I was in the market for a Nikon D300s and saw one of those "rip off" ads on the internet. The body was selling for $700 which is about 1/2 price. Then when I looked deeper, I found the battery is extra, the charger is extra, the cords are extra, the owners manual is extra, the strap is extra, etc. When I added up the costs of all the stuff you normally get, the cost was a lot more than retail price at the local camera store. These "rip off" stores prey upon the greed in all of us. We all want a good deal on our high dollar items and these places depend on our greed to hook us in.
Like my Mother always said, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is".
Look them up on the web
Great post and one that should be read by anyone about to purchase a camera online. Hopefully most of the members of this web site are pretty aware of these scams. If you have doubts don't buy. It's very easy to look these places up on the Internet. There is a web site devoted to these shops and has photographs of the properties. Most of these "businesses" are abandoned looking buildings with iron bars on the front doors.
Order with piece of mind from B&H and Adorama in NY City. Go with a major store and should you have a problem or a concern it will be handled with ease.
I have also purchased successfully from Beach Camera.
I'm waiting on a refund from Beach. I ended up not needing an item from them and called to ask customer service what to do. They said to refuse the order. So that's what I did.
Well, over ten days later and I don't have my money back.
The song and dance when I contacted them via their Amazon contact link was that the refund would be processed 7 to 10 days after they got the item back in their warehouse. How long is it supposed to take to get back to them when it never made it off the FedEx truck in the first place?
Not planning to buy from them again. This is a BAD first experience for me.
I get all my stuff from B&H online. They're awesome. THey also have an online specialist who can answer questions and direct you to the right products. I won't buy from anyone else.
I've never had a problem with B&H. They know their stuff, they ship on time . . . Ditto for Amazon. They're not camera specialists, but they're utterly reliable, and sometimes get gear before anyone else.
Lets not forget Adorama as they are right there with B&H for reliability, honesty, price, and service.
Has Adorama become more reliable? Sometime ago, I ordered a B+W filter I needed ASAP. Spoke to a salesman on the phone, asked him to go check his inventory to see that they really had it in stock. Then paid for express shipping. They charged my credit card, but no filter arrived. I called and asked for a tracking number. After getting the run around, someone finally admitted it was back-orderedred to Germany. Never done business with them since.
I've spent a lot of money with B&H, and they have always been great. Just bought a D700 from Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon) without problem.
I don't think it ever pays to buy from Scamera Discounters.
Weird. I've ordered many times from Adorama (through their web site) and never had any problems. They've been 100% reliable for me. I ordered my Canon 5D Mark II from them, and I've ordered lenses, accessories, used equipment, and other stuff.
Adorama is "extremely" reliable. Adorama and B&H are my personal favorites and my personal recommendations for the best in service before and after the sale.
Adorama also notifies you via e-mail when your order is filled and again when it ships.
I was just sent a PM by one of our members, he sugjested that I try a company called "New Egg" as they had a good price on their web site for the camera I was intersted in. I called up the web site, the camera ( a Sony DSC-P100 ) was on sale for $338.00, I went throught the ordering procedur and calculated the shipping which came to 0.99 making a total of $338.99. I then placed the order where upon the price of the camera changed to $349.00 and the shipping went up to $4.50. I then called the 800 number and talked to Veronica, she said to go ahead enter my CC number and that I would recive an e-mail confirmation number , to then call her back and she would change the price of the camera and the shipping back to the $338.99, and if I wasen't satified I could always send the camera back. I asked why she couldn't just change it now, she said she couldn't do it until the order had been placed. At this point I called bull shit and hung up the phone.>
Hi
I used this NEW EGG over 100 times in last 5 years. Never had any porblems. I bought FLASH CARDS, computer parts and even printing paper. Justwait till they have FREE SHIPPING icon.
Hi
I used this NEW EGG over 100 times in last 5 years. Never had any porblems. I bought FLASH CARDS, computer parts and even printing paper. Justwait till they have FREE SHIPPING icon.
