Digital cameras forum: Trustworthy dealers

I wouldn't buy from there because they have an extremely bad reputation. That can be corroborated by the Better Business Bureau. In the last year(only the last 12 months) they have had 538 people complain to the BBB. It takes a lot for someone to go to that extent. The BBB says that the company has an unsatisfactory record as a business and they state:

"Complaints to the Bureau indicate that this company has a pattern of misleading and deceptive business practices. A majority of consumers report that this firm advertises low cost and new merchandise on its website but receive damaged or refurbished merchandise. In addition consumers are charged shipping insurance fees which change and raise the price of the item. Complaints also indicate that this firm uses high pressures sales tactics when consumers call customer service. Consumers report being pressured to make additional purchases along with their original orders, and if they decline and cancel their orders they are charged an arbitrary cancellation fee. Furthermore, consumers allege customer service representatives gave false shipping dates and tracking numbers. "

You can't back these guys unless your one of them.

Its very simple, I order from them regularly and am aware of their rep online because I recently ordered something via that route. I also wrote a review of this merchant detailing my experience. Thing is, Im the type that goes out of my way to write reviews. All types. I am prepared to bet that the 2 replys to my messages here are from people who have never once written a positive review about anyone. Even after receiving the best service they could have asked for. But, when something doesnt go exactly as they wanted it to they come online and go nuts with there reviews.

Bradiana, you must have noticed that as soon as you place an order on this website, you get the most audacious, despicable piece of warning (??)! Here you go.....

Your receipt of an electronic or other form of order confirmation does not signify our acceptance of your order, nor does it constitute confirmation of our offer to sell. FotoConnection.com reserves the right at any time after receipt of your order to accept or decline your order for any reason. FotoConnection.com reserves the right at any time after receipt of your order, without prior notice to you, to supply less than the quantity you ordered of any item. All orders placed over 2000.00 must obtain pre approval with an acceptable method of payment, as established by our Credit and Fraud Avoidance Department. We may require verifications or information before accepting any order.
We do not sell to other dealers, resellers, exporters, wholesalers, or customers who intend on reselling the product offered by www.fotoconnection.com. If you are one of the above please do not order online or call in, for your order will be rejected.

("We do not sell to other dealers...??? Right on the front page they have a tag for BULK ORDERS....Who's that for??)

My advice is, call your credit card company and withold payment by explaining to them in detail the above and also willing to hand over the above mentioned paragraph JUST as you would have it on your own order confirmation email or their own Policy page, which is very, very disturbing.

Then call them and tell them you are cancelling your order and ask them to send you an email confirming the same. Good luck.

Never buy from FotoConnection.com They will lie, cheat and steal from you in every possible way. They know all the tricks. Check with the BBB. These are their additional business names.
1 Stop Camera & Computers
1 Stop Camera & Electronics
4U Digital
Digital Net Shop
ePhoto Club
Inoax
One Stop Camera & Computers
Rite Buys
Superior Dealz
The New Connection
The Wiz Store

I ordered a camera and battery from FotoConnection.com. When received the battery was an improper battery for the camera. They refused to take it back and as I argued with them that I would send back the camera if they would not replace the battery they proceeded to act belligerent on the phone - asking me if I was "Spiderman's brother" (hence the Cnet username I chose here; telling me if I fought the charge with AMEX that I would "be on my knees begging for forgiveness" and went as far as to call me (and I am not kidding here) a "****ot". These guys are not trustworthy retailers. They are true NY scam artists - and I say that having lived in NYC for the better part of 11 years. I ask and hope that the credit card companies - AMEX, Visa, Mastercard and others to stop working them - protect your customers and yourself from these scammers.

B & H photo offer consistant service at fair prices. I highly recommend them.

I have purchased from them before and never had a problem.

They are usually a bit higher than others.

They must have gotten a deal on that particular camera.

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I placed an order with Butterfly Photo this week. I received an email telling me to call in and ask for *** concerning my order. When I called, I spoke with a pleasant person although he did try to sell me memory, warranty, accessories. As he read through his list, I simply said "no" to each. It's the same thing that you get when you buy electronics at a retail chain. It was a minor inconvenience, but I saved fifty bucks off the suggested retail of my camera. I have not received my item yet so I cannot comment at this point on shipping time, quality, followup. I was told that I would receive my item next Tues/Wed which is an acceptable amount of time from today, Friday, considering that it's shipping from NY to CA.

