Fight Back! Express Cameras = Crooks

[hotmonkeyac]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I mean, I'll probably open it up...but if it looks used in the least little bit, it's going back. Also, the 5 hour battery better last 5 hours or it's going back too! I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens. The way I look at is ....the camera is usually about $800 anyways...so if it makes it and it's new with warranty and everything, I might as well keep it.


***EDIT*** I received a tracking number today....it should be here next week.

[hotmonkeyac]

Ok, so it's been a week now and there's no update on my tracking info.

Here's the info from UPS.com

Type: Package
Status: In Transit - Rescheduled
Rescheduled Delivery: 12/07/2006
Shipped to: MESA, AZ, US
Shipped or Billed on: 11/30/2006
Service Type: GROUND
Weight: 8.50 Lbs




Package Progress
Location Date Local Time Description
EDISON,
NJ, US 11/30/2006 9:53 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN
US 11/30/2006 7:12 P.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED


Tracking results provided by UPS: 12/05/2006 11:37 A.M. EST (USA)

Does this mean that UPS actually has it? Does anyone know?

[Auxie]

I had almost the same experience after ordering a Nikon d200 and Nikon 18-200 VRII lens. Got talked into the Sigma 18-200. I was very specific about making sure it was the new Sigma with Optical Stabilization and was assured that it was. I called later to verify that it was OS because I couldn't find it on their website and was told that it was so new it hadn't made it on their website yet. The person I talked with assured me it was the OS lens.

Today it arrived and it is the two year old model that sells for $309 on other emerchants but is listed on express cameras at $1499. I spent an hour and twenty minutes getting the runaround on the phone before I got someone who told me to call back between 11 and 5 for customer service.

Stay away from Express Cameras.

[hotmonkeyac]

Ok, so here's the follow-up:

I got my Camera and its accessories yesterday. I paid a total of $950.00 and here's what I got:

Canon Digital Rebel XTi body ($700 in stores)
"$300 rapid charger" ($free in stores because it comes with the camera)
"$500 Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4 DG Lens" ($150 in stores at most)
Targus Tripod (Maybe $20 in stores at most)
512mb "High speed" Compact Flash memory card ($50-$70 in stores)
Carrying case ($20 in stores)
Lens cap string ($free with XTi I thought)
Cleaning kit/screen protectors (Maybe $5-$10)
20 in 1 USB memory card reader ($15 or so)

Everything was new, in box. So here's my conclusion:

I definietly don't like the way they do business. Their company is built on lies. HOWEVER, I did get all of my equipment (thank goodness) and I broke even on the price I'd pay at the store. I'd never recommend anyone to expresscameras.com or buy from them again, but I can't say they're total theives. Hope this helps!

[Pinatubo4u]

I have been suckered as well. They (Peter H) will not cancel my order as it has been "shipped" but cannot give me a tracking number or any other information. Constantly being put through to non-existent managers or customer service extensions that are closed. The worst service I have ever experienced anywhere and they performance is well described by all other forum postings. Please note that the New Jersey Attorney General has as online complaint form at: http://www.state.nj.us/oag/ca/comp.htm

and the Federal Trade Commission has one at:

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

[dclink]

Here is my "all too familiar" experience:

This is what I wrote to the New Jersey Attorney General's office.

On Sunday December 10 I found a "deal" for a Canon Digital Rebel XTi without the lens. I called to check the facts and was satisfied with the answers, that the camera came with a battery and charger, did not come with a memory disk but I would upgrade to the "kit" that had a memory card.
My wife and I placed the order via the web. On Monday morning (today) my wife received an email telling her to call to confirm her order with the security code on the back of the credit card. She told them the number and THEN was told the camera did not come with a battery. She said it clearly stated on the web page it came with both a battery and charger. He said the battery would only last for 20 minutes and she needed the 5 hour battery. We were also told the battery was a one time use. She said she would check with her husband and that she would call back. The salesman said OK. After I found this out I called to say I did not want the extra battery. I was hung up on, lied to and given the run-around. I told them I did not approve for the extra battery. He said I did. I said again that I did not. I said I want to cancel the order, they said it was already sent and hung up on me. There are many, many complaints about this company. Please do something!

[rs6er]

Last week I ordered a Nikon D80 with 18-135 lens from these guys. My order screwed up online so I called them. The person I spoke to said my order number was real but there was no information with it. I gave him my info and credit card. He asked me if I wanted anything else beside the camera/lens kit. I said "No." He told me he had a good deal on memory cards, but I told him I had seen better. That was it. No high pressure sale.

A few days later I discovered this forum. I had gotton no confirmation of my order by email, and they hadn't charged my credit card yet. I called them to cancel my order, but they were closed (Saturday,) so I sent them an email with my order number on it and told them to cancel. I tried calling on Sunday but they were still closed. I notified my credit card company in advance that I was canceling the order. Today I got an email back from Express saying:"We do show that your order has been cancelled. Sorry for any inconvenience."

It's wierd. but it looks like they cancelled the order before I did. Oh well-- looks like I was lucky. I ordered from Beach Camera who I have done business with before and who has low (not like Express) prices that are real.

[supergrine]

Nobody seems to be lucky here. But if you are happy, then that's monumental!

I just keep seeing comments on the main site here, and Express Cameras still has plenty of complaints. Seems all the complaints don't do a bit of good.

[shawnwmodel]

I hope many people who had such a negative experience being scammed are first time customers that are not familiar with this website... Because it is clear as day how bad some of these scam sites are and yet people continuously fall for their prices. Hey, you get what you pay for regardless how unfortunate it is.

[TPiazza]

Thank you everyone who contributed to this topic discussion!!! I ordinarily consider myself a wary shopper, but I got caught up in the idea that a Canon 30D on Clearance might actually be available for under $500. That sounds like a great clearance price, doesn't it? Gee, I better act fast, before they're all sold out.

Within minutes of completing my order I started waking up from "shopper's stupor" and wondering why they wanted my home phone number, my business phone number, and my cellular phone number. That led me to googling the name of the company and finding this thread.

I called my bank and cancelled my debit card before any charges went through. Then I wrote to info@expresscamera and requested that my order be cancelled. With the request I included the text of the ATTORNEY GENERAL's press release identifying them as violators of the consumer fraud act. I figured that would not only get their attention but send a clear signal that I wasn't going to be easily scammed into restoring my order. Twenty minutes later I received an email where they cancelled my order because the item was out of stock.

Not having a debit card for a week or two will be a bit of a hassle, but that is nothing compared to the hassle of dealing with crooked internet retailers. You guys rock! Let's keep a high profile on these fraudulent merchandisers!

T