I ordered a new Garmin GPS from Myrtle Electronics. They had the best price advertised on their website. When I called them to confirm the order, they told me that the price was for a grey market item, and it didn't have a USA warranty. But, for $20 more they could provide a new USA warranted item. So, I told them to ship me the one with the USA warranty for the additional $20.  
 
When it arrived, it wasn't a new item. It arrived in a white box. The GPS that they sent me was a refurbished item. I decided to open the box and make the best of a bad purchase. This is when things got worse. The first thing that I noticed was that the manual was creased and obviously used. When I tried to register the GPS with Garmin, the website said that the unit had already been registered by someone else - thereby proving that it was indeed a used item.  
 
When I contacted the Hot Buys/Myrtle Electronics store by phone, I was promised a prompt refund if I would just ship it back to them, and mark the outside of the box with the RMA number that was sent to me by email. I did this and have tracking/delivery information to prove that they had received it.  
 
When I called a few days later they told me that the refund was being processed and I should have the refund in a few days.  
 
After a week, I called them again. And again they assured that the refund was being processed and the refund would be processed in a few days.  
 
After two weeks, I called them again. For the third time they told me the same story. The refund was being processed and I should have it in a few days.  
 
A few days passed, I checked my account and found that the refund had not been processed and promptly started the credit card dispute process.  
 
These people treat you very nicely on the phone. They are not rude, and are pleasant to speak with. Unfortunately they aren't an honest business do deal with. I do not recommend them. For the price I paid for this Garmin GPS, I got a new one - with a USA warranty for less through Amazon.com.

Well I found this site after looking for a while. I had dealt with bait and switch places before and I was very weary because of the low price of the D300. I called to confirm that this was in fact a USA product with a USA warranty and I was reassured that it was.  
 
I went to call them back on the phone on Jan 30th to place my order and was told to place it over the internet because it was easier. I've never gotten that before usually you would turn away $1500 worth of business. I placed the order that day and chose the standard shipping for $35. I later found out that that was the standard shipping and it took 7-10 days to process and ship. I called back on friday about 30 minutes before they closed and Frank told me to call him back on monday because they werent going to be able to ship it out that day anyways. I called back on Monday and asked to speak to Frank. I told him that I wanted to upgrade my shipping to 3 Day because it was only $10 more. After some waiting on hold he told me that he would get that done for me and I would get a phone call from them when it ships. I did this at 10 in the morning and by 3 I still hadn't received anything. I called them back and he they only asked for my zip code and he said when do you need the product by, the end of the week? I said yes because it was now monday afternoon and they still hadn't shipped out my order. He finally said that he would have it to me by the end of the week. I didn't make any attempt to contact them on tuesday but I didnt receive an email or a phone call. On Wednesday I decided to call them to see what was going on. I asked the first person I spoke to on the phone what the status on my order was and I gave them my order number. I was then placed on hold for about 5 minutes. Another person answered the phone and didn't know what i was looking for, so I had to explain my situation once again. He then proceeded to tell me that some of the cameras come from over seas and don't come with USA warranties. I told him that I made sure to check that it did have a USA warranty with it. He then put me on hold for about 10 more minutes. He came back and said the lens I had ordered (Tamron 17-50 f/2.8) was a non-US product and he had no problem upgrading me to the two day air shipping. The only difference between the US and non-US was the warranty and the US version has a metal mount. He then proceeded to tell me that the US version was $50 more (which there is nothing listed on their site about anything like that). I told him that I specifically ordered the US version and they quoted me at the same price. He said okay and then said I would have my stuff by Friday. He didn't give me any sort of tracking number or anything. I was seriously doubting that they would ship my products by this weekend. This morning at 8 am I received an email from Hot Buys Electronics (the place I got charged from as well) say that my order had shipped via DHL and then they listed the tracking number which was clearly a UPS tracking number not DHL. I put it in UPS' site and sure enough there was my order. It was shipping 2 day air and it left Newark, NJ at 7:59 am EST and arrived at DFW airport at 11:37 am CST. I was going into this expecting the worst but if all go as planned and I get everything that I ordered I am going to be a happy camper. The trick is that you have to stay on top of them and make sure you let them know you're not going to be pushed around. I think dealing with all this crap was worth the $600 off of the camera but if you dont want to put up with their non sense then I suggest looking else where such as B&H, Adorama, or Amazon.  
 
