WARNING: fotoconnection.com

[unita_logica]

Originally Posted by The Merg

I wasn't implying that it was right for them to refund you less the restocking fee, only that it would be something a less reputable company would do.

Yep, I know what you meant And I wholly agree. I think they know what they are doing, and I don't find it hard to believe they have some success: someone will fight back, but hey, someone else won't... and they make a big profit with the latter.

[reelmon]

I cannot understand why the credit card companies still do business with proven cheats and liars like this!! I will cancel my credit card if they let these crooks re-post a charge and expect me to pay it. It is a simple contract of offer and exceptance. I did not get what I paid for and I refuse to pay additional return shipping plus a "restocking charge". I have insisted that FC send me a ups pick-up tag at their expense. Otherwise, I will continue to keep the charge on dispute. Discover keeps telling me to wait for their reply, and we all know what that will be. In other forums, I have read how these bums lie and say they told the customer something on the phone that wasnt said. Removed batteries, chargers, etc from package and tried to say it was there when shipped and then tried to charge customer extra for items that were supposed to be included. I think these b%*@#(ds would kidnap your grandmother for a few bucks!!

[monsieurms]

I posted recently about them trying to "buy" a favorable review here from me and was referred to this fascinating thread.

I had the impression in speaking to them that they are quite aware their reputation is badly damaged and they seem to want to do something about it---but what they don't want to do is act as a normal business.

I bought a Fuji camera from them recently. They had the lowest advertised price, and tossed in some extras as well. Shipping costs were reasonable.

After placing the order, I had some doubts---always a day late, right?--and found this site.

The pattern went like this:

--first I get an email asking that I "confirm" the order. The confirmation call was immediately turned into a sales call to get me to add accessories. (These were "real" accessories--unlike some of these stores that start trying to sell you things that actually are supposed to come with the camera from the manufacturer.) When I declined, there was a curt response and hangup.

I called back to speak to someone in authority, because at that point I was concerned about whether I was actually going to get th eorder. The rather amusing confirmation indicated that the purpose of the email asking to "confirm" the internet order was to prevent fraud---and then he said, "...and to sell other items." I said, "basically, it's to sell other items," and suprisingly he pretty much agreed, saying that the salespeople worked on commission.

This hard sell tactic was quite annoying, but having been trapped by some of these NYC "discount" places before, I would have to admit that some of the even worse tactics were not used---i.e, it was not gray market, it came with everything the manufacturer supplied, there was no attempt to hold the order hostage if you didn't buy extras---although my aggressive attitude in the phone call might've had something to do with that, too. Plus, their price was excellent, and there was a nice freebie package to boot. So, I had a sort of lukewarm attitude--they delivered, although there were hoops to jump through. But then they tried to offer me $10 (waiver of shipping charges) if I posted a favorable review here.

All in all, I could've spent another few bucks at Amazon or the like and avoided this hassle and annoyance. These people don't leave you with a good feeling.

[Jack Chen]

I placed an order for Sony HDTV on 8/22/07 and received an email next day saying to call back to confirm the order. I called, the guy asked me to buy the shipping insurance. I asked why. He said if the TV was damaged during shipping I can get a full refund. Also he is pushy trying to sell me some other stuff. The total price is $946. It's not too expensive so I take it. When I called to ask when I can receive the TV I just got "wait to be served" for about 20 minutes. Finally I was getting connected and was told the TV will arrive in 2 days. Also he said he made a mistake on price. Instead of $946, it will be $1046.97. So I told him to cancel my order but he said the TV has been shipped out. He threatened to see me at court if I don't pay. At that point, I understand I am a victim of so called scam. $100 is not big deal I told myself to cheer up.
Three days later the TV arrived at about 6:00 pm western time. The box was old and broken. The UPS guy checked the TV and found it was damaged. So he took it back into his truck.
I called fotoconnection next day. The lady was very rude and said I shouldn't refuse to accept the TV. I should've called the company first. So they can do nothing about it. At that moment I realized this is not a $100 deal only. After that I called them many many time. I can hardly get through. I was told they are investigating if the TV is really damaged. If so they will file a claim to the UPS company. Then they will discuss what to do on Friday's meeting. After 5 Fridays passed, I called my credit card company ...

[monsieurms]

Originally Posted by Jack Chen

So I told him to cancel my order but he said the TV has been shipped out. He threatened to see me at court if I don't pay. ...

Assuming things are as you reported, I don't really think they have a leg to stand on.

You should threaten to see THEM in Court.

[reelmon]

Chen, The credit card company should step in to help you if you paid for something and did not get it. I still cant understand why CC cos. still do business with these crooks. I'll bet that TV was worn out being shipped to so many poor b%*&#rds that returned it and were charged a few hundred dollars "restocking charge". That is their most profitable part of the scam. They are going to f&#k some wacko redneck one day and he is gonna show up with a baseball bat!! They know the NY justice system has bigger fish to fry and looks away from them. Fotoconnection will lie. Make sure you have everything well documented. The only time you will be able to talk to them on the phone is if they think they can up-sell you something you most likely dont need in the first place. They first told me the camera I bought did not come with a battery, and I had to buy one for $79. When I told him that was not true, he changed his story to "the dinky little battery that comes with the camera only lasts 10 minutes, just enough to make sure the unit works". These guys will lie about anything.

[Jack Chen]

I saw online the fotoconnection gave me credit of $600.95 and $101.98 on 10/9/07 in my new credit card statement. So I got a total of $702.93 back. They charged me $1046.97. Is the nightmare worth $344.04?
Thank you guys for your info. I wish I would have read earlier.

[reelmon]

That is a damn good profit for those crooks. That is the reason they do this. Do the world a favor and dont let them get away with it. Take it to your credit card company. Tell them you are going to pay the bill short by $344.04 and have them bill back FC. Which credit card company did you use? Make that part of this forum to put a little more pressure on them to help you. Dont quit!! You have support here.

[abderian]

hello all,
I am in the process of getting it in the keester, just like many of you. I also read the reviews too late. Thanks to the previous poster for posting the information to the NY attorney general, ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW M. CUOMO: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/online_fo...aint_alert.jsp
There are also people putting up webpages on this company.

I will update my post pending more information, as my "order" is being shipped back to fotoconnection.com.

[Joe Mahma]

I am battling with these idiots now since they charged my CC for an order I canceled 20 minutes after it was made. My fault for not researching this crooked outfit, BUT I asked them repeatedly ALL DAY in emails to cancel my order which they replied to repeatedly (asking me to call, yeah right.)

At the end of the day, they went ahead and charged my card anyway against my well known wishes. Now I have to wait until the charge posts to my account and file a dispute with my CC company and wait 90 DAYS for them to investigate.

When I saw that they went and charged my account, I HAD TO call them and the guy says "Why did you make the order?" I told him I canceled the order and he said "We're an online company, we ship merchandise right away."

LIE

I got 10 emails from them throughout the day asking me to call them to which I replied in emails that I wanted the order canceled. They only charged my account at the end of the day AFTER it was apparent that I was not going to call them.

AVOID