Great camera prices but terrible accessories prices, pushy salespersons and miserable return policy
Written: Dec 12 '05
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I'm quite dislpeased with my experience with Preferred Photo. I had ordered the Fuji F11 camera and was pressured into taking a "better battery" as the one it came with (they said) held so little energy - so I ordered a "great" extra battery for the "reduced" price of $45. I also wanted a 1GB memory card which was as "special high speed type" but their price was $150 as they said their typical $79 XD picture card wouldn't let me take movies or would take a long time to process shots quickly. So I got that too.
After I put in the order I was thinking that they were over charging me on those extra two items, so called Fuji and checked out a few places on-line. Fuji said that I do need a "special" XD card called a "type M". Which turns out to be available from many places for about $70. I also found out that NP120 1800mAh batteries can be had for about $15.
So I called up Preferred Photo to adjust my order about 15 minutes after I had placed it. The woman there quickly put my order on "hold" while we discussed the changes and said that it hadn't been shipped and that the adjustments would be made and gave me a new adjusted price for my order.
In a couple of days I recieved the FULL ORIGINAL order. Turns out the "great" extra battery wasn't as good as the one that came with the camera. I called customer service to see about returning the memory and battery. They said that they have no record of any "hold", "cancelation" or "adjustment" of my order, and as I didn't write down the name of the person who did the adjusting they say they SENT WHAT I ORDERED (there WAS no "adjustments"). So I have to accept the order or can return the ENTIRE order and pay a return fee, and then can re-order.
So why can't I just return the battery and memory? It's their policy that EVERYTHING has to be returned in original unopened state to be able to do any crediting at all. I cannot return JUST the battery and memory. And since I've opened the shrink wrap of the camera and it's contents, THAT isn't in "original" condiditon either.
So I'm stuck - I've "used" my camera (even though I haven't taken a single shot with it) as I've opened the package. And they won't take back PART of an order. I'm out about $105 (adjusting for being able to get the battery and memory at reasonable prices elsewhere).
I DID get a good price on the camera... it's just that the way they do business to make up for being able to sell the "main event" is to gouge on the accessories. I suggest that anyone doing business with Preferred Photo to stick to just the camera and get accessories elsewhere. Of course I could have done my homework before contacting them... my bad. But their high-pressure staff and insensitive customer service person (I had talked to the supervisor) plus their return policy (which wasn't explained to me when buying the stuff) leaves me with a really bad taste in my mouth.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Fuji F11 digital camera
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