DON'T BUY FROM THESE PEOPLE. Like others, I wish I had known about this site first. They do not tell you that they sell products intended only for sell in Japan, no warranty. They have a long list of complaints with the NY Attorney General (file yours http://www.oag.state.ny.us/internet/internet.html). They are a hard sell on extended warranty and accessories and they LIE. They put you on hold a long period of time when you call to ask questions. I live in NY and they ask for $CASH if you want to go buy to pick up. rip offs. Call your credit card company ASAP and dispute the charges.
This review was modified by its author, NYDan, on
1/3/03 2:26 PM.
These guys are ripping off lots of people. DON'T BUY FROM THEM! I'm reporting them to the NY and NJ attorney generals. Their IP is 64.88.130.115. This traces back to Ft Lee NJ and they give a NYC address. Here is how to report them in NY...I'm still finding Jersey's URL
I've been scammed. I attempted to order a CoolPix 2500 for $249 and a 64Mb CF card for $109 (a bad price). After fighting off all their attempts to sell me warrantees, battery chargers and cases, they did send the camera and a CF reader (that I never ordered). They did not send the CF card. The invoice is written at 359.99 for the camera and $0.00 for the CF reader. Now I have to choose to eat the $100 rip-off or return everything and have no gift for x-mas. This place needs to be put out of business.
Broadway Photo is the ABSOLUTE WORST electronics source on the internet. They sell grey market products, try to sell you the missing accessories at inflated prices, hard sell other items, and overinflate shipping costs. I cannot think of one positive aspect of my experience of attempting to purchase from these folks, except when I told the A-hole to cancel my order. If you purchase anything from these people after reading these ratings, you deserve whatever you get (or don't get) from them. Just check out other ratings sites (and there are several). Broadway Photo consistently rates at the bottom. It is also obvious that many of the positive ratings shown are from their employees - too many mention name and extention? These people are even scamming the ratings sites. They are just plain sickening and should be put out of business by the local authorities.
I purchased a Canon D60 Digital Camera, 2 Lenses, Case, 512 Memory, 3 year warrenty on the camera Body, Lense Filters, Software, 1394 adapter, and USB adapter. Not only were these guys the ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST I could find Anywhere, but their level of service and professionalism was Excellent!!! I had read the other reviews and was apprehensive, but for the price they were offering, I gave them a shot. John (ex 216) was exceptional in helping me with all the necessary equipment. Warned me away from buying the incorrect lenses (and saved me BIG $$$). I know you may be apprehensive due to other ratings, but I received EVERYTHING in excellent condition and 3 days ahead of when I expected. I not only recommend these guys, but have done business since, and it was great.
Don't bother. I ordered a camera via their website and even received and email confirmation. When I called to check on the order status they said the price wrong and wanted me to pay 80.00 more. I was put on hold twice and they never again picked up the line. Their return policy basically states "Absolutly no returns". Stay away from this one.
Boy I wish I had known about this web-site before ordering a camera (CannonS230) from these guys. My experience has been documented over and over again. The usual: at confirmation of the order, I was pressed to add various essentials. When I declined, I had a suspicion that my order was going into never never land. 3 weeks now and no sign of a camera. The customer service # is really not manned, and they have not responded to my E-mails. I got great ideas from this site. I will cancel the charge and the order. Avoid this dealer.
I wish I'd found this site before buying - I'd have saved a little money and a lot of headache.
CHAPTER 1 (FALLING FOR IT): I actually got a US model VX2000 camcorder in three days, in working order, and registered in with Sony, checked to make sure it was on the up and up and so on. I also got duped for an overpriced extended warranty and a battery that doesn't actually work with my camera - so I'm going to have to go hardball on them to try to get that refunded. They were super pushy as everyone has pointed out. But I did get what I paid for - I coulda gone with B&H and gotten the same package for a bit less, plus with the authorized dealership and no exhorbitant shipping.
I am thinking that if they don't give me some sort of refund on the battery (they lied and said it was an infolithium, but it's not) I'm going to start a dispute via Amex, who handles that type of thing quite well. I'll post about how or whether that goes.
CHAPTER 2 (GETTING EVEN RATHER THAN MAD): After doing a lot of research on the company, and on the warranty company, I called Broadway Photo and said I wanted a Return Authorization Number for the Warranty and battery they'd sent, due to the fact that they were misrepresented to me on the phone (I was told that the warranty was 'only available at the time of purchase' which is not true, as I confirmed by calling the warranty company itself).
