Placed an order for a set of binoculars and paid by credit card then I was told the item was out of stock so I cancelled my order. They went ahead and billed my credit card any how! When I called to request they credit my account they gave me the run around. These people are rude and their behavior untrustworthy!  

Tried to order 2 Tamrac photo backbacks (order value of about US$ 580). Ordered on 06 SEPT 2002. I still have not received the order after 8 weeks. AAA Camera does not respond to e-mails, they are very rude on the phone.  
 
They are not willing to trace shipments, provide shipping details, ...  
 
Worst on-line shopping experience ever!

This review was modified by its author, lks712, on 11/8/02 10:50 AM.

I ordered binoculars on October 8. AAA promised that they would be shipped to arrive by October 18. AAA charged my account immediately. AAA told me that they had been shipped priority mail, which conveniently cannot be tracked. The binoculars never came. I cancelled my order and notified my credit card company that I disputed the charge because the merchandise was not timely delivered. I agree with the other comments--don't buy from these guys.

Take heed when purchasing from this company. Here is the actual form I have filed with the Better Business Bureau and the NY State Atty General's Office regarding their fraudulent sales and shipping practices.  
 
"I am deeply concerned with the quality and "service" that I have recieved in dealing with AAA Camera Exchange. My order was paid for with Visa at the time of purchase & UPS standard ground shipping was supposed to deliver within 7 days from then. AAA not only did not even have the item in stock, but it was discovered during a later call they didn't really know when they would have it in stock. None of this information was disclosed at the original purchase. Firstly, I have a discrepancy for the UPS ground shipping fee of $16.75. They could of sent it by pigeon and my Canon 550EX flash would have arrived sooner. At the time of purchase AAA said the flash unit did not come with it's case or mount? I was stunned but thought it was likely another way for Canon to make more money, so I sucked it up. I was told on the phone that would be an additional $19.00 to the $288.69, which is what the item is listed for at their website (http://www.aaacamera.com/canon_550ex.html).  
My credit card was charged $319.00 for the flash & it's components-- doesn't quite add up does it? The new total should be $307.69. When I called the long-distance #(212-243-3111) for customer service regarding the discrepancy I was put on hold by an extremely annoyed female employee, who had a lot of trouble explaining the problem. I was able to figure out they had listed on their website the "graymarket" price, but had not disclosed this to would be purchasers. They were charging the American market price with warrenty. The rep then told me the additional fee for that was $10.00. The total should now be $317.69. This is some very fishy math. At the same time I addressed the accounting snafu with the rep I inquired as to why the Stroboframe 350 did not arrive on Oct. 4th, along with the flash. She said only. "What, you didn't get it? Please hold," & I did for a long time. She said the item would come in a few days, when I asked her for a specific date and tracking info I was told "A few days" and she hung up on me. Can you help me?"

thet lied repeatedly about 1. the price, 2. the status of the item in stock and 3. the status of the charge being posted on the master charge. DON'T take a chance! go to B&H. Eventually the price will be the same and you'll get the stuff in two days.

Truly a den of thieves-item ($668 slide scanner) never in stock (told twice it was), never shipped (told 3 times it was on its way), but charged anyway (told three times my credit card charge had been refunded).  
 
The folks at aaa camera seem to be sorely out of touch with common courtesies. I think it might help them to experience more of the real world. I would suggest signing them up (sales@aaacamera.com, and, info@aaacamera.com) whenever possible at various web sites. This would allow them to see how the world works. You might also consider forwarding them some of the special attachments that we all receive from time to time.  
 
video professional

This review was modified by its author, slocomb, on 7/10/02 11:36 AM.

I ordered some video lenses on line and was contacted by email that I should call them (not an 800 number). They agreed to send me a different, but better lense that they had in stock. They charged by accout on May 3, by May 13 I called, they said they had sent it out Friday (May 10). By May 21 I called again, they said that it was shipped on the 13th (a Monday?). They would look into it. May 24 I called one last time, everyone was gone for the holidays call next Tuesday. It was then I found who these people were by finding them at resellerratings. I cancelled by email, but no response. I mailed a certified letter with a return card. By June 6 they credited my card. I wasted a month with these people. Be forewarned, AAACamera only wants a short term loan from your credit card. They have no interest in selling you anything.

