I don't mind upselling. What I do mind is if I'm given the bait and switch, decieved about quality of items, upsell items are missing in action, and difficulty in getting answers and satisfaction.
Just Horrible. I purchased a Konica Minolta Dimage A2 online this morning. I received confirmation that the order was processing. A little while later I received an email to call and verify the order. I did and was bombarded with upsell of over half a dozen accessories which I already had from a previous camera. When I told Mike at Extension 101 this, he proceeded to tell me that the camera only had a 90 day warranty and a full years coverage would cost another $99. I told him I diddn't need it since the camera had a 1 year manufacturers warranty. He said that was a limited warranty that only coverd parts for a year and labor for 90 days. Funny Konica Miniltas site plainly say it covers parts and labor for a full year. He politely droped the sales routine and told me to enjoy my camera and we ended the phone call. Within seconds I received an email that the camera was on 4-6 weeks backorder. I called back immediately and cancelled the order.
Beware the "order confirmation" phone call - I was also "required" to confirm the 3 digits on the back of my credit card, but I left that card at home and Bill said "no problem, no problem" and went on with his add-ons hard sell.
Clearly, he didn't really need to check the card at all, and it was all a ruse for the extra sell.
Bill then asked me to fill out a positive review for him on BizRate in exchange for a faster delivery time. That's when I really felt worried and discovered all your reviews. I have since cancelled my order and even my credit card to avoid any future problems with these scam artists.
I ordered a Cannon Digital Rebel from Radioavtive deals on 6/20/04, and was informed that it was going into 4-6 week backorder after a pushy phonecall to buy accessories. It has been over 3 months and I have yet to see my order. I am now going to cancel my order and purchace from another retailer.
THIS OUTFIT IS RUN BY LIARS, FRAUDS AND SCAM ARTISTS. Stay away!!! Under another one of its scam companies, USAPhotoNation, we ordered a Canon Rebel on 7/7/04. Today (9/1/04) I called to find out why we hadn't received the camera or any communication. Was told by MIKE that it wasn't available and that I would have to order the USA version. Said the version we ordered didn't come with a battery or warranty, although I assure you we phoned and asked and were told that it did. The "USA version" would cost us $300 extra, I was told. I said that I wanted to cancel the order and Mike said that I couldn't. Incredulous, I said again that I wanted to cancel the order and again he said that I could not. He then said, "Don't screw with someone who has your husband's credit card information," which I took to be a threat. Stunned, I said, are you in business just to defraud people? AND HE SAID YES! I have contacted the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357), the New York Attorney General and the New York District Attorney and won't let up until every search engine turns up a warning on USAPhotoNation and RadioActiveDeals.
Suckered in and ordered some accessories along with camera. Next day tried to cancel; they threatened to hang up on me; canceled my credit card and had credit card company dispute the charges. Radioactive shipped the order anyway; I called shipper and refused shipment. Turned them into www.newyork.bbb.org. After numerous correspondence with my credit card company, and Radioactive saying they never received my return and wanted proof, am happy to say I won. Full credit received after full 2 months of fighting.
A WORD OF WARNING TO EVERYBODY.. These folks posting the "very satisfied" reviews.. Note they all only have ONE review, and all tout the wonders of "buying the right accessories". They come one after the other.. Very few consumers will sing praises about all the upsells they were sold! BE FOREWARNED.. The classic NY photo store scam of advertising a product at a very low price, then calling to "verify" something and in the process upsell you is as old as time.
Inevitably, the tactics ALL these stores use are:
-Saying the battery is a "starter" battery
-Saying it's not a USA version
-Saying it comes with no warranty
-Selling you massively overpriced filters
-Saying a no-name accessory is better than the Manufacturer's
Inevitably, if you do not take the bait, they'll say your item is "backordered", or if they send it to you, you'll get a beat up return or a used item.
DO SOME RESEARCH! At reputable places you'll find that the "package deal" these places try to sell you with the accessories end up costing way more than the actual package + accessories at a real dealer.
Ordered Fuji S7000 on April 30th, had to call to confirm. Was pressured into buying other accessories but did not. Was told the camera was on backorder. Update on order said 4 to 6 weeks. It is now July 26th and have been emailing the company to find out about the order and they would not respond. Cancelled the order today.
