated it when he immediately initiated communication and asked for a second chance by offering to personally deliver the item we were waiting for to my office. And he delivered. Better late then never.
They are a small business and are working on ironing out their wrinkles. Who doesn’t have wrinkles?? ? I am all for second chances. Amazon would have never sent someone personally to my office. Give this business a chance. They want to earn your business and will take ownership of mistakes.
Tip: As others mentioned, call them to double check if your item is in stock.

I Called for rush order and they made sure I had it in plenty of time! Love this place!

I placed an order back on May 19^th for a muslin. Today I finally cancelled the order after waiting on this order for over 2 months.
About 5 minutes after I got off the phone, a manager called me and was really apologetic. I was amazed at what they were will willing to do to rectify the problem which really changed my opinion of Backdrop Outlet. I will have my muslin this week after that. Thank you for taking care of the issue!

Great staff. Great Products. Enough Said.

Had a great experience with them the last 2 days. They were able to assist me in finding the best backdrops (in my case vinyl and diamond cloth) for our upcoming video shoot.
I was helped by both Stephanie and Mallory. They gave me honest feedback and let me know what they had in stock. I ended up ordering some items from their clearance room and saved a good chunk of change.
I’m a fan and would recommend them. I’d recommend calling in advance to make sure they have whatever items you’re looking for. Overall, a clean shop with solid products, fair prices and excellent customer service.

No doing business with this company ever again b.c. of their customer service and delivery time frame.
Pros: The products are great quality and great prices.
Cons: They never seem to have anything in stock. But when you order from them of course you have to pay first but if something is not in stock and you have to wait they keep your money.
The first time I ordered from them was 2 years ago. I needed props for a photoshoot but only half of them came so I didn’t have everything in time for my shoot. When I called them I kept getting the run around because they couldn’t give me an exact date of delivery of my missing items.
So almost 6 months went by so I called and asked for a refund of about $ 1,000. They said they would credit me and they never did. Kept calling and still no refund. Another 6 months went by with no refund even though they said they would refund my credit card.
So finally talked to someone who said it’s not a refund but a credit. This made me really mad b.c. it wasn’t my fault that they didn’t have my items in stock so I shouldn’t be penalized. It would of been different if I had recieved the items then returned them and gotten credit. Anyway, so I was left with $ 1000 in credit with them even though I didn’t want to use them anymore.
This was all a year later. So I decided to use my credit and buy more items and be done with them. So I bought 3 items. 2 came and 1 never did. Called again to find out when it would arrive and months later (6 to be exact) they couldn’t give me ETA. So I asked for a refund and again months went by before they finally gave me a credit for my one item.
However, I still have a credit with them for $ 28 from the $ 1,000 credit but didn’t get that back either.
Horrible company!

I have Had a few issues with backdrop outlet with receiving items in the time frame given. But on my most recent visit I received great customer service found what I needed and at great prices. Be careful to order items you need well in advance they receive products from out of country and can’t give you an exact time frame for when they come in. I will not order a product from them unless it is in Stock and I can walk away with it that day. I love the diamond cloth backdrops. They are manageable and can be easily cleaned.