2/5

posted Jun-26-2007

First of all, DO NOT buy from them or any of their other websites. See the BBB entry where all the URLs are listed.

However I've had a much better shopping experience then most people here. On June 4 I had ordered the Canon HV-20 camcorder on their website with one of the packages. The total value was around $900 or so. A few hours after I had ordered I then called to make sure the order was in and that it was what I wanted.
Well of course it turned out that it wasn't what I wanted. I had expected to received the standard Canon package with all the standard components from Canon plus everything from the package deal. The dude on the phone told me that it's just the raw camera body without any batteries, charger, cables, nothing.

So then I asked to get the regular Canon package and oh wonder, the total price skyrocketed to $1500. I was a little shocked at first and was ready to cancel the order. He said that he'd throw in an extra external charger, a video light and send the higher quality tele and macro lenses (made out of glass instead of plastic). So in the end I agreed to pay the $1542 with shipping and everything since I would've got those additional components anyway.

I was then told that I'd receive an email with a tracking number once the items are shipped and that my CC wouldn't be charged until the items actually ship. My CC was charged on June 6 and never received an email. So I waited one more day and then called their customer service. But the thing is THEY DON'T HAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE!
If you're patient enough, someone might eventually pick up the phone after 30 mins or so. Since I was at work, I could just let the phone run on the side and didn't mind it too much.
First guy told me that it's in the warehouse and that I'll get an email this day. No email. Called again the next day. Same story, it's shipped, will get email that day. Still nothing. Called again (you see, I've got patience and nerves). Eventually on June 11 some "supervisor" promised me that I'd have the package on June 12. Well, I didn't but finally I got the package on June 13.

So I was really curious to see now if they sent what they promised and actually pretty much everything was in there. I got the standard Canon package, got the higher quality tele and macro lenses, got the 12 DV tapes, etc. A few things were missing though. They didn't include the second battery, the external charger and the video light.
So the next day I tried to call again and now some fax machine would answer at that number. Whoa, wtf? I kept trying but it was either constantly busy or a fax would answer. So I sent an email. No reply to that of course. Finally on June 18 the phone system was up and running again and I got hold of some dude. Told him that I'm missing some parts. He then said that it's already on the way. (Hmm, I'm not sure if I believe you). So I said ok and called back the next day trying to get a tracking number. Dude only told me that it's on the way and that I should get an email that evening. Sound familiar? A well, I then figured I'll just wait a few more days and see what's going on. Hey, finally I got another package on June 21 which actually contained the three things that were missing in the first package. So now I really got everything that I wanted and had ordered.

I then went on a journey to find out if I had been scammed or if the products I got are adding up to the $1500 I paid. I found that I probably paid $100 to $200 too much. I could've found the camera for around $900 and all the other parts too that would've added up to a total of about $1300 or $1400. However most parts I found on different websites, so with all the additional shipping charges, it would've been close to the $1500 I paid.

In the end I didn't feel too bad, except that I spent hours and hours on the phone trying to get to their "customer support". And I have the product I wanted that's functioning well.

I filed a complaint with the BBB anyways and when I did that I found out that I had done business with them in the past and hadn't realized it. A year and a half ago I had ordered a Canon Rebel XT with a package from J & K cameras, through Ebay though. Their reviews there were really good which is why I had ordered with them in the first place. At the BBB site I found out that J & K is owned by the same dude that owns Century21 Electronics.
However my experience with J & K was great. I got the package I wanted with all the add-ons, got an email with tracking info and the package arrived 4 or 5 days after I had ordered. Everything was in the package and I was very satisfied. I had also checked if the package was it's money worth and it had turned out that I probably saved about $300 in total which made me happy.

So I don't think that I'd order from them again in the future after all the reviews and complaints I've read. I guess I must've just been real lucky with my orders. And I'm a very patient guy...

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2/5

posted Jun-26-2007

On June 17, I had ordered two different types of MiniDV tapes, a 1GB miniSD card and a Monster firewire cable. My credit card was charged pretty much immediately for all items.

I've ordered everything with ground shipping as it wasn't urgent at all. I've received the to sets of MiniDV tapes on June 21 which seemed decently quick. The invoice in the package indicated that the other two items were on back order.

On the website when I had ordered, everything seemed to be in stock (it said 'usually ships the same day'). On June 25 I received the miniSD card but it seemed to have been shipped from a different company. I didn't really care though.

On June 26 I called the place to check on what's going on with the firewire cable and I was told that it's on back order and that there is no ETA on when I'd get it. This didn't make me very happy. The guy told me that I'd be receiving an email once it's in stock and is being shipped.

Negative points: only received initial order confirmation email, never got any email about items being on back order or email notifying me of items being shipped. never got any tracking numbers. found out that the miniSD card was quite expensive with $82.00. I found the same card, even the 2GB miniDV card for a lot less. So if I had got a notification that this was on back order, then I could've cancelled it.

UPDATE July 9: The Monster firewire cable is still on backorder and they have no ETA. They never sent out any update emails or anything like that. Just called because I wanted to cancel that and get a refund but the guy told me that he can't process it right now as the system is "updating" and he's unable to log in. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY! I should call back in 30 mins. I'll try again.

This review was modified by aheusser on July 09 2007 11:16:05 AM

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