1/5

posted Jun-02-2008

On Sunday, 2/17/08 I called Best Price Cameras to order Nikon package 15, a D-80 digital camera put together with a Nikon Nikkor 18-200 Autofocus lens & assorted accessories, for $959, as advertised on the website. The salesmen, Tony, talked me into a "way better" lens, an 18-135. Sunday night I tried to reach Tony to change the order back to the 18-200, which Tony said was the same price but far inferior to the all-plastic 18-200. After leaving a number of messages, which weren't returned, I tried again in the morning. Again, no return call. I talked to another salesman & he said to call customer service at 11:00 am. I called Customer Service & they said no problem, they'd switch the lens (after trying to talk me out of it.)

On Wed, at 5:03 pm UPS delivered the parcel. The wrong lens was sent, plus no tripod or card reader, or the 2nd battery as shown in the "package". I got right back on the phone to customer service. As soon as I gave him the order no. 177019, they transferred me to a phone that was never answered. A message came on that said wonderful things about their customer service (all very hard to hear). At 6:10 pm I hung up, after holding for over 45 minutes. Upon calling back their recorded message said that customer service hours were 11 – 6 M-Th & 11-4 Friday.

I went out to various websites on Thursday morning & found that they are a bait & switch company with many complaints on file with the NY Better Business Bureau. They deal in gray market products.

The Invoice in the box shows no individual prices, outside of the $1299 package price, plus the $199 price for the 5 yr extended warranty, that I bought because they included an upgraded memory card (from 2 GB to 4 GB) and they "threw in" 4 filters which they said were worth $200. They "threw in" a battery & a charger that they said were another $200. All in all, the cost went up to $1499. Actual retail cost for the filters were $16.50, per numerous other reputable websites.

The actual cost should have been about $1365, retail, using the highest prices I could find. Then if you add the 5 year extended warranty for $200, we paid more for their great discounted gray market camera, which is not backed by Nikon in the US.

After this all occurred I checked various consumer websites & BBB and found all the complaints. I called customer service on Thurs. at 11:24 am & listened to an explanation, which included an offer to get the REAL 18-200 for another $310. Got disconnected. I called again, talking to "ROY" (I had to ask for a name) & asked for a return authorization number. I asked if there was a re-stocking charge & yes, per their website, minimum 10%. I later checked & that info is buried on a Help screen. I overpaid for what I received, didn't receive all that was promised & been duped. Many of the accessories are low-end products. The Invoice only lists the $1299 package price, plus the $200 warranty & no details. The ironic part is that in the long wait I heard their recorded message say, "Our good reputation is our most important asset". I contacted the warranty company & hope that I never have to use them. What the salesman said & what the warranty says are completely different.

On 2/22 I complained to the NY Better Business Bureau listing all of the above. They sent me a letter last week saying that Best Price Cameras would not respond to my complaints.

comment on review | report?

Is this review?… Helpful Cool Share