I wish I would have done my homework BEFORE I made the purchase. Below is my letter to BESTPRICECAMERAS, as if it will do any good.

I have little faith that you will even get this email but what the heck.

I purchased a Nikon camera and lens from your company in February 2007. My total purchase price was $1739. Included in that price are a number of things, one of which is a warranty. I was never informed at time of purchase that the warranty only covered my camera, but to my surprise, I find that out when I need repairs. It really makes no sense that I would make $1700 purchase and not spend a $100 more for a lens warranty. I was up-sold on the lens itself, from plastic to glass, so why would I not buy a warranty. I really wonder at this point if I even received a glass lens.

The bottom line is, my lens needs repaired and I have no warranty. To make matters worse, when I called this morning to ask about a manufacture warranty I was transferred from person to person for over 20 minutes and eventually hung up on. Once I did reach a person (Jamie) I was informed that I could purchase a new lens and warranty for the bargain price of $400.

In my experience, often times an owner of a company does not know when these situations occur. Usually they are very appreciative of the information so they can make positive changes in their company. Sometimes the owner is the problem. I have no idea which type of owner you are but wanted to give you the opportunity to take the information and make a choice.

Sincerely,

I managed to dodge the bullet with these guys. I placed an order for a Sony Handicam that they advertised for hundreds of dollars less than other competitors. I probably should have recognized it as too good to be true. After placing the order on their web site, the next day their rep, Adam, called me to "confirm my order". After some phone tag, I finally got a hold of him, and he asked me for the 3 digit security code off of my credit card. I had used a secure online credit card number (using Visa's ShopSafe), so I had to go look that number up. While I did so, I casually mentioned that I'd used a secure online number -- to which he said "We don't take those. Our terminal won't accept them." He then said he needed my real card number. I told him that was nonsense (it is a total lie). He then started to argue with me and insult me. I told him to cancel the order and hung up the phone. I then cancelled the credit card number through ShopSafe. NEVER ever buy anything from these shysters!

Here's what almost happened to me with these poop heads in July '05 (Can't believe they're still in business!)

Recently I had a winfall that would have allowed me
to purchase a better digicam and so went about
researching the various cameras, prices and stores
online.
I decided on a Nikon D70s - the evolution of last
year's award winning D70 and a grade up from the new
civilian model D50.
I found a great price on a package
athttp://bestpricecameras.com/229995-239948-1-D70s-KIT-#-3-(28-70-&-70-300)-PLUS-EXTRAS.html

Granted, $799 for all that (the lenses they say are
Sigmas) seems like too little money I admit, so I
really asked questions. I was then treated like a tool
by two different salesmen and eventually a "manager"
named Dennis.

It all started over batteries. This "kit with extras"
does not include such basic "accessories" as
batteries, charger or a manual - they'll sell you the
book for $80 and allegedly the cheapest batteries they
have to offer are the nikon EN EL3 which are the very
ones that come in the package directly from Nikon and
the recommended ones from the Nikon website which
claims they last up to several weeks and 2,500
shots...BUT...BestPriceCamera.com claims (verbally)
that their cameras are hybridized by the Nikon factory
before they reach their warehouses, and that they only
use (insert generic name here) batteries which start
at $200 (the charger is even more). The guy went on to
tell me that the EN ELs are crap that Nikon made too
many of and are now trying to foist upon the public.

Also, you must be very careful to check the shipping
prices at these sites...theirs started at over $45 for
UPS ground (10-14 days) and in one day went up to $60.
They also stated on the link to buy "just the camera
body" that if you upgraded to a package that shipping
would be upgraded to express free of charge. After I'd
given my cc info to "Ted" he informed me that that was
only for "deluxe packages" not any old generic package
as it states PLAINLY on their site:

see here: http://bestpricecameras.com/227265-0-1-25218-Nikon-D70s-New-Digital-Slr-Body-USA.html

When I started asking these hard questions each of the
people I spoke with became more agitated, then
aggressive and then downright rude and even a bit
threatening. The last words from the last guy before
he hung up on me (Dennis, the "manager") were: "Lady,
look at our prices...think of it this way..you can't
get a Mercedes Benz for $10k and if you can, let me
know, I'll take a dozen....You get what you pay for"
After I added up all their additional costs for
"accessories" the price is more than going to Circuit
City and buying a starter kit with a standard US
Warranty, lens and (surprise) a freaking manual.

Whew! At least I was able to hammer them down to the
truth before I made a $1000 mistake.

Please pass this warning along to any and all others
who might be drawn in by these "unbelievable prices."
The guy as much as admitted that these cameras are
crap and not legitimate Nikon D70s as they are hawked
on their website.

