1/5

posted Nov-03-2005

"WAWA Digital did not have the product listed. I called them repeatedly to find their phone service saying it was after hours- during store hours. Absolutely would not sell item unless purchased memory card or accessories- because thats where they are making their extra money- i've already purchase a 1 gig high speed CF card for 45.95 they want $200 for the same item. The camera i was going to purchase was the The Rebel XT priced $565 after $75 rebate they wouldnt sell unless i purchased the same item with accesory package totalling $750+.
Would NOT reccomend them to anyone unless they want to pay dearly for accessories.

After Research:

The company engages in bait and switch tactics, which are as misdomeanor under NY State law I quote:
Deceptive Business Practices
• 15 USC § 45
• N.Y. General Business Law § 349

Unfair acts and deceptive practices carried out in the course of business or trade are prohibited in New York State. Section 349 of the General Business Law specifically prohibits this activity and has become the most frequently prosecuted consumer-related offense in New York State. There are many practices which violate this statute, including:

Bait and Switch Advertising

• General Business Law § 396

A store cannot advertise an item for sale without providing an adequate supply of the item to consumers. It is illegal to advertise or offer for sale merchandise or services with the purpose not to sell at the advertised price or not to sell at all. Unscrupulous merchants have been prosecuted for advertising an item at a sale price without having the item in stock. With interested buyers in their store, they try to entice the consumers into buying more expensive items or services. The New York General Business Law, along with Federal Trade Commission regulations, prohibits a merchant from offering merchandise or services without the intent to sell the offered merchandise or services.[9]

9] N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 396(1).


Remember this: Federal law allows you to claim a full refund if you are sent merchandise you did not order. Such an instance is called a "billing error." You will have to provide full particulars to your credit card issuer, and make sure you have the routing number when you return any unordered merchandise by UPS or Fedex. Try to deal with them by Internet rather than over the phone, as you will have a record to refer to and not "my word vs. their word."

And please write to the NYS Attorney General's Office and the NYC Office of Consumer Protection. With enough complaints they can have their license lifted or even be prosecuted for violations of the law as stated above.

Bottom line: no firm should be allowed to do busines if its business model is predicated on luring customers with a fictitious price they have no intention of keeping. "

This review was modified by j5_designz on November 03 2005 08:55:01 PM

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1/5

posted Mar-13-2005

"This is the WORST internet company I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. They advertised a low price on a Casio Z40 camera I was interested in. Then, when I called to confirm the order, they attempted to sell me a battery for which I had no use. When I wouldn't purchase any "extra accessories" for my camera, the salesman told me that the camera was unavailable for the next 3 weeks. I told him I wanted to cancel my order, he said, "Fine" and hung up on me. When I called back to find out if my order had been cancelled since the rude salesman hung up on me, I got the same person on the phone. He told me that the camera was not available and that the order had been cancelled. I told him I wished to speak to his supervisor. This is when he told me he was one of the owners!!! So if the owners are treating their customers without any regard for professional courtesy, you can imagine that the attitude permeates throughout the company. I strongly recommend that you have absolutely NO DEALINGS with this awful company."

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5/5

posted Mar-24-2005

"Good service all around, except when I checked on my order I found out it took 3 days from the time I ordered it to ship, and I was picked up and put back on hold alot waiting for customer service.

"

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1/5

posted Sep-08-2006

"I placed an order on 8/30 via Stargate Photo's website for a digital camera, which had the lowest price advertised by other competitors. On Sept 5th, I checked on the status of this order, and it still just showed "new orders" and no processing date or ship date. Upon checking their website closer, it appears many links have been removed from customer service. It only listed an email address and a "fax" number. I sent an email on 9/5/06 requesting if there is any update on this order. No reply for 2 days. I prepared a fax requesting the same information, and attempted to send fax. The phone line was answered, but I could hear a recording in the back ground. I called this number by a regular phone, and heard a recording that "they were not HOME" and to leave a message. I left a message that I was getting worried about the status of my order, as I needed this camera soon for a high school reunion coming up. I advise him of my email address and a phone number to call. No response to all requests. 9/8, order still listed as "new order". I sent an email requesting that order be canceled, as I will have to purchase it from another dealer, so it will arrive on time. A check of Google with phone number listed, shows number is listed in two names, with Stargate and also name and address of occupant. Did a "hybrid" google search of address, and it reveals that this business is being run from a HOUSE, as photo shows it as a residential area Brooklyn NY. I would never deal with this company in the future. Never once have I been contacted after repeated requests. Scam outfit!!!!"

