On January 19, 2009 I put in an order to US1Photo.com for a Nikon camera lens for my Nikon D40 camera. When I got to my classroom the next morning there was a message waiting for me from US1Photo that said I needed to call them because they wanted to be sure I had ordered the right lens I wanted. So I called and was promptly connected with a gentleman named Alex. He informed me that the reason they called as to make sure that I got the correct lens I wanted. He wanted to know if I wanted the lens with the VR feature. I didnt know what this was so I asked and he told me VR stood for vibration reduction. It would cost a bit more but it was worth it and he wouldnt even let me walk out of the store with the non-vr type. I thanked him and said that sounded good so I upgraded my order to the VR model. He then asked if I wanted to purchase a filter package with the lens and proceeded to tell me about the filters. I ended up purchasing only one filter for the lens. He began to tell me about an item called a Teleconverter and said this would turn my newly purchased lens into a $600 or $700 lens because of the functions it provided. I declined at that time and said I was fine with the lens and the filter. He thanked me, said I would get a new order and the merchandise would be here in 7 9 days.
After hearing nothing from the company for 10 days I emailed info@US1Photo on January 29, 2009 and inquired about the status of my order. At this point I started searching the company a bit more deeply and found many forums discussing this company and scams that many people were involved in. Many of the folks on these sites we put through the same events I had been through. Hearing nothing I again emailed to the same address on February 2, 2009 both in the morning and afternoon. However in the afternoon my email stated that I would contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint. I also sent this email to sales@US1Photo.
On February 3, 2009 I received an email stating that due to an unforeseen shortage in their supply of merchandise the order would have to be canceled. I emailed hen directly back and said I assumed that this was to be the case after reading what I had about their company.
On February 4, 209 I sent yet another email stating among other things that I would be expecting a full refund. That email did not go through so I resent it later in the day. By February 10, 2009 I had not heard back so I sent emails on three consecutive days and on either Thursday, February 12, 2009 or Friday, February 13, 2009 I received a phone call from Alex wanting to discuss with me my order and that it had been canceled. HE acted as if this was the first time I was hearing about it. He also told me that they could not refund my money and I would have to go through the credit card company to have that dealt with.
I let this go for sometime wondering if I would hear from US1Photo.com. I did not so on March 18, 2009 I created a new email address and emailed US1Photo stating that I was in the market for a 55-200mm lens for my Nikon D40 with vibration reduction. Within 20miutes I received an email stating that they did have that lens and could get it to me within 7 -9 business days. I emailed then right back stating thank you for the quick response and that I didnt need it within the 7 9 days but I wanted to make sure they had it in stock. They emailed me back within 10 minutes stating that that was no problem. I then asked if I should order from the website or by phone and they sent an answer saying I could call 877-300-5070 ext 321 to get help with an order.
I then called the company on March 18, 2009 around 3:45pm myself and spoke with John. I asked him about my order, and he took my number saying that it had been canceled. I stated I understood this but because they had the merchandise in stock and I hadnt received a refund yet, they still had my money, if I could still get the product. John asked me how I knew they had the product in stock and I told them I had received an email fro them saying that it was in stock. He said my order was canceled and there was no way he could help. I mentioned that they still had my money and they had the product in stock and I wondered why I couldnt get it sent to me. He had no answer for this. He then began to explain what I had to do to get a refund. I told him I knew all about this but couldnt understand why I couldnt get the merchandise from them if it was in stock. He then proceeded to tell me I could call their new wholesale company, Photo Loon, and put in the order myself. He also said it sounded like I didnt want the money back at all and this is when he began to get a bit angry. I asked if I could get the name of the bank their company dealt with and he aid he didnt know. I asked if anyone there could tell me and he said no and besides it didnt have anything to do with me anyway. I asked him the name of the wholesale companies they used that had gone under due to the economy and he said that also had nothing to do with me. I stated once more I wasnt sure why I couldnt get the merchandise sent if they have it now and thats when he said he had done all he could and hung up.
worst online seller so far. I ordered a Nikon D40 from them, and it never shipped, after a couple of weeks, it never showed that it was out for shipment, so I called them. Stayed 45 minutes on hold until somebody answered. He said that I would get a tracking number within a couple of days. After 2 days, I get an email saying that the order was put in for a refund. I also got a call on my work phone that the order was canceled because one of their distributors went under, and never told them. yeah ok, I believe that. They also never refunded the money. and I had to contact American Express for a charge back. Like previous poster, I suspect a ponzi scheme. This kind of bad company should just go away.
I cancelled my order within a few days of placing it because I could not reach them to find out when it would ship. After a couple of weeks they acknowledged cancellation and said they would refund the charged credit card. Now, 1 month later, they still have not refunded my $400. I have tried to contact them numerous times and have never gotten a reply on the phone or email. DO NOT EVER ORDER ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY! I am surprised that there website is still allowed to be online. I suspect they are running a ponzi scheme and they are about to go under. IF YOU PLACED AN ORDER, CONTACT YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY IMMEDIATELY AND REQUEST A REFUND!