***UPDATE***  
 
I received the camera and lens when i was supposed to. I checked it to make sure that everything was in tact and sure enough everything was there, including the warranty card.

This review was modified by its author, khphotography, on 2/7/09 6:57 AM.

After days of researching,I found the cheapest price online for a Rebel XTI digital camera at a website called Myrtle Electronics.com. So on jan 15th 2009,I decided to order it.  
 
And as you can see from this link:  
 
http://www.myrtleelectronics.com/item_detail.php?item_id=113454  
 
This product is listed as new WITH the 18-55 mm Lens. I had been saving up for this camera for months and was really excited to be able to get it for such a good price. I got a confirmation via email and was happy.  
 
The next day at 7 am, I get a wake up call from some number I had never seen before. On the other en was a man who said that I had ordered a camera from him. He seemed pretty friendly but also had a shady accent like a pimp or something lol. He had called to confimr my address and so I decided to ask him questions like the camera is New and what exactly it came with he told me it was brand new and told me all the things it came with, including the lens. He actually wanted to see if I was interested in buying filters or a memory card. I told him I had everything I needed. He then said "You just spent 470 dollars and you dont want a filter to protect your lens?? its going to get scratched you know" I told him I had filters already. He said ok and told me that it would get shipped in a few days. The whole call was a lil weird since Ive been ordering stuff online for years and I have never got a call from an online store, it seemed very unprofessional.  
 
A week passed and I got my package. When I opened the box you could easily tell that it was new but the box was solid white and didnt have the Kit artwork that I had seen everywhere  
online. It had the factory tape and had canon on the box so I wasnt too worried. When I opened it, It was all new and had all the accesories that the Kit was supposed to have EXCEPT one important thing, the lens. This was not the kit it was just the body that they had sent me, even the reciept had Canon Digtal Rebel XTI KIT. I was extremely pissed and I called the store imediately. The friendly shady guy answered and was really sorry and apologized for the mix up he said that he would send the 18-55 mm lens that same day. Then he asked if I wanted to upgrade to a bigger lens, I couldnt believe he was still trying to sell me stuff!! I told him no that I want what I paid for. He called me later that day to confirm that it had been sent.  
 
I called him mon of this week to make sure that it was sent he said yes that I should get it in a few day. Its friday today and I have not recieved anything! I just got off the phone with one those shady folks and I demanded that I get a tracking number for the lens. I quickly checked the tracking number and to my surprise the UPS track site said that it was shipped today via 2nd day!?  
 
This is the worst customer service Ive ever had to deal with from any internet site. Im glad to see that there is a package in transit and it is being shipped to me but Im just wondering if I had never called today if it would of been shipped at all.  
 
If I dont recieve the correct lens Im going to report this place to the NY BBB.  
 
**UPDATE**  
 
Well I finally got my package after a week of waiting, calling and getting what seemed to be an endless runaround. When I opened the box it did have the lens but they upgraded my lens to a Canon 28-90mm F/4-5.6 III , which is really nice and kinda was worth the wait. But at the same time I would of been just as happy with the kit lens. I didnt like dealing with these people and from what Ive read from other reviews, they have a bunch of web sites out there. I recommend caution when buying from this store.

This review was modified by its author, alekvicious, on 2/8/09 5:31 PM.

