I just called my credit card company. They immediately put the $349.99 charge on dispute and they will send me a form to send back, and then they'll begin an investigation. I let them know about the ticket, but they didn't ask any questions whether I already tried to resolve the issue directly with fotoconnection or anything: not sure it's good or not, but anyway...
I will try to call fotoconnection tomorrow, since they keep closing my ticket.
BTW, did you know that their ticket system is PUBLIC? I could post the link to mine. There's no login mechanism, anyone can reopen and modify the ticket! Can you believe it? It's a joke.
Last edited by unita_logica : 09-16-2007 at 05:41 PM.
If fotoconnection does respond, you might be required to send the items back to them. Use a shipping service with tracking (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) so that you have proof that they received the package. I would also go as far as photographing the contents that you are shipping back to them so they cannot claim that they did not get everything. You might end up being out the cost of shipping, but that's a far cry from the hundreds probably spent on the unwanted camera.
Just wanted to give an update: I finally spoke with those people. The first time I called they hung up on me after a 20 minutes wait. F*c%&r$. The second time I waited 10 more minutes even if I was "first in line", then they sent me a RMA form, which I faxed back. In this form I clearly stated that no restocking fee should apply since it's their mistake. After a couple hours I received a RMA number. So I suppose they approved my RMA.
So I am about to ship back the items. I demanded a FULL refund: I don't want no store credit or any exchange, who knows what they will send me next time.
Just wanted to give an update: I finally spoke with those people. The first time I called they hung up on me after a 20 minutes wait. F*c%&r$. The second time I waited 10 more minutes even if I was "first in line", then they sent me a RMA form, which I faxed back. In this form I clearly stated that no restocking fee should apply since it's their mistake. After a couple hours I received a RMA number. So I suppose they approved my RMA.
So I am about to ship back the items. I demanded a FULL refund: I don't want no store credit or any exchange, who knows what they will send me next time.
I think these are all legitimate requests right?
Yes, they are legitimate requests, but I'm pretty sure FotoConnection will still charge you the 15% restocking fee. My situation is similar - they didn't send me what I ordered - but when I called Customer Service after getting my RMA, and told them I wanted a full refund, the rep insisted that "a 15% restocking fee WILL BE imposed." So I haven't sent back the merchandise yet, nor will I until my credit card company has finished processing my dispute. This is part of the FotoConnection scam, of course. If you buy a $300 camera and return it to them, you have to pay for the shipping both ways plus $45 restocking fee. So they make money on the inflated shipping they charged you in the first place, then on the restocking fee, and then they turn around and sell the same camera to someone else. Personally, I'd rather keep the overpriced camera, as long as it actually works, than to pay the shipping and restocking fees and have absolutely nothing to show for it.
But do dispute the charge with your credit card company. And do report them to the Better Business Bureau.
Yes, they are legitimate requests, but I'm pretty sure FotoConnection will still charge you the 15% restocking fee. My situation is similar - they didn't send me what I ordered - but when I called Customer Service after getting my RMA, and told them I wanted a full refund, the rep insisted that "a 15% restocking fee WILL BE imposed." So I haven't sent back the merchandise yet, nor will I until my credit card company has finished processing my dispute. This is part of the FotoConnection scam, of course.
Yes it totally is. However, there is no justifiable reason to apply the restocking fee. I am returning the merchandise because it's not what I ordered. I ordered a NEW F31fd camera and they sent me an open-box F40fd. Now, IF they CAN send me a new F31fd, fine. I'll make them send it at their expense though, since it's their freaking mistake. But if they CANNOT (the camera is kinda rare), their only alternative is to refund me. In this case I won't authorize the restocking fee, as I won't authorize any additional shipping charges. They simply don't have the right to ask for that.
The only gray area is that if I insist on a refund and they claim to have the F31fd... in that case I am not sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OnceBurned
If you buy a $300 camera and return it to them, you have to pay for the shipping both ways plus $45 restocking fee. So they make money on the inflated shipping they charged you in the first place, then on the restocking fee, and then they turn around and sell the same camera to someone else. Personally, I'd rather keep the overpriced camera, as long as it actually works, than to pay the shipping and restocking fees and have absolutely nothing to show for it.
I sent the stuff back today, after they approved the RMA. I actually called the credit card company and they basically said: "if they gave you a RMA, send the sh*t back". They still kept the original $349.99 charge on dispute.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OnceBurned
But do dispute the charge with your credit card company. And do report them to the Better Business Bureau.
I did - I received an email today with a BBB mediator assigned to me. the email said they already contacted the business.
But if they CANNOT (the camera is kinda rare), their only alternative is to refund me. In this case I won't authorize the restocking fee, as I won't authorize any additional shipping charges. They simply don't have the right to ask for that.
You're right, they don't have the right to ask for the restocking fee or the additional shipping charges. What they will do though is credit you back your $350 minus the restocking fee and additional shipping charges. That way they are not charging you anything extra. They are just not refunding you everything you are entitled. Just keep an eye on your credit card statement.
Dont give these guys your credit card number!! They advertise a product at the best price online and then send you something other than what you ordered, then charge you a big "restocking charge" plus shipping to return it...that's how they make their "profit" in addition to high-pressure "upgrades" for items already included in the standard product. I ordered a digital camera clearly advertised as "new unopened box, USA warranty" along with an $149.99 value accessory package. I received an opened box with no warranty card, and when I called they tried to upcharge me for additional shipping for the pkg and told me the battery was only good for 10 minutes, and I should buy the $79 battery. I'll bet that camera has been shipped to DOZENS of poor fools like me before this!
I see these guys have gone one step further and posted a bunch of positive ratings on several sites like resellerratings.com , eopinions.cpm, etc. How bad are they, anyway?? How could the posts go from all negative to all satisfied in one week? Not likely!! Crooks like this makes ordering online dangerously risky!!
I see these guys have gone one step further and posted a bunch of positive ratings on several sites like resellerratings.com , eopinions.cpm, etc. How bad are they, anyway?? How could the posts go from all negative to all satisfied in one week? Not likely!! Crooks like this makes ordering online dangerously risky!!
Indeed. But you can fight back. Dispute the charge with your credit card company (see above) and file a report with BBB. It takes time but at least you've done something and it may actually work.
What they will do though is credit you back your $350 minus the restocking fee and additional shipping charges. That way they are not charging you anything extra. They are just not refunding you everything you are entitled.
And they would be doing something illegal. If A buy something from B and B promises to provide the goods and then it cannot, and plus it refuses to fully refund (wtf?), then B is doing something unlawful, plain and simple.
The restocking fee applies if you do not want the goods you bought in the first place. I still want it. They can't provide it.
If they had sent it charging me more shipping, I would have disputed that extra charge as well, because it's not my fault if they messed up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Merg
Just keep an eye on your credit card statement.
I surely did. I received a full refund today. This whole transaction lasted one month and 6 days. What a waste of time, but at least I got everything back (minus the money spent at UPS for the return)
After I returned the items, I called to ask what was going on. It had been a week and no refund. I called on a Sunday and they picked up the phone immediately, no wait at all. They said it'd takes 15 (fifteen) days to process the return. So I waited. Today I saw the credit, so at least they kept their word this time.
I think the multiple pronged approach is what did it: contacting BBB and the credit card company. I wonder if they contacted them at all. My last phone communication was actually decent (beside the fact I couldn't believe the 15 days thing)
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.
As for me, I haven't personally dealt with this company. I just have a good knowledge of issues regarding credit card fraud, larceny by false pretense, and other issues of this sort.
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