www.bestpricecameras.com - DPChallenge Forums

08/30/2005 08:39:19 PM · #1

Ok, so i'm a total newbie at this.

I decided to buy a digital SLR from bestpricecameras.com, (check em out they have outrageous prices! very very cheap ones!) and went for the bait.
Imagine, an Olympus E-300 Evolt with standard lens for $499, a Canon Digital Rebel XT with lens for $649, who'se mouth wouldn't salivate at the prices?

Anyway, I place the order last saturday and received an email asking me to confirm the order. With that, the agent said, what kind of batteries do you want with this? Assuming that the batteries were part of the price I already paid, I chose a battery. Then they asked me which memory card, and so on and so forth. With that, I hung up and had happy thought with my new digital camera. Realizing that I had to pay for the "accessories" (because aren't they supposed to come standard?), I called and cancelled the battery pack, charger and memory card. I thought it went ok.

I checked the bank today, and was shocked to see they charged me $350 more than I thought I paid for! I called them up and asked what the deal was, they said the battery (the standard battery that was supposed to come with the camera but didn't in their case) cost $200! I went to cancel the order, but they said they cannot cancel the order because it was already processed.

I am now waiting for the amount to post, because I want to dispute that claim, I want to pay $550 for the camera, as agreed upon. I cancelled the other items, but they still charged me for them.

*sigh* Being too naive, not knowing there were scams around, ended up costing me $900. I guess I was blinded by the fact that I was getting the camera for a cheap price that I didnt stop to think that they were scam artists. I keep hearing the saying "When it sounds too good to be true, it usually is" but hey, wanting something so bad, that we all wish it to be true, is also part of human nature.

Live and learn! Best Price Cameras is going down!

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

08/30/2005 08:42:31 PM · #2

//www.resellerratings.com/seller8754.html

I would refuse the shipment then dispute it with your CC company.....

I got my Rebel XT from Dell last week. $790.00 shipped with the kit lens. Took 4 days to get it.

Message edited by author 2005-08-30 20:44:36.

08/30/2005 08:46:27 PM · #3

Originally posted by rex:

Really? You think that would work? What would happen if we told FedEx we dont want to receive the package?

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

08/30/2005 08:52:29 PM · #4

Originally posted by Ampao64:

Really? You think that would work? What would happen if we told FedEx we dont want to receive the package?

They will have to take it back. Kinda like a return to sender thing. I would call your Credit card company and explain the situation to them. Ask them if you should refuse it. This is all assuming you used your credit or debit card.

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

08/30/2005 08:56:41 PM · #5

It looks like you spent just a little over 100 bucks more then you should have. A company like that will badger you and drive you nuts, and you may never see that 100 bucks back from all kinds of restocking and bull crap fees.

If everything is good with the camera, I may just suck it up and always check the reliability of any on line place before placing an order.

Good luck.

Places like that are the scum of the universe.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/30/2005 11:09:48 PM · #6

Originally posted by Riggs:

Riggs, Yeah, restocking costs $200... and yes, i used my debit card.. i called the bank and they said that they can't refuse the charge because i gave them authorization to charge me, even though in my head, i thought it was only for $500somthing dollars.

Well, I hope the camera do get here... hehehe thanks for the feedback guys.. at least i have a little support group here. :) i'm thinking going all out on the company. Hire a lawyer (be my own, i could represent myself in court) and not just at a Small Claims court, i want to bring the whole company down. Expose them for the misleading ads they post. Probably ask one of the News networks to do a little undercover story. Hehehe, "Fraud Time Square tourist traps set up shop in cyberspace. Will you be the next tourist?" hehehhe

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

08/30/2005 11:16:20 PM · #7

I've always wondered if it might be worth it to scam them back. I've got a 20D, why not get another body dirt cheap. *ha ha*

No need battery, charger, etc. Already have got...

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

08/30/2005 11:18:52 PM · #8

Originally posted by theSaj:

I've always wondered if it might be worth it to scam them back. I've got a 20D, why not get another body dirt cheap. *ha ha*

No need battery, charger, etc. Already have got...

Thats their whole idea. AFTER they got you hook line and sinker, then they tell what their company is about. They provide bodies and lens stripped down to people who dont want the other parts.

The trick is, when you buy the body WITHOUT purchasing any Overpriced accessory, they'll tell you that the body (from china) is "Backordered" and will take 6-8 weeks. But they have the american kit is available now. (At twice the price).

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

08/31/2005 12:32:25 AM · #9

Here's what I do when I purchase anything online with a credit card. First, I don't give the company my actual credit card number. My CC company issues me a temporary number that is limited in the amount that can be charged and also limited in time, both set by me. This way, if an item I'm buying is $100 and shipping is $15, I set the amount to $115 for say one month. This way, I can not be overcharged and the company does not get the real number of my cc. Less chance of cc# theft too.

08/31/2005 07:36:35 AM · #10

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Thats a good idea! But I dont have a credit card. I used a debit card. Do you thin a bank does the same thing? And if I call customer care, what do i ask for?

btw, what credit card do you use?

photodude

08/31/2005 07:52:09 AM · #11

Paolo,

There are a few important lessons here.

1. Always check the stores ratings first.
2. Prices that are too good to be true always are. In fact, had you not agreed to purchase the overpriced battery and card you most likely would have never got the camera. It would have been eternally "out of stock".
3. None and I mean NONE of the internet camera shops in Brooklyn, NY are legitimate businesses. I wish I could find it but someone once posted a photo montage of the actual locations. They are boiler rooms.

Good luck in your fight with them