Scam! Beware! I attempted to buy a Canon Rebel XSI online. I then got a call about my order and called Butterfly photo back only to get an extremely pushy salesman that told me the camera wouldn't work unless I bought all this "extra stuff"  
I told Butterfly to email me the extras, then I forwarded the email to my friend who has the same camera. In the time that it took my friend to reply, my phone started ringing starting at 6:30 am, every 15 minutes. Finally at 8:30 it stopped, but I discovered that at this time Butterfly had attempted to charge me through paypal (thankfully Paypal asked for confirmation) for the amount of the camera plus all the extras that I had not agreed to.  
My friend emailed me back and said all the extras were unneccessary, so I cancelled the entire order.  
Still wanting the actual camera at the cheap advertised price, I called back Butterfly and asked to buy just the camera. Unfortunately I got the same sales guy who was very abusive. He told me that I had agreed to purchase all the extras, when I said I had done no such thing, he threatened me and said that he had recorded our phone conversation and could prove it! He said that the "camera only" was sold out and that I could only now purchase the deal with the extras. He was actually yelling at me asking why I had wasted his time agreeing to his deal, and did I not realize without buying the extras the camera wouldn't even work. At this point in shock and anger, I hung up and promptly called my bank to make sure that Butterfyl didn't just go ahead and try to charge me again and send me the camera plus all the extra junk.  
Obviously the scam is, you can't buy just the camera at a low price, they make their money from the extras...so if you don't purchase the extras, the camera is "sold out"  
I have never had to deal with such a scary salesperson, fancy yelling at a genuine customer over the phone and threatening to play a recorded phone call back... I bought the camera at pro-photo Portland, it cost slightly more but the service was excellent.

I recently made a purchase through amazon.com of the Tokina AT-X116 PRO DX 11-16 mm wide angle lens which was supplied and shipped to me by Butterflyphoto.com. The lens arrived October 27 in good condition. When I opened the box, I found the lens instructions in Japanese not in English and no warranty information for the lens. The following day I talked on the phone with one the ButterflyPhoto agents and inquired about why there was no warranty card. The lady that talked to me told me there was a US warranty for the lens and I could get a verification of the warranty coverage by contacting tokina.lens.com. I did that immediately. I did not find any such information on that web site or telephone number that would allow me to talk to Tokina representatives. On October 29 I sent an e-mail to ButterflyPhoto inquiring why I had not received a warranty card and how this company would rectify the situation. Their reply did not provide any useful information. On October 30th and 31st I talked to another representative Danny. He again assured me that there was a US warranty of the lens and he would inquire further on this matter and send me information on this matter by mail.  
 
At present I am yet to see any replies form Danny and I am beginning to lose my patience with the way this company is ignoring and not handling my request.  
There has not been anyone at this organization with some sense of professional responsibility who could provide me with straight forward and honest answers whether there is a warranty for the lens or not. If there is, as I have been told it is a US warranty not Japanese where is this source to obtain it? I am not going to let this matter drop until I get a satisfactory resolution on what I am requesting. This company's advertising and promotional statements on their web site as well as at amazon.com portray it to be very efficient. They claim to take pride in their business doing everything possible to provide efficient service to satisfy their customers. Their inaction so far combined with the misinformation received from its agents on the lens warranty paints an entirely different and rather sad picture for Butterfly Photo. In the meantime I wish that Amazon.com is aware of this matter and wonder if they can lend any support or advice to my efforts to resolve this matter. If not at least they need to be aware that this company plays devious and unethical games with their customers.  
 
John Bodouroglou

First at 10/26/2009 i receive an email telling thats everything it's fine and in 1 o 2 days i will receivieng an email with a tracking number, after one week without any news i call to the company to see if everything was ok and they told me that my order was canceled because a problem with my phone but i don't receive any email telling to me that order was cancelled after 35 minutes talking with 3 diferrent mens, order was replaced but i was charged a second time for the same camera. i call again talk with justin extension number 214 and he correct the situation talking with the billing part, but when a i see the debit back in mi account i see a fee because my bank account was without funds. I call again to see if it's possible to correct this, first i talk another time time with the seller and he told i can't do nothing please talk to the billing part ok, i explain again the situation to this women and told me, please speak with the manager, i was trying to explaining the situation and the manager was talking over me i said can i speak first then you could understand the problem he saids no and hung the phone.