I placed an order for a camera backpack and tripod on 2/13 and immediately received an email thanking me for my order and advising me that another email would be sent with a tracking number as soon as the order shipped out. I was also warned that free shipping would take up to 9 days. My debit card was charged immediately and I still have not received the second email telling me the order has shipped. I have sent them three emails so far and tried calling them every day for the last week, only to hear that they were closed on 2/18 (the same message is still playing) due to an "emergency". I also noted that their hours of business are very different from those advertised on their web site. I have not yet been able to get through to anyone on the phone - I hold for up to 45 minutes and then get disconnected. I am taking this issue up with the New Jersey Attorney General (973-504-6200) and my bank. I wish I had done some research before ordering from this company because I doubt I will get my merchandise or my money back at this point.
US1photo is the worst online camera store out there. I purchased a D90 (US Model) on black friday 08. A week later i get an email that i have to call bobby. i call and leave a message, and no call back. I get another email, and the same happens. I finally wait 30 minutes for customer service just so they connect me to Bobby, I had to wait another 10 minutes to hear his sales pitch. Then he says that I'll get my package in 2 weeks. Camera doesn't arrive, I call and wait again. Finally Kevin calls me and tells me I'll have it the Friday b4 xmas. on Thursday he calls and says I'll get it by Monday. Because of all the holiday shipping delays, I didn't get it until Wednesday (Xmas eve) and find out that they didn't send it out until Monday. Open the box and great, I'm happy! Noooo, I pick up the warranty card and read all the fine print and it'f from some some third party company named repairtech, not nikon. I go to their website and read that Repairtech is the warranty for Non-US model cameras (which are usuallly $100 cheaper on their website). By now, I'm fed up and call them to return my whole order. At first they said that I had to pay for shipping, but after some stern talking with cursing, they agree to pay for my return shipping. I shipped it the same day I received the label via email and they received it five days later. Now I'm trying to get my refund. Call them everyweek for five weeks and nothing. All Kevin says is "their processing your return". I finally had to file a complaint with my credit card company for the refund and I just got it yesterday (2/23/09). I'm relieved it's over, but I'm sticking to Amazon from now on. Check your warranty cards to make sure you got what you bought and don't expect the free shipping to be on time.
I ordered a Tamron lens for $579. They called me back to tell me there was a problem with my card and tried to up-sell me.
14 days later, I call them to about the whereabouts of my product. After being on hold for 30 minutes, they get my invoice number and put me on hold for another ten. Then he comes back on asking if he can help me with something. He then tells me that their wholesale provider has gone out of business due to the weakened economy! I asked why they charged my card two weeks ago without even shipping it or letting me know!!..and he said they thought everything was fine (so he said).
Without even offering a refund, he advises me to call my credit card company and dispute the charge to get my money back. I did so without thinking, but now I'm calling back to pursue a refund...good luck I know!
The company has good customer service, and I received my order quicker because they took the time to ship my order earlier so that I would have it in time for my graduation party! At no additional cost! I will definitely use them again and recommend them to friends.
I am deeply disappointed from their service. I needed the camera by 2/22 so I placed my order on 2/7. After waited for a week I received an email where they notified my my order is canceled due to "an unforeseen shortage in our supply of merchandise from our wholesalers, many of whom have been affected by today's weakened economy and had to close down". What an excuse, huh?
Now I have to go elsewhere, to pay more for an express delivery and so on.
Be careful when buying from US1PHOTO. I placed my order for Nikon D80 on Jan 12. My credit card was billed on Jan 12 and I was told the camera will arrive in two weeks. When I called them after a week, it was not shipped yet and the shipping department told me that it will take another two weeks. On Jan 29th, after 3 weeks, they called me and said that the order was cancelled because they were out of stock and my credit card will be refunded for the amount in 6-days. It is Feb 13th today and no refund yet. I called my credit card company and am disputing the charge.
The thing that really bothered me was that they bill your credit card even before they ship the item.
Looking at the past customer reviews for US 1 Camera, I am in total agreement of the negative reports. I should have read the reviews before placing my order.
I bought a Canon EOS 50D and a Tamron 18-270mm lens on 1/16. Couldn't beat the price of the 50D and it did come with the USA manufacturers warranty. The Tamron lens came with their 6 year warranty.
The salesman, Michael, was very polite and friendly. In fact we did a little kibitzing. He assured me that the items I wanted were in stock and the camera did, in fact, come with the USA warranty and the lens had a 6 year warranty.
I placed my order along with the free ground shipping. Michael then asked me if I wanted the "extended life batter"? from Canon. Special 2 for 1 and a filter. Told him I didn't want or need them. There was no high pressure sales pitch from him. He told me it was one of the things he had to say before placing the order. I was also told that I would receive a "tracking number" from UPS the next day.
