Sonic Cameras Scam...!!!!

[downdraft]

I made a purchase from Sonic Cameras and it was a big mistake..!! I went to their website and saw a super low prices Canon Telephoto EF 70-200 IS USB 2.8F for 1199.00. You normally see it priced for 1500.00 or so. I spoke to Robert ( a liar) and told him what I wanted and he sold me the 70-200 for 1199.00 a UV Filter and I wanted a Canon 2x doubler. First he tried to pull me off the Canon 70-200 and sell me a Sigma, I said no thanks, On the doubler he told me he had a a much better one, a professional model that sells for 599.00 he would sell me for 299.00. The canon was 279.00 I said OK. The lens came with the case, cap, lens hood etc. 1843.00 total with shipping and insurance.

When I received my package all was well except the so called doubler was a piece of crap. Digital Concepts sells at Walmart for 79.00. I called up and Robert was no where to be found, the so called "Supervisor" got on the line and I asked to exchange my professional 2x doubler for the cheaper canon. The supervisor said "No' because I bought a package. I told him I didn't buy a package I bought the 1199.00 Telephoto and the 299.00 doubler. He said the 70-200 lens I bought didn't have a mount and was only a lens. And the mount which would allow me to hook up the lends to my camera was 600.00. He said the 70-200 was 1895.00. I noticed on my receipt that there was only one total price and all other items they up sale you to are -0-. He told me he didn't charge me for the pro. 2x doubler and I just bought the package lens.

I knew this guy was so full of crap I even called Canon and they told me they don't even sell a lens that you can't hook up to your camera.

I packaged all of my stuff up and sent it back waiting for a refund and want to WARN EVERYONE to stay away from these CROOKS. They will Lie, bait and switch and rip you off. I will be filing complaints with the FTC, Canon, AG, BBB to let people know about their UN Fair deceptive business practices.


DON'T BUY FROM SONIC CAMERAS.........!!!!

[ScamVictim9999]

Hi,
They're still in business. Just got shipped a Nikon D40 and standard lens instead of a D60 with 'upgraded' lens.

Did you get their 'return authorization' before shipping?

Did you ship it to their web site listed address?
Sonic Cameras
3505 QUENTIN RD
MARINE PARK, NY, 11234

Did you get a refund?

Any tips? Thanks

[nomaxim]

Originally Posted by ScamVictim9999

Hi,
They're still in business. Just got shipped a Nikon D40 and standard lens instead of a D60 with 'upgraded' lens.

Did you get their 'return authorization' before shipping?

Did you ship it to their web site listed address?
Sonic Cameras
3505 QUENTIN RD
MARINE PARK, NY, 11234

Did you get a refund?

Any tips? Thanks

Welcome to RR.

Even thou that is what it says on the website at soniccameras.com/catalog/about_us.php. There does not appear to be a 'Marine Park' in New York State. The zip code '11234' is for Brooklyn, NY. (per the USPS) and this is the phone listing from Whitepages.com,

Empire Telecommunications
work
3505 Quentin Rd
Brooklyn, NY 11234
(718) 375-5450
Job title: unavailable
Company: Empire Telecommunications

The listing is also confirmed by AnyWho.com (AT&T).

The WhoIs info shows a private registration service so is no help with a address. The website went online 4DEC2007, just over a year ago.

Their review page here at RR shows a 0.85 out of ten with 264 reviews since 16FEB2008.

Interesting blog about them at thoughts-of-dave.blogspot.com/2008/02/update-on-sonic-cameras-soniccamerascom.html.

Seems to be your average 'Brooklyn Area Camera Shop'. May be a new one or a possible aka for one of the others.

[ScamVictim9999]

Thanks for the welcome and information. I had been reading the reviews page and (of course) wish I had read it before making a purchase.

This site is an excellent resource and well subscribed, but it it unfortunate that so many people, like me, find it after they have been scammed.

What would be really useful is a sticky post on suggested steps to take after a scam order has been received. I think I have found all of the places to file complaints and will be trying my credit company for a resolution but it is daunting for most people to know who to call, whether they should return merchandise, how to deal with the 'customer service', etc.

It is also hard to know consumer rights concerning such things as the validity of 7 day return policies and the restocking fees. They vary by state so perhaps another sticky?

For these Brooklyn camera companies I would like to suggest that people also forward their story to a NY newspaper - the scale of this fraud is huge.

My 2c, thanks

[agrafov]

I got my money back except for shipping. Still try to do it submiting more claims to authorities. Sooner or later it will work for us - just do not give them a chance to fool you again!!!

Here is my recent experience...

