This site is a scam. Don't but from them.

I ordered the Panasonic DVX100b from Sonic Cameras for the bargin price of $1840.00 on line. With in minutes of my order I received a call from Peter reguarding my order. First he was asking why I ordered this model and not an HD camera and I knew that I was in trouble. I told him I was not interested in HD to get him off my case and that's when he decided to review with me what came with my camera with the  
'Presidential Package".  
 
He read off everything it came with the camera such as tripod, battery, lenses, filters, etc... Then he told me that one thing the camera does NOT come with is a charger for the battery. That was and extra $350. I asked him if there was anything else that didn't come with I would need, he mentioned the filters that came with the package were plastic and cheap, that he could sell me the professional ones for andther $200. When I told him I was purchasing on a budget, and didn't have the $$$$ for "extras" he tried to sell me a whold other camera, HD, with all professional filters for $2,000.  
 
By now my stomach was in my shoes and I knew I was benig swindeled. I told him I needed to think about it and would call him back. I was on my way to school at the time so I went to talk with one of my film professors and research this camera he was trying to sell me.  
 
We noticed that all the products were WELL below the competitors and so we researched the company. Once I saw ALL the complaints filed with the BBB and other complaints I decided to cancel my order ASAP. I called Peter back and told him I wanted to cancell my order. He wanted to know why. At first I didn't give him a reason, i just said "I want to cancel my order". He kept asking me why I didn't have a reason and was being a real condescending a-hole. Finally I told him, "I don't trust this company and do not want to do business with you". There was silence for a few seconds, no response. I said "hello, is anyone there?" No response. Peter hung up on me. So the next call I made was to my bank to cancell my card because the charges had not been submitted as of then. I dodged a bullet and have learned you get what you're willing to pay for!!!

WARNING !!!! This is the same company:  
www.86photovideo.com  
www.ontimedigital.com  
shopdigitaldirect.com  
soniccameras.com  
myrtleelectronics.com  
digitalsfuture.com  
lensesnmore.com  
www.closeoutgenius.com ( GENIUS )  
slrgenius.com  
camcordergenius.com  
projectorgenius.com  
plasmagenius.com  
allpcgenius.com  
cellulargenius.com  
receivergenius.com  
navigenius.com  
cameragiantsinc.com

This review was modified by its author, faa, on 2/2/09 6:09 AM.

I recently had the displeasure of placing an order with this company.  
 
First they have the annoying sales practice of forcing you to call and confirm your order, but in this case I was glad to see it. After about 5 minutes on the phone something didn't sound right so I asked about the product warranties and found that they were not the manufacturers warranty. As I tried to pursue this matter further the salesperson kept trying to get me to complete the order.  
 
I refused to complete the order and told the salesperson to cancel the entire order at which time they actually started yelling at me. I waited until they were done and very calmly asked for the salespersons name. It was at this time that they hung up on me.  
 
I canceled my credit card immediately in case they tried to complete the charge without my authorization. 2 days later I received a bogus email indicating that they had to cancel my order due to out of stock issues.

I ordered a Canon lens from this company and after ordering saw some bad reviews. I did not know about "resellerratings" at the time, so thought I would see how it went. I then received a notice from them that the item was "not in stock" and would be backordered. I cancelled the order and closed out my credit card account for a new one. My concern was that they might just be trying to get card numbers for other use. After seeing all the bad review, I am surprised they haven't been shut down.

I purchased the canon xsi body with usa warranty and when it came it did not have the warranty. Before the camera was shipped I was called by a salesman from sonic camera who asked if I wanted a battery with the camera. I asked if one came with it and he said no. Upon receipt one did come with it and an additional one was sent. Free shipping was advertised yet they charged me $19.80. They did not send the free accesories that they advertised. Also disturbing was the invoice with no unit prices listed. Only a total for the "special package". This made it impossible to return anything as memory cards etc. were part of a special package.  
 
This should be illegal. Having lived in Africa for nearly seven years I could expect this there although I did not experience it. New York should monitor this and shut it down. It is highly unethical.

Yet another victim here...almost. I ordered a Canon 18-200 lens from these jokers right before Christmas. I was buying this to surprise my wife and I knew nothing about cameras or lenses. The price on their website was $459. I ordered it online and called the next day (while driving in my car) because I didn't receive my confirmation number via e-mail. At this point, the upsell started. As a sales rep, I can appreciate the upsell as it's what sales people do. For $10 more I was sold a 'better' lens, a Sigma. I was also sold a lens filter for their 'unbelieveable' price of $49.99. I received everything as stated but it wasn't what my wife wanted. She's an avid photographer so she knows her lenses. Here I am, thinking I scored. Little did I know.  
 
