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Trouble buying a Canon Rebel XTi (400D)

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Shaun

Mon Mar 24 2008, 09:42PM

Registered Member #690 Joined: Tue May 08 2007, 03:47AM
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 616

A long while back (Jan 15th) I bought a Rebel XTi from here:

That was the exact package I bought, which seemed like a very good deal. Shipping was going to take 4 to 6 weeks, and after 6 weeks (beginning of March) I called them. I was told the camera was now "out of stock" and would take another 4 weeks before it came in!

Today, I called again to check on the order and after about 5 or 6 callbacks and a half hour of combined holding time, I was told that what I bought was the camera body only, no charger, no battery etc. I had known all this and already had a battery and charger from Best Buy.

This is where it gets interesting. The man went on to say that the camera was "OEM" and would have NO FIRMWARE, no software, and that I wouldn't be able to use it. What is going on here? and why doesn't it say that somewhere on the site? Then he asked if I wanted to upgrade to a "useable" package that costs $679! So I just had him cancel the whole order.

I'm sending them an e-mail after I finish this post, but has anyone else had this happen to them?

Bjørn

Mon Mar 24 2008, 10:33PM

Registered Member #27 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 02:20AM
Location: Hyperborea
Posts: 2058

I have bumped into them several times before. They are a quite famous scam operation. They have been operating like this for years from Brooklyn NY. I rememeber someone trying to find their offices and only found a warehouse.

They display low prices but you never get what you ordered and in the end they will try to sell you a lot of very expensive "extras" that are supposed to be standard. If you google their customer feedback it is all copied from other stores, including 42 St. photo that is a proper and reputable store.

Try one of these two instead:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
http://www.42photo.com/

Shaun

Mon Mar 24 2008, 10:51PM

Registered Member #690 Joined: Tue May 08 2007, 03:47AM
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 616

Oh my god, apparently I really dodged a bullet by canceling my order there. Thanks a lot Bjorn!

Ken M.

Tue Mar 25 2008, 12:30AM

Registered Member #618 Joined: Sat Mar 31 2007, 04:15AM
Location: Us-Great Lakes
Posts: 628

Haha but good for you not being hit by scandals companies like that, remember to report them to

Shaun

Tue Mar 25 2008, 02:06AM

Registered Member #690 Joined: Tue May 08 2007, 03:47AM
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 616

"Complaints to the Bureau allege that Best Price Cameras engages in high pressure sales tactics and false claims in order to intimidate consumers into buying extra items while they are placing their original order. Reports allege that these extra items are usually not compatible with the camera and consumers are not given an exact total of all items at the time of purchase. As a result, consumers are charged for warranties, batteries and other camera accessories that they did not know they were buying and that were advertised on the website as being included with the camera. Consumers report that invoices from Best Price Cameras are not itemized so it is difficult to know what consumers are being charged for and it is very difficult to obtain a refund. Consumers also detail grievances with the company such as being lied to about order status, cancelled orders without notification, purchasing and never receiving a product, being charged in excess of their original purchase without their consent, and difficulty contacting the company."

I filed a report, but it seems like they've received a huge amount about this company already. The above quote pretty much fits my situation perfectly. Especially the entire final sentence.

Noelle

Tue Mar 25 2008, 04:21AM

Napoleonic Powermonger
Registered Member #2 Joined: Thu Jan 26 2006, 05:10AM
Location: Meadville, PA
Posts: 70

Wow, talk about a scammy "business". Thanks for letting the rest of us know about them.

HV Enthusiast

Wed Apr 02 2008, 11:50PM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

Oh great . . .

As its been said a million times, the only reputable NYC camera dealers are BHPhoto and Adorama (there are a few others, but they are much smaller operations)

Almost all NYC dealers on the internet, especially those with "great prices" are all bait and switch operations.

Check BHPhoto or Adorama. They are the lowest prices anywhere. If you find cheaper than that, then suspect a bait / switch operation.

I'd feel sorry for you, but you get what you pay for. Plus, this topic has been covered a bazillion times here already before throughout the years.

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