CSI Rentals

David Urbanke

I rented a camera body and lens from CSI's Manhattan location last week. Because I was traveling, a family member picked up the equipment for me. CSI did not have the order, even though I received confirmation by e-mail, and the person doing the pickup had to wait quite a while for it to be put together. They told me several other customers were also having problems. The wheel on top of the camera was broken, the body was scratched up in multiple places, and the tether port didn't work. When I brought it in and tried to explain what was wrong with it, they didn't even turn on the camera or check. Instead I was told that I should have used a tether lock for my cord - which I did. I explained to them that the camera was in such bad shape I couldn't use it at work, and that it made me look bad in front of my client because it was unable to tether. (The tether cord and lock were tested on another camera after the shoot and work just fine, so it was indeed the camera). After a few minutes of arguing with the employee and trying to show them that the wheel didn't work due to very visible damage (they were telling me it was fine), another employee walked by and pointed out that was the camera that was supposed to be repaired because of the broken wheel. They only refunded the camera body charge because I demanded and still charged me for the lens. I did not receive any kind of apology, I was only met with rudeness and bad attitudes. Between the gear not working and the staff being so unprofessional, I will be switching back to Adorama for my future rentals.

Fast Wong

Have been renting a lot here lately and everything has been awesome! All the equipment is clean and in good shape, the team is super nice, it's been great everytime. Last time I made a last minute request and they went above and beyond to get a few things over from Brooklyn just before they closed for the day. They could have just told me they didn't have it and I booked too late but they went the extra mile, more than I could have asked for. Thank you!

Erica Nelson

I needed a $1400 esoteric lens for a single shot that needed to happen by the end of the day.

I Am Miss Anita

They give different prices for deposits to BIPOC. Have you ever rented any piece of equipment and had to give an $8000 deposit? What credit card company is even letting an $8000 purchase be cleared. Even the employee questioned the amount and asked if that was accurate because it seemed “too high“. Not once was an email or phone call sent after I made the reservation stating that I would need an $8000 deposit. I reiterated that business practices for that amount should warrant an email or a phone call the statement that was made to me was “I would have to hire 10 people just for emails and phone calls to assist everybody with deposits”. The owner was completely dismissive even after I explained to him that I’m a member of a studio which they have a contract with. He then stated, “We don’t work with that studio.” Then his own son who was sitting in the office closer to where I was speaking responded “yes we do“. The owner then proceeded to state, that “the replacement fee is $15,000 and he’s only charging me $8000. for the deposit.” When I asked him to repeat himself, he came out of the office but did not say anything after looking at his father. The owner then stated that the studio itself didn’t want to rent to me based on the fact that they themselves didn’t put the contract in so they didn’t want to be responsible. However, when my studio did reach out, it was explained that I myself would have to call seeing that I was the one picking up the order. The Manhattan store is really disrespectful. Their replacement price is inflated extremely for the items that I was planning to rent. Luckily, I do on my own items wanted to have some additional items on hand but never again.