We ordered the Canon Rebel T1i DSLR camera (body only) because they had the cheapest price compared to everyone else (an extra 10% from google really helped). After a few days, they called my wife but she wasn't able to answer the phone, and since they didn't leave any messages, my wife never called back.  
 
A few more days went by and still no shipping confirmation. Then they called my wife again and did leave a message this time about calling them back (didn't say why though). So my wife called them back but no one answered. Another week went by and still no shipping confirmation, so I finally called them and asked if they plan to ship the camera. They first say they will ship immediately, then later emailed me saying that they are out of stock! I couldn't believe it so I called them back to cancel, of course, they somehow managed to find some more in the back. So they said they will ship out immediately but that took a few more days and I finally got it after more than 3 weeks.  
 
I would never buy from them again. The price was good but obviously, they want to sell other overpriced accessories with the call back (or useless warranty). There are plenty of other online retailers who ships promptly and they don't cost that much more (hello Newegg).

This is how you NOT do the business if you want to keep customers coming.  
 
1. Called customer service to verify if Canon 7D Kit 28-135 is in stock. CSR told YES, we have both, with 28-135 lens for $1866 and 18-135 for #2199 (significantly overpriced)  
 
2. I hang on the phone and placed an order for Canon 7D 28-135 for 1866 and got order confirmation  
 
3. Next day received an email and phone message to give them a call to verify my order so I called. It was obnoxious up-sell on various overpriced stuff (batteries, warranty, faster shipping etc.) which I politely declined. "Seller" told me fine, your order will be shipped in 24-48 hours.  
 
4. Called after 48 hours to check why my order status is still "Processing", CSR checked and said that the particular 7D I ordered is not in stock and they can sell overpriced one with discount at 1999 (still $100 overpriced). No surprise, since I declined all their other stuff my order all sudden become "not in stcok"  
 
Shady operations, buyers beaware!

I have ordered from Butterfly before without an issue and was always well pleased. Therefore, when it came time for this purchase I ordered from them again based on my previous positive experiences.  
 
Things sure did change... this order was followed by an email from Butterfly requesting that I call them. My calls went to a voicemail system, but were eventually returned. During the call, I was pressured to authorize additional costs for shipping and additional expenses for overpriced accessories. This is my last attempt to do business with Butterfly Photo.

I found Butterfly Photo through Google Shopping. They weren't the least expensive, but lower than most. (The companies that offered an even lower price on a Canon Powershot SX1 IS camera had store reviews about deceptive practices, so I wanted to avoid them, thinking Butterfly Photo was better. WRONG!  
 
I strongly believe they are offering low-ball prices to attract business through Google Shopping. I paid for my order through PayPal and the next morning received an email that I had not taken advantage of coupons redeemable for my camera, and to call Victor at what ever extension. I replied by email that I was not interested in any coupons that were not posted online. (I've read plenty reviews that talked about this tactic. When you call, they try to sell you overinflated accessories.) I did not hear back, nor did I receive my camera. I called a week after receiving confirmation from Butterfly Photo that my order was received. The customer service rep. said my order had not shipped, even though it was paid for but the guy for the cameras was not at his desk, and could she call me back when she finds him. I waited 7 hours - no call. I called THEM back, this time talking to a different customer service rep. She told me that they had received my camera from the warehouse, but it was defective. (How would they know unless they opened the box?) She told me they could offer me the Canon SX20... and asked if I was I interested. Of course not, I ordered and wanted the SX1 IS. She told me, ok, then your order is cancelled. I asked for a cancellation confirmation. I was told one would be emailed to me. I've waited 3 1/2 hours - no email.  
 
I went back to Google Shopping, and pulled up the camera I wanted. Guess what, Butterfly Photo still shows it in stock, and at the same low price I had ordered my camera for a week ago. It also says that they ship within 1 or 2 business days, just like it did when I ordered my camera a week ago.  
 
Businesses with these "bait & switch" practices should be banned from being listed in trusted referral sites such as Google Shopping and Pricegrabber. They make a bad name for the honest online retailers.  
 
Furthermore, a reputable online retailer would send you an email if your order is delayed for any reason. Butterfly Photo's website says they ship within 1 - 2 business days. Though a week has gone by since they originally confirmed my order, other than the email telling me to call to "redeem possible coupons", there was NO communication.  
 
DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS - ORDER ELSEWHERE!

BEWARE OF GREY MARKET SCAMS!  
 
The price on my Nikon D90 was decent, lower than anywhere else but not unreasonably so (i.e. not enough to set off any alarms; perhaps I ought to recalibrate). Service was unremarkable, I was called a few days after to confirm the order and offered a litany of accessories that I did not want, which I declined. When the rep called, he did note that I had ordered twice, and helpfully canceled my accidental double-order without hassle, which I appreciated. Otherwise, the entire experience was uneventful.  
 
That is, until I received a package that was labeled entirely in Japanese. The manuals and paperwork were all in Japanese, the outside of the box was Japanese, and the power cord for the charger, though it apparently works fine with US power sockets, is labeled "JP". I also called Nikon USA, who confirmed that the serial number is not US market, which means that this GREY MARKET product is not covered under warranty and will NOT be serviced by Nikon USA under any circumstance.  
 
All of this on a product that was listed on the website as "Nikon D90 DX - 12.3 MP Digital SLR Camera - 1 YR Nikon Usa Warranty". The rep also noted over the phone, while pitching an extended warranty, that the camera carries a 1 year Nikon USA warranty.  
 
This was plainly fraudulent.  
 
Since I was not able to open the package until this evening, a Friday, I will have not had the chance to contact ButterflyPhoto directly. Though I am generally satisfied with the experience, the fraudulent nature of the product listing has compromised any semblance of trust or respect I had for this company.

This was the second large $ order I placed with Butterfly photo in the past few months. I first ordered a D700 body with a 24-70mm 2.8 nikon lens. Item took weeks to ship, after many phone calls I was able to get them to finally ship the item. Thinking it was an honest mistake and they seem like a good enough company I placed my second order with them for a nikon 70-200mm lens and after waiting for THREE WEEKS!!! I called to find out what was wrong and they told me this lens was "out of stock" and when I looked on their website it was STILL listed in stock just as it was the day I bought it, only difference was the price has gone up... Little fishy. Long story short, after three more phone calls and they finally got the item shipped, but they sent it out 7-10 day ups when I TOLD THEM I NEED IT THIS WEEK! Just seems like these people could care less about their customers.... Oh, and I was promised phone calls and emails multiple times and never got one of either.... great customer service.... NOT

Update: July 2, 2009  
 
[Samsung still has my television. Butterfly Photo strictly adhears to their confusing policy of not offering any type of exchange for any television over 19" no matter what.]  
 
 
Update:  
 
[Steve with Butterfly Photo spoke to me regarding this issue on 5/25. Butterfly Photo is not able to replace my Samsung Television. They have tried to work out arrangements to compensate me for my problems by offering me an extension to my warranty, or by offering me a warranty on another purchase. ]  
 
 
I purchased a new Samsung LED HDTV. I received the TV on 5/18. Right out of the box the remote control did not work. I contacted Samsung to arrange for a replacement. I configured another remote to work in the interim. Once I got the TV up and running it started shutting down and then restarting itself immediately after it shut itself down. This would happen about every 30 minutes. On several occasions when I would turn the TV on the TV would start clicking repeatedly and would not turn on. The only way to get it to stop was to unplug it from the wall.  
 
I contacted Samsung on 5/19 and they created a ticket. I received a call from the repair center today 5/21 and they said that they could not come pick it up until 5/28 and that when they did come they would have to take it to their shop for 1 to 2 weeks.  
 
I contacted Butterfly Photo to try and work out some way of getting a new television. They stated that if I were to send my TV to them for exchange that they would not replace it. They would simply send it in for repair and then send it back to me.  
 
I asked them If I could do a cross ship. They told me no. I also had asked if I could purchase another television from them and then return this defective Television at my expense. They said yes, but they would charge me a restocking fee for the returned TV. WHO CHARGES RESTOCKING FEE'S FOR DEFECTIVE ITEMS? I mean really... are you going to restock it??  
 
Simply put, if you buy a Television from this vendor, you the consumer have NO avenue for a timely resolution. They wash their hands of "customer service"  

This review was modified by its author, slipery, on 7/2/09 5:33 PM.