I ordered a camera bag which was listed as in stock on the companys website on June 10th 2002.  
When I did not hear from the company till the 18th I called them and they said very rudely that the item was not available and I have to wait ten days. I asked them to cancel my order and the guy just hung up the phone without aknowledging. Overall I had a very bad experience. The least they could have done is inform me that the item was not available.

Read these reviews and take warning. These guys are terrible. I ordered a $500.00 camera over the phone May 10th; they promised to send by the following Monday so it would arrive Thurday. Today (Thursday) I made three calls - they calimed the computers were down, then they admitted they hadn't sent the item, and then I cancelled the order. I checked my bank acct. - they hadn't deducted the amount as of yesterday, and I hope they don't do it now. I had also sent three emails that received no reply. The "customer service" people were pretty abrupt and generally not at all helpful. Can't see at all how these guys are in business.  
Do yourself a favour - do not order from these people.

----------------------------------  
Ok here's the latest followup to what's posted below:  
 
Much to my surprise AAA actually did mail me what appears to be a genuine YashicaUSA warranty card. I received it exactly one week after I called and complained that the camera arrived without any warranty. So alls well that ends well and I hope everyone else reading this has the same happy resolution but without any of the sleepless nights that I suffered.  
----------------------------------  
 
 
 
This is a followup to a post last week that accidentally got overwritten or erased about a Yashica Dental Eye III camera.  
--------------------------------  
Ok, I received my camera today, 26 days (and at least a dozen long distance calls) after my check cleared. They sent it UPS Next Day after claiming that they had already sent it Priority Mail. Personally I don't believe for a New York minute that they would send a $1,000 camera by USPS Priority Mail since Priority Mail can't be tracked. But at least they had the decency to finally send it UPS Next Day without charging me extra.  
 
HOWEVER, I was specifically promised a genuine Yashica U.S.A. warranty. Other places I shopped said it was impossible to get this particular camera at such a low price with a U.S. warranty included. But AAA Camera did promise me one several times before I mailed my check. And my check was accompanied with a letter specifically stating that I was ordering a camera with Yashica U.S.A. warranty included.  
 
Of course the camera arrived today with no warranty whatsoever, Yashica or otherwise.  
 
I almost expected as much.  
 
Maybe I should just be grateful the camera arrived at all and that it was unused. But I don't intend to let this drop.  
 
I'll post again after I hear their side of this.  
 
---------------  
 
By the way, these guys will even lie to you about their names! I have spoken with the same person on several occassions when he has claimed to be "Mike", "Bob" or "Harry". When I called him on it he said "we all sound alike". When I asked "Harry" his last name he said it was "Watson". The BBB has "Harry Green" as the owner. From his accent its obvious his name is NOT "Harry Watson" and probably not "Harry Green" either.

I wish I knew about Reseller Ratings BEFORE I ordered from AAA Camera. These guys are the worst I have EVER experienced. Not only do they lie from one call to the next, the same person tells me different lies ON THE SAME CALL!! It is amazing how foreign the truth is to these guys.  
They still haven't gotten me my camera after 3+ weeks. Nor have they told me the same story twice when I call.  
At first they tried to tell me that it would be there "tomorrow".  
Then when it didn't arrive, they told me to wait a few more days because it was shipped late.  
The next time I called, they told me that I was mistaken - I had not ordered from them.  
After calling back with proof from my credit card, they admitted that their shipping was backed up and it would be mailed "tomorrow" and they would email me the UPS tracking number. Never got an email.  
When I called for the UPS tracking number they gave me what turned out to be an invalide tracking number.  
I called back, they denied that they had given me the tracking number that they had and then told me they did not ship it UPS - instead they used the US Mail and gave me a different tracking number.  
I called the Post Office and that tracking number comes up invalid as well.  
Now I find that AAA is closed Wednesday thru Sunday - call back Monday.  
These guys are the absolute WORST. It would appear that they lie much quicker than they deliver their product.  
Believe me, my next call is to my credit card company to reverse this payment. Thank God for Buyer Protection !!  
Please go to the BBB of Metropolitan New York web site and file your complaint!  
http://www.newyork.bbb.org  

This is a follow up to my ongoing painful experience with AAA Camera. Beware! I think they now call themselves "CAMBRIDGE CAMERA".  
 