I was looking for 2 Kodak EZShare Z712 cameras for my husband and myself. The website Everyprice.com listed TECHonDigital.com as having the best price so I ordered from their website. I received an email instructing me to call "James" at an 800 number to "confirm my order". When I called he started out nice enough but then launched into a series of hard sells on a memory card (told him I had quite a few), a battery (because the one that comes with it only lasts 5 hours)and an accessory pack for $69 which included a case, a cleaning kit and a tripod. I pointed out to him that the web ad said that the cleaning kit and tripod were ALREADY included in that price. He then spouted off a bunch of other accessories and "dropped" the price to $59, then $49. I held my ground and he finally gave up. I hung up thinking that I had ordered the cameras. Two hours later I got an email stating that

"Due to the product you ordered being out of stock for 6-8 weeks from today's date. We regret to inform you that the order is canceled due to the product being on backorder. when or if we get the product again in stock soon will send you an email to place an order please do not resubmit your order again . sorry again and thanks for your understanding ." (the email didn't even make grammatical sense!)

I checked the website and it said they were still in stock...hmmm...I probably lost my order because I didn't order any extras. So I checked Everyprice.com again and found that Fotoconnection had the cameras for only slightly more so I ordered from them. Funny thing, though, the same thing happened. I got an email asking me to call "Jack" at another 800 number to confirm my order. It was after business hours so they were closed. My husband and I talked it over and we decided that it was probably going to be the same deal...high pressure sales and a cancellation when we didn't cough up the extra money. We knew that prices would increase over the weekend as retailers replenished their supplies from "Black Friday" so we decided to go with BuyDig.com in the meantime for a little more money. This time the transaction went through smoothly. No phone call required for confirmation, no hard sell ********!

Today (Sunday, Nov 25)I got another email from fotoconnection instructing me to call to confirm the order. I replied with the order to cancel the order immediately. I received an email stating that I would need to call since they do not accept cancellations by email. Gee, I wonder why? Because they can't strong-arm you via email as effectively as they can by phone? So I called and it was one of the most unpleasant experiences I have ever had on a phone call. First of all I was put on hold for 25 minutes listening to the most obnoxious R&B versions of Christmas Carols EVER! Finally someone picked up. I explained that I wanted to cancel my order. The person asked for my order number, verified who I was and then told me he would transfer me to "my rep." Another 10 minutes on hold with the crap music blaring at me. Finally a person picks up who sounds suspiciously like the first person who answered. I tell him I want to cancel and he wants to know why. I tell him I am all set with my purchases. He starts badgering me to tell him where I bought and for how much, tells me he is ready to offer me a $50 discount. I insist that I am not interested. He says he wants to throw in a battery and charger. The man is DESPERATE! I tell him it is too late and that I already have a confirmed sale. He finally hangs up.

An hour later I get a call from "James at Fotoconnection." I tell him I am not interested in talking with him about this. I am cancelling the sale. He gets very nasty and insists that I tell him where I bought the cameras. I refuse. He then goes on to tell me that he will have to charge me a "cancellation fee." At that point I remind him that I have no confirmed deal with him and he tells me that he put time and effort into my order. I tell him that unless he wants to hear from the FTC and the Maine and NY Attorney General's Offices he will NOT put anything on my credit card. I also say that I will be contacting my Credit Card company about this transaction. He responds with "Oh, you're one of THOSE kinds of people." I was so furious I just hung up. After I hung up I realized that "James from Fotoconnection" was, in fact, "James from TechonDigital." I did call my credit card company to put them on alert and told them that if any charges did appear I would dispute them. The Customer Service Rep was very helpful and gave me instructions on how to appeal. I really hope it doesn't come to that but I will fight this thing all the way if I have to. What a sleazeball!!!!!

The lesson I learned was: Don't rely on reviews on the merchant's website OR on the Pricefinder's websites. Use impartial, reputable sites like CNET to get the real scoop.

Has anyone done buisness with Best Price Photo? Is Best Price Photo a Bait and Switch as well?

Sorry, It was best price CAMERAS. http://www.bestpricecameras.com I found it on one of those compare price site that come up on google. http://www.shopcartusa.com Very sorry about the mix up.

All have same M.O.,bait and switch,probably run by the same crime family.