1/5
posted Oct-25-2007
Very, very suspicious. I would not recommend anyone order from this store. I fell into a classic "bait-and-switch" they run: they call to confirm the CCV number on your credit card, and then talk you into a grey-market item that is "superior". I doubt they ever had the item I originally wanted, and use it only as a lure. I was talked into an inferior graymarket item that cost more.
When I tried to find more information about the lens, I was told that the manufacturer (Sigma) didn't show it on their US website because it was imported from Japan, but that I could find info on another merchant's website -- geniuscameras.com. That turned out to be run by the same people as expresscameras.com. At this point it was clear that I was not being dealt with honestly, and I had no compunction in demanding a refund.
When I called to cancel, I was told I could not cancel because the item was on the shipping dock already. I told the rep ("Jim") that I didn't believe him, and was told he could get me a tracking number if I wanted. I asked for the number, was put on hold, and when he came back he said I could cancel the order, with no mention of the tracking number. I think the whole "shipping dock" line was a lie to keep me from canceling, in the hopes I would let the item ship, and either keep it or get trapped in an RMA game.
Eventually, after another offer to lower the price or switch the item, I was "allowed" to cancel with a $200 charge for shipping and handling. This is abusive, since shipping on the lens is quoted as $48 on the website. My credit card company tells me I am out of luck there, since it falls into "non-refundable shipping, handling, and insurance charges" that I tacitly agreed to when I placed the order. I guess I have to accept that as part of my lesson -- to research a merchant before I buy, be more suspicious of the low price leader, and not be talked out of an item I have researched. I'd rather pay $200 than end up with a lens that isn't what I wanted and makes me feel like a chump when I look at it!
As a precaution, I have canceled the credit card. They have demonstrated their dishonesty -- I don't trust them with my CC number.
NB: They are also being sued by the New Jersey Attorney General for violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, for bait-and-switch, unreasonable shipping & handling (see above), and more.
Bottom line: If you got burned, don't feel stupid -- they are professionals at deception. But DO feel justified in making a fighting for every penny with your credit card company and the AG's office. If we don't fight it, they will just keep on abusing people.
Lawsuit info:
http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases06/pr20061130a.html
This review was modified by
jeffrice47 on October 25 2007 07:36:14 PM
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posted Apr-10-2008 
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![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"I have ordered several times with this company. They have been polite and helpful each time. This most recent order I needed to cancel, and both by email and by phone the representatives were helpful and courteous. I would order from this company again without hesitation.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/EndPCNoise\/comment\/372976#comment372976","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/EndPCNoise.jpg","store_name":"EndPCNoise.com","username":"jeffrice47","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"I am quite pleased. My order came promptly despite the holidays. When I emailed to ask for a tracking number, I received a reply from Lee himself. My package also contained a small bar of soap, 5 replacement blades, and a disposal box free of charge.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Lee_s_Safety_Razors\/comment\/354836#comment354836","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Lee_s_Safety_Razors.jpg","store_name":"Lee\u0027s Safety Razors","username":"jeffrice47","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"RatingsPlanet.com is a scam -- they are a front run by one or more merchants engaged in fraudulent business practices. I have submitted a number of reviews on merchants in their database -- both positive and negative -- and not a single one has appeared on the site.<br><br>DON\u0027T trust them. They are not a ratings site, they are a front that facilitates fraud.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/RatingsPlanet\/comment\/344360#comment344360","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/RatingsPlanet.jpg","store_name":"RatingsPlanet.com","username":"jeffrice47","rating":"1"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"My experience with this store is as a \u0022brick-and-mortar\u0022 store, not an internet store, so some things might not be the same.<br><br>I have found them to be honest and knowledgeable about their merchandise. Twice I have called and the sales rep has known the price on the lens without consulting the computer. They also matched competitors\u0027 prices. I think they are an honest business that values their customers, and I have feel that the sales reps I have dealt with have tried to ensure that I will come back again.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Mike_s_Camera\/comment\/342062#comment342062","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Mike_s_Camera.jpg","store_name":"Mike\u0027s Camera","username":"jeffrice47","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"Very, very suspicious. I would not recommend anyone order from this store. I fell into a classic \u0022bait-and-switch\u0022 they run: they call to confirm the CCV number on your credit card, and then talk you into a grey-market item that is \u0022superior\u0022. I doubt they ever had the item I originally wanted, and use it only as a lure. I was talked into an inferior graymarket item that cost more.<br><br>When I tried to find more information about the lens, I was told that the manufacturer (Sigma) didn\u0027t show it on their US website because it was imported from Japan, but that I could find info on another merchant\u0027s website -- geniuscameras.com. That turned out to be run by the same people as expresscameras.com. At this point it was clear that I was not being dealt with honestly, and I had no compunction in demanding a refund. <br><br>When I called to cancel, I was told I could not cancel because the item was on the shipping dock already. I told the rep (\u0022Jim\u0022) that I didn\u0027t believe him, and was told he could get me a tracking number if I wanted. I asked for the number, was put on hold, and when he came back he said I could cancel the order, with no mention of the tracking number. I think the whole \u0022shipping dock\u0022 line was a lie to keep me from canceling, in the hopes I would let the item ship, and either keep it or get trapped in an RMA game.<br><br>Eventually, after another offer to lower the price or switch the item, I was \u0022allowed\u0022 to cancel with a $200 charge for shipping and handling. This is abusive, since shipping on the lens is quoted as $48 on the website. My credit card company tells me I am out of luck there, since it falls into \u0022non-refundable shipping, handling, and insurance charges\u0022 that I tacitly agreed to when I placed the order. I guess I have to accept that as part of my lesson -- to research a merchant before I buy, be more suspicious of the low price leader, and not be talked out of an item I have researched. I\u0027d rather pay $200 than end up with a lens that isn\u0027t what I wanted and makes me feel like a chump when I look at it!<br><br>As a precaution, I have canceled the credit card. They have demonstrated their dishonesty -- I don\u0027t trust them with my CC number.<br><br>NB: They are also being sued by the New Jersey Attorney General for violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, for bait-and-switch, unreasonable shipping & handling (see above), and more. <br><br>Bottom line: If you got burned, don\u0027t feel stupid -- they are professionals at deception. But DO feel justified in making a fighting for every penny with your credit card company and the AG\u0027s office. If we don\u0027t fight it, they will just keep on abusing people.<br><br>Lawsuit info:<br>http:\/\/www.nj.gov\/oag\/newsreleases06\/pr20061130a.html","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Express_Cameras\/comment\/341705#comment341705","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Express_Cameras.jpg","store_name":"Express Cameras \/ expresscamera.com \/ Save Here Distribution","username":"jeffrice47","rating":"1"}, "single");){kind=link}