I ordered a GPS system on Dec 29, 2008. Made several calls to Hotbuys (Howard) and he reassured me that my order was in route. I requested a tracking # and he said he would email it to me.......Never happened! I researched the company and found LOTS of bad reviews. I called my credit card company to move the purchase into dispute, and canceled the order on the 13th of January 2009. The order arrived today (the 19th) and shows the shipment was sent on the 14th, a day after I canceled the order. I believe this is done by design on their part. They piss you off to the extent you cancel the order. They ship said order after cancellation knowing you will return it. They charge you a restocking fee, and wallah! They make money, and they retain the merchandise to ripoff another unsuspecting buyer. Stay away from these crooks. Someone please post an address who can/will look into complaints of fraudulent internet sales practices.

I JUST WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE. PLEASE DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM WWW.HOTBUYSELECTRONICS.COM IT IS LIKE YOU ARE THROWING AWAY YOUR CASH RIGHT INTO THE TRASH. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE A BUNCH OF LIARS. PAY A FEW BUCKS EXTRA AND """GET WHAT YOU WANT!"""

This review was modified by its author, myreviews, on 1/16/09 5:10 PM.

I've purchased a GE corded phone with cordless handset from these crooks, Upon receiving the item I opened it and right away I've noticed that there's no invoice in the package and the unit seemed like it's been used it has old phone numbers stored in there. after setting up the unit I plugged it into the wall outlet and found that the unit is a piece of crap! it's not working can't make or recieve calls. The next day I called the crooks and told them about it and the crook that I've spoke with over the phone told me to claim the warranty from the manufacturer that's the most stupid idea I've ever heard in my life! I mean I bought that item from them not the manufacturer and it was defective when I received it. Anyway I disputed the charge from my credit card company and I got my money back. To the Crooks of this dishonest merchant Wake up! you can't just go and fooling people around and sell them crap! you're just fooling yourselves!  
 
Don't ever do business with these Crooks, I wonder why they're still in business the government should get rid of these Crooks!

ordered panasonic webcam, it did not say refurbrished on their website but was delivered a refurbrished unit. In addition, they where offering a free shipping deal but the final invoice upon receipt had $24.08 for shipping!  
 
Don't buy from this place...

I ordered a pair of canon 10x30 IS binoculars from Hotbuys on the recommendation of a colleague. The price was going to be about half of what I would have had to pay to order them in Australia. After I provided passport and credit card information, Hoybuys declined to accept my credit card (a foreign one) I made a bank transfer which was promptly acknowledged, and shortly afterwards a USPS tracking number which worried me because of a long delay on a mail item sent to me by USPS two or three years ago. However, the delivery arrived in excellent order on 18 August, in the Canon box, and the glasses appear to be in excellent order. At all stages I have had courteous messages from Hotbuys though I have not spoken to them by telephone.  
 
I have read some of the very dissatisfied reviews on this site and if those experiences have been typical, then I have obviously been lucky. However, I prefer to believe that they are an unfortunate minority, and that my experience is more normal.

BEWARE OF THIS SELLER they are just stealing money.  
I can’t believe I made the order and sent them money without checking reviews but I did.  
I ordered canon 40d and Tamron lenses on April 28,. The payment was by bank transfer( I’m oversees and they didn’t let me to pay by credit card) and the shipment to Chicago. After FOUR weeks I felt anxious (the items didn’t arrive) and then I read reviews which was rather terrifying. We called them (stories like others – keep on hold, talking every time with sb else etc.) and finally they informed that they have the body but the lenses are out of stock. They proposed other lenses for extra 100$ . By then we knew that they are frauds and I would never pay them any extra money. We phoned and email that we want to cancel the order (they have no the kit we wanted) and get our money back. After few days the package arrived – open of course, without lenses (only canon body) but the invoice was for everything. How it’s possible to send the invoice for sth which is missing? The information the same as always – the lenses are out of stock and I can buy more expensive one. Now we are still fighting for the rest of the money but I’ve no hope I’ll get my money back.  
 
I’m from so called developing country (Poland), we do a lot of internet transactions(here and in USA) and they were completely satisfying so far. I just can’t believe that such a company is still on American market (and for example being in price grabber site) – THEY ARE CRIMINALS for me. I hope there is a penalty for such a frauds?? If you advice me how to harm them (being oversees) I would be grateful. THEY SHOULDN’T GET AWAY WITH THIS for so long!!!  
I don’t believe any positive reviews about the seller.  

