Bad online sellers

[Aunt Susie]

I recently read some reviews of an online store called PhotoNation (I was considering buying from them). All the reviews I read were terrible. The "store" was given a rating of .18 and an "alias" name of RadioActive Deals was mentioned.
However, I looked up another site, "Rainbowtronics". They were given a much higher rating and yet that is another alias name for PhotoNation/RadioActive Deals. This seems to be providing conflicting information about the same entiity. Can anyone de-confuse me?
Thanks!

[nomaxim]

Welcome to RR.

Not sure what is up with that, I'll leave it up to the staff. Just a quick look through the breakdown over the last six months shows a lot of higher ratings between OCT2006 and DEC2006, however they seem to be dropping again as of JAN2007. Look closely at the number of reviews submitted between OCT and DEC 2006 almost 300 reviews, yet since JAN2007 only 61 reviews have been submitted. Just under half of the total reviews (682) since 2FEB2006 were submitted in that three month period.

Anyway, rainbowtronics.com does not have a very good BBB report;

Based on BBB files, this business has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau, because there is a pattern of complaints, and the business has not corrected the underlying reason for the complaints.

Reports to the BBB indicate that Rainbow Tronics employs bait and switch tactics to sell extra accessories and over-charges consumers without their knowledge. One consumer stated that he had the "worst customer service experience" with Rainbow Tronics. Consumers also allege incorrect orders, missing orders, used products that the company claims are new.

Based on the BBB report I would recommend not using this company.

Also note that the BBB report for Rainbowtronics and this BBB page give the following address for both company's;

1554 61st St
Brooklyn, NY 10010

At this time USA Photo Nation is listed at this address;

164-15 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11432

EDIT:
You may also want to read this short thread from last NOV, http://www.resellerratings.com/forum...Rainbowtronics (CAUTION: rainbowtronics.com - gray market merchandise)

[Aunt Susie]

Thanks for the additional info on Rainbowtronics. For now, I will just assume that all three companies are related and stay away from them all. I don't often buy things online and I guess looking for the cheapest price is not such a good idea. I am glad there are sites like this one where consumers can go to check out a merchant's reliability. Thanks!