Pushy, misinformed salesman, bait and switch, charged without shipping...
Written: Oct 21 '08
| Ease of Ordering: |
 |
|
| Customer Service: |
|
|
| Selection: |
|
|
| On-Time Delivery: |
|
|
|
| Full Review |
Broadway Photo on http://www.broadwayphoto.com /cat/DigitalCameras/10035598/D700/ advertises a price of $2,128 for the Nikon D700 camera body, claims it to be "in stock" and "Usually Ships In 1-2 Business Day". I asked specifically if it were a full, retail box with an USA warranty and he claimed it was. After he took my credit card number, he told me that it would be "3 to 6 weeks delivery" because he had to order it from Japan.
Then, he told me that he had one in the warehouse that he could sell for $2449. This constitutes bait and switch.
Then he said that the Sandisk Extreme III memory card used in my old D200 would not work because I needed "error free memory". That is untrue. http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9550 has tested my exact card with this exact camera and given a speed rating of 22.4MB/sec.
Then he said that the factory battery shipped with the D700 would only last "20 minutes". Battery life is based on the number of pictures shot, not time. Another false statement.
Then, he said that I needed to buy an en-el3N battery. There is no such battery. He said that the en-el3E batteries used in my D200 "would not fit". Nikon ships the en-el3E battery with this camera as documented on http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/ Product/Digital-SLR/ 25444/D700.html, "Battery / Batteries EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery"
Then he said it would cost would be $2569.98. I asked him what the difference between the second quoted price of $2449 and the third quoted price of $2570 was and he answered $119 for insurance on the camera. United Parcel Service (UPS) charges "Insurance cost for $500.01 - $500,000 is .50 cents per $100 of value". On a $2449 item this amounts to .5$ * ($2449 / $100) = $12.25, 9.7 times the actual cost. Furthermore, the ad claims "Shipping: FREE". Under "other options" it states that UPS ground is free and UPS 3 day is $36.92.
He offered me 3 day shipping for the same price.
The total price gauge was about $70: $119 - $36.92 - $12.25 = $69.83.
After doing battle on all of his misstatements of fact, the price of $2570, next day shipment and 3 day delivery to get the camera here by Thursday in time for a weekend's shooting was still a reasonably good deal.
I ordered the camera on Sunday, 10/19/2008 and he promised me shipment on Monday, 10/20/2008. Seeing that my credit card had not been charged Monday when the camera was supposed to be shipped, I called Broadway Photo's 800-687-1744 number and found out that they were closed for a holiday (Succot ???). He promised me shipment on a day on which the store was closed.
I wanted to cancel the order, buy from a reputable dealer and bite the bullet on expedited delivery. Now, I find that Broadway Camera has placed an "Outstanding Authorizations $2,569.98" against my credit card without shipping the camera. I do not know if it is legal and it certainly is not ethical to charge a credit card before shipping an item.
Certainly, price and delivery are important factors influencing a consumer's buying decisions. Promising one thing while delivering something substantially less is the definition of bait and switch which is illegal in all 50 United States.
From http://www.texasbar.com/Content/ContentGroups /Public_Information1/ Legal_Resources_Consumer_Information/Consumer_Protection1/Texas_Deceptive_Trade_Practices_ Consumer_Protection_Act.htm:
(9) Advertising goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised.
This section prohibits advertisers from using misleading advertisements to attract business. Perhaps the oldest technique of this kind is the so-called "bait and switch" -- a seller advertises a certain low-priced item but when a customer tries to buy that item, the seller talks the customer into buying a more expensive item by claiming that the lower-priced item is out of stock or is inferior.
They advertise the camera for $2128, claim it is "in stock", "usually ships in 1-2 business days", "FREE UPS ground shipping" and then tell you that that item will take "3 to 6 weeks" for delivery.
I sent them an email telling them that I demand that they ship it overnight with Saturday or even Sunday delivery at their cost in order to deliver it close to their promised date.
What a pain. Avoid them like the plague.
BrianP
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Nikon D700 camera body
|
|
|
|
About the Author
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 0 members
|
