Don't Get Burned: Bait & Switch Camera Dealers Exposed

Andrew Petrie · June 9th, 2003, 03:55 PM

I smell a DVi North American Meet! :P B&H and ZGC, here we gooooo

Nigel Moore · June 10th, 2003, 02:10 AM

While I was in the US on business earlier this year, my wife and I visited NY for Valentine's. I took her to Tiffany...as a prelude to taking myself to B&H. It was like going into a toy store as a kid. Truly a remarkable operation.

Romantic sod, aren't I? ;-)

Russ Evenhouse · August 1st, 2003, 08:05 AM

Robert,
I got the bait and stuff from Broadway photo on my xl1s. I mostly bought the camera because I was injured at work and, after 25 years, looking at possibly something new to have to do. I thought maybe legal videos or weddings would be the way to go, and I started checking into the xl1s as I'd read alot of good things on it. So, anyway, Broadways price was 2600 dollars. I ordered the canera, gave them my credit tcard number, then the fast tallking began about a "Package deal" I'd get.
After all was said and done, I got a bill for 4100 dollars and a lot of stuff I really didn't need at the time.
The camera, however , was the US version and performs well, and much of the stuff they sent me, thought very overpriced, has come in useful. I got a 4 year mack warranty, case, tripod, bunch of tapes and filters, and two batteries. The filters were the worst though. $300.00 for 3 filters. In retrospect, I guess I still got the camera overall for a good price. I figure about $3200.00 after removing the extras.
I won't ever deal with them again, but the burn was not really too severe.
I know more now about checking out for reputable dealers, and I now do a Better Business Bureau check before I purchase anything off the internet.
Lesson learned well!!!

Russ Evenhouse

Harry Doyle · October 19th, 2003, 10:50 PM

i've purchased online from b&h, j&r, adorama, and 47th st photo. all of these ny shops have been great to deal with. being an international shopper, i find it pays off to do a little research into any online store before i shop. with a little detective work i find you can usually spot which shops are legit (though i'm sure this isn't always the case).

Bryan Mitchell · October 29th, 2003, 04:41 PM

I got my "XL1s package" from 47st photo. I got upsold from $3600 for the XL1s with tripod, filters, cleaning kit, case. To $3800 for a 2 year mack warranty. I won't do bussiness with them again because of the high pressure of the upsell, but everything else about the service was good. I am very much enjoying my XL1s, so I am not all that sour about the deal.

Mike Butler · October 30th, 2003, 02:28 PM

Just another non-sponsor merchant worth mentioning. B&H was out of stock (a rare occurrence for them, but this was for the Canon EOD 10D when it had just come out) so I tried calling Milford Photo just to see, and they had it in stock. Priced the same as B&H and everybody else in NYC. A smooth trouble-free transaction from a real brick-and-mortar store in my back yard. Not too much there in the video end but a great store for all your still photo needs, if you happen to be in the Connecticut area.

I would never go near those bait-n-switch guys talked about in this thread.

June 9th, 2003, 03:55 PM	#16
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	I smell a DVi North American Meet! :P B&H and ZGC, here we gooooo __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

August 1st, 2003, 08:05 AM	#18
Russ Evenhouse New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottssbluff, Nebraska Posts: 11	Don't Get Burned: Bait & Switch Camera Dealers Exposed Robert, I got the bait and stuff from Broadway photo on my xl1s. I mostly bought the camera because I was injured at work and, after 25 years, looking at possibly something new to have to do. I thought maybe legal videos or weddings would be the way to go, and I started checking into the xl1s as I'd read alot of good things on it. So, anyway, Broadways price was 2600 dollars. I ordered the canera, gave them my credit tcard number, then the fast tallking began about a "Package deal" I'd get. After all was said and done, I got a bill for 4100 dollars and a lot of stuff I really didn't need at the time. The camera, however , was the US version and performs well, and much of the stuff they sent me, thought very overpriced, has come in useful. I got a 4 year mack warranty, case, tripod, bunch of tapes and filters, and two batteries. The filters were the worst though. $300.00 for 3 filters. In retrospect, I guess I still got the camera overall for a good price. I figure about $3200.00 after removing the extras. I won't ever deal with them again, but the burn was not really too severe. I know more now about checking out for reputable dealers, and I now do a Better Business Bureau check before I purchase anything off the internet. Lesson learned well!!! Russ Evenhouse

October 30th, 2003, 02:28 PM	#21
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	Just another non-sponsor merchant worth mentioning. B&H was out of stock (a rare occurrence for them, but this was for the Canon EOD 10D when it had just come out) so I tried calling Milford Photo just to see, and they had it in stock. Priced the same as B&H and everybody else in NYC. A smooth trouble-free transaction from a real brick-and-mortar store in my back yard. Not too much there in the video end but a great store for all your still photo needs, if you happen to be in the Connecticut area. I would never go near those bait-n-switch guys talked about in this thread. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

June 10th, 2003, 02:10 AM	#17
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	While I was in the US on business earlier this year, my wife and I visited NY for Valentine's. I took her to Tiffany...as a prelude to taking myself to B&H. It was like going into a toy store as a kid. Truly a remarkable operation. Romantic sod, aren't I? ;-)

October 19th, 2003, 10:50 PM	#19
Harry Doyle Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sydney, NS, Canada Posts: 40	i've purchased online from b&h, j&r, adorama, and 47th st photo. all of these ny shops have been great to deal with. being an international shopper, i find it pays off to do a little research into any online store before i shop. with a little detective work i find you can usually spot which shops are legit (though i'm sure this isn't always the case).

October 29th, 2003, 04:41 PM	#20
Bryan Mitchell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 316	I got my "XL1s package" from 47st photo. I got upsold from $3600 for the XL1s with tripod, filters, cleaning kit, case. To $3800 for a 2 year mack warranty. I won't do bussiness with them again because of the high pressure of the upsell, but everything else about the service was good. I am very much enjoying my XL1s, so I am not all that sour about the deal.