Quick and easy the way buying should be, right? WRONG!
A short time later I received a call from Michelle(customer service). She told me that my credit card company wanted me to call them to make sure that this wasn't a fraudulant purchase. Appreciate that my from my credit card company. Once that was cleared up I contacted Michelle and told her that my credit card company OKed the purchase.
As time went by, I hadn't heard from US 1 Camera or UPS. I checked my account information only to see, "Ready to be shipped." I called Michael and after a long 40 minute hold was able to speak to him. He acted surprised that my order wasn't shipped out and that it would be taken care of immediately and I'll receive it on 1/30.
I still hadn't received the tracking number so I,again, checked my account information. "Ready to be shipped." I called Michael and he transfered me to shipping. Another long hold. Can't remember the name of the person I spoke to, but he told me that it was going out today(1/28) and I would receive the products on 2/4, GUARANTEED.
Waited two more days and on 1/30 check my account information and saw, "Ready to be shipped." Called customer service and after a 50 minute wait spoke to Alex wanting to know why my account states, "waiting to be shipped."? I was given a guaranteed delivery of my purchase on 2/4 and they haven't been sent out, as yet. After much hemming and hawing, he told me they were out of stock. WHOA! I asked him why I wasn't told this when I placed my order. I was told and assured they were in stock and I was guaranteed, twice, for delivery dates. On line availability showed showed in stock and availible for delivery. I couldn't get an answer except for a weak, "I'm sorry."
Sorry doesn't cut it. I needed the camera and lens prior to 1/30, but accepted the guarnanteed delivery of 2/4.
My patience wore out and I immediately canceled my order and told him I want to see the cancellation on my account information and that my credit card was to be completely refunded, immediately.
I contacted my credit card company and was told it would take 7-14 before the refund is completed.
I waited 7 days and so far my creit card account was not refunded. My credit card company is now pursuing a refute of charges.
My advise is to check out the reviews of this company. Once you have read all the negative comments, which greatly out number the positives, you wouldn't have to think twice about purchaing anything from them.
US 1 Camera is very poorly run. No wonder there is a long wait to talk to some one in customer service. Complaints.
This company a RIP OFF. Order placed, they called to "verify" READ UPSELL, when no additional products purchased the cancelled order a few days later, see the BS email: Please print and save a copy for reference
Thank you for your order.
The status of your order has been updated.
New status: Canceled
Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your order from US1 Camera. We are very sorry for this inconvenience We have to cancel your order due to an unforeseen shortage in our supply of merchandise from our wholesalers, many of whom have been affected by today's weakened economy and had to close down. You were not billed and will not be billed in the future for this purchase. Again, we apologize and thank you for your patience and understanding. Sincerely Management US1 Camera
PLEASE NOTE: Since in most instances we begin processing your order shortly after you submit it on our website, If any changes are necessary you MUST contact us via PHONE ONLY, at 1-877-300-5070
I'm not sure how this seller has the ratings it does. DO NOT ORDER from them. After attempts at contacting customer service (20 minute wait time, nobody picks up) and emails to the company, I finally got someone on the phone. Of course it was "backordered" like other reviews have said, and the rep tried to get me to purchase something esle. Beyond sketchy! I'm so glad I got to cancel my order.
I ordered a camera and accessories from this place on January 5, 2009. I waited for over a month without hearing anything from the company.
I called and left a message this morning, and sent an email instructing them to either ship the order today or cancel the order.
I actually did receive a call back from a representative informing me that the warehouse they were doing business with is out of business. The representative informed me that they had issued over $50,000 worth of refunds in one day, so their bank had frozen the account. She told me to call my credit card company to dispute the charge, which I did.
I did appreciate the customer rep calling me back today. She was friendly. But I suspect that if I hadn't called them to check on my status, over one month later, they never would have called.
If this company does manage to stay in business, I would never order from them again.
Like many others, this was my worst online retail experience to date.
My experience was very similar to all the other "very dissatisfied" customers who have left feedback. I order an almost $900 camera in early December, they charged my card immediately, and kept promising me that the camera was in stock and would ship soon. One representative even said he was "100% certain" that it would be shipped the next day. By the end of January, my camera had not arrived, yet the website and customer service representatives constantly said the camera was "in stock". After numerous calls to customer service, they unilaterally decided to cancel my order. Two weeks later, they hadn't reversed the charge on my credit card, and they told me to contact my credit card company to dispute the charge. They also promised to send me a replacement battery for my camera for all my trouble, but I'm not holding my breath, obviously.
Every time you call customer service, you will get the message that they are experiencing "exceptional call volume" and you will wait over 20 minutes. Or, if you are lucky enough to get someone's name & extension, you can leave a message and they will never call you back.
There is simply no excuse for their poor handling of my order--and countless others. They are unscrupulous and flatly lied to me multiple times. DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS MERCHANT.