And you joined Dgrin just to tell us that? Hmmm...
I was just sent a PM by one of our members, he sugjested that I try a company called "New Egg" as they had a good price on their web site for the camera I was intersted in. I called up the web site, the camera ( a Sony DSC-P100 ) was on sale for $338.00, I went throught the ordering procedur and calculated the shipping which came to 0.99 making a total of $338.99. I then placed the order where upon the price of the camera changed to $349.00 and the shipping went up to $4.50. I then called the 800 number and talked to Veronica, she said to go ahead enter my CC number and that I would recive an e-mail confirmation number , to then call her back and she would change the price of the camera and the shipping back to the $338.99, and if I wasen't satified I could always send the camera back. I asked why she couldn't just change it now, she said she couldn't do it until the order had been placed. At this point I called bull shit and hung up the phone.>
Hi
I used this NEW EGG over 100 times in last 5 years. Never had any porblems. I bought FLASH CARDS, computer parts and even printing paper. Justwait till they have FREE SHIPPING icon.
newegg.com? That's one of the best online places to order from.
Yes, in my experience Newegg is a very reputable place. I've been using them for years for my computer needs and never had a problem with them or TigerDirect. In fact, if you check Ressellerratings and similar, Newegg scores right up there with B&H! A good company to buy from IMHO.
I want to buy a new digital camera, including high picture quality with lots of memory.Can anyone give me some advice?
If you are purchasing from a vendor that has not been recommended to you, check the customer feedback and ratings at www.resellerratings.com, before you part with your cc details!
Be Careful of Quality Photo on Amazon
I wanted to buy a Canon S95 for someone, so I went to Amazon where I have Amazon Prime and do plenty of my shopping. I was in a rush, and just one-clicked my way to an order for this person (had already bought something else, so the address was on file). I never paid attention to the price, figuring how bad can it be, it's just a P&S? Well, turns out my order was from "Quality Photo" one of Don Wiss' infamous Brooklyn ripoff artists:
Turns out they gouged me $80 of retail, saying "Dear Customer,
We paid very high for this product since it was very hard to get, and this is the reason why you paid $479, because no one besides us had it on amazon, but i can not do any refunds."
I always wonder how scamers like this can stay in business. I always thought it was because of the not too bright, and the ignorant.
Now I see how even someone with extensive knowledge can be had.
It seems that the camera went to someone as a gift so trying to send it back would probably be out of the question, but can you not complain / write to Amazon? While the money may be gone I would think amazon would not want to keep this scammer on there list.
I wonder why Amazon allows shoddy vendors like that in on their marketplace. I was about to buy my nephew a scooter from Amazon (which was selling something from another seller) and then looked at all the reviews. All those scooters broke apart.
I wonder why Amazon allows shoddy vendors like that in on their marketplace. I was about to buy my nephew a scooter from Amazon (which was selling something from another seller) and then looked at all the reviews. All those scooters broke apart.
This guy has plenty of pos feedback on Amazon. I'm amazed. The vendor just called me, trying to tell me, sorry, he paid $100 over wholesale price because it was 'hard to get'. :bigbs
This guy has plenty of pos feedback on Amazon. I'm amazed. The vendor just called me, trying to tell me, sorry, he paid $100 over wholesale price because it was 'hard to get'. :bigbs
heck he could have taken the subway to B&H and bought one for less!
Online Camera Sales
My experience is to google any establishment that you are thinking about buying from. This will give you the best chance of not getting ripped off. But I would say 75% are total scam artists!!!!!!
Be very leery of forum sales....do not use PayPal gifting...why: 1 - it is against PayPal policy (and you the buyer could lose YOUR privileges just like the seller as you are part of them ripping off PayPal for their fees), 2: you have nothing to stand on if you get ripped off on your purchase, PayPal will not help you out and may suspend or revoke your privilages completely..... ... it is a good idea to use PayPal to make payments as that at least gives someone to listen to your complaint.....do not purchase on forums that only allow positive feedback, other forum members need to know that you were ripped.
