I searched online for a good deal on a Canon Powershot S5. I found one at ontimedigital for $199. An amazing deal...so amazing I should have known better. I am about to go out of the country so I needed the camera fast. I placed my order on Friday and called them on Monday to verify that I would get it quickly. I paid for 2nd day air. They tried to upsell me and were incredibly rude. I sent a note to their customer service. On Tuesday, I still had no confirmation from them so I called back. After holding for 13 minutes, I was told my order was canceled. They said they didn't have the camera. I was furious. They didn't try to contact me to tell me that and the guy I talked to the day before certainly didn't mention that. So, I was back on the hunt for the camera. I found it at fotoconnection. It was a bit more but still cheaper than normal. I placed my order on Tuesday. The confirmation email told me to call them if it was a rush order. I was asking for it to be sent next day air because my timeline was shrinking. They would not let me have it sent to my office because that is not the billing address of my debit card. It was frustrating but understandable...I guess. A bit later I was on the web and found this site. I started to freak out thinking that I wouldn't get the camera or it would be substituted for a different model, etc. I called them back to verify the camera was in stock, that I would get the exact camera I ordered and that it would be sent next day air. Edmond assured me that it was and I would. At 10:00 on Tuesday night (the day I ordered the camera), I got an email saying it was shipped and on Wednesday it was delivered exactly as they stated. The only problem that I have is that the camera is supposed to have an SD card with it and it wasn't in the box. I'm not too concerned because I had already gotten some high quality cards and the one that is supposed to be included is just a small one. I've emailed to have them ship it to me so I guess I will see how they handle it but I have to say up to this point...it's been a pleasant experience. Perhaps they are getting better...
You know when I am going to do business with this kind of company? NEVER! Companies like these do not change or improve, simply because their business case is based on scams.
I really expected a little bit more from the government and law agencies on cases like these.
Avoid the lowest price listing unless it is from a reputable seller
See this thread for Broadway photo-they always come up as the lowest in a Google search! Amazon.com: Beware of Broadway Photo - digital camera Discussion Forum
Another dead give-away for the disreputable stores-and there are about 30 of them- most under two or three owners-is they have 6,592 positive ratings or 5,925 positive ratings. AND the lowest prices in town? come ON! Never an unhappy, disgruntled customer, either? ?
Too Good
To Be True!
Here's a partial listing of the better stores-
Any dealer found at Amazon.com-you have Amazon.com to protect you here and they always come through for me-100%-not always the lowest price but that's the whole point! Abes of Maine bhphotovideo.com/ adorama.com/
This thread has been alive for over 2 years! FotoConnection is still providing us more scams then service! I took action immediately upon receipt of the unnecessary email instructing me to call them to verify the order which didn't arive until 3 days later (FRI), thus giving a total minimum delay of 5 days (because of the weekend) just to order it. I called the number in the email immediately, the time in NYC was between the hours given in the email according to The official US time but nobody answered, it was not a holiday. I ordered a new camera from another vendor (B&H) immediately and emailed my order cancellation to FotoConnection in reply to their email as documentation in case of a dispute, which I fully expected; I also called Monday at lunch by which time I had about 3 more emails, one of which said the camera (listed as "available" on their site) was unavailable. I received the camera the following Thursday from B&H, the same amount of time FotoConnection had delayed my order with them! So FotoConnection intentionally deceived me about product availability at the time of ordering, failed to notify me of ultra-bizarre ordering process, lied about their contact details, failed to provide customer service, and failed to ship in a timely fashion.
And the drama continues! I received the following email today, two weeks after this incident, from "Calvin" <calvin@eshopperpro4.com>:
Hey [Customer] its Calvin from Fotoconnection.com, I would like to say it was a pleasure seeing your order. I was Very disappointed when I saw the resellerrating review and I am truly sorry .My reason for this email today was so I could go ahead and make you aware that we here want to make all our customers repeat customers, I do not want you to have a bad taste of our company; what I a willing to do for you is ship you out an additional long life battery for FREE! If you like to take my offer or not please call me at 800 457 0889 x4208 or email me back.
Not only is he upselling in an appology note, but that domain is NOT FotoConnection, in fact it returns FORBIDDEN (403 Forbidden). Moreover, the company blocked their information in the Whois database (Home)!