Please refer to my April 2001 posts for more background info.  
 
Order Number: 214659  
Salesperson: Mr. Harper  
 
I placed an order on Sunday, March 4, 2001 with AAACamera.com (AAA Camera Exchange, Inc.). I received a phone call and E-mail notification on that same day to confirm the order.  
 
I contacted them (info@aaacamera.com) on March 8 to inquire about my order. I received no reply. The price was $285.08. However, my credit card was  
charged $305.03.  
 
In an E-mail message I told them to cancel my order if I did not receive the order by March 12. I received no reply. I sent them another email message on March 12 to inquire about the order and cancel it. No reply.  
 
On March 13 I sent another Email message clearly stating that I wanted the order cancelled. They ignored all my cancellation notifications. On March 23, I notified my Credit Card company in writing. I told my credit card company that the charge from AAA Camera was in error because the product hadn't been received and I had cancelled the order. I have all the E-mail messages I sent AAA Camera. Each Email message has the message ID (a unique identifier) intact. These identifiers can be used to prove that the message was sent and routed to their mail server.  
 
After multiple cancellation notifications, AAA Camera chose to send the product anyway. The order arrived April 23, 2001 by UPS. I immediately called AAA Camera telling them that the order had been cancelled. They faxed me a paper for me sign and fax back to them stating that I would pay a  
$43.44 restocking fee. It was never mentioned during our phone conversation on March 4 that the product was not in stock.  
 
On March 4, the order number was: 2253. The invoice number given to me on April 23 is 214659.  
 
On March 13, 2002, I received a letter from my credit card company saying that AAA Camera says I received the merchandise. But I have proof that I returned it on 5/8/2001. I sent the merchandise insured and certified! I even have pictures of the package. They received it on May 10, 2001. I have the USPS Return Receipt signed by them! Good thing I kept those documents! Anyway, I sent a copy of the signed Return Receipt and the Insured Mail Receipt to my crdit card company.  
 
Please go to the BBB of Metropolitan New York web site and file your complaint!  
http://www.newyork.bbb.org  
 
I'm glad www.resellerratings.com is up and running again! I'm glad I remembered my password too!

Much to my suprise we received a check from them, but on the 24th of this month (Sept) it will be a year and they still owe me $1000. I can't stress enough to report them to NEW YORK OFFICE OF THE ATORNEY GENERAL and USPS...the more complaints they receive the more apt they will be able to stop them!!!  
 
 
 
IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VENDOR PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE OF NEW YORK OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT www.oag.state.ny.us PLEASE PLEASE HELP PUT THIS VENDOR OUT OF BUSINESS  
 
