It's November 24, 2004 right now. On July 19th, 2004 I ordered an $1100 camcorder, a $100 memory card, and $35 worth of tapes. The tapes were out of stock so I just got the first two components and waited. It's 4 months later and I've only been able to find tapes at one store since then (all used up by now). I called Sony and they are still out of stock! I tried to communicate the absurdity of selling a camera without making the tapes (they are the only manufacturer of these tapes that I know of). In searching 3 warehouses for me, they found 1 set of three tapes and said "cross my fingers" that they arrive.  
 
No apology whatsoever and of course, I was charged for these tapes.

The order was actually through Best Buy, however, it was the sony service that caused a problem (VAIO FR130). I had to send the notebook in for a problematic touchpad and a sticking power button (kept getting jamed under the casing). Aside from that, it worked perfect, no crashes, no nothing.  
 
Sony got the notebook, refused to fix it, saying there was water damage to the motherboard (1, I kept the thing away from water, thet really isn't possible, 2, there would have been more problems than a flaky touchpad if there were water damage to the motherboard). Finally I got it back, figuring, ok, I can deal with a flaky touch pad, no problem.  
 
Wrong, it won't power on. So now I'm out well over $1000 because Sony decided to pull this. They are definetly on my never-purchase-from-agian list.

Sony's style is bait and switch!  
 
A hold for the full amount was put on my credit card when the online order was placed. After the estimated delivery date passed, this date was changed to unknown in the online status page. I called and after a half hour on hold, the help desk told me the notebook I ordered was never available. He offered to switch me to sales to purchase another.

I spent hours on the phone and over the internet trying to get Sony to make good on the e-coupons they had offered for a previous purchase. All the coupon numbers they gave me (4 of them) were unworkable and read as invalid or having already been used. Sony customer service was of no help and kept me waiting a very long time.

This review was modified by its author, bjtarzy, on 10/14/04 11:54 PM.

I am trying to purchase a VAIO laptop. The first order I tried was returned to shipper because FedEx could not find the address the deliver tens of packages to everyday. Of course that is FedEx's fault, but I went through hell speaking to customer service about it. The fact is that they don't care if you don't get your order in a timely manner. They jsut told me to reorder. Its a tough policy, but I guess thats business. However, they have had the laptop returned to them for abotu a week and they have yet to refund me my $2000+. Again I tried to speak to customer service about it and all I get is "you will be refunded, but we can't guarantee when."  
 
Stupidly, I thought the refund would be fast, and proceded to reorder the item, against my gut instinct. This time I oreder over night shipping. The sales person said that it should be here today or tomorow. However, looking at the status, it says a week from now. I called a rep the other day and he said "he had a feeling it had shipped and I should call back after the system is updated." I called again today and I was told that since its a customized laptop that it would take like 7 business days to process. I said, why the hell was I lied to and why did I pay for overnight shipping. Customer service rep basically said "tough." I asked to speak to a manager and she basically said, there is no manager call back later. I asked if they could call me, and she said no.  
 
Lesson Learned:  
Sony customer service is horrible. Do not buy from sonystyle.com. Sony has good products but sonystyle is horrible.

Sony misinformed me about when my items would actually ship and never informed me they would come a piece at a time from all over the country. I was told my order would ship within two days, two months later they are still shipping items that were canceled over a month ago. Their website's order status is incorrect about what has been shipped, what was pending, and what is now canceled. When I returned the camcorder I had ordered which was defective, I was told to simply call back sales and re-order it again. When I attempted to re-order it, they were unable to sell it for the original price I paid to them. When I attempted to escalate it to a manager, they refused to let me talk to a manager. They also refused to cancel the remainder of my order which I did not need if I had no camcorder. After almost two hours of being on the phone, I got a promise for a call back within two hours from a manager. Seven hours later, I did receive a call. The manager finally agreed to sale the camcorder for the price they originally charged but told me I would have to pay full price up front. They would then somehow arrange to credit me after the sale. I told her no and asked her to cancel the remainder of my order (which still had no estimated shipped date). She promised this would be done. Almost two months later (three weeks after they were supposed to have canceled my other pieces), they shipped another item. Their website is still showing incorrect statuses and I am still waiting for a refund on my shipping that was promised over two months ago. I have seen credits for the items I returned (but no shipping refund).  
 
At this point in time, I will never shop with sony.style.com again. The happy story is I ordered my camcorder from Crutchfield.com and received it (with it's accessories in one package) in less than three business days. I then purchased additional sony accessories not available at Crutchfield at DigitalFoto.com at 30-40% savings. I am still a Sony customer but not a sony.style.com. Sony needs to pick another service provider and website for their own direct retailing. They've got some serious system and order fulfillment issues. They also overprice their shipping by charging you per item (this is explained by the fact that they can't seem to ship pieces bundled togehter from one location). Their packaging was very poor - no wonder the camcorder and memory stick was defective.

