posted
Well, in another post, I mentioned that I had purchased a new digital camera....
I got what I deserved, I guess.....here's the story: I shopped around online to find a good price on the Fuji f100fd and came across a site which appeared professional - at least the website layout made them visually appear to be.
It was called Broadway Photo. They were one of several merchants listed in a product search browser and they had one of (not thee) lowest prices...in fact were about $60 cheaper than places like Beach Camera - which I know to be a very professional camera site that I have purchased items from before (Canon, Fuji authorized dealer - good credentials).
Anyway...I almost clicked the order button on the Broadway site,.... and then noticed some of the other merchants made a point of saying, "New - with USA warranty" next to their pricing. I know that is a good thing because there is a lot of gray market camera equipment and clones and junk out there.
So I call Broadway, and I ask them if the camera I was about to order has a USA warranty...they tell me, "No, these are asian with asian manuals, a short-life battery etc....you can buy a USA version for $30 more."
So I ordered the USA version, even though I thought it was a bit of a scam to sell asian cameras to a US market...without US manuals....
Like an idiot I proceeded with the USA camera order...without checking:
* Return policy * checking on merchant ratings
So the camera was shipped and in-delivery.
I decide to google "Broadway Photo" and up pops a camera users site that rates camera resellers... and they have a specific website devoted to warning people away from Broadway Photo...hundreds of complaints about "bait-and-switch"... lies...gray market equipment...rude customer service...etc.
I discover that if the box is opened, ALL SALES FINAL.
I discover that their return period is only 7 days - IF, the box is unopened.
So, I'm really pizzed at myself for neglecting to do my usual research prior to the purchase.
I decide I don't want to do business with these clowns...so I call up and really kiss their butts and tell them I made a mistake ordering this camera model...and luckily, they are nice enough to me (did I mention I really sucked-up and kissed their butts??) and they will refund it if it is unopened and returned within 7 days.
5% restocking charge - costs me $16.
Return shipping - costs me $27.
Lesson learned? - PRICELESS!
I re-ordered the camera from Beach Camera...and their site specifically says: Brand New Camera - USA warranty.
Tried to save a buck and ended up spending a lot more.
Sound familiar??? Just like some of the tire-kickers we've complained about.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 5660 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Todd, how about calling your credit card company and stopping the charges? These guys are crooks, and it sounds like from most of the posts that they will not dispute the payment reversal...
Phew, I'm glad I avoided them, there are a lot of horror stories posted...
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 2171 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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Once, I bought a camera online from what I thought was a U.S. company and the package came from Hong Kong, the manual was in Chinese, the AC plug didn't fit the wall (fortunately, there was an adaptor along with it that did), however, the camera was nice and I haven't had a lick of trouble with it. I was already familiar with the model so didn't really need the manual or have to buy the Rosetta Stone Chinese course.
I did decide to be a little more informed the next time I bought a camera online. Your experience lets me know what happened to me.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 3086 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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shoulda just bought a kodak from wal-mart like I did ... LOL
stupid online shoppers
(just had to give you a hard time, todd-!!! hard to know which online sites are safe to deal with.)
-------------------- Michael Gene Adkins The Fontry 1576 S Hwy 59 Watts OK 74964 Posts: 199 | From: Watts, OK USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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Jon - first thing I did before calling them back to ask for a return auth....was call my credit card company.
They said that if things went awry, I could dispute the charge and even if they (Broadway) disputed my dispute, based on website reputation, etc they would simply have the charge removed from their bank...
I don't think it'll get that hairy.... but ya never know.
Just drills the point into me personally - which I generally follow - deal only with people that have a good reputation...cost is worth considering, but is often of little consequence.
Edit: Glad your product worked out for ya David... lot of deception out there!
I hear ya Michael! LOL...Walmart is always a safe bet. You could even eat half a frozen pizza and return the rest for a refund! Hahaha.
posted
I would have just refused the shipment if it was sent UPS or FedEx. If you refuse it and don't sign for it, it was never delivered. Then get credit card company to reverse all charges. With crooks like them and their past reputation, you wouldn't have had a problem.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 2848 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Dave - I was going to just that... but the dummies sent it to my home address instead of my business address like I told them...so I wasn't there when the guy delivered it... and he left it without a signature....