12/17/08 9:59 PM

I placed online order for 'Nikon D80 + Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR II DX Nikkor Lens' Package for $929.00. Soon after it, I received an email with request to call them to confirm the order for 'my security' reason. Upon a conversation their rep told me that the battery/charger package is not included - I need to purchase it separately. Even though it sounded a bit strange for photo camera, I thought some expensive electronic devices might have such selling practice. They offered me some '5h long-life battery with Professional charger kit' for $399. When I received the package, there was a standard 'Quick' charger/battery, and label on original camera box explicitly stated that 'Quick charger/ EN-EL3e battery' is in a list of Supplied accessories' - not in a list of 'Optional accessories, purchased separately'.
Documentation in the box was jammed/folded little bit - like it was used before and packed back.
Package came with 'Sigma' lens - not with 'Nikkor' lens as it was described on their web-page. Average online price on ‘Amazon.com’ for this model of ‘Sigma’ is $350 vs. $650 for originally requested ‘Nikkor’
When I called them to resolve the problem, they put me on hold 3 times for about 20 minutes and disconnected calls. Finally, they said they put 'much better' lens than the origiginal one. When I asked about replacement they said that if I wanted I could send them back 'better' one (Sigma) at my expenses, they would send me 'worse' one ('Nikkor') and I also need to pay bextra $150, because those better' Sigma' lenses is on promotion right now so they can give me such a good deal, and 'Nikkor' is not.
When I refused to do this and asked about 'unconditional' replacement for no charge, they said that I agreed to have this substitution upon my confirmation call. When I denied this statement and repeated my request for replacement, the Hispanic-accent guy I talked with started to use 'R-rated movie' language towards me for no reason. Because of those complications I decided not to give them a chance to fool me for third time in a raw, and I called them next day to say that I wanted to return whole package for 100% money refund. They said they would do it only after I send them a check or money order for 23% worth of entire purchase as a 'RESTOCKING FEE', and they will issue RMA number only 2-3 weeks, after they clear the payment. When I tried to insist on my right to return the entire purchase for 100% unconditional refund because I RECEIVED NOT WHAT I ORDERED, the guy used offensive language again and hung up.
I contacted my credit card bank (VISA) to put this payment on dispute and sent them package back. With proper insurance it was $41. Hope it will be the only money I lost on this stupid transaction (aside from hours of time and millions of brain cells)
Stay away from this company!!! If you know the lawyer who is willing to initiate a 'Class Action' against this company I would be one of the first to join it!!!

PS. I contacted credit card bank for dispute, sent complaint to 'NY BBB', ' New York State Consumer Protection Board' and 'New York City Department of Consumer Affairs'. Soon after this Sonic Cameras sent me e-mail about 100% money refund for the package. Couple days later I saw money back credited on my bank account. Still want to find a way how to get my shipping expenses back ($41). I am also planning to write a complain to 'Federal Trade Commission' and provide more details for complaint to 'New York City Department of Consumer Affairs' - I lost so much time and brain cells dealing with those Sonic Cameras crooks to let them go away.

DO NOT BE SCARED WHEN THEY TRY TO PUT YOU IN A CORNER TELLING THAT YOU CAN NOT RETURN THEIR CRAP WITHOUT 23% RESTOCKING FEE. AND DO NOT BELEIVE THEM IF THEY FINALLY OFFER TO REPLACE WHAT THEY SENT TO YOU WITH WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY ORDER - THEY FOOLED YOU ONCE OR TWICE - THEY WILL FOOL YOU AGAIN - AND IT WILL ONLY COMPLICATE THE CASE FOR YOU!!!
You can win ONLY if you stick with YOUR DECISION!!!

[ScamVictim9999]

I have just updated my review to include this information that I have learned today:

The manager of this store appears to be Steve Phillips. This is the same name as the person who ran Price Rite photo that was featured in a NYT article three years ago - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/11/ny...gewanted=print

He is mentioned in Thomas Hawk's blog entry of the time regarding a $3000 order - Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection: PriceRitePhoto: Abusive Bait and Switch Camera Store

[bphaedrus]

Can someone get a CLASS ACTION lawsuit started? I'm sure there is a lawyer in NY that would be interested in the case.

[agrafov]

I'm gonna check out this discussion from time to time - if someone decides to start 'Class Action' against 'Sonic Cameras' - PLEASE post the contact info here, so I can join it right away!

[ScamVictim9999]

Their web site is hosted by Liquid Web. You can file an abuse report here:
Liquid Web Inc. - Heroic Hosting

LOL from Alexa:
SonicCameras.com is one of the nation's leading mail order dealers. We carry more than 90,000 items that are shipped from our state-of-the-art corporate headquarters and distribution centers.
soniccameras.com - Site Information from Alexa

Here is their corporate headquarters:
Sonic Cameras, SonicCameras.com

[agrafov]

I reported the abuse to 'Liquid Web Inc' - let's see how they respond...