[firewalker2]

My story reads pretty much the same but possibly not as bad. I ordered a Canon EOS digital 350D XT, I wanted the package with the lens so I placed an order for $419. I got the email everyone gets, you know, call us so that we can confirm your order. I call them, the rude salesman tries upselling me everything, stating that he will send it all out for $570 and I said "no, I don't want that, I want what I ordered, he stated that it was not in english, that it would be a Japanese version. Obviously, my japanese is a little rusty so I said, that won't work, I said that online it said nothing of the sort. He then moved on, stating that I could get the English version, without a lens (body only) for $399. I said this is a new, not a refurbished unit right? He stated, it is new, US version, free shipping. He tried the battery story, you know, you need a battery etc. I told him I didn't as I already had purchased 2 other batteries. He told me I wasted money by going with someone else for the batteries, I laughed. He restated the order, hung up and that was that. I did get the camera rather quickly, 3 days shipping. I was nervous as I opened the box....
What I got was suprisingly what I ordered! However, it came in a white Canon box (not original) and did not come with a warranty card, although I did not purchase a warranty. Evidently I got a gray market camera. It is new, it is just sold from Japan, to a reseller that does not have a license agreement with Canon to sell their cameras. Same camera, basically without the support. So no one year warranty, no warranty at all. The camera works as new, everything was included, the battery (canon) charger (canon) all the books and CDs etc. The memory card I ordered from another company thru amazon.com, guess what, it was the SAME company but under a different name. It was called Photo something, this company has many alias names. The memory card (2gb) was priced well, received quickly but again, this time no packaging at all, simply in a small plastic case that all of these cards comes in. Could be used? Refurbed? Who knows, it works currently so I am not too worried about it. Bottom line, would I buy from these guys again, HELL NO....I ended up getting a decent deal, $399 for the body is still a great deal but again, no support, if it breaks, I will have to find a third party repair shop and it will be my own dime. The upside is, I really have never used a warranty in my life, even my other Canon cameras, I found I never even sent in the warranty card. So with fingers crossed, I consider myself fortunate. Online the camera body only is listed for $319. I ended up paying $80 more for the "american" version, whatever that is...I believe that the language menus for these cameras can be switched to Spanish, English and Japanese. I wanted to share my story because most of these threads never talk about what they received. I am happy with the camera and price, I will never shop unprepared again, oh, and lastly, I cancelled my credit card, called it in as lost and reordered another with a new number. I do not trust these people with having my credit card #. I may be a bit paranoid but I feel better that they do not have a working card number now. Sorry for the long post, I hope that it helps some make a decision. You can get a good deal here, you can get it rather quickly, many places sell gray market cameras as new, it would have been nice to have an honest person telling me this all up front but I suppose these people make a ton of money with their bait and switch routine. They are very good at it. My final advice, and what I will do from now on, spend a little bit more $ and have peace of mind.