Fight Back! Express Cameras = Crooks

[evadnikufesin]

I don't think I said anything they did was "shady". And actually I got a better extended warranty than I had paid for. I paid for a 3 year and they sent me a 5 year warranty.

Like I said.. I'll probably end up going back to them.

Oh and I got a tracking number from them no problem, too...

[Jud]

I only meant that until I receive my purchase, I feel like you did in your first post. That is, a little aprehensive until something really bad happens.

Like you said in your first post.

I'll let you know what happens.... If all goes well, I'll probably order another camera from them....

Like I said in my first post:

Hopefully it will turn out like the guy before me and I get what I paid for.

I do have to say, I just got off the phone with them again today and I finally got my tracking number. It should be delivered today.

I did not say you specifically had the problems, just that I experienced some of the same problems that others had. Sorry if I changed your post's meaning.


Jud

[evadnikufesin]

Well, lemme know what you ordered and if everything turned out OK... I'd like to know...

[Martin_Man]

Hi guys,

I ordered a Sony PDX10 camcorder from these guys just yesterday to film skateboarding videos with. Needless to say I worked my ass off for the camera, as one might expect for a kid my age. Anyways I called them up to "confirm the order" and they tried to sell me a new battery for the camcorder telling me the Sony one only lasted 20 minutes. I tied to hold in the laughter but I couldn't help it. They must think people are pretty stupid. I of course skipped all of the over-priced extras and asked for the camera only. Then the guy says I'll get the camera in a couple weeks and hangs up. Now I live in New York City, and they are supposedly in NJ, so I called him back all pissed off, and asked him if he meant a couple of days. He said that the camera is actually shipped from *Seattle* and that it takes a week to process my order. Hmm I wonder if all that is bullsh*t or not?

So their customer dis-service along with their impossibly low prices got me thinking maybe EC isn't all that great? I Googled their website and found all sorts of wonderful complaints. Now I'm thinking that I'm really f*cked. The guy ("Scott") who I talked to said he'd get me a USPS tracking number in a week when my order was processed and shipped from Seattle. If that doesn't happen I'm canceling this order.

All this or I could have just taken the subway down to B and H and had the camera in a few minutes for only a bit more money.

&$#@!!!

Good luck to the rest of you guys who have ordered from these people.

[Jud]

Go ahead and get it from B&H, there is no need in today's economy to wait that long for your camera. But be prepared to work for that cancellation.

Jud

[evadnikufesin]

I'd have to call BS on that one too... Express Cameras has no business behaving that way. All their stuff ships from New Jersey. Not Seattle.

Now, if they don't have it *in stock* and their *supplier* is in Seattle.. That would explain the two week delay...

[Hidalgo2]

When I cancelled my order with them, they told me I had to pay a fee - which they say was a fee associated with the cancellation of the credit card transaction. This fee was quoted at 3.5% of the total of the order. When I called another sales rep he quoted 3% fee. It is obvious the "fee" is arbitrary. They won't credit your credit card unless they get the fee. And, if you don't send the fee, they threaten to send a collection agency to force you to pay the fee. That's especially if you file a dispute with your credit card company.

If you don't receive or accept the shipment in the time promised or if you don't receive the shipment - because you aren't home to receive it - then your credit card company will issue a credit after the dispute is resolved. But, it takes a while. As a safeguard, perhaps it would prevent shipment of the item if you change your credit card's billing address (call your cc company or go online) before they ship the item. If when they ship the item they do not see that the billing address and the shipping address match (and they are supposed to, in order to avoid credit card fraud), they cannot ship the item. When they call to try to get you to tell them the new address, then don't give it to them. Tell them you want to cancel the order. If they say they can't, then the balls in their court. They can't ship if they cannot verify the billing address and shipping address match. If they cannot ship, then you can dispute the charge. It says on their website that they bill when the order is "ready to ship." If they cannot verify addresses, then I'd say the order isn't "ready to ship." So, if they charge your credit card before it's "ready to ship" then they are going against their own policy, and your credit card dispute is going to side with you. And if they do ship to the original address you gave them, just don't accept the package. Let it be sent back to them. They play tricks, why can't the customer? Just don't commit credit card fraud. That's something you gotta avoid at all costs. Another thing to avoid at all costs is ordering from Express Cameras in the first place.

[evadnikufesin]

Originally posted by Hidalgo2
When I cancelled my order with them, they told me I had to pay a fee - which they say was a fee associated with the cancellation of the credit card transaction. This fee was quoted at 3.5% of the total of the order. When I called another sales rep he quoted 3% fee. It is obvious the "fee" is arbitrary. They won't credit your credit card unless they get the fee. And, if you don't send the fee, they threaten to send a collection agency to force you to pay the fee. That's especially if you file a dispute with your credit card company.

I've never heard of such a thing.. and I think it's *illegal* to charge that unless they let you know about it at the beginning of placing the order. Even then I think that's illegal...

[Jud]

Well I got my canon Eos10d and I couldn't be happier. I think I got everything in my order right. They even shipped it next day when I asked for the three day shipping (no extra cost). Right now I am considering myself lucky in my purchase. I am not sure if I will buy anything from them in the future. I don't like that high-pressure sales stuff.

Jud

[expresstest]

I placed an order for a camera lens last night. Got the call to verify email and thought o crap. Then I found this. After weighing it heavily, I decided to be a test subject here. Lens I ordered was a Canon EF 75-300mm telephoto for a Canon 300d. Featured directly on their site here: http://www.expresscameras.com/cart/p...d=8930&start=1

Upon calling, I was informed by Shawn there were two bases, an acrylic and steel base for the lens. I opted for the acrylic, which is what is featured in that ad. No upsell. Then was attempted to be sold the UV filter. Because thi is a 58mm lens, my other filters will already fit. I declined, and was told no problem. "Any questions about the lens?" I said no, and inquired when it would ship. "Within 24-48 hours." I live on Long Island, and have purchased things as far away as Maryland that have arrived within one day via UPS. Today is a Wednesday, just after 1 o'clock. Assuming it doesn't ship today then it should ship Thursday and be here Friday. I will wait until Monday before calling if I don't have a lens.

I will also post an update of the quality, including pictures. Primarily, I am concerned about the condition and the clarity of the lens and the optics.