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1/5

posted Nov-06-2005

"I placed an order for a camera which was a good deal on the web. When I called to confirm my order as you are required to, the so-called sales people REFUSED to sell me the camera because I did not want to buy additional accessories. They called me a STUPID consumer (I have a PROFESSIONAL degree). This company should NOT be in business, they are con-artists."

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1/5

posted Mar-08-2006

"Purchased camcorder over the phone after confirming price. I refused all accessories offered by the salesman, then was informed that the unit is refurbished. Web site did not disclose it was a refurbished unit. It is a scam to bait you with low price and if company cannot sell needless and over priced accessories, then kill the deal with this "hidden and fraudulent" disclosure. "

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1/5

posted Jan-12-2008

"It really sucked to have to call in to place the "online" order. Once on the phone the sales person high pressures you into making additional purchases. Regardless of this, I paid extra for 2nd day delivery for my son's trip to Europe. The camera did not arrive until the 7th day after order, long after my son had already left. I called to the store to ask for a refund for shipping charges. At first they said not, then finally agreed to refund the shipping, since the camera did not arrive in 2 days. I am STILL waiting on that refund. It never came. I did cave an order an extra battery for this camera also, and my son says this extra battery never would charge or work. Faulty products, bad shipping, and poor customer service. I recommend you purchase anyplace else!"

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1/5

posted Apr-04-2005

"Checked for lowest prices on net. WaWa digital was lowest. Called and placed the order for a canon a95. Sales rep wanted to sell a 256 flash memory card for 149 $. I told him it was a gift and the person could buy what they wanted. He cut the price in half on the card trying to sell it. I just wanted the camera. He then took the order.
9 days later I called to check on the order. The person was very rude and told me it was out of stock and hung up. I called back and asked that my order be cancelled and was told ok. I will call back to make sure it was cancelled and this WaWa company did not rip me off. I think the camera was in stock and the low ball price was to sell the cards and charge 25$ for shipping.
I would not recommend this company at all.
"

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1/5

posted Feb-26-2006

"Wow! Indeed...I almost "burned" myself, too with these crooks!! I have ordered the Casio Exilim EX-600 on-line to a low price (...be aware!!)and the next day I got the call to confirm the purchase(!?)...but they told me that the camera is refurbished (that was not stated on their website) and they tried to sell me the extra accesories. After I denied... the phone went dead...that's called "customer satifaction". So, if you want to save some "headaches"...DON'T DEAL WITH MORONS!!"

This review was modified by tobby222 on February 26 2006 03:50:31 PM

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1/5

posted Apr-13-2006

"I was very dissatisfied with the service of Wawa Digital. I placed an order online, and when I called to confirm the order, the sales representative started swearing at me after I refused to purchase extra items. After that, I said that I would rather cancel my order than confirm it. He told me that I had to send a money order of $55 for a cancellation fee within 2 days or he would call authorities. Their website did not mention cancellation fees, and I told him that it did not sound right. He continued to swear at me and tell me that he had my credit card number and would personally see to it that my credit score would be run into the ground. When I asked to speak with another representative to resolve the issue he told me to "f*** off" and that he was the owner's son, so he could talk to me and treat me however he wanted to. He also told me if I hung up that he would charge the $55 cancellation fee to my credit card. The situation just continued to escalate. I remained professional when speaking with him, although I admit it was very difficult to do so. After 40 minutes on the phone, he hung up on me. I immediately called my credit card company to warn them of possible fraud. It was a horrible experience."

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