The day after X-mas I called Sonic to exchange the lens. I got a guy that sounded like Guido on the phone. I told him I wanted to exchange the Sigma for the $459 Canon. He said 'no problem'. He asked me if I wanted a plastic mount or a metal mount. I was kinda shocked to learn that this lens didn't ship with a mount so I agreed to the $120 metal mount. He gave me an RMA number and that was that. I told my wife and she explained to me that there's no plastic mount and that the metal mount is standard. I did my own research and sure enough she was correct. I then checked the model number for the lens filter they sold me for $49.99 on Google. Turns out everyone else, B&H, etc. sells this lens cover for $5-$6. At this point I'm about to go through the roof. Unfortunately it's Friday night at this point so I have to wait until Monday to call. Meanwhile, I find this site which only adds fuel to the fire.  
 
Monday rolls around and I call them first thing in the morning with my tape recorded running to record what's about to transpire. To my surprise, this other guy I get on the phone is pretty mellow and I was expecting a good 'ol sales fight here :) I told him I wanted to return the Sigma and get the $459 Canon. He says 'ok, we have a great package that includes yaddi yadda for $599. I said "but I just want the $459 lens as advertised". He said that was a 'third party wholesale gray market lens; and that he couldn't sell that to me. So, I said "ok but of that $599 package, how much is the lens? He says $514 (still a good price for this lens)'. I say to him ok, I just want the lens for $514 and nothing else. He pauses for a few seconds as if so silently say 'oh shoot, he got me'. He then says 'ok, hang on I'll get you an RMA number'. I then said BTW, I'm gonna return that lens filter you sold me'. To my surprise, no push back here either. RMA issued for the lens and then he gave me their UPS account number to send the item back with!!!. I went to UPS that day and shipped the Sigma back from California to NY priority overnight on their account :) I can only imagine what that cost them. Lens arrived, brand new for $514 but my charge card was never credited for the difference of ~$20. I called them back to ask about my $20 refund and wound up having to give the guy on the other end of the phone a lesson in basic math. After the math lesson, he agreed to refund me the $20 and sure enough, it was credited a few days later.  
 
So, my story wasn't as horrible as others but moral of the story is that you cannot get the prices that are advertised on their website. I have filed complaints with the NY BBB, the NY Attorney General and the FBI Internet Fraud Unit. I hope you do the same.

I too was an almost victim of their games. I ordered the Canon lens and the ordered placed just as expected. Then the e-mails started, call us, call us, call us right away. Finally Monday I weed through the e-mails and to my surprise they try and sell me bottom screw on part of the lens. He tells me that it's necessary and I can choose a plastic mount or a metal one! This lens always comes with a metal mount! So what is he talking about? I tell him as much and when he sees I'm protesting this he says let me strike you a deal... I'll sell you the metal mount for $50 instead of $75! Um NO.  
 
3 things come to mind, they are either just randomly calling people and trying to talk them into buying something that is there in the 1st place. Or they actually take these lens apart which seems like a horrible idea. Finally their website makes not mention of this, anywhere! There is no place saying the lens doesn't come with this mount, there is not even a place to do it. Also this is a phone call order which I take is off the books.  
 
After discussing this with a co-worker this site was found and so I've canceled my order finally after 2 days of not getting an answer from them and called my credit card to let them know not to allow charges from them.  
 
This place is a scam.

This review was modified by its author, YellowTJ, on 1/22/09 9:52 AM.

Same song different verse…  
I saw their add on line, went to their web site and noted their prices were well below anyone else. I was skeptical so I called them to confirm the Canon EF 70-300mm lens wasn’t gray market, refurbished, or open box resale. I was assured it was a new, USA, unopened lens and that they were able to sell it at a lower price because they had a low overhead…  
I still felt uneasy about it but they were offering it at a price $200 or more below most other dealers... I order it on line and got an email confirming my order...Later I got a second email asking me to call and confirm for security reasons... Lucky for me after I had ordered the lens I found this site and read several of the reviews so I was forwarned and didn't call...  
I guess they waited as long as they could and then they called me...First Danny ask for the 3 digit security number from the back of my credit card. When I told Danny that it was too worn to read he said he would process it without the security code. Then he ask what camera I intended to us it with and when I told him a Rebel XSi, he told me it wouldn’t work on my camera without an adaptor..Again because of the reviews I had read I was ready…I simply told him that I had the exact same lens but it had been stolen so I had all the “adaptors, filters, screens, plugs or any other conceivable accessories you could possibly dream up”..This didn’t seem to be in his playbook and threw him off his game...Danny simply thanked me for my order and hung up...During this whole conversation I was overly polite and made it seem like I thought he was doing me a big favor by trying to assist me in buying all this stuff.  
The next day I sent an email thanking them for all their help and kindness and ask that they send me a confirmation email when my order was shipped and also requested they include an invoice...I received an email later that day informing me that the lens had been “oversold”, was on backorder and would be 6-8 weeks before delivery so they had canceled my order…It further stated that my credit card had not been charged...I called my credit card company and they confirmed that it had not been charger, at which time I ask they to cancel (treat as lost or stolen) my card and reissue me a new one…  
Thanks to those who had taken the time to post reviews I’m only out a little more than slight aggravation...I dodged a bullet...Hope this will allow you to do the same…  
As an afterthought to any of you that are new to Canon digital cameras: The EF /EOS lens were specifically designed for the SLR Canon cameras and don’t require an adaptor. This is only one of the lies they will try and tell you...  

