Prestige Camera-Bait & Switch

[Miranda_vey]

I decided to purchase myself a new SLR camera and ordered the camera from one store and the lens from Prestige Camera. They called me to confirm the order and then offered to match the lower price of their competitor for the Canon 30D camera body. Then the sales rep discussed the extras.

Bernard modified my order over the phone confirming I could get everything I wanted with Prestige Camera and confirmed I would get the same items I requested in a kit. He suggested I buy his gold kit modified for me and save money. He even confirmed it would include a LowePro laptop/camera backpack and the lens I originally wanted from them.

During the order billing process I even call Bernard back and confirmed that I would be getting the 18-200 lens and LowePro backpack. He confirmed I would be getting that. I also asked their billing person Zeo in a fax that was confirmed received that I get a detail list of my order so that I can confirm what was being shipped to me. Bernard later confirmed I would get the invoice within an hour, of which it arrived the next day, after the items were shipped.

The package arrived today and it included the wrong lower grade lens and not the backpack I ordered. I called customer service to complain and ship the items back.

After waiting on hold for 15 minutes, I got to speak to Ron who appeared more of a sales man than Bernard. Ron attempted to exchange and return the lens and offered a discount of $200. Prestige Camera appears to make every effort to bait and switch items to make their profit on re-stocking charges. This was experienced with both the sales man and management of this company.

Ron insisted I was not being fair and reasonable with his offer to make the order right, but after I took each item out of the box and priced it at their competitors, they were over charging me $500.

This is a really bad company to do business with and they like to take advantage of young in-experienced customers.

August 11, 2006
The entire order is being shipped back with Prestige Camera noting they will charge me the full 10% restocking order though they shipped me items I did not want or order. Their website suggests a re-stocking fee of 5%.

Quote from their website:

“21 days for return or exchange (DIGITAL & VIDEO 7 DAYS) with prior authorization only. Call our customer service department to obtain a Return Authorization Number. Returns will not be accepted without a return authorization number. Returns received by Prestige Camera without a return authorization number will not be the responsibility of Prestige Camera. Shipping and Handling is not refundable! All returns are subject to a minimum restocking fee of 5%. Please be aware that a return authorization number does not constitute any final disposition. After we receive your return, it must go through inspection and then will be assessed for refund or exchange. All returned merchandise must be in new condition and must include all original packaging and printed material in original unaltered condition. Do not write on the manufacturers' box or warranty card. Failure of following these terms will result in a denial of a return or exchange. Cancellation numbers must be obtained from a Prestige Camera representative to officially terminate an order. Without a cancellation number, you are subject to shipping and restocking fees. Special order items including Video Projectors, Televisions and Laptops are non-returnable. Batteries, Film, and Videotapes, which are opened or used are not returnable. Save your receipt, as it’s to be used for proof of purchase and all manufacturers' warranties. Repairs on defective merchandise are handled by the manufacturer and not Prestige Camera LLC unless otherwise specified on the invoice.”

[SmartWombat]

a minimum restocking fee of 5%
presumably up to 100% if you annoy them enough

I'm glad I used a Canon Professional dealer.

[sakbarzad]

i ordered my camera from them i got an email saying i need to confirm my order... so i called and told them that i just want the camera because everything else is overpriced and i got my camera at a good deal...

[Jailblazrs]

I wish that I had researched these guys before making my order. The entire situation makes me sick to my stomach.

I ordered a camera from them, because they were the least expensive website on yahoo shopping or bizrate.com. (I totally forget how I found their site.) Anyway, I do lots of shopping over the internet and have never run into this sort of scam before.

These guys did the call back routine and called every number that I listed during the initial purchase process. They ruined the birthday surprise for my wife by calling our home. They eventually contacted me at work and gave me the full court press about add-ons and losing the opportunity for their discount if I did not purchase right away.

During our phone call, I was interrupted by my manager and had to get off the phone really quickly. I knew that I needed additional memory and believed that I might need a more powerful battery. I wouldn’t know for sure until I had the camera in hand.

The salesperson told me that I absolutely need additional memory and couldn’t believe that I would stick with the substandard battery that came with the camera. With my boss waiting for me to get off the phone, I said that I would take the battery upgrade and would like to know the size of the memory upgrade. He told me that the upgrade would store either 300 or 600 photographs. I asked him the size of the upgrade in MBs, he said that they aren’t listed in that manner. I said give me the 300 photograph option and had to end the call. He said that he would give me his package deal and would throw in a Lens Cleaning kit.

When I finally got the package, I noticed that I didn’t have an extra battery. I inserted the memory upgrade and the battery that came in Sony packaging and tested the items. I noticed that the battery seemed great, the memory was only 512 MB and the camera worked well. Included in the package was a lens cleaning kit and an extra battery charger.

I called Prestige Camera the following morning. I wanted to know where my upgraded battery was and how this could possibly cost me over $200 in additional charges, because the receipt was not itemized. The customer service representative told me that they carried both the Japanese and US models of this camera and had given me the US model that contained the upgraded battery.

I’ve since researched this a bit more thoroughly, without the Prestige Camera guy on the phone and without my boss looking over my back. I’ve found that the discounted phone was not advertised as a Japanese model and I’ve found that I can purchase a 512 MB SIM from Sony for $29.99. Had I bought this from Sony, it would have cost me $260 total without shipping. Prestige Camera has $396.47 of my money and will not take anything back, because I inserted them into the camera. Their return policy makes it impossible for you to even verify that your purchase works.

These guys are crooks!

[Jailblazrs]

I wish that I had researched these guys before making my order. The entire situation makes me sick to my stomach.

I ordered a camera from them, because they were the least expensive website on yahoo shopping or bizrate.com. (I totally forget how I found their site.) Anyway, I do lots of shopping over the internet and have never run into this sort of scam before.

These guys did the call back routine and called every number that I listed during the initial purchase process. They ruined the birthday surprise for my wife by calling our home. They eventually contacted me at work and gave me the full court press about add-ons and losing the opportunity for their discount if I did not purchase right away.

During our phone call, I was interrupted by my manager and had to get off the phone really quickly. I knew that I needed additional memory and believed that I might need a more powerful battery. I wouldn’t know for sure until I had the camera in hand.

The salesperson told me that I absolutely need additional memory and couldn’t believe that I would stick with the substandard battery that came with the camera. With my boss waiting for me to get off the phone, I said that I would take the battery upgrade and would like to know the size of the memory upgrade. He told me that the upgrade would store either 300 or 600 photographs. I asked him the size of the upgrade in MBs, he said that they aren’t listed in that manner. I said give me the 300 photograph option and had to end the call. He said that he would give me his package deal and would throw in a Lens Cleaning kit.

When I finally got the package, I noticed that I didn’t have an extra battery. I inserted the memory upgrade and the battery that came in Sony packaging and tested the items. I noticed that the battery seemed great, the memory was only 512 MB and the camera worked well. Included in the package was a lens cleaning kit and an extra battery charger.

I called Prestige Camera the following morning. I wanted to know where my upgraded battery was and how this could possibly cost me over $200 in additional charges, because