I dont think it takes a real genius to figure out how bad Genius Camera is

[garibaldi]

Just to reinforce the various post about these shiesty camera places that are plastered all over the web with those alluring prices, let me add my expereince for whatever its worth. Im in the market for a new camera, looking at the Canon 5D, so I search, and on Google, up pops a ton of places that price shop for you, prices on that camera range anywhere from $1769 and up. So I play along, $1769 from Photonation USA, check out there sight, sure enough, there it is, 5D listed for that price, forget about the fact that the accessories are priced ridiculously high, $800 for a microdrive memory if I remember, and also put aside the fact that to have the camera ground shipped it cost about $200. So I call, get some guy that sounds like he could tcare less on the phone, to confirm the price, so I say cool, then he asks where Im calling from, I tell him NJ, and he says oh, $1769 is the price for the grey market model, the US version is $2500, I ask why list it at that price and he tells me that they do alot of overseas sales.....yeah right. So I hang up, even if that were the case, I wouldnt do business with some manipulative people like that. BTW, call back a few days later, price is up to $1850 or there abouts and Im assured that its for the US model, I laugh to myself.

SO onto Genius, whom I am pretty sure is also operating as Express Camera as well. The genius site has a contact page that lists an adress in Edison NJ (DO notice that most of these places have no location listed at all...makes you wonder) So Edison is a couple of towns over from me, so the other night, I take a ride to go see, well gas prices being as they are, I shouldnt have wasted my time, see, the road exists, but the number on the street that they are located on does not, the closest thing to that number was a Best western hotel that was modeled to look like an indian palace,

OK, so GeniusCameras.com
1090 King Georges Post Road.
Suite 307
Edison, NJ 08837 should be located where there is only what appears to be empty lots in an industrial park, but FUJI Film HQ is down the street....not that it matters.

SO for laughs today I call up , ask for a 5D, in sotck, ask for shipping, $150, and ask where are they located, and I say that that is near me and that Ill just come pick it up, but Im told that they will not allow that, and that I can only get it through mail order from them. SO my question is this, IF I bought the camera from them, and get whatever arrives, or lets say it is legit, and I did get a US 5D, does that mean that I have to mail order my fist to there face should I ever have an issue with it? Guess the point is that we shoudldall be careful, Id rather pay the regular price and touch feel, sniff and taste the damn thing before I buy it, and be able to look someone in the eye when making such an investment, not sending my info to God knows where and keeping my fingers crossed until it arrives and pray I never have an issue. ONLY IN AMERICA RIGHT? GOD BLESS THE INTERNET!!! I think the only thing that could make it worse would be if they asked if you could please pay via Western Union, and that the camera is going to be shipped from there friends house in Greece or someplace like that......

2cents

[Photo-John]

Excellent post! Thanks for doing the research and giving us the lowdown.

[garibaldi]

No sweat! You know, I am really surprised though to see how many people ask about the same stores. It seems that these stores are doing something right, in terms of getting your attention, wouldnt it be great if they could just follow through and stand behind some sort of intergrity or honor instead of just dissappointing. Its like driving down the highway and up in the distance you see this shiny red sports car in the middle lane, so you speed up to see it closer, and it looks like its a Lamborghini, wow! you think to yourself, so you keep gaining on it, but right when you get up close, you realize somethings not right, the fenders dont fit right, the proportions are close but a little wrong, and the engine is quiet as a mouse, then you finally put two and two together, IT AINT A REAL LAMBORGHINI, ITS ONE OF THOSE CHEAP, FIBERGLASS KIT CARS THE ARE REPLCIAS OF THE REAL THING! iT EVEN HAS A 1985 PONTIAC FIERO ENGINE IN IT. Man what a dud, so you floor it and pass it like it was standing still in your Plymouth voyager. Anyone who actually buys from stores like these, are comparable to the type of person that would pull up to the same kit car at the next stoplight and ask what she'll do 0-60........Kidding, its a joke!