Avoid this site also (photonation, shopdigitaldirect). I called after seeing they had the Nikon D90 was advertised for 449.00(body only) which was about 300.00 cheaper than most other sites. When the sales agent answered I said I was interested in the D90 and he said OK. When I asked him why they were so much cheaper than other sites he hung up on me. Thinking maybe we got disconnected, I called back when he answered I began to speak and he hung up before I could finish my sentence. STAY AWAY!!!!!

I ordered a JVC HD7 camcorder online. I received an e-mail to call and confirm the order. The original price of the camera was $509 and the salesman told me he'd give me a free upgrade to the JVC HD6. OK, I accepted. Then he said, oh by the way, your camera does not come with a battery or battery charger! I told him that explains why the price is so cheap so I bought the battery charger & charger for about $125. Still a good price for the camera overall. Then he sells me a "professional" wide angle lens for about $200 which retails for $400-$500. I asked him for the specifications so I could research it but of course he couldn't give them to me. He said to trust him, it's a good deal.  
I received the camcorder with the standard battery (not upgraded like I paid for) and a cheap lens (quick search shows it sells for $50-$70, not $400-$500).  
When I "upgraded" my order online, I asked for an e-mail detailing what I was getting. I never received that e-mail despite follow up e-mails asking for the same. When I called again, they said they weren't receiving e-mails because of a virus.  
So eventually I get a very generic invoice stating total of $850. Bottom line is my camcorder price went from $500 to $850 and the only thing I got for the extra $350 was a $50 "professional" lens.  
DO NOT BUY FROM THIS SCAM ARTIST. I will be sending a complaint to the better business bureau (bbb.og) and I encourage everyone else to do the same.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SONIC CAMERA. I ordered a Canon XSI camera. I called before ordering to insure it was available at the price that was posted on their website. I was told it would arrive in 8-10 days. I received and email confirmation of the order. When it didn't arrive, I called and was rather rudely told it was back ordered and wouldn't be available for 4-6 weeks. When I asked for an explanation they hung up on me. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY

I ordered a camera from ShopDigital Direct at the same time I ordered a lens from Sonic Cameras. Both sent me an email to confirm the order and asking for the credit card's security number. I called ShopDigitalDirect right away and got the hard sale for buying overpriced accessories that would normally be with the body, all of which I declined. I found out the camera would be a few weeks before it was delivered. Near the end of that time, I called and found the expected delivery time was even longer than it was at first. And, later, it wasn't getting any better. About 1/9, I called and canceled the order.  
 
With Sonic Cameras I had immediate misgivings about the order and thought I might want another lens so I did not call to confirm the order. Later, I found my first choice was the better so I did call to confirm. (Despite emailing a request to cancel, requests to confirm continued.) When I did call, they tried to sell me a filter I didn't want, tell me the lens only had a plastic mount (totally untrue, the lens isn't available with a plastic mount and offered me a different lens for $50 more although the street price is about $200 less.) So, I told them to cancel the order. I wrote them an email and told them what I thought of them. I got two emails from them. One, to call them back and they would make it good. The second saying the order was canceled due to nonavailability.  
 
Now, somewhere in all this during mid-December, I got charges to a drilling company in California for over $13,000. Wonder which one did it.

**AVOID THIS SELLER** Their website claims they have products available, you place an order, then they tell you its not in stock. I called to ask about this, they were extremely rude, refused to put manager on the phone. I also found out that they sell stripped down versions of the products (ie, no battery, cords, warranty), but do not mention this anywhere on their website. I have submitted a complaint to the BBB. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SELLER.

I am nothing short of floored at the ridiculously horrible experience I have had with Sonic Cameras. They sold me a lense they were unable to get and shipped an inferior version to me. When I sent it back to fix the problem, they shipped the same lense back to me. Now, 9 weeks after my initial purchase, I still don't have the lense I ordered. Upon further inquiry, they said they were unable to get the lense at that time, but would be shipping it out to me in a week or so. A month later, I called to find out where my lense was. They said it would end up costing more than they thought, but if I still wanted the lense it would be $399 dollars more. The SUPERVISOR of the customer service department was rude, condescending, hostile, and completely uninterested in listening to my concerns or hearing what I had to say. I have never been talked to so badly, let alone by a customer service representative. I have also never felt so disregarded by a company. I will NEVER give this company a dollar of my money again. They are in a whole other class of losers!

This review was modified by its author, orinoco4, on 1/15/09 2:30 PM.