Fight Back! Express Cameras = Crooks

[suprgrltx]

WOW!!! I am so excited to hear that someone is actually doing something about this, although I wish they would be shut down. In November I turned them into Amex when I received my camera, and the receipt showed me being charged twice what I was told I would be charged. I guess Amex took it seriously, and I was obviously not the first, or the last. These things take time, and hopefully everyone who actually lost money, even if it was the refund, I would contact the NJ Atty Gerneral's Office. I'm sure all of your accounts will be needed for the case. I know that when I had the encounter with the "person" on the other end of the phone, I was so taken aback that I had to pinch myself because I couldn't believe someone in customer service was speaking to me is that manner. It sounds like everyone else experienced the same thing, and that should be known in court, especially if you live in or near NJ.

[dangi]

Thanks to those who've posted. You saved me from making a purchase today. I find it odd that several sites, including this one and epinions, have such negative remarks yet these guys are still able to openly advertize. I had some success a few years back getting a similar situation resolved by the USPS but that company was using mail in addition to the web. I wonder if many are sending info. to the Feds.? The FTC should have some jurisdiction here. I suggest complaints via the FTC link (as appropriate), especially when trade crossed state lines:

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

If the link doesn't work (sometimes they change), just find on FTC site (www.ftv.gov) under Consumer Protection/file complaint.

Also, I wonder who runs the site ShopCartUSA.com? That's where I originally found ExpressCamera and they give raves. Makes ya wonder.

[dangi]

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Gikr

[sundown]

Shopcart usa is very suspect. I tried to put a negative review for express cameras and it never showed up and its been well over a week. Not one negative review out of 616 reviews seems very fishy.

[acepho99]

Some of these shopping comparison sites are far from independent or objective. None of them are as rigorous as ResellerRatings.

The story of ShopcartUSA is here: http://sheddingsomelight.com/buy-cam...taleoftwo.html

[sunrsky]

I ordered a Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens for $349. They made me call to reconfirm the order and tried to sell me a Sigma lens instead. I declined and confirmed my order yesterday May 31, 2007. The next day I received the follow email from Expresscameras.com
1090 King George Post Rd Edison, NJ 08837 Tel: 800-772-0136
Apparently I am not the first to experience this problem with Expresscameras.com Please see this link from the Attorney General’s office of New Jersey, Pricegrabber.com and resellerratings.com
http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases06/pr20061130a.html
http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_g....php/retid=250
http://www.resellerratings.com/forum...=103621&page=7 (Fight Back! Express Cameras = Crooks)

From : <info@expresscameras.com>
Sent : Friday, June 1, 2007 1:57 PM
To : <sunrsky@hotmail.com>
Subject : ExpressCameras.com Order Update - Order#130500




Dear Alan Richter,

Unfortunately we are currently oversold on the item you have ordered, and it is currently on a backorder for 6-8 weeks. Therefore,
your order has been canceled. Please note, your credit card has not been charged.

Your cancellation number is:130500

The email address that you provided to us has been added to our "Notify List" and we will notify you as soon as the product becomes
available.

How Does Our "Notify List" Work?
Once the product you ordered comes back in stock, we will email you to notify you that your item is back in stock. If you which to
re-place your order you may do so by clicking on the link which will be in the email.

Please accept our personal and sincere apology for any inconvenience you experienced with this order.

We know that you have many options for your camera/photo needs. We appreciate that you selected ExpressCameras.com, which prides
itself on superior products and services, and we are sorry that we were not able to meet your needs in this instance.
If there is any additional assistance we can provide, please feel free to email us.

Sincerely,
Shipping Department.

[magicqb]

I have been researching a Nikon and found a great price on the website(express cameras). I hated not saving money, but I was worried that it was too good to be true when pricing the Nikon D80 so, I kept looking. I found this site and thanks to all of your posts, I didn't "bite".
I hope someone shuts them down soon.

[supergrine]

Another WOW! I am soooo excited to hear that the Atty General of NJ is finally doing something about these guys. It took a couple years, but FINALLY!

[youcantwin]

I wish I would have found this site before I purchased from expresscameras.com. I have been researching and comparing prices for a Nikon d50 for a little over a month. I used a Nikon d50 a couple of times and fell in love with it. I researched the pros and cons of it and it was what I really, really wanted. So, I saved my money for it and I found express cameras and it had the cheapest price for all that you (supposedly) got. I saw all of the buttons on their page advertizing their great customer service and how outstanding they are. If I was thinking about it at the time I probably should have actually clicked on the links. I didn’t however, because I was excited that I found the camera for a price I could afford and hopefully would be able to use it on my upcoming trip to San Diego. This past Tuesday I ordered it online, with the summer package and ordered two day shipping so it would arrive on Friday before I left on Saturday. I ordered it at night confirmed my order with a price of $649.00 and went to bed.