After getting bumped around a few times on hold and to various people, a guy tried to offer to make it up to me by sending some more accessories free of charge. I reiterated that what I neeeded was a return authorization number. I told him I was familiar with the 'bait and switch' operation they run. As soon as I used those words he put me on hold for another minute and then came back and said they'd credit my charge card for $300, and I could keep everything. All told, I'll have spent the same as if I'd gone to B & H, but with much more headache. And if they don't come through with the refund, I'll go straight to Amex to dispute it (Amex has confirmed they'd take it up for me).
This site has been invaluable for finding out how to deal with Bway Photo. I wish I'd found it sooner, as I'd never have bothered. I'm posting this long story to point out how you can get some relief if you do buy from them. Be prepared to be on hold for a while, then just be firm and calm, and don't give in until you've got what you want.
I went through all this because I'm not used to getting taken advantage of, and I feel bad for having fallen for them...I decided to get even rather than mad.
Howard told me they were aware their reputation wasn't so good, and that they're new motto was "customer service." How original.
This review was modified by its author, thinaar, on
12/16/02 12:30 PM.
As the usual comments, bait and switch. I have the printout of the internet order. They hammered me for extras and I declined. Called back two weeks later and was told my order was on back order, to ship out in another two weeks. Called the third week and was told it's an international model, if I wanted the US model I'd have to pay the higher price at that point. I told them this is bullshit and cancel my order. I should have checked here first. Oh well, I've dealt with these types before so for me I was on alert after the first phone back. For less experienced customers, this company will rip them off. I will look for other places to post too.
DO NOT BELIEVE THESE POSITIVE REPORTS. IT IS BROADWAY PHOTO EMPLOYEES SCAMMING THE RATINGS, JUST LIKE THEY SCAM THE CUSTOMERS. If you don't believe this, just try to place an order with them. Get them to confirm the warranty, if the product is grey market, how much shipping will be, and if it is in stock. The moment you get an answer that does not respond to your question, you know you are being scammed. THESE PEOPLE ARE LIARS, THIEVES, and CHEATS. Just check out this link to PCWorld's investigation of Broadway Photo. http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,107855,00.asp Then decide if you want to order from these criminals.
PS If you are an AOL user, these scammers are AOL Certified Merchants. If you have bad opinions, let AOL know to remove these people from their list immediately.
This review was modified by its author, pinkflydxx, on
2/7/03 12:06 PM.
IF you want to buy anything from these guys, don't. I know they dazzle you with cheap prices but they are a scam. I ordered a canon-s40 last week. They sold canon s40 for $409 but when i checked their website today I saw them raise their price to $469 so I called them today to ask about my shipment. But they said they didn't even shipped yet. So I asked him "how much you are gonna charge me?" they said they are gonna charge me $429 ($409+$29(s+h)). But he kept forcing me to buy a case and 5yrs warranty so I told them I can't afford that much. But after i rejected him, Suddenly, He said i need to pay $20 more for insurance. And he said insurance is madatory. So I told him it doesn't say anything about insurance on your website. He said it is on the website (I checked their website again and there is nothing about purchasing insurance) and he said i was yelling at him. And he offered me a case and insurance for $459 so i said ok. But Im gonna cancel it tomorrow because i found a website which has cheaper prices and better service than these guys. I strongly reccommend you buy from elsewhere. These guys are a scam!!!
I found broadway photo before I found this website. My purchase was recent so I wanted to update this site. They still "confirm" your order with email and try to sell the accessories. I did ask if the camera was a North American model and he said yes. I asked if it came with the video cables and owner's manual etc and again yes. He then gave me the warranty spiel which I fell for but it was $100.00 for 3 years- not bad. I told him I could get the battery charger for half of what they were selling it for so they gave it to me for that price BUT they upped the shipping price to $30.OO and made up a story when I callled them about it. My camera arrived- new in original packaging (I hope)in 4 days. I did call Olympus to verify that this was a North American model and it is. My experience was much better than others but they are obviously still scamming with the accessories so use caution and keep them on the line asking question after question- ask them specifically if their cameras are new, refurbished or grey market if you decide to try them and be ready to negotiate if you want any accessories.
This site is a scam.
I ordered a Sony camcorder DCR-TRV27. I thought I got a good deal.
Instead I got an email asking me to confirm the order. Called them. The sale guy asked me “why didn’t you order any accessories?” He meant lens, filters, battery and cable etc. The camcorder is totally stripped down. I asked “Shouldn’t the camcorder come with all these basics in one box?” His answer “It could, if you buy them.” So I cancelled the order. Then the guy said a bunch of rude things. I believe I said several f**k words back to him.