I called in to place my order for a 52-inch Sony Bravia LCD TV and spoke with Steven who explained that by spending an extra $120 I could get "threshold delivery" service. This sounded like a good idea to me since the TV weighs about 100 pounds. Steven also said the service would include "expedited delivery" and be at my house in "3 days." Steven went on to explain that by purchasing the 3 year extended warranty for $300 that the expedited shipping/threshold delivery would be included. This all sounded like a good idea and it would have been if it had been true. After placing my order I followed up with Steven three days later to find out that the TV was drop shipping from another location and he couldn't guarantee the delivery time but he would get back to me. I waited the next day until about 5PM before calling him again. He finally had the shipping information and now it was scheduled for Monday of the following week, not by the end of the week as he had orginally promised. The delivery truck finally showed up today (Tuesday, March 3 - would have been here yesterday but we had snow) and the driver asked for my help to bring it inside. There is nothing on the Bill of Lading that indicates "threshold delivery" or any such thing. If I had left my wife to help the driver it would still be sitting in the street. Also, I don't know where they drop shipped from, but the box is coated in dirt to the point that the driver admitted it looked very dirtry. My recommendation would be to get everything in writing from this seller or any seller. Furthermore, spend the extra money and purchase large items like this from a local retailer. These people are just plain dishonest and misleading and in the end its not worth the money that you save.

I purchased a Samsung LN40A630 LCD from ButterflyPhoto (at the Amazon.com site) and it was delivered as I had expected. I noticed a defect and contacted ButterflyPhoto Customer Service and following their instructions sent it back to them. After many many days of no TV and nothing to show for my investment, and no responses to my email's I filed a warranty claim and was refunded the entire amount by Amazon.com. Amazon's Customer Service representatives at least had the courtesy to take action and express real time concern about my situation which resulted in getting my full purchase amount refunded. I had a miserable experience with this company and would not recommend them to anyone. I did not check this company out prior to purchase, I just relied upon my past purchasing experiences with Amazon and thought that any company selling on Amazon's site would be a safe bet. If I had checked this company out and read the reviews that other's have made I would have not purchased this TV from them. Great TV, no real time customer service, poor communications, unfulfilled commitments, from ButterflyPhoto resulted in a very disappointing purchasing experience.

This review was modified by its author, saleaway, on 2/12/09 11:46 AM.

The worst company I have ever dealt with. As an administrator of a school district I ordered a $2,000 camcorder and NEVER received the product or a refund. After 18 documented phone calls to customer service I still have had NO calls returned. This is fraud and the company should be out of business. I will be informing other business contacts to never use this company or any other company associated with this firm.  

Sounds like I had a really similar experience recently as several others. I placed an order over the labor day weekend for a Samsung LCD TV, and when the sales team got back to work after the long weekend, I received a call stating that the TV was backordered. He offered me a different TV for the same price that was actually not as good as the one I ordered, so of course I declined and just told him to let me know when the Samsung was available.  
 
About a week and a half later I checked their web site and saw that the Samsung TV was showing as "in stock" so I called them back. After getting bounced around to two different people, I got bounced back to the first guy that I talked to (His name is George Han). He finally said that he could help me out--it looked like the TV was in fact in stock, but my original order had been canceled. I asked if he could replace my original order, and he said yes, and that it would get shipped out within a day or two.  
 
I never got any confirmation emails or tracking numbers, so I called them again a few days later. Had to leave a voicemail for George. No call back from him. Two days after that, I called and got George on the line--he claimed to have no knowlege of our conversation, and told me that the tv isn't in stock and the order was never placed. I made sure they hadn't charged my credit card for anything, and told him never mind, I'm taking my business elsewhere.  
 
I just ordered the TV through Amazon--same price, plus white glove shipping is included (whereas butterfly photo only was shipping Fedex for that price).

A hassle to deal with. I ordered Sept 1, which was a holiday so I expected a delay in the processing. So I waited until Sept 4 as the Samsung TV I ordered had a "in stock. ships in 2-3 business days" for its status. I called as was transferred. No one picked up and left a message. The next day, I called and one person was extremely helpful. That was the only good thing about shopping with them. However, she had to get another guy that wouldn't pick up herself and then I was able to find out that the order was at least 10 days backordered. No notification at all about this. I had to call multiple times myself to know. Well, I called again and asked to cancel the order which she promptly did. If just ordering the TV was this problematic, I could not have imagined if I had gotten a defective one or if they shipped the wrong item.

This review was modified by its author, ev01, on 9/7/08 9:43 PM.