Pro Camera Hawaii

I called Pro Camera Hawaiʻi looking for a variable ND filter the day before a trip. At first, the customer service was solid, the rep quickly found the size I needed, and I appreciated that. However, the moment I asked about the Black Friday discount he mentioned, everything changed. When I asked what the sale price would come out to, he told me he’d “love to run the math” but needed to help “an actual customer” in front of him. I was honestly shocked. No “let me put you on a brief hold,” no “I’ll be right back”, just a blunt refusal to finish assisting me and a suggestion that if I really wanted to know the price, I should come into the store. This interaction unfortunately lines up with my past experiences there. Whenever I’ve visited, whether for basic questions, gear guidance, or purchases, the staff has felt cold, unwelcoming, and a bit dismissive. And to be clear, I’m not someone who comes in to browse and waste time; I’ve purchased plenty of gear from them over the years. This was just the last straw. The truth is, Pro Camera Hawaiʻi is the only shop of its kind on the island, and prices often reflect that. Some items are extremely marked up, and while I understand island logistics can add cost, the customer service should at least make up for it. Instead, it often feels like the bare minimum or worse. My honest advice is go here only if you absolutely have to. You’ll generally have a better experience buying online or from marketplace sellers, unless you’re in a situation where you need something immediately like me and have no other choice. It’s disappointing that this seems to be the standard for specialty shops here, and I truly wish the customer service matched the prices. Edit: Tony, thank you for taking the time to reply I genuinely appreciate that. You’re absolutely right that you can’t personally refute what was or wasn’t said on the call. For context, the beginning of the call was totally fine; the rep was friendly and asked me to hold, which wasn’t a problem at all. This was never about wanting to be helped before someone who was already in the store. My concern came afterward. Being told I could “do the math myself” and that they simply “could not help me.” That’s the part that felt off, not the initial hold or the challenge of balancing in-person and phone customers. As for the prices, I’ve always personally felt certain items were more expensive, and I understand you’re saying they’re in line with normal authorized dealer pricing. Other customers can make that determination for themselves. If it helps to add balance, I’ve never had any issues with the quality of Pro Camera Hawaii’s products that has always been solid. I hope my review simply serves as a point of reference for others to make the most informed decisions. I do appreciate you Tony Zerga for your reply and concern for the shops customer satisfaction and care. Mahalo, Kai