Bestchoicecamera.com

Review: letter I sent to them with a copy to Revdex.com on December *, 2013

TO: Best Choice Camera

I don’t know whether or not your email was meant to intimidate me or scare me but I do know that it made me rather irritated especially when you state that I cannot dispute this with my credit card company.

I purchased a camera from you after doing some price searching on the internet (reputable companies such as [redacted] to name a few that I have dealt with in the past with much satisfaction) and found your “Pre Thanksgiving Day Sale”. It is interesting to note that your description for the Nikon CoolPix L820 read the same as the other sites that I looked at.

My first mistake was to NOT realize that your price of $154 should have sent up a red flag as it was nearly $50 less than other stores.

2nd mistake was when I called and talked to [redacted] at extension #*. He suggested that I buy a battery recharger as they were on sale and it would really help in running the camera. It would cost between $40 and $50 dollars (no mention was made of upgrading the camera). I decided to go ahead and purchase the recharger as this would still keep my cost to around $200. I should have, at that time, asked for an exact amount but thought I was dealing with an honest person

3rd mistake – I should have looked up your store and read reviews before purchasing.

When my purchase came I was dumbfounded to see the packing slip. I called Customer Service to find out why my packing slip showed a balance of $268 being charged to my credit card. I was told that since I purchased the recharger (I have since learned that the recharger you sent [same brand and item number] sells for under $11 – what a difference in price!) they also upgraded my camera from Turkish to English so that I could read the instructions and I would also receive a 1 year warrantee which the original purchase supposedly did not have. Nowhere in your description does it say that the camera was not English (it reads the same as Nikon itself advertises). I was most disappointed and wanted to return the camera, etc. as I had received an item that I had not purchased. I was told that there would be a restocking fee for the item that was sent to me without my knowledge. To me this seems rather dishonest in your dealings with the customer. Is this how you make money? I really feel that the restocking fee for an unpurchased item and an extremely overpriced recharger is rather steep along with paying the shipping both ways.

As of * Jan 2014 I have not had any response to this email or to the one I sent on December the [redacted] asking for my money to be refunded (actually more than the small amount theat they said would be refunded - said I could not dispute the amount with my credit card company). I have a copy of the return shipping saying that it was delivered back to them on the [redacted] of December.Desired Settlement: I would like to see that my money is refunded immediately as I feel that 1 month is long enough to wait for refunds. I would also like to see that this business is put on a general list of those who deal in scams and then published widely. I find the same kind of report on the web under [redacted] and would like this kind of report put on BestChoiceCamera.com website for other unsuspecting customers to see.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Bestchoicecamera.com regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: I purchased a camera for a very good price. I was advised via email that I must first call the company and provide my three-digit security code, because "I did not enter it correctly when ordering." While on the phone I was advised that the camera does not come with rechargeable batteries and that a good quality battery/charger would cost an additional $44. I asked what my total cost was when we completed the telephone conversation, and was advised that it was the cost of the camera (already completed online), and the additional $44 for the batteries/charger that I was sold on the phone subsequent to the online purchase. No confusion about the additional cost, as I asked for the cost. When I received the batteries and charger (and camera), I was charged $44 X 2. I called "[redacted]" in sales, and [redacted] in Customer service. Got the run around. I explained what we discussed and they naturally told me that I was confused. Yes, this is a problem when doing this via phone. They did not send a hard copy of the additional batteries/charger transaction. I was advised that I could send the batteries back, but I would still be charged $44 for the charger. Numerous searches revealed that the batteries/charger (comes in one sealed package) are $6 - $19 (combined) online. Bottom line - this company is dishonest and lied to me. I was charged double for the batteries/charger than quoted. Reading all the scam reports I am now sure that this group of characters do this routinely. I legitimately purchased the batteries and charger for $44. I want the unauthorized charge of $44 returned to me, as it was stolen.

I am a very thorough consumer - this is why I asked "[redacted]" at Best Choice Camera how much the total cost was for my purchase. He advised me that it was $154.00 plus $44.00 - total. Invoice received with the camera was $244.95. They talked circles around the issue and advised me that I was trying to scam them. This back-alley organization should be shut down.Desired Settlement: Camera purchase was $154.00. Batteries/charger should have been $44.00. My charge of $244.95 was $46.95 beyond what was authorized or discussed. I would like this amount returned to me promptly.

Review: I purchased a Canon EOS Rebel T3 package via the Best Choice Camera website on ** October 2013. The package price was advertised at $387. The next day I received an email from [redacted] at Best Choice, requesting I contact him about my order. [redacted] proceeded to tell me I had transposed the CVV code on my credit card and he needed to verify the correct number before he could ship the order. That immediately raised my suspicions, since any errors in submitting a card number and/or CVV code when using it online usually prompts the user to fix and resubmit it. However, I didn't see anything wrong with his request, since I had personally placed the order and was speaking with a representative from the company from which I placed the order. But, while confirming the order details, I was told I had ordered the "international" version of the camera, and if I wanted the U.S. model, it would cost me $450, an increase of $63 over the advertised price. I immediately suspected a "bait-and-switch" scheme, and told [redacted] there was no indication that this camera was listed as an international model. He disputed that fact, telling me that the website did indeed state that the product was the international version. In addition, he advised me the package with the U.S. model consisted of different components than the package I had "erroneously" ordered. Although I was getting a 8GB SD card compared to the advertised 2GB card, I was not getting the full-size camera bag, digital slave flash, lens pouch, full size tripod, cap keeper, or memory card wallet from my original order. I asked him to email me the equipment list and price he was trying to sell me, but he said he would only send me that information once I processed the order. I reluctantly agreed on the higher price, not really knowing if I'd ever see any of my purchased items. On * November, I received a package from Best Choice Camera. The invoice listed all the items [redacted] proposed, albeit at the higher price. Again, there was no indication on my invoice that this camera was a U.S. or international model.

