Very, very suspicious. I would not recommend anyone order from this store. I fell into a classic "bait-and-switch" they run: they call to confirm the CCV number on your credit card, and then talk you into a grey-market item that is "superior". I doubt they ever had the item I originally wanted, and use it only as a lure. I was talked into an inferior graymarket item that cost more.  
 
When I tried to find more information about the lens, I was told that the manufacturer (Sigma) didn't show it on their US website because it was imported from Japan, but that I could find info on another merchant's website -- geniuscameras.com. That turned out to be run by the same people as expresscameras.com. At this point it was clear that I was not being dealt with honestly, and I had no compunction in demanding a refund.  
 
When I called to cancel, I was told I could not cancel because the item was on the shipping dock already. I told the rep ("Jim") that I didn't believe him, and was told he could get me a tracking number if I wanted. I asked for the number, was put on hold, and when he came back he said I could cancel the order, with no mention of the tracking number. I think the whole "shipping dock" line was a lie to keep me from canceling, in the hopes I would let the item ship, and either keep it or get trapped in an RMA game.  
 
Eventually, after another offer to lower the price or switch the item, I was "allowed" to cancel with a $200 charge for shipping and handling. This is abusive, since shipping on the lens is quoted as $48 on the website. My credit card company tells me I am out of luck there, since it falls into "non-refundable shipping, handling, and insurance charges" that I tacitly agreed to when I placed the order. I guess I have to accept that as part of my lesson -- to research a merchant before I buy, be more suspicious of the low price leader, and not be talked out of an item I have researched. I'd rather pay $200 than end up with a lens that isn't what I wanted and makes me feel like a chump when I look at it!  
 
As a precaution, I have canceled the credit card. They have demonstrated their dishonesty -- I don't trust them with my CC number.  
 
NB: They are also being sued by the New Jersey Attorney General for violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, for bait-and-switch, unreasonable shipping & handling (see above), and more.  
 
Bottom line: If you got burned, don't feel stupid -- they are professionals at deception. But DO feel justified in making a fighting for every penny with your credit card company and the AG's office. If we don't fight it, they will just keep on abusing people.  
 
Lawsuit info:  
http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases06/pr20061130a.html

This review was modified by its author, jeffrice47, on 10/25/07 9:36 PM.

Ordered and paid for a D80 Nikon Camera and lens from "Express Camera" online. Then a few days later a guy from the store called me about the lens order and said that they needed the 3 digit security code for my credit card. Then he asks me what I am using the lens for, and I say a Nikon D80 (you would think this was obvious, but apparently they are not to bright on the boiler plate side of the store). Then he goes into a song and dance about the poor performance of the lens, how it was made for another camera, and how I should upgrade to one of their more expensice lenses on their web site. I said, no, I wanted that particular lens, and he says OK and hangs up. So, a day later? They send me 2 emails saying that both the body and lens are back-ordered, and that the orders have been cancelled for both. Reading online (do a Google search of ExperssCamera+scam) and you will get pages and pages of the same story. They suck you in with a cheap price deal and then call you with a bogus question about your credit card, and then try to get you to upgrade to a more expensive product. Read: AVOID!

This review was modified by its author, reviewdude, on 10/24/07 4:35 PM.

I ordered Canon Lenses from them yesterday. Got the bait and switch call this morning. Tried to sell me different lenses stating the ones I ordered did not work with my camera. When I stated that I wanted them anyway, they said they were on backorder.  
 
I am so sick of the countless stories like this with nothing that can be done. I ask that everyone who gets treated like this take a moment to search for the camera you ordered everyday on yahoo, msn and google. Click on the SPONSORED links for these offers and DO NOT BUY. Each time you click on a link the companies advertising these bogus deals will be made to pay a fee. Each click is about $1 so keep doing so. If enough people do this daily they will not be able to afford advertising. No one else will go through this, or worse be made to pay for upsells of junk merchandise!

Ruthless SCAM ARTISTS!  
They used bait and switch tactics to sell me up to a more expensive (inflated cost)camera or lens. Filled me with so much hyperbole and lies that I fell for it. I feel so stupid!  
 
I did fight them when I realized how I'd been duped. Had to compromise losing $68 instead of the $250 they originally took me for. They say they are issuing me s credit of $189. Yesterday I argued with the manager (Kevin) and he said I could send it back. But, that could open another can of worms - they could claim it was damaged and refuse the refund. I wouldn't put it past them.  
So I cut my losses and am done with them, provided I get my refund. Will update with-in a week.  
 