Ordering from SonyStyle has been the worst experience I have ever had with on-line vendors. On March 25, 2004 I contacted Sony Style to order a PDA (Developer’s Model). After a short conversation with the customer service representative, who assured me that a Developer’s Model is identical to a regular model, I placed an order for that product. However, after doing brief research on the so-called Developer’s Model, I learned that it is not identical to a regular model. In fact, it lacks very important features necessary for the product.  
Exactly 15 min. after placing an order, I contacted Sony at the same number and cancelled my order. The customer service representative particularly noted that “the order hasn’t even been processed yet,” and thanked me for placing a prompt phone call. I was further given a Cancellation No.  
10 days later I called to check the balance on my Visa account. Noting an unusually high balance, I further inquired for the information relating to purchases made for the month of March of 2004, and for the charges posted on my account. To my astonishment, I discovered a $300 charge billed by Sony. Considering the matter being resolved 10 days ago, I immediately contacted Sony Customer Service Department. To my further surprise, the Sony representative indicated that my order was NEVER cancelled, but instead PROCESSED and SHIPPED to my attention.  
I promptly proceeded to my office mail room and was completely shocked when I was handed a FedEx package delivered that day. I was still in denial when I got the package, and hoping that it’s something work-related I opened the package. A Sony PDA was nicely packed inside the box!I was outraged.  
I had no knowledge of the order being processed or shipped to me. At no times was I given a courtesy phone call or sent an e-mail with a tracking number or any shipment information. I would have taken all necessary actions to stop the product from being delivered. If I had known that Sony is not responsible for canceling the order or lets the order being processed and shipped notwithstanding the customer’s desires, I would have followed up on the matter and would not have allowed these erroneous charges being posted on my account.  
I refused to accept this package and gave it back to the FedEx to deliver it back where it originated.  
After long, useless and tiring conversation with a Sony Customer Service representative, in attempt to have the improper made charges dropped, I requested to speak to the supervisor. Supervisor agreed and understood my concern of how the order could have been shipped on the 26th of March, if it was cancelled on the 25th. She further indicated that after Sony receives the merchandise back I will be issued a credit for all charges (product, tax and shipping).  
The most surprising and shocking fact is that this was done and overlooked by a company of a large caliber as SONY, not a remote dot com shop. After dealing with Sony Customer Service, Visa, and FedEx, I further subjecting myself to stress of dealing with FedEx, tracking the package, making sure Sony registers and notes its arrival properly (which most likely will be a problem). Sony doesn't assume responsibility for its company’s actions and mistakes of its customer service representatives who fail to contact their clients regarding process of order or cancellation.  
Being that I am a frequent Sony customer, I have a great respect and appreciation for their product. But this has been the first (and a last) time that I ever requested the merchandise to be sent to me by mail, because Sony customer service proved to be incompetent, irresponsible and inconsiderate.  
 

Ordered a replacement speaker from the Direct Accessories and Parts Center (DAPC) on monday march 1st, 2004, and it has just shipped yesterday, thursday march 4th, 2004.. why on earth would it take a store 3 days to ship an item?? most other ship same, or next day! Rediculous. I figured ordering it monday noon, I would have the thing by thursday, maybe friday at the latest.. I would of had it by wednesday if it was NEWEGG!!

This review was modified by its author, drangdloon, on 3/6/04 7:33 AM.

I bought a Sony DVD burner DRU 510A with a $30 rebate. Sony rebate company goes under the names of: Parago/rebateshq/.sonyrebates.com  
 
I sent the rebate request with all the documents in late Dec.03. Mid Jan they came back and wanted the UPC. I have scand a copied the UPC and the receipt on same page. I sent them the orignal UPC the same day.  
 
Mid Feb. they came back and said we need UPC. Sent them a copy of receipt and UPC on same page again. Waited 3 weeks, no word. I call and was able to make out the words from the poor english speaking woman that she had approved me and I would receive my rebate in 8 to 10 weeks from end of Feb.  
 
Sony, rebate or Parago ? Never again, none of them.

After 1 week, the order still had not shipped. When I inquired about the status, I was told by several people it would take 3 days or more to get the status. I then asked to cancel the order. I was told I cannot cancel because the item is in stock. I asked if it is in stock, why is it taking so long to ship. Response: You will need to wait 3 days for an answer. Poorest service around.

I would not buy anything from Sony that has a rebate.  
 
They don't answer email. Telephone calls you get people that can't speak english. If this is the best that Sony can do I don't need them  
 
Thank you very much.

Awlful Experience. Good products but people selling the products are casual and unprofessional .

My experience with sony style has been AWFUL. I found a 27" TV I wanted and it was a good deal w/ free shipping. So I bought the TV. 4 days later it showed up and the top two corners were dented badly. So I had the TV for a week while they mailed me a return label. Shiped the old one back and a week later the new one arrives. Of course I miss the shipment so I take off work and drive to the FedEx site. I inspect the TV best I can on site and take it home. Upon unpacking the TV I discover the bottom left corner is badly cracked. I call customer service again and complain and they tell me they will ship another return label. Unacceptable, so I talk to the "manager" and he can do nothing for me. The "protocol" is set by coporate HQ and they have no phones there apparently. The only recource is a mail-in complaint dept. So I returned the TV to fedex the same day and they agreed to return it for me. I hardly think FedEx is to blame. Their idea of packaging for 110 lb TV is a few styrafoam corners. In both deleviries the foam was cracked.  
In summary sonystyle customer service stinks. Perhaps if you buy somthing small you will have an okay experience. Just don't buy anything heavy, it will break and you will waste much of your personal time.

I preordered the DCR-PC101 video camera from sonystyle.com in May. At the time I placed my order, they promised to ship the camcorder "by or before 06/08/02". On 06/08/02 I received an email saying that they had cancelled my order! Now they are all backordered, so it looks like they cancelled the order instead of carrying through on their promise to ship the camcorder. It's hard to believe that such a major multinational corporation could resort to such sleazy bait-and-switch tactics in this day and age.

Tried to use "disclaimer clause" when caught with their pants down on a matter completely within their control.