Throughout this experience, I found the sales agent, [redacted], to be extremely pushy and defensive when discussing his company's questionable advertising practices.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Bestchoicecamera.com regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: I ordered the camera then they call and said to contact them because they had a problem with my credit card they asked for the 3 code number. they then told me I needed a battery and charger which would be 79. I told them ok but I wanted an invoice for the order as I did not get one when I ordered with a total. the camera was 389. so they told me 2 hrs called again before they closed and was told it would be there after hours. still no invoice on monday the [redacted] oct. when I looked at credit card it was pending for 546.50. not 468. I called again and the manager said it was 79 each I told him no the man [redacted] said 79 for both he then started cussing at me and tell me I was rude and he was going to hang up on me. I told him I want to cancell the order he told me that would be 20 percent restock and 15 on top I told him I was going to dispute the charge and he told me he was charging me for the camera and was not sending it. I have contac ted my credit card company and have even cancelled my card as I am afraid for this company to even have my number. I have never had anyone talk to me this way and I am now afraid to order online anymore. I have read enough to see that I will not get the camera and if I did it would probably be used or broken.Desired Settlement: I do not want the camera and know they have not sent it out. if I ever do receive which I doubt I will refuse shipment and do not want anything to do with this company again. Please help me get my money back!!! I'm a widow and don't have that kind of money to through around it was to be a happy thing for my daughterinlaw for a christmas and baby gift and this has become a nightmare. I am afraid to call this company again as the man was so nasty and mean and his language is horrible!!!

Review: I attempted to purchase a Nikon D700 camera last night around 10:00 pm (July **, 2013) for $1149, with an additional 6% discount using the [redacted] code. This morning I received an email from [redacted] telling me I needed to call to confirm my order. I thought it was odd that the transaction hadn't gone through when I placed the order, like most reputable companies, such as [redacted]. "[redacted]" told me he needed the security code for my credit card to complete the purchase. Something didn't feel right, but I gave it to him anyway. Immediately after I gave him the security number, he told me (very rudely, I might add) that he was surprised I went with that camera since it was Turkish and incompatible with all US lenses. He told me he could give me a "special deal" on the US camera body for $1699. He also pressured me to buy the 3 year warranty for $149 (half off, he claimed). When I was hesitant, he argued that I needed the camera he was trying to upsell. That if I was a good photographer, that's what I needed. I asked why nothing on the website said the $1149 camera was not a US body, and he LAUGHED and asked if I was stupid. Seriously. I couldn't make this up if I tried. I told him I'd like to cancel the order, as I didn't appreciate being laughed at. He got super defensive and yelled, saying he didn't laugh at me, and asking me why I wanted this camera and what I would do with it. I told him I'm a professional wedding photographer and in further research, the reviews from his company made me uncomfortable. He said "trust me, you'll get the camera you want." He said he'd charge me a 10% restocking fee for canceling the order, and when I told him the order hadn't been placed because I hadn't been charged, he told me my card had just been run. When I asked how much this cost would be, he told me $184. The camera and warrenty he tried to make me purchase added up to $1894.50. This was 7 hours ago, and my card has not been run. I told him I'd like to cancel the order, and he kept telling me I wasn't giving him a reason to cancel. I told him I'm uncofmfortable and did not like the way I was being treated. He then said, and I quote: "You're just so stupid you won't even listen. Have a nice day, mn!" and HUNG UP. I wrote this down, then called the Customer Service line to explain what had happened and cancel my order. Sure enough, the SAME guy answered, posing as someone else, and when I explained how rude "[redacted]" had been he IMMEDIATELY said "Our notes say you kept cutting him off and wouldn't listen to him." Excuse me? I then asked if this was the same person and he laughed at me! I told him to cancel my order, and he said "Yes, [redacted]," and hung up after telling me he'd send a confirmation email. I still haven't received one. I called my bank, Chase, and went in and sat down with an employee here in [redacted]. He contacted the fraud number and advised me to cancel my card and monitor my account. If the transaction is made, Chase will file a despute. I'm incredibly upset and frustrated, as now I'm leary about purchasing a camera from anyone that's not Nikon directly. This is NOT an appropriate way to handle a customer, especially hanging up and calling me a mn! This company is awful!Desired Settlement: I would like a formal apology and to make sure I'm not charged a 10%+ restocking fee. No one should be treated the way [redacted] treated me on the phone.

Review: I ordered a camera August **, 2013. Never did receive a confirmation of what I ordered. I received an email asking me to call them on August **, 2013.

I replied to the email, just to receive the same email back from them, so I called and was informed that they did not have the camera I ordered.

I asked for them to back order it rather than cancel the order. I sent an email asking about the status of my order on 10/**,2013 but did not get a response, so I called twice before I finally got through to someone and they informed me that it might be another 2 to 3 months, but could not give a any information on if it had been ordered by them or if their supplier even had them.Desired Settlement: To receive the product within a reasonable time