The next day, I receive a call from express cameras to confirm my order. I got put on the phone with a Kevin (although he didn’t tell me his name until I was on the phone with him for the third time, but we’ll get to that). I asked Kevin the total price of my order to make sure I was getting that price and he completely ignored me and started talking about “upgrades”. He said he was upgrading me with all these new accessories. He even said he’d throw in this brand new lense that just came out, although I researched it and it doesn’t even exist. I didn’t get to say anything for a few minutes while he told me about all of these upgrades. He told me I could thank him and then he put me on hold. He came back on saying that the eleven hundred was all set. I was like “Wait, eleven hundred what is that?” He said oh that’s the price with all of the upgrades. I was shocked. I didn’t want half of the crap he threw on my order. He didn’t even let me speak. I told him six or seven times that there was only $650 in my account so the charges he made were going to bounce, and cause me fees. He acted like he didn’t even hear me. I told him he needs to change the charge. So I told him that he was going to need to cancel my order and go back to the original price of $649 with shipping. He told me that I couldn’t do that because I needed the five hour battery which the package didn’t include. Usually, I assume, or correct me if I am wrong but cameras come with batteries, it’s like necessary to operate them. He then said well I just upgraded your account so you have a Nikon d40x instead of a d50. I was like wait no, I don’t want that. He told me I would look cooler carrying around a d40 rather than a d50. I am not joking. I was like dude, I don’t care how cool I will look, I care about what I want and the pictures I want to take, not what other people think. So I said well how much will the d50 be with the battery he said $899 and it included the memory card. I answered the call at work, so I was on the phone with him for like 20 minutes already and I was really sick of arguing so I said does that include my shipping and tax and everything? He said yeah I am sure. So I said fine credit my account back. He said they would do it and I would have it on my door step on Friday. I called my mom and borrowed $250.00 from her to cover this unexpected charge.

I checked my checking account online later that night a charge of $1019.99 was on my account. I thought they just forgot to credit my account back so I figured I would call them in the morning.

Next day, I received an email cancelling my order that was exactly the same as I have seen a few people post on here. I called their office back and was put on hold for twenty more minutes. I finally got to speak to someone, the same guy I had spoken to earlier, and I said “Look, you just cancelled my order this morning after you verbally promised I would have my camera on my door by Friday after I put up with all your bs, and ignorant upselling, The email said I wouldnt be charged but the charge still remained on my account. I told Kevin this and he said the $1019.00 was the price after he credited me back from $1400.00. (He still never told me his name at this point) I was like WTF? (excuse my bad internet lingo, it is necessary because I really did scream that on the phone). I was like we never discussed anything in that price range. He said we did. I said please cancel my order, credit my account all fees back. He said they already did and he hung up.

Next day, Thursday, I checked my bank account when I got to work. My account is withdrawn but the charge from them is still pending. I emailed them and told them about how unhappy I was with the service and I want my account credited back immediately. They asked my order number and I sent it. They sent me an email back with a question mark. I explained and never received anything back. I was pissed so I called and got put on the phone with Kevin.(After being put on hold 4 times) I explained the charge and he said they have it on their records that it was cancelled. I said no, I am looking at my bank account as it stands RIGHT NOW and it says there is still a charge. He said “Well then I don’t know what to tell you. Call your bank” I said okay what’s your name and fax number. He gave it and I said if I call my bank and if they say the charge is legit I’m faxing you a printed bank account statement.

Called my bank. They said they have no record of it being cancelled. They told me to file a claim, which I did. The bank said they can restore my money in five days and go after them if the charge is not taken off. (Although I have had a couple of problems with Wells Fargo, I had a fraudulent charge on my account and they dealt with it right away and got my money back to me fast. So, I trust them and the lady I spoke to was really nice about it).

By Saturday I was still waiting for my money. It took them until Tuesday of the following week to finally credit my account back after I threatned them with a my account statement and a claim.

In all, I have spent so much time on this and I’m mad about this company that I trusted. So I went to San Diego with no camera and no money and a frozen bank account until the money was put back.
Beware of this company and Kevin.

In response to couple of things I saw posted here.
“4) Regarding upselling, we certainly do upsell, and there is nothing improper about that. Nearly every company, from our largest competitor (B&H) to your credit card company, to your local clothing store, attempts to upsell customers. If someone chooses not to take what is being offered, that is fine, but there is nothing inherently wrong with the offering of additonal products.”

--I have worked in clothing and retail and understand that upselling is part of the job. Giving people stuff they don’t ask for and talking over them is not upselling, its just rude.
And if you’re going to upsell me, please talk about real products. I searched for the lense he was upgrading me to on the phone and it doesn’t exist.
In addition, notice on their tutorial page that you cannot leave feedback. If you read the feedbacks it sounds like the same person wrote them. It took three phone calls to receive the guys name I talked to, you’re telling me most of these people remembered exactly who they confirmed their order with on the phone? Give me a break.
And their competitors are on here writing all of these bad reviews? Who would even do that? It’s not competition when it’s a scam and you don’t get what you ordered. Also, tell me what company has time to make up false reviews on a website?

If you want to make sure I'm legit, email me, I will gladly respond.

[Peter Cornstalk]

tl;dr