I too was surprised at the great prices on their web page. I called to make the order and talked to the infamous Mike. He should be selling used cars. While he was fairly knowlegable he tried to sell me memory, batteries, extended warranty, lenses and any other thing he could think of. I finally succumbed to his hard sell and purchased the lens kit and extended warranty even though I told him repeatedly I was not interested. He hinted that the price shown was only available if purchased as a package with the other items mentioned. When I received the package and saw what a rip-off the $399.00 lens kit was I called them back and said I want to return the lenses and wanted my credit card account refunded that amount. He did all he could to convince me to keep the lenses or exchange them for different ones or other items. After a lenghty dispute we agreed upon a solution which was to exchange the lenses for additional memory and a battery. He said an RMA would be issued. A week later and no email or RMA was issued. I sent them an email stating I was going to dispute the charges with my credit card company. My credit card company refunded my $399.00 and I still have the damn lenses. My advise to everyone is to use your credit card Merchant Resolution department to get back any money you paid for items you didn't want.
These guys are scam artists. I ordered a camera and after a couple of days I got the email to contact Bill.
Bill turned out to be a complete imbecile, who didn't seem to understand english.
He told me that the camera is on backorder, even though the website showed it to be available.
Avoid these guys. They also pose as USAphotonation.com.
We had almost the exact experience as those listed below. What this company is doing is bait and switch and it is illegal. We filed a complaint with the FTC. Nothing can happen unless the FTC receives a number of compaints. I encourage all of you to do file your own complaint so they can not do this anymore.
Here is how you can file your complaint with the FTC: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
This review was modified by its author, tarisa, on
7/10/04 6:17 PM.
I had a similar experience to others on this board -- great low price, followed by an email to contact "Bill" for confirmation of my online order, and a high-pressure pitch for add-ons.
The guy who originally answered the phone opened with a curt "Hello?" (Not a great way to start a business conversation, especially on a customer service line.) He asked for my order number, then put me on hold for a sec. "Bill" came on and asked for the 3-digit code from the back of my credit card. I asked him to first confirm that the unit was actually in-stock and ready to ship. His reply: "I believe so. I can check for you. By the way -- did you know this camera only comes with a 20-minute starter battery?" And the pitch was on...
Offered a $149 package that includes a 2-hour battery and something called a "Turbo Charger." When questioned directly, he represented both as authentic Sony products. As I was declining the package add-on, I asked again if the unit was ready to ship. Got the "You know it ships from overseas in 3 to 5 weeks" thing. I asked him to cancel the order, which he politely assured me was no problem. His promised "cancellation confirmation" email arrived moments ago.
Can't recommend this reseller, though I will say that "Bill" was basically polite in a high-pressure kinda way. But what's up with that "Hello?" guy?
RadioActiveDeals MISADVERTISED their offering, the sales rep was RUDE on the phone, trying to intimidate me and even did what amounts to EXTORTION.
Do not let their low prices mislead you!
I was shopping for a Sony camcorder that I had researched thoroughly, and I new exactly what I wanted, I knew the model number and which accessories were supposed to come in the box. The sales rep demanded that I upgrade the battery which would add about $200 to the price. When I declined, he blurted "you'll get your order in 3-6 weeks" and hung up without asking me for a confirmation or otherwise finishing the conversation in a civilized way. Since their web site said that the product was "in stock" and I needed it ASAP, I called back. He said, rather curtly, that the price quoted was for an international model and that since I did not want to upgrade, they could only ship it in 3-6 weeks. Nowhere on their web page does it say that the model is international and that it takes that long to ship it unless you upgrade. I canceled the order and he hung up again. I called back to complain to a supervisor because the guy spoke very rudely (at some point he said that I was wasting his time, even though our conversation took no longer than 10 minutes, since I new exactly what I wanted). He picked up the phone and his first words were, "You again?". Is that a way to greet a customer??? Or any human being?
I canceled their order and will never ever buy anything from them. I bought the product from MP Superstore, where the rep was courteous, the price and availability was as advertised, and they processed the order the same day and shipped it right away. I came to appreciate honest, hard working businesses. RadioActiveDeals is neither.
Do NOT do business with these guys. Their business model is one of deception. They lure you in with the lowest price on a camera, then offer you "specials" on all the accessories you need (baterries, memory...). They tell you they're discounting their already low price, but actually you're paying up to twice as much as you would pay elsewhere. They don't actually sell these items on their website individulally -- only as package "deals".
I made the mistake of accepting the offer over the phone after I bought my camera. I thought I'd give some filters a try. They don't work well with my camera so I asked to return them. They don't accept the return of one item and don't even list the price on your invoice (wouldn't want you to compare). You can only return the entire package -- with a 15% restock fee. So, I'm stuck with my $70 filters that I paid $150 for, or I can return the entire package and pay a over a $120 restock fee. I got taken.
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