TriState Camera, Video, and Computers

Review: I purchased a Nikon d7100 camera on 6-[redacted]14 from tri-state camera. I was having a focusing problem with camera so I called Nikon inc. they told me to give them the serial number that's when I notice the camera didn't have one,I called tri-state camera's customer service dept.to ask them why my camera has no serial number, they said it had one when the camera was shipped.I'm the only person who handles this camera,I told customer service because the camera has no 'legal description'i can't get insurance on my camera. If the camera was gray market they should have told me when I ordered it.You can't get ins. without a serial number.Plus I've ordered from tri-state before I'm a customer.what happened?.I have invoiceDesired Settlement: I just want a camera with a legal description 'serial number so I can get my equipment insured.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by tri-state camera and video regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Being new to photography, I purchased my first camera lens through Tri-state Camera. Since Pay Pay worked with this vendor, I thought they would be reputable. After ordering the lens, I never got anything that acknowledged the order from Tri-state. After 4 weeks, I called Tri-state. They took my name and number and a few days later followed up and said it would be shipped. The product arrived a week later poorly packed, but overall looked fine and seemed to operate. I filled out the Warranty card and noticed it looked official like from Tamron, but it was through Tri-state. The lens was for a fast action poor lighting pictures, a total cost of $380. The lens looked new, however, pictures I took were never crisp. I took the lens to a local Tamron seller in Indiana. They indicated the lens was a grey good item and that it had a film on the internal lens. They explained that grey goods do not have climate controlled shipping. Likely the lens was damaged on a container ship from Asia to the US. Further, grey goods are not covered under warranty. I contacted Tri-state who said it was new and covered by Tamron, but they had to handle it, it would be no problem. I just needed to package it and send them $20 to cover shipping. I sent the lens to them via Priority mail way over packed. It arrived 2 days later per tracking. After no response from them for 2 weeks, I called and got their customer support guy. He said it just arrived that day. What a liar. He said he would expedite it, but it would take 4-6 weeks. I explained that was not a Tamron warranty. But Tri-state stood firm. He put a manager on who said, this was nonsense and he would make sure it was expedited and would call me back in 3 days. Eventhough I called and e-mailed every few days they responded 5 weeks later with a fake write up they claim was from Tamron saying the lens was physically broken due to mishandling like being dropped. That they could repair the lens but not through a warranty claim. I called them and they kept repeating this phony line. I explained I would pursue this nonsense through the courts and they just hang up. When I call them now they just hang up. They have the lens and my money. I did some research and found this is a typical scam. They sell a bad lens, when you have a problem, they ask you to send it back, but to include $20 for shipping. Months go by during the process. They delay and and lie and hope you will go away.