Caveat Emptor and happy shooting.
Kimberley
http://www.pbase.com/khtaylor

BEWARE-MY CREDIT CARD WAS FRAUDULENTLY USED BY SOMEONE AT THIS PLACE!!!!!
I will admit that I had been fooled!!! I placed an order online for the Canon HG10 Camcorder ($335) and received a call to confirm my order. The gentleman asked me which battery I wanted with the camera the 2hr or 4hr. I asked if there would be a price difference between the two he said yes and told me the prices($129 and $179). We wanted an extra battery so I ordered the 4hr-well, when he quoted me my total, my bill was over $1,000.00 I told him never mind just to send the camera only and I would purchase the battery another way. The guy said fine and hung up. I called back to ask some additional questions because I couldn't believe how rude the other guy was. I spoke with Jamie-surprise, surprise it seems like he has been spoken to and mentioned a few times. Jamie said the camera that I ordered was the body only and was on back order and would not be in for at least 6-8 weeks!! I said fine and hung up. The next day I decided to research this company, I should have done this before I gave them my info!! I found this blog and got nervous so I check my cc bill online to see if anything had been charged-my cc company had an alert on my account and just 10 min later my husband called saying the cc company called about some possible fraudulant use!!! I called immediatley since I handle the bills.I had over $8000 in charges that I did not make or authorzie! Mind you I never use this account except for gas or groceries and I only used it so my husband wouldn't find out what I got him for Christmas. Anyways my cc card company (CITI) has been so awesome to work with and we have declined the charges and I closed the account immediately. So hopefully its not to late for someone to learn from my stupidity! I am just lucky that I did not have to pay for all those additional charges thanks to my cc company who has fraudulant proctection.

I wish I had read these comments before dealing with "Best Price Cameras." My experience was consistent with their portrayal in these comments as bait and switch and no holds barred scam artists.

Order online and you will get a call from someone who wants to "confirm your order." In fact, they will engage in an aggressive attempt to upsell you, confuse you about what you're getting and jack the price up to what you would pay a local retailer down the street who you can find when you discover a problem.

Not these guys.

They have a "return" policy that requires an authorization number. Of course, you can't easily get one. I got no response for more than a week, and then was told I was past the deadline for a return. He could get approval if I agreed to pay about $289 to return $900 of goods.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE.

Welp, looks like I was just suckered into buying from these guys. I just purchased a Digital SLR body and from what I've been hearing it looks as if I will not be receiving it. Does anyone have any information that will help me through this, what looks to be coming, frustrating process?

Thanks.

(I wish I had read this before the purchase.)

I did place an order last night with Best price cameras and got the call today from them trying to get me to change my order saying that the lenses in the kit will not work with the camera body and that they are plastic. Price went up $400.00 and when I said I wanted to cancel the order he said I would have to pay a $85 cancellation fee. Then he literally called me stupid on the phone. I hung up after that, and called the customer service line when I got home. Bobby was the person I talked to at that point and said he would handle Ken(the original caller) personally(yeah right). I have changed my CC number in the meantime and made sure that they did not get the payment posted. I also have reported to the BBB and the FTC which I hope anyone reading this with the same headache I have will also do.

I CANCALED MY ORDER AND THAT STILL SENT THE ITEM I REFUSED THE ITEM AND CALL THE CC COMPANY. DID YOUR CC COMPANY REFUND YOUR MONEY

If you find this site shortly after you have made a purchase, I advise taking these steps:

This is what you should do. I did it and it worked.

Max out your credit card asap (cash advance to your checking, etc) and then cancel your card when possible (transferring the advance back to pay off card). Then call and cancel your order, if they say you can't cancel then they won't have a card to charge the order to. If they say they can cancel it, then everything is ok and you should receive your new card in a couple of days making yourself the same as before the purchase.

By canceling your card you also protect yourself from them using your information in the future, which I wouldn't put past these guys.

Hope this helps.

New York BBB Reliability Report for
BEST PRICE CAMERAS

This is NOT a BBB Accredited business

* This business has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB


Business Contact Information
Name:
BEST PRICE CAMERAS
Additional Business Names:

Best Price Camera

Best Stop Camera

C.I.S. Brokerage Inc.

C.I.S. Trading System

Century 21

CIS Brokerage Inc.

CityWideDigital.com

Crystal International Services Inc.

Digital EBuys

Enterprise Photo

Hello Camera

Infiniti Cameras

Infiniti Photo

Infinity Cameras

J&K Cameras, Inc.

Mr. Accessory

Regency Camera

Regency Photo & Video, Inc.

