Foto Marlin Basel

Horrific customer service.
Super nice place though, I was ecstatic walking in. Hence the one star.

I was in search of a close up lens after reading these were a considerable alternative to a macro lens. The mid 30's, short speaking, rude and condescending (in the interest of identifying him- he had a lazy eye) representative suggested I get a 77mm 4+ Hoya filter.

I was EXTREMELY polite to this guy and there was a new girl there that was just wonderful. I don't speak Swiss *yet*. I am still quite nervous... I appreciate the hell out of people taking time to work with me.

Got home, read more (whoops), and realized I needed a 58mm. Also read these Hoya's come in a set of three: +1 +2 and +4 for $75. He sold me 1 for $78. He also didn't give me a receipt.

Went back in 2 hours later and asked for a Canon 250D 58mm close-up lens instead and the same guy said "We don't make those in Europe" and refused to give me my money back-- only store credit. He literally argued with me about it and finally went and talked to the owner, who I was staring at by that time.

The owner sheepishly agreed that I be reimbursed, and I then walked over and told him that his employee is extremely rude. He hung his head low, murmured "ok" and kind of shuffled his feet away. BIZARRE.

They had the Canon lens in stock at a store a couple miles away.

My father in law is born and raised in Basel and said it was likely attributed to me being American. My wife and sister in law (Swiss) were both kinda surprised that it happened in Basel. Maybe a few other nooks and crannies in Switzerland... but not Basel...