UPDATE: May Visa account has posted the credit. Lesson learned. End of story.

This review was modified by its author, bostechie, on 10/18/07 12:25 PM.

Wow, what horrible customer service. I called to verify order got hung up on, called again to be put on hold(phone was not picked up) Nevermind prior to purchase I had questions and was told I am price shopping while providing no answer, hung up on for the first time. The price seemed good, however seems like a scam organization.

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto to all the previous negative comments. Ordered my Canon 28-135mm IS USM lens on 10/9, got the email to call and confirm on 10/10. Called, they attempted to ask me alot of questions about camera usage. Thanks to this site, I told them I was at work and didn't have time to answer their questions. I was told everything was all set. Sure enough, the next day, I received an email that the the lens was backordered and the order was cancelled.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!! Tried twice to order a Nikon digital camera lens. The first time, I called to confirm my online order and they told me they wouldn't accept AMEX (although their web site provides AMEX as an option). When I told the rep that I was uncomfortable giving him a new credit card number on the phone, he said my order had been cancelled and hung up on me. So, I waited a few days and ordered the same lens again with my VISA card. I called yesterday to confirm my online order (required by Express Cameras). The rep tried to upsell me by telling me that this lens wouldn't work well with my camera (I know it will). He finally confirmed my order and said it would ship out the next day. Well today is the next day and I just received an email from them saying that the lens is backordered at least 8 weeks. So now I've wasted a week and still don't have the lens ordered. This company does not understand good customer service and I will NEVER order from them again!

I placed my order on Aug 21 I was ordering the Canon 30D with the platnuim package. I like other got the email to call in, so I did Chris was the Jerk who helped me. He tried to get me to upgrade to the Xti which I didnt want, then tried to get me to purchase lenses,filters, the list goes on. I refused. Guess what next day I got the cancelled order email saying out of stock. The next day I noticed the price went up over 250.00 so I thought hmm I wonder if they messed up the price and cancelled my order because of that so I ordered the same exact thing under my mothers name. She got a phone call asking for a return call to verify, so my mom called back and I had forgot to warn her about the pushy upgrades, so she fell for it, by the time I spoke to her my order total was over 1800.00. I called but it was too late the camera was on the way. I then was pissed that the camera I ordered wasnt in stock but it was for my mother so I called in and was given some line of Bullshit. Chris told me the camera I orginally ordered was the "PLASTIC" kind and my mothers was upgraded to the metal. hmm funny when I called cannon they said it is only made with the alloy. So I called back AGAIN and got another guy who told me they only sell the Metal camera.. so wow thier employees cant seem to get thier story straight, This company are CROOKS!!! dont waist your time unless you want to upgrade from thier packages and end up spending over 1800.00. My mothers order we refused wit hthe delivery company so express camera got it back and my mother handled the credit card company to make sure no charges were applied.

Unfortunately, it sounds like the same story everybody else tells. A much lower price on the D80. An email to call for confirmation and an attempt to upsell me on a faster memory card. After rejecting the upsell I was assured that my order would be delivered within two days, it was an anniversary present. No delivery by the anniversary, just an email about 5 days later that my order was canceled as the item wouldn't be back in stock for over 6 weeks. I guess I should count myself lucky that they haven't charged my card yet, or sent me things I didn't order.

Buyer beware!!!! This place is running a criminal operation. It is just as bad or worse than the other negative reviews. The only way they can stay in business selling cameras below retail is by robbing people. Stay away!!!!

This company is an absolute fraud. Everything about them is geared towards screwing the customer. I placed an order for a Sony DSR-PD170. They have an advertised price of $979. Now I knew this was a huge difference between what most authorized Sony retailers sell the item for, but I figured that maybe they were getting rid of inventory or somehow had an extremely low acquisition price.  
 