Address:
1938 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11223

Hi and thanks to everyone who posted here. I wish I had found this forum prior to my order with these scam artists. After I got the "out of stock, nothing has been charged, don't worry about a thing," email from Jamie at BestPriceCameras.com I knew something was up... So I did a search and found this forum. Immediately called my bank and got them to cancel my card before anything could be billed. I now know to check with epinions before purchasing anything from an unknown online retailer ever again. Cheers.

Dodge the bullet before I get seriously burned. I was a salesman myself and I can honestly say these dudes are awesome! First time I got through to these guys on my cell, which they had my number, because yes they have caller ID, I asked some pretty important questions like what exactly does your Canon 40D come with. The guy just said "Oh sir is your phone broken?" and hung up on me.
So I decided to switch my phone to private. Waited on the phone for about 25 mins till I got someone. the first thing Bernard said to me was "its the BODY ONLY sir" So the Nikon D300, it comes with NO strap, batterys, right? "NO, but I can get you a good package with the batt, charger, 5 year warr, and a 28-80 lens for $2,700". (which really wouldnt cost more than $2,200 from B&H)
Then get this, I asked him about tax since I live in NY. "Oh well how bout I just charge you $100 for TAX, OK so buy it now, trust me we wont have anymore left today, we had 180 packages last week, NOW 5, hurry up and buy this, is amazing"....
WHOAH! RED FLAG ANYONE!?!? Im a documentary film maker with 4 years exp. If anyone wants to expose these guys, Im 100% interested, I think it could be a compelling story. Just reply to my post if you have any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, or complaints.
W

I WAS SCAMMED BY BEST PRICE CAMERAS. I ordered a Canon lens, they sent me a cheap sigma lens. When I called to return it John was very obnoxious. He told me that they would change me all the various fees if I was to return it. I called the next day to get the information to return the lens. Had to wait on the PHONE for a very long time, then were transferred to many different departments. I believe in many cases it was the same person pretending to be someboby else. I have filed a complaint with the BBB and plan to file a complaint with the FTC. Also, I will be getting my credit card company involved due to the fraud.

PLEASE DON'T LET THEM SPOIL YOUR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

I was scammed, I order a canon lens and received a sigma lens. see my post on december 04 2007. I'm interested in exposing them.

I am all for it. I am mad at myself for not reading this site BEFORE i purchased. I dealt with the hang ups the strong arm sales and the endless minutes on hold too. I was able to get someone and cancel my order because supposedly my 999 Panasonic AG-DVX100B was all of a sudden on back order...We need to expose this company!!!!

I just wrote a letter to NBC. lets all bombard them with our complaints. They have to do something!!!
Here is the address:


datelineconsumer@hotmail.com
Lets expose this company for what they truly are and keep other people from suffering like we did! It only takes a minute of your time!
Thanks!

Okay, so i have yet to buy anything from these guys, and while they offer the best deal online I have seen, I would much rather buy from the Circuit City or Best Buy down the street. Too bad there isn't much you can do about their practices. Thank you for all of the information.

Thank you for the heads-up reviews of the unethical business practices of Best Price Cameras. I am indebted to all of the contributors for their advise on that company and its clones, enabling me to avoid a costly mistake. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Do not do business with Best Price Cameras. After ordering their $799 camera package, and not seeing any activity on my credit card, I called them. First question "do you want a battery?". "OK", I say...$119. A battery is needed. Next question "do you want a charger". How much is that, I ask. $139.

At that point, I cancelled.

These guys will bait and switch and sell you "accessories" that are included in other packages. Beware.

This is proof that even smart people make mistakes. I know better but still didn't do my homework on this site. This is possibly the worst customer service in the world. I was told that I must be "the stupidest person in America" for questioning their return policy. I was also asked if my husband was available "because he would be more reasonable". I took this abuse after being hung up on and waiting on hold for over 30 minutes. I have filed a compliant with the NY Attorney General's Office, the NY BBB, and my credit card company. Any one have any other ideas?

I purchased a Nikon D40x camera and I didn't like the lens that they recommended. It is not a Nikon lens and it doesn't autofocus. Same camera body with two Nikon lenses that autofocus was advertised at Costco for the same price. And I LOVE dealing with Costco so we went there instead. Meanwhile, I am fighting the charges on my credit card. The CC company (AmEx) is great and doing everything that they can to help me. Meanwhile I am fighting to return the camera. They are full of crap that they "will just have to throw it away because they can't sell it now". They sell refurbished equipment to people who haven't done their research.

Run the other way and spend the extra money to not have to deal with this company.