Wisetronics, "bait & switch" and false representation of merchandise

[jenna_trader]

My problem with Wisetronics began on 5/17 with a call to confirm an order of a Pansonic HDC-SD1 camcorder. My complaint is on the "wistronics" site so I won't go into it here. (see my complaint on this company)

The beauty is that once I told them that the item I ordered for $200 was $10 on Ebay they hung up on me. They give you 72 hours to cancel the order and then disappear so that 72 hours (including weekends) go by even as I wrote them numerous e-mails in the interim. This is what I paid $200 for: Needless to say this isn't a Panasonic piece of equipment. The camera store told me its a bad lense that will ultimately distort any videos that I get from my high definition camera. Where was my high definition Panasonic lens filter kit? Why not just tell the consumer it was not available at this time from Panasonic instead of misleading that it was available. Why tell the consumer the battery I "MUST HAVE" is a 5 hour lithium battery and and UPGRADED Panasonic battery from the VW-VBG130-K (which would have been the VW-VB260K). Why insist this battery is compatible even as the size (as seen through the plastic wrapper) was easily twice the width of the "compartment" in the bottom of the camera and had the product compatibility list on the side. Not to mention this was a Digital Concepts battery costing $49 ($45 at the time) http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/142040757.htm on the Ritz camera site as well as direct from Digital Concepts website. Why force me to OPEN THE PACKAGE? Well even not opening the package, they said "They must charge me a 20% restocking fee".

http://cgi.ebay.com/Merkury-Optics-3...QQcmdZViewItem

This is what I paid for the identical item: http://www.wisetronics.com/43mm-Pro-...t-p/flk43p.htm



The next day they REDID their entire Terms and Conditions part of the website not to protect themselves against a barrage of complaints. I will not reprint it here but check the USE of Site clause on the terms.asp of wisetronics website. They claim the customers are "abusive, defamatory, fraudulent deceptive and misleading!! I wish someone out there has a copy of their original site (from before 5/28/07) and can see the difference and the defensive protective attitude they take

Anyhow folks you have recourse. DO NOT GIVE UP. If you don't get a RMA number you can still send the items back BUT MAKE SURE THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY knows of your complaint and agrees to any action.

[frostbitetwice]

Jenna trader, good to have have you hear at RR. This is quite typical for a company with a lifetime rating of .37.... They sucker consumers in with low prices and thus live.

[JamesConnolly]

I really wouldn't worry about their ToS in regards to your complaint. If you can substantiate your claims, then there's no worry.

Even if you were "abusive" to them, that's a subjective term and believe me...they aren't going to go after you for it. Terms of Service, as I stated in your other post, are not necessarily enforceable. And these terms don't even seem to apply to your situation, not the way I read them anyway.

[jenna_trader]

Here is the correct Panasonic Battery for my HDC-SD1 Panasonic high definition camcorder. This is the lower capacity battery (approximately 2 hours recording time or 40 minutes in HIGH DEFINTION VW-VBG130-K).

http://www.marketgems.com/panasonicOriginalBattery.htm

Wisetronics sold me a Digital Concepts (replacement that wasn't compatible at a cost of $149). Wisetronics claimed the battery ordered was the UPGRADED version (VW-VBG260-K) and it would be an original 5 hour battery. If the code for your order is not the original code appearing in the Panasonic or other manufacturer's catalogue, you are getting an INCOMPATIBLE RIP OFF low-end CHEAP battery and you'll be paying DOUBLE the price of an Original Panasonic manufactured battery.

I have already shown a photo of the "HIGH END" filter kit sent by Wisetronics as part of their Package Deal ($305 for battery pack, filter kit and LCD Screen Protector). No Kit or Deal was ever made. These items were presented a la carte and can be checked off on the right side of their website. You can choose which accessories you want without disturbing their so-called kit.

http://www.marketgems.com/filterkit.htm

What they sent was a $10 piece of equipment which ironically would have reduced quite substantially the quality of the videos. The low quality of the filter kit was confirmed by a professional camera shop in my area. Wisetronics claimed this was an original Panasonic filter kit with high resolution especially for HIGH DEFINITION cameras. For the filter kit GET THE NAME of the manufacturer. You might compare equivalent filter kits but make sure you are looking at CANON, SONY, Nikon, etc and that their retail value is comparable to what you are getting from the e-tailer. GET THOSE NUMBERS off the catalogue. CHECK that your ORDER has these exact description and code numbers and the MANUFACTURERS name in the order DESCRIPTION.

Don't accept GENERIC terms on your order like: Extended Battery Pack (up to 5 hours) for Mini Dv, HDD, AVCHD etc. NEVER LET THEM GET AWAY with VAGUE terms like: PACKAGE DEALS or KITS. 43mm Pro High Resolution, Titanium Multi Coated 3pc Digital Filter kit. THEY MUST PRINT the name of the manufacturer. The law (Guides Against Bait Advertising Under Sec . 238.2 Initial offer*) covers you.


If you can't get the accessory you need just get the camera and get the accessory SEPARATELY from a reputable dealer like newegg, B&H photo, monoprice, etc. They will ALWAYS give you name of the manufacturer and even if its a replacement brand, you will pay a lower price accordingly.

*Initial Offer
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/baitads-gd.htm

[Ara M.]

Jenna, I had the EXACT same experience with the EXACT same vendor with the EXACT same camcorder and EXACT same battery ( that I questioned repeatedly before accepting if it was a PANASONIC BRANDED product and the right one to fit the special camcorder) and lens set (3 days apart!). The only difference is that I did NOT order the lens kit, but still got it. I have worked with my cc company to resolve and am confident I will have my satisfaction as far as my transaction. But I am so very angry, I want to see these guys get REAL punishment for the REAL crime they commit every minute of the day.

[jenna_trader]

Update Wisetronics scam --> courtesy credit issued $305 from Bank of America Credit Card. After mailing in a 9 page signed, documented report on my grievance, the bank issued me a credit for $305 which should be confirmed ultimately. If more folks would NOT STAND for this kind of treatment and fight back, we could put these scamming leeches in their places.

[mikerault]

Based on what I thought was a good price, I placed an order with Wisetronics.com for a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 for my father-in-law. A couple of days later I get a call saying "Ya know, that doesn't come with a battery (first lie) you need to buy one, we have the 2 hour battery for 39 and an extented 8 hour for 99" I asked him point blank "You mean this camera doesn't come with a battery?" he said "No, you need to buy this one, but buy the extended one and I will throw in the other for free!" (second lie) I checked on this and the kit from the factory comes with the battery and charger. I cancelled the order, the guy on the other end of the line said "Ok, your order is cancelled" (third lie). Now, nearly two weeks later I get a shipping notice saying my order from them has shipped. Luckily I called my credit card company when I cancelled the order and told them I had cancelled it and to make sure that a note was placed in the account. I called them back today and disputed the charge.

I also sent a note to Wisetronics telling them I didn't want the camera, and if they shipped it it would be unsoliciuted merchandise. Under the laws of the US if you receive unsolicited merchandise you are under no obligation to return it to pay for it. I thanked them for the free camera.

Watch these clowns, don't use them!!

[PoohStuff]

I can't find a "good" camera deal b/c of companies like these. I found an article after checking ratings on another website similar to wisetronics. They ALL had the same exact complaints that unfortunately you all have had.
Then I came across this year old article:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,10...1/article.html


This article talks about the camera and electronics companies that have "aggressive sales tatics" and NO problem whatsoever to do what it takes to get you to buy what you want. Dealing with these ppl are a losing battle.

The article states that these cameras are grey market which is legal to sell here in the US, but no rebates and no warranties. Period. So if you order it, don't mind it possibly being programmed in Japanese.

They say the prices are so cheap b/c they're not real.

Also has a list of who else does this. Please be careful. I've messed up too making a purchase here and there and not checking out the company.

Most of you will find out even calling and asking these ppl a question you will get hung up on or insulted.

I guess the consumers have to stick together, fight, and check check check.

Tip: I don't know if this works for everyone, but I've done it before. Don't accept the package. Call your bank and/or cc company and let them know what is going on. If the package is left on your doorstep, call the company (UPS, FEDEX) and arrange for a RTS pickup. It's one of the last things you can do if you feel scammed.

[Steve R Jones]

Originally Posted by mikerault

I also sent a note to Wisetronics telling them I didn't want the camera, and if they shipped it it would be unsoliciuted merchandise. Under the laws of the US if you receive unsolicited merchandise you are under no obligation to return it to pay for it. I thanked them for the free camera.

How could that possibily be considered Unsolicited? YOU ordered it....

[jenna_trader]

What I got was a cheap, incompatible $10 filter kit for which I paid bloated prices. The battery was a Digital Concepts battery which retailed for $45 at the time. To add insult to injury, these scam artists insisted I open the pack while on the phone, even as just in the size and shape the Digital Concepts battery was easily 1/3 to 1/2 larger than the battery in the camcorder. I refused to open the package. I was strong armed to open the see-through battery pack for the sole purpose of disabling my return of the "unopened" pack. What I actually received by UPS was UNSOLICITATED.

By the way my ACTUAL credit was issued based on MISREPRESENTATION and false impression of the merchandise. This was aggravated by their unwillingness to refund my purchase price of the battery pack and the filter kit which was returned (with proper receipts substantiated this) as instructed by Bank of America claims department. Wisetronics was furthermore guilty of refusal to acknowledge via phone (kept me on hold a full half hour, cut me off when I finally did get through and also said 'the customer service agent permitted to take my call (James) had a "personal emergency and had to leave the office for the rest of the day", etc. ) or email receipt of my complaint during the 72 hours allotted for this purpose.

See Sec. 328.2 Initial offer

(a) No statement or illustration should be used in any advertisement which creates a false impression of the grade, quality, make value, currency of model, size, color, usability, or origin of product offered.

In my experience (which is really all I can go by) this is a fraudulant company but you have the free choice to utilize them. My post was based wholly on my personal experience with Wisetronics.