So after placing the order online, I received an email asking me to call to confirm my order. I spoke with Chris. He first asked my for the 3 digit security code for my credit card. Then he asked me if I wanted a battery with the camera. I said that no, I would be fine with the one it came with. He response was "what do you mean, the one it comes with. It doesn't come with one." I told him that all Sony cameras come with a battery. They come with everything you need. He asked me what else I thought it came with. I told him that the Sony website lists the camera as coming with battery, charger, remote, strap, wide angle adapter, etc. He told me that in order to get all of that stuff that I would need to order one of the package kits. I told him that that was ridiculous, the camera comes with all of that stuff. He said that the price was for the camera only and that it was a 'wholesale' kit. I told him that there was no such thing (confirmed that with Sony today). I asked him if they were opening boxes and taking that stuff out. He said that it was a wholesale kit and that it was only for the camera. He said that the website didn't state that it comes with anything. I told him that when you buy a car you don't expect the salesman to then tell you that the car doesn't come with tires. I then asked him 'what else is needed to enable this camera to work." He listed a bunch of stuff, among them was a viewfinder for $799. Yes, that's right, he told me that the camera doesn't come with a viewfinder. So the total price to get a working camera was $2700, a far cry from the advertised price of $979!!  
 
He asked me if I wanted to cancel the order, so I told him yes. I will be filing a complaint with the NJ Dept of Consumer Affairs and the BBB as well. These guys are obvious scammers. I just can't believe they haven't been shut down. They're an absolute disgrace to anyone who earns an honest living in sales.  
 
I would advise anyone considering doing business with them to look elsewhere.

DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY!!! Not only did we get ripped off, the staff is completely imcompetant and blatantly rude. We ordered a 'camera package'and then returned it after finding out how much they had ripped us off! Then we placed another order for just a camera body and flash. When I called to check on the status of that order I was repeatly ignored and transfered and on hold for 27 minutes. Not only, did I not resolve anything from this call....they told me that I had not been on hold that long and maybe my phone was broken. They proceeded to tell me the second order had not been placed and then hung up on me. Absolutely terrible customer service. Absolutely terrible etiquette. I can't believe that this company is still in business. We even called our credit card company and put a block on any transactions that try to be placed from this company. We would gladly join in on any action taken against this company. ABSOLUTELY DISSATISFIED!!!!

I agree with just about EVERY negative review of this company. I also ordered one of their "specials" for a Nikon D80. Their "professional kit" which is labeled as a "Best Buy". Then, I receive a phone call to confirm my purchase. At which point the salesperson (Peter) tells me that it doesn't come with a battery or a charger, and then says the 2GB card is slow, and I need a high-speed card or it can take several seconds between pictures. He then "upgrades" my lens from TWO Nikon lenses to one Sigma lens, which I later find out is worth about $79 dollars on Amazon. A day later, a guy in the shipping department calls me to verify my zip code. Apparently, I accidentally entered my previous address zip code. I then tell him, that I want to cancel my order. He transfers me to "customer service" and I end up with the same guy Peter who is not CS, but a salesperson. I tell him I want to cancel the order. He then tells me that it already shipped out. I said, "The shipping guy JUST NOW transfered me to you...he couldn't have shipped it, he was still trying to get the correct zip code!" Then, Peter INSISTS it shipped. When I ask about their return policy, he tells me I have 7 days from receipt, but that if it's opened, I'm subject to a 15% re-stocking fee. I told him, fine, I won't open the camera.  
Well, when I received the shipment, the camera box had no cello-wrap on it...it was shipped to me opened! Their website claims everything is brand new, but it's complete bullshit.  
Also, they claim free-shipping, yet on my invoice I was charged $51 for shipping/handling...this went from Edison, NJ to Jamesburg, NJ!!! Are you kidding me??? I wouldn't pay that for air from Texas to NJ.  
This company is an absolute FRAUD, and I'm going to contact the Better Business Bureau on them, and I recommend everyone else with an issue to do the same thing.  
It's very true...if a deal looks too good to be true...it most likely is.

Pretty much a bait and switch scheme. I ordered a kit at a low price, when I would not agree to several hundred dollars of overpriced accessories THEY cancelled my order.

Do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE!! Same switch and bait tactics as reported by others in this site. Wish I had done my research on them earlier. Bought a Canon X T camera from them, got the "confirmation" call from one of their sales people and sold me a bunch of stuff I later found out was way overpriced, even sold me an extra battery claiming the camera dint bring one! To make matters worse, when the package arrived, the camera was missing, and they charged me $100.00 for ground shipping from New Jersey to Florida. Now I need to fight these idiots and see what my credit card company can do to get me a refund. What a waste of time!!  
UPDATE: It took 2 phone calls to get the camera shipped out, I finally got the camera without the Canon 18-55 lens that was part of the kit. At this point I gave up, at least I dint get a gray market camera like some others!! Not a pleasant experience!

This review was modified by its author, peptolet, on 9/6/07 3:27 PM.