My experience is to google any establishment that you are thinking about buying from. This will give you the best chance of not getting ripped off. But I would say 75% are total scam artists!!!!!!
Comments
Lyle
Like my Mother always said, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is".
Great post and one that should be read by anyone about to purchase a camera online. Hopefully most of the members of this web site are pretty aware of these scams. If you have doubts don't buy. It's very easy to look these places up on the Internet. There is a web site devoted to these shops and has photographs of the properties. Most of these "businesses" are abandoned looking buildings with iron bars on the front doors.
Order with piece of mind from B&H and Adorama in NY City. Go with a major store and should you have a problem or a concern it will be handled with ease.
I'm waiting on a refund from Beach. I ended up not needing an item from them and called to ask customer service what to do. They said to refuse the order. So that's what I did.
Well, over ten days later and I don't have my money back.
The song and dance when I contacted them via their Amazon contact link was that the refund would be processed 7 to 10 days after they got the item back in their warehouse. How long is it supposed to take to get back to them when it never made it off the FedEx truck in the first place?
Not planning to buy from them again. This is a BAD first experience for me.
**If a picture is worth a 1000 words...**
Nikon D90
Illiterati Photography
I've spent a lot of money with B&H, and they have always been great. Just bought a D700 from Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon) without problem.
I don't think it ever pays to buy from Scamera Discounters.
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html
Got bored with digital and went back to film.
Adorama is "extremely" reliable. Adorama and B&H are my personal favorites and my personal recommendations for the best in service before and after the sale.
Adorama also notifies you via e-mail when your order is filled and again when it ships.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
I hope so........but don't just take my word for it!
www.resellerratings feedback:
06.20.05 3.75/10
06.06.10 9.42/10
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
http://twitter.com/HelenOster
Helen@adorama.com
www.adorama.com
If I post it, please tell me how to make it better. My fragile ego can take it.
Me, too!
Of course, my wish list is always greater than my budget.
Sherry
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.
If you are purchasing from a vendor that has not been recommended to you, check the customer feedback and ratings at www.resellerratings.com, before you part with your cc details!
You might find some useful advice here, from the Adorama Learning Center: http://www.adorama.com/alc/category/Digital-SLRs
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
http://twitter.com/HelenOster
Helen@adorama.com
www.adorama.com
I wanted to buy a Canon S95 for someone, so I went to Amazon where I have Amazon Prime and do plenty of my shopping. I was in a rush, and just one-clicked my way to an order for this person (had already bought something else, so the address was on file). I never paid attention to the price, figuring how bad can it be, it's just a P&S? Well, turns out my order was from "Quality Photo" one of Don Wiss' infamous Brooklyn ripoff artists:
Turns out they gouged me $80 of retail, saying "Dear Customer,
We paid very high for this product since it was very hard to get, and this is the reason why you paid $479, because no one besides us had it on amazon, but i can not do any refunds."
So kids, don't rush it, check it!
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
Now I see how even someone with extensive knowledge can be had.
It seems that the camera went to someone as a gift so trying to send it back would probably be out of the question, but can you not complain / write to Amazon? While the money may be gone I would think amazon would not want to keep this scammer on there list.
Sam
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
www.tednghiem.com
This guy has plenty of pos feedback on Amazon. I'm amazed. The vendor just called me, trying to tell me, sorry, he paid $100 over wholesale price because it was 'hard to get'. :bigbs
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
www.tednghiem.com
My experience is to google any establishment that you are thinking about buying from. This will give you the best chance of not getting ripped off. But I would say 75% are total scam artists!!!!!!
A good place to start (after resellerratings.com, of course) is this guy's blog, - he's my personal hero
He's like the Zorro of the downtrodden photographer!!
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
http://twitter.com/HelenOster
Helen@adorama.com
www.adorama.com