This thread has been alive for over 2 years! FotoConnection is still providing us more scams then service! I took action immediately upon receipt of the unnecessary email instructing me to call them to verify the order which didn't arive until 3 days later (FRI), thus giving a total minimum delay of 5 days (because of the weekend) just to order it. I called the number in the email immediately, the time in NYC was between the hours given in the email according to The official US time but nobody answered, it was not a holiday. I ordered a new camera from another vendor (B&H) immediately and emailed my order cancellation to FotoConnection in reply to their email as documentation in case of a dispute, which I fully expected; I also called Monday at lunch by which time I had about 3 more emails, one of which said the camera (listed as "available" on their site) was unavailable. I received the camera the following Thursday from B&H, the same amount of time FotoConnection had delayed my order with them! So FotoConnection intentionally deceived me about product availability at the time of ordering, failed to notify me of ultra-bizarre ordering process, lied about their contact details, failed to provide customer service, and failed to ship in a timely fashion.
And the drama continues! I received the following email today, two weeks after this incident, from "Calvin" <calvin@eshopperpro4.com>:
Hey [Customer] its Calvin from Fotoconnection.com, I would like to say it was a pleasure seeing your order. I was Very disappointed when I saw the resellerrating review and I am truly sorry .My reason for this email today was so I could go ahead and make you aware that we here want to make all our customers repeat customers, I do not want you to have a bad taste of our company; what I a willing to do for you is ship you out an additional long life battery for FREE! If you like to take my offer or not please call me at 800 457 0889 x4208 or email me back.
Not only is he upselling in an appology note, but that domain is NOT FotoConnection, in fact it returns FORBIDDEN (403 Forbidden). Moreover, the company blocked their information in the Whois database (Home)!
wtf!
Im on your side but you sound like the kind of guy that will never be happy. Its one thing if you give a company a fair chance like many other reviewers... you ddnt make sense from beginning to end dude. sorry
Warning fotoconnection.com Digital Foto Club / focuscamera.com / Digital Foto Discoun
Warning to you that this outfit is a criminal organization that is out solely to scam you and steal your money.
It is the true boiler room operation.
They bait and switch everything they sell and offer used merchandise as new ans STEAL your credit card information and make unauthorized purchased with your cards.
DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO THEM.
They operate under numerous names and websites but the bottom line is they are thieves.
I was almost a customer after putting the item below in my cart before visiting this site to read "all" the ratings...here is mine..
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Wow, this company really goes out of their way...look at all the time they spent making up new accounts day after day to give them perfect ratings.....
NOW....check them out at bbb for real ratings! And SL for the red alarm thumbs down!
On to the story.
They had a Canon XSi on sale for $609, while the original price is $1,191.00, comes with lens, card, and much more. i saw a pic that say Japan, so i called them up to ask more about it...Is it default in Hirigana and or Katakana, Romanji or English...they got upset and said why would it comes in that...I said since it say, so to speak made in Japan...they told me this is the Chinese version of the Japan/US version....Now, I tried visiting the Canon website and there is no such thing.
SO BEWARE WHEN YOU BUY FROM THEM, THEY ARE KNOWN TO SCAM YOU, LIE AND GATHER ALL YOUR CC INFO.
Well After being absolutely terrified reading all the Negative Posts while waiting for my Order, I am more than Pleased with this Company,
Order was Placed Tuesday, used the 5% off Fathers day special to upgrade my shipping to 3 Day, i was asked to Call and I did, George informed me to Call Card Company to add address cause it was different from Mailing, He did ask me if I wanted SD card and Battery, I said No, it was left at that. I thought Communication Was Great, was able to view Invoice at their website, Price Was Exactly as it should have been, Panasonic Lumix TS1 for 341.88 including 3 Day ship I upgraded cause of the 5% fathers Day Saving Deal, Tracking Number was sent same day as Purchase. Amazing enough the Product was Shipped Same Day, and Arrived a Day Early, Product was as Advertise. New and in New Condition. All parts where in Box.
Not sure what to think of all the negative Comments, Did not have any problems, I am sure its a Mix of Poor service on their side perhaps, and most likely Poor internet Shoppers who don't know exactly what they are getting when They Order.
Can Only say good things about them with product arriving early, and as stated when I ordered. Make sure you are firm with what you want and what your are getting. Since obviously there are so many negative experiences, ( we don't know the Volume of Sales, so Who knows how many good experiences there are, typically good experience sales are not posted on these sites. but if you think it might be shady, RECORD YOUR CONVERSATION WITH THE SALES PERSON SO THERE IS NO MISTAKE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM.
I would buy from them again, I got the Best Price for this product that I could Find on the Net.
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