Fight Back! Express Cameras = Crooks

[Pyrlik]

I had the same experience as obviously everybody here in this thread: They talked me into byuing something (a Nikon D300 package in my case) that in the end cost some 40% more than what the sum of the individual parts is worth. After endless hours on the phone with waiting and yelling, I sent everything back, had two witnesses watching me packing the parcel, and had the credit card company cancel the transaction, but thats only possible if you keep all the documentation they need for cancelling. I dont know how this fine company can stay in business; are there so many poor guys who do not realize the scam?

[k2thedogg]

I'm glad there are forums like this on the internet (thanks resellerratings.com).
I got suckered in to the expresscamera.com scheme, too. I ordered the camera last night, and a guy from the company called today trying to upsell! He told me that the camera I ordered (Nikon D40X) for $449.99 didn't come with a battery, and it didn't come with a lens mount!!! If I wanted the battery, a charger, and the lens mount he would "throw it in" for an additional $149.99!!! WOW! That adds up real quick. So now my total for the camera was almost $600. Best Buy sells all that for around $700. I was a little frustrated with him so my voice got a little edgy, BUT not very hostile at all. He then proceeds to tell me that "if I didn't calm down, he was going to hang up on my face"! (Whatever that means.) I told him I wanted to cancel the order so he told me that he would charge the cancellation fee, $53.00! I told him nevermind go ahead with the order. Then, I called my credit card company. I told them I wanted them to negate the charges from expresscamera.com. They told me that they had already declined the purchases 2X. THANK GOD! They said that cameraexpress.com tried to run the card for $634.99 (don't know how they got that total), and then when the credit card was declined, cameraexpress.com tried to run the credit card for $500.00. I'm just glad my credit card company knows a scam when I don't. Support your local camera store! Spend a little more money, but get satisfaction.

[supergrine]

I can't believe these people are still in business after all these years. I posted this four years ago - and A) people still keep falling for this company's "bargains," and B) no official investigation has taken place - as far as I can tell. What gives? These guys at Express Cameras are horrible.

[youcantwin]

It says on expresscameras website that they are no longer accepting new orders. Don't know if that's true or something has finally been done to stop them.

Hopefully they get what is coming to them. Just wanted to let everyone know.

[supergrine]

According to Better Business Bureau:

Express Cameras

Website: expresscameras.com
Address: 1090 King Georges Post Rd., Suite 307, Edison NJ 08837 [not on website]
Phones: 800-771-0136

Domain: registrant: (since 2004) anonymous
(as of 2003) Save Here Distribution, 5 Valley Forge Road, Edison [should be Eatontown] NJ 07724
732-229-6086; admin. contact: abraham73@aol.com
(original) 3/1/00, Express Photo, 259 Avenue U, Brooklyn NY 11223

NJS: associated name of Save Here Distribution, Inc.

BBB: Jack Silver, manager
800-845-3705, 800-834-9911

Legal Note

In November, 2006, The State of New Jersey filed suit against the corporate parent of this group of dealers for "allegedly violating the state’s Consumer Fraud Act and Advertising Regulations..."

As noted in this press release, the suit "alleges that Save Here Distribution used bait and switch tactics, failed to deliver merchandise and misled consumers in the advertising and pricing of items."

Special Note: according to customer reports on ResellerRatings, American Express has cancelled this
group's account as of February, 2007, due to the number of complaints.

[Lara RR]

Thanks for the update, supergrine. Here's another outtake from the Better Business Bureau on Express Cameras:

Additional DBA Names
expresscamera.com
luckydigital8.com
clearviewcamera.com
hopecamera.com
trustedcamera.com

[...]

Advertising Review

On 09/28/04, the BBB challenged an ad on the company's web site identifying the business as a 5 Star Merchant. The company never substantiated the claim or responded to the BBB.

On 10/6/04, the BBB contacted the company regarding the layout and illustrations on its web site. The BBB asked the company to modify the site to accurately reflect the cost of merchandise and accessories sold separately, but the company did not respond to the BBB's request for revisions.

On 10/27/05, the BBB contacted the company regarding its advertisement of the Canon EOS 20D continental package. The web site says this package includes the following: a 1GB CompactFlash Card, a lithium type battery and a full US warranty. Upon calling the company to confirm her order, a customer was informed the lithium battery is "one time use," that the flash card "doesn't work very well in the camera" and that the warranty is only 3 months.

[...]

NEWARK, NJ. Nov. 30, 2006.
The Attorney General's Office and Division of Consumer Affairs have filed suit against an Edison-based electronics company for allegedly violating the state's Consumer Fraud Act and Advertising Regulations in its advertisement and sale of cameras and other electronic equipment.

The lawsuit, filed in Middlesex County Superior Court, alleges that Save Here Distribution, Inc., engaged in unconscionable commercial practices and made false promises and misrepresentations to consumers.

The company sells items through various web sites and toll-free telephone numbers. Sale items include cameras, televisions, VCRs and gaming consoles, among other things.

The state's complaint alleges that Save Here Distribution used bait and switch tactics, failed to deliver merchandise and misled consumers in the advertising and pricing of items. The specific allegations include:

Failing to sell merchandise at the price advertised on the company's web site;

Charging or attempting to separately charge for accessories or equipment that the Original Equipment Manufacturer included with the merchandise (for example, camera batteries and/or battery chargers);

Charging consumers inflated shipping and handling fees;

Failing to provide any price reduction for merchandise which appears to be on sale or reduced;

Failing to inform consumers at the time of purchase that some or all of the merchandise is out of stock; and

Refusing to permit consumers to cancel an order or merchandise upgrade prior to shipment.

The company allegedly used terms like Price Drop, List Price and/or Our Price on its web sites without providing any price reductions for the advertised merchandise.

Save Here Distribution has advertised and/or sold merchandise through the following web sites: expresscameras.com, geniuscameras.com, trustedcamera.com, trustedphoto.com, luckydigital8.com, clearviewcamera.com, bluestripephoto.com and hopecamera.com.

The state is seeking restitution for affected consumers, maximum civil penalties which currently provide for up to $10,000 for the initial violation of the Consumer Fraud Act and up to $20,000 for each subsequent violation, and reimbursement of the state's investigative costs and legal fees.

Deputy Attorney General Geoffrey R. Gersten is representing the state in this matter.

[supergrine]

I hope those guys from expresscameras.com got in big trouble. But then again, they probably just started another bait and switch venture.

[AquaBot]

Well you can count me in with the crowd who got ripped off by Express Camera. I cannot believe I fell for that, I just got excited about buying my first real camera and went ahead and made the order before I searched around for sites like this. Got me for about $2700. My camera needed a repair (after only around 30 minutes of use) and I sent it in. My heart just sank on the phone when they told me RepairTech and Express Camera no longer existed and I was out of luck. Hopefully I can call up my credit card company and dispute the charge.

I wish I knew about the results of the lawsuits. I didn't read the whole thread but everyone has horror stories.

I suppose you live and you learn.