Here's the story...
September 8th
- I searched the internet for a Canon 40D.
- I found a website by the alias "www.thecameraprofessionals.com"
- I found a great bargain kit! Canon 40D, two lenses, 4GB Memory card, tripod, camera case, etc.
- I placed my order for $1,060.00 to have it shipped next day air.
- I promptly received an email...
Dear Zachary Stamey,
Thank you for contacting TheCameraProfessionals.com.
To estimate when your order will be delivered please take into account, for security purposes and as a protection to our customers, all online orders are subject to credit card authorization and verification with the credit cardholder and issuing bank prior to processing.
Your order is currently pending approval. Please call us at 800-496-0227 within the next 48 business hours to verify your billing information. Office hours are Monday thru Thursday 10am - 7pm, Friday 10am - 3:00pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm. All times are EST. Please have the credit card used to place this order available.
If we do not receive a reply within the specified time frame, your order will be delayed.
Thank you for your attention. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
If we may be of further assistance, please call us at 800-496-0227 or email us at info@thecameraprofessionals.com.
Sincerely,
TheCameraProfessionals.com
- I called the 800 number and finally got to speak with someone after waiting 15 minutes
- The person on the phone looked up my order and said that it did not come with a battery and asked if I would like to purchase a battery now.
- I found it odd that the brand new camera did not come with a battery but declined to purchase this as I could find one cheaper somewhere else.
- The person then asked if I wanted any kind of waranty and when I said no, they said "Ok your camera will ship in 5-6 weeks. Have a nice day" and then he hung up.
- ...
- I called back and waited another 10 minutes or so and finally got to speak with another customer service rep.
- I told them that I ordered the overnight shipping (an extra $50 cost) and the guy told me it would be 5-6 weeks.
- She looked up my order and said that it was out of stock (even though the website says "in stock") and that it would take 5-6 weeks to order it.
- I asked her to remove the $50 overnight shipping cost, (I dont think they were going to remove it unless I had asked) and confirmed the new price of $969.00
- The customer service rep told me that the money would be charged to my card once it ships.
September 29th
- 3 weeks later, I decide to call them back. I just wanted to check on the status of the order.
- The rep on the phone told me that they showed that they'd receive the camera on October 10th and ship it out to me to have by the 15th. She also told me to call back on the 10th to verify that they'd shipped it.
October 10th
- I called them to confirm that they had shipped my camera only to find that they had not even received it yet.
- They claimed that there was some kind of mess up at the Canon warehouse and they wouldn't receive it until October 15th and that I wouldnt receive it until October 20th.
October 15th
- I called today to confirm that my camera was shipped... no answer.
- Hmm...
- Called again later. The recording says "Thank you for calling TheCameraProfessionals.com. We are currently closed but you can access our website 24 hours a day at www.thecameraprofessionals.com. Thank you."
- That's it... No reason of why they are closed. No other number to call for support or questions.
- I went to the Better Business Bureau to check them out.
- Oh Shit...
- The below information is copied straight from the BBB's website:
"This business has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB"
"Consumers have informed the BBB that TheCameraProfessionals.com is employing bait and switch tactics in order to sell extra and/or higher priced merchandise to customers. Consumers report that after they place an order on-line they are instructed to call the company to confirm their order over the phone and that while confirming the firm tries to intimidate the consumer into "upgrading". Consumers are told that “in stock” items are not in stock when they refuse to purchase the extra products."
Additional Business Names:Best Digital Online
HD Camera World
HDCameraWorld
Pay Less Digital
The Camera Pros
UB Digital
Additional Web Sites:
www.bestdigitalonline.com
www.thecamerapros.com
Additional Numbers:
(800) 496-0227
(800) 577-6791
(718) 431-0610(718) 265-9777
"In October, 2007, the BBB sent correspondence to this firm regarding its advertising practices. The firm did not respond."This firm also does business at the following locations.
212 Highlawn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11201-11224718 18th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 112041006 Avenue P
Brooklyn, NY 112231151 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn , NY 11230Copyright © 2008 BBB of Metropolitan New York, Inc.
- I googled HD Camera World and the first result I find is "HD Camera World: Scam on CNET"
- Great...
- "Misleading answers about shipping dates and availability of product"
- "I called them and they tried to push me into buying an extra battery for either $39 or $79."
- "WARNING!!! DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY, IT IS A SCAM OF THE HIGHEST ORDER AND IF THERE ARE ANY ATTORNEYS LOOKING FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUITE, YOU GOT ONE HERE."
- "You place your order and get an email saying "Call to Confirm", which you do and find yourself being hasseled by Professional Husselers" who want to sell you a AA Battery for $30 each."
- "DO NOT BUY FROM THESE CHEATS THE OWNERS ARE COMPLETE SCAM ARTISTS."
- "I looked up this address on google maps, street view and I cannot find a business building with this companys name on it."
- "When I ask for a cancellation email he said cancelled and hung up on me. I tried calling back but they had already blocked my phone #."
- "The manager (who I waited half an hour to speak to) on the phone was an asshole, and when I told him the company had lots of negative reviews on the internet, he claimed that it was because no one reported the good things, just the bad ones."
I have been caught up in a fucking Scam. Those assholes. I had to call my bank today and have them cancel my card, and send me a new one. I cannot believe that I fell for such a shitty scam.
At least I cut off access to my card before they were able to hit it. Because I couldn't exactly call to cancel my order with them being conveniently closed today...
BEWARE
Always check any and all websites that you are going to make a purchase from, with the BBB.
www.TheCameraProfessionals.com will scam you out of your money.
Always check any and all websites that you are going to make a purchase from, with the BBB.