I purchased a Portable Magellan GPS from these clowns and got the runaround. I was promised a brand new unit and everytime I called to get a status, they had an excuse for me. "It's shipped." or "Our system is down, we can't check until next week..." blah blah blah.  
 
These guys are a typical New York company that does anything and everything to make your life a living hell. I asked numerous times for a tracking number and kept getting excuses like DHL's system is down, our shipping manager is not here today, etc. At one point, I finally got a tracking number from them (2 weeks after it was charged to my credit card) and it was fake.  
 
I immediately called them to cancel my order and they said that it was already shipped and promptly hung up on me. I called back again and I said that I would reverse the charge on my credit card and their response was "Whatever..." and then hung up on me again.  
 
The next day, I get a 2nd day DHL tracking number in my inbox and upon arrival, the unit was damaged (obviously not new since it had a melted spot on the bottom), was missing a critical part of the window mount making it useless in a car, and missing a key registration number to get the included free traffic updates. On top of all this, the box was a half-assed attempt at making it look like a real box. It had a photocopied graphic glued to it with the product name and model cut out and re-glued.  
 
I now have a dispute going with the BBB and my credit card company and hopefully, i'll get my issue resolved and I'll be done with them for good.  
 
My 2c... dont' save the extra bucks... Spend a little more with a reputable company and tell your friends to avoid these guys like the plague.  
 
Update: Magellan called me back and confirmed, they indeed sent me a REFURBISHED unit instead of a new one and they tried to cover up the fact by blatently altering the packaging it came in. Buyer beware! They are actively engaging in bait and switch, unfair practices, and fraud.  
 
Update #2: 8/25/08 - Talked to "Howard" and he lies about the refund. It's been more than 30 days and I'm still waiting for my credit card reversal. CROOKS. If it were up to me, I'd get everyone on here and start a class action against them if not only to get these clowns out of business. Nobody deserves to be swindled like this.

This review was modified by its author, raptorlabs, on 8/25/08 5:36 PM.

Well, I ordered from this place before I read any reviews on it. Bad mistake I am thinking. So far it has been a week, no item, no posted shipping info on the site and when I called for an ETA they said DHL says Delivery on 5/13. Never gave a tracking #. That is the business I am in. I do Imports. Well we will see if it comes when they say. Also note that under the comments section of their site, the last entry is in 2003. 5/14 Well guess what, it did not come. They still could not supply me with a tracking #. I was told to call Frank 5/15 for the shipping info. More to come. Perhaps it is time for the Attorney General to look into this scam.

This review was modified by its author, Lemp, on 5/14/08 7:05 AM.

I never received an order number. These guys are crooks. I bought a Yamaha digital piano from them and have been getting the run around ever since. I have never received my keyboard, although they charged my chargecard immediately. Yesterday they gave me an airbill shipping number from DHL to then told me they never called DHL for pick up. Stay away from them. On Ebay they have lots of listings under OnlySales.

Very dissatisfied. Do not buy from this merchant! Terrible customer service and easily the worst experience I've ever had buying things online.

This review was modified by its author, bscjd, on 11/28/07 8:59 AM.

Bait and Switch!  
I ordered a NEW Epson R1800 and received a refurbished used printer. I expressly asked if it was new and was told it was new by a salesman who took offense that I should even ask such a question. I returned it immediately and have yet to get a refund. I challenged the charge with my credit card company and it is presently in dispute.

I would warn anyone considering purchasing from this store... Ordered the Nikon 18-200mm lens - they called me in the morning and said that they were out of stock and the 'US' lens was $200 more than what I paid for. Then 4 hours later another gentleman called me and said they had two lenses for $100 more. Spoke to the store manager who end up hanging up the telephone on me.  
 
Zero customer service... And Zero product.  
 
Never will I buy from this store again.