WE initiated all correspondence. Never once has AAA called us or written us to try to resolve this issue.  
09/24/01 – Placed an order with AAA Camera Exchange in the amount of $9,738.04 plus $204.76 shipping costs, received email confirmation of order #5415.  
09/25/01 – Called to make sure order was processed, AAA Camera stated they do not take credit cards or send shipments COD and we would need to send a company check in the amount of $9,942.80.  
09/28/01 – Mailed check number 10380.  
10/01/01 – called, AAA said they had not received check.  
10/04/01 – called spoke to “Mike”, AAA said they received check 10/3 and will ship only after check cleared bank. Check did clear our bank today.  
10/08/01 – called, spoke to “Mike”, order in process and will ship today or tomorrow.  
10/11/01 – called twice, spoke to “Steve”, says the check has not cleared his bank and it will take up to 14 days to clear. Faxed bank statement showing check has cleared our bank.  
10/16/01 – called twice, spoke to “Tony”, check cleared, will ship tomorrow.  
10/17/01 – called twice, not shipped, will ship today sometime between 6&7  
10/19/01 – called, spoke to “Anita”, order shipped complete on 10/17/01  
10/19/01 – received qty 3 of line item 1, only. They were gray market, in Japanese boxes, called Nikon and confirmed no warranty and no rebate, AAA says they are out of stock and will ship balance on Monday. Sent letter via Fedex tracking #792683070422 to “Steve Richardson” requesting an RMA number to return the 3 cameras.  
10/22/01 – sent 3 cameras back to AAA via Fedex tracking #453295747843, was told by AAA they would ship the entire order immediately.  
10/24/01 – called to find out when they would ship the order, was told it would ship today.  
10/25/01 - placed on hold for over 40 min, and hung up on. Placed complaint with Better Business Bureau, complaint #457029, and Office of the Attorney General New York, File #IB-02-10061. Found that AAA had 266 complaints with BBB in the past 36 months.  
10/26/01 – sent another letter via Fedex, tracking #790199284677 to “steve Richardson” asking him to please fill my order and ship the product immediately.  
11/01/01 – received seven of line item 1 obviously used, the owner’s manuals were “xerox copies” and the boxes were bent up. Did receive the other two in November.  
The following are the dates and duration of the other calls made to AAA Camera begging them to refund our money. Most of these calls resulted in either being placed on “eternal hold” or being hung up on. Attached are the phone records to document all calls.  
11/07/01 – 5.9 min  
11/21/01 – 8.4 min  
11/26/01 – 8.8 min  
11/27/01 – 2.5 min  
11/28/01 – 5.4 min  
11/28/01 – 10.5 min  
11/28/01 – 17.3 min  
11/29/01 – 3.2 min  
12/03/01 – 2.5 min  
12/05/01 – 6.5 min  
12/13/01 – 13.3 min  
12/13/01 - .3 min  
12/17/01 – 5.5 min  
12/20/01 – 3.8 min  
12/24/01 – 2.3 min  
12/24/01 – 4 min  
12/26/01 – 9.4 min  
01/02/02 - .3 min  
01/02/02 - .8 min  
01/11/02 – Sent letter via fax (212) 675-3957 to “Mr. Mike Davis” asking for the return of our money.  
01/15/02 – Received letter from BBB stating that AAA Camera had said they will issue refund in full shortly.  
02/07/02 – Placed complaint with FTC reference #1799216 and sent email to customerservice@siteamerica.com informing them of AAA Camera’s business practices. Also found numerous complaints about AAA Camera on resellerratings.com.  
02/02/02 – Receives correspondence from BBB asking if the issue had been resolved.  
02/07/02 – Received letter from OAG New York.  
02/21/02 – Sent letter to BBB explaining the issue was not resolved and to please keep the case file open.  
02/21/02 – Sent letter to AAA Camera via Fedex tracking #792705023116 asking again for our refund of $3,825.59.  
02/22/02 – Response to the OAG New York, with all supporting documentation  
02/22/02 – Online complaint with FBI (IFCC)  
02/25/02 – received fax of STORE CREDIT in the amount of $3620.83 dated 2/1/02  
02/28/02 – letter to “Mr. Gossenki” stating final demand and STORE CREDIT unacceptable. Fedex tracking #790325499430  
02/28/02 – mailed complaint letter with all supporting documentation to the Office of the Inspector General (USPS).  
03/12/02 This issue is STILL not resolved  
04/18/02 Letter from OAG says they will handle this case  
04/29/02 Rec'd letter from OAG and a COPY OF A REFUND CHECK which was dated 4/5 which I know we will NEVER RECEIVE and I just can't believe they are going to try to scam THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL....boy is this company stupid  
 
 

This review was modified by its author, edwarded, on 9/5/02 11:21 AM.