I think (hope) I'll be alright...but good thoughts!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 5660 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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"WHAT, you sent it to WHAT address? That's really bad, because I specifically asked you to send it to my work address... so where is it?"
"You don't require a signature and the delivery guy just left it outside my house? Well, there's lots of crooks in our area and a box wouldn't last long outside my door..."
"Well, prepare to get the charges reversed, I'm calling my credit card company..."
"Well, ok... you just do that..."
"Yes, you just drive your @#$%@#$ over here to Michigan to get YOUR camera... I don't guess you've heard of "going Todd" and his AR-15...."
"You have a nice day also. Thank-you."
Then Todd takes about half the cost of the camera, since that's what it's worth... and sends $20 a piece to a bunch of the people who were ripped off by the Broadway crooks.... enjoying his Chinese camera with a 5 minute battery.... until it breaks...
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-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 2171 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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When do you expect the G9?? I just re-read the review on that... and if I didn't already have my Canon Digital Rebel slr.....I'd be very tempted to nab one of those...Great Review.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 5660 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Unfortunately, selling gray market goods has been common practice in the main order camera business for decades. It must work out for these companies because they keep doing it.
Warranties and manuals are just one way they can get you. Sometimes they sell things like batteries, chargers, and adapters as separate items, even though they would normally be included.
Another thing is, be suspicious of kits and packages, unless they come that way from the manufacturer. I learned about this when I was in high school, shopping for my first camera. I bought an Olympus camera in a kit. The camera and the stock lens were great, but the zoom lens included in the package was a cheap, no-name thing that I would never have bought on purpose. The case was a cheap plastic abomination. Basically, the whole kit was junk except for the camera and the stock lens.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 2253 | From: Midway, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Gee Todd I just mentioned on your other post how well informed you usualy are. Your letting me down bro. he he Just joking , or as the Asian manual would say, yust yoking.
-------------------- Dana Stanley Stanley Artistic Ent. 1156 Hill St. Whitinsville Mass. 01588 (508) 234-8193 Posts: 608 | From: Whitinsville,Mass USA | Registered: Sep 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Bruce Evans: I'd go with B&H when ordering camera equipment online. I'd also reconsider and take a look at the Canon G9.
Yep, B&H is a reputable business and serves the professional photography, video and broadcast industries as well. Their storefront in Manhattan is enormous (70,000 sq ft) and their warehouse is epic.
Gotta watch their hours of operation though because they can impact order processing if you order at the wrong (or right) time. B&H is Jewish owned and they observe all Holidays.
I just checked and the new camera from Beach Camera is due to arrive today already!! And I signed up for their free shipping...didn't expect it till next week sometime.
Goody, goody...LOL.
Dana - Yeah, I brain-farted this one for sure...self-inflicted wound.
Mike/Bruce - I believe it was B&H where I ordered my Canon Digital Rebel and lenses/flash/etc from...good company for sure.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 5660 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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WELLLLLLL...steve deleted a bunch of posts for PERSONEL ATTACKS.....so all i can say...is....you live up to youre reputation)))))))))
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 8737 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I looked at a lot of different venues when I bought Jess her camera this spring. In the end I opted to buy it locally and it cost me a considerable amount more ($600+), but should she need service it will be worth it in the long run. Nevertheless, it was very tempting to cheap out. I'm still not sure if I did the smart thing or not, but there is some satisfaction in knowing I'm supporting local businesses. Plus her holding down the shop for me while I was out in Ontario was well worth it!
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 3615 | From: Holdfast, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I buy lotsa stuff online, but Buying local is also good for a number of reasons, such as returning things that don't work, helping out another small business, etc.
However, there are a couple of small electronic businesses local here that sell some pretty worthless junk. Gotta be careful there too. But at least they will take it back if it breaks, so there is at least that.
-------------------- Michael Gene Adkins The Fontry 1576 S Hwy 59 Watts OK 74964 Posts: 199 | From: Watts, OK USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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