Wisetronics.com ....how do they stay in "business"?

[ss-g]

My wife has been shopping for a Panasonic DMC FZ50 digital camera. We looked at some at our local retailers and when we went to but at Fry's Electronics, they said they were not carrying them any more. We went online and found what appeared to be a great deal....at Wisetronics.com
I emailed them several times asking about what this camera came with and they never bothered to answer any emails.
So yesterday (Thursday 07/26/2007) I put the phone on speaker phone so I could write and talk on phone at the same time. My wife was sitting there listening to the conversation. I reached a "salesperson" named "Fred" at extension 202 and told him what camera I was interested in and listened to him reply how outstanding this camera was. I told "Fred" that I had emailed them several times and they would never answer, and that the price had increased from $329 to $369 in the week I had been trying to get a hold of Wisetronics.
"Fred" assured me they would for sure honor the price I had originally of $329.
I told "Fred" that I needed to know exactly what the camera came with and was assured it came with all accessories as from the factory.
I told "Fred" that I would call back tomorrow and order the camera.
It was puzzling to me that "Fred" at extension 202 was in so much of a hurry to get off the phone with me....didn't even try and get me to place an order right away. Hmmmm!
So, here it is Friday evening on 07/27/2007 and I call Wisetronics to place my order. At beginning of call I get message to punch in extension at any time. I punch in 202....supposed to connect me with "Fred", right? Well, after holding for a few moments the phone is answered by "Peter" ....who by the way sounds just like "Fred". I tell "Peter" about my conversation with "Fred" yesterday. I tell "Peter I am ready to order the camera, but once again I need to confirm exactly what this camera comes with. "Peter" said it comes with all factory accessories, so I ask what these are. "Peter" tells me it comes with battery, charger, straps, memory card, software. I tell "Peter" OK, I want to order the camera. "Peter" asks me what accessories I want to order with it and I tell him I just want it with the factory accessories. "Peter" asks me if I don't want a memory card? I tell "Peter" that it comes with a 32 meg card and that is fine for now. "Peter" tells me it will hold only 5 pictures.
I say that is fine (I know better). At this point "Peter" asks if I want the Chinese version or the American version. I express to "Peter" that I had no idea what he was talking about, I had no idea there was a Chinese version. I tell "Peter" that I would surely would want American version. At this point "Peter" tells me the American version is $499, the Chinese version is $329.
I tell "Peter" that this is the first I have heard of this, and I need to speak to a supervisor about this "crap". "Peter" asked if "Fred" had not told me of Chinese version...I told him no, I had NEVER heard of any Chinese version. I again try to get a supervisor with no luck.
"Peter" tells me there are no supervisors there. I asked "Peter"....you mean to tell me you are there alone? He replied he was.
"Peter" asks me if I want anything else and at my reply that was no, I need to speak to a supervisor he hung up.
Initially I went on Google and did a search under Wisetronics.com + fraud. This is how I found this website. I had hoped to find a physical address that belonged to Wisetronics to pursue a formal complaint with the District Attorney for deceptive trade practices and fraud. By finding this website, I realize that it would be fruitless, for surely with all this chatter about Wisetronics.com the local DA's Office is surely aware of the issues.
I cannot say loud enough.....DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH WISETRONICS.COM IF YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU ......just my own humble opinion, of course. I am just so very curious at how Wisetronics.com manages to stay in business....maybe there are a certain # of people who fall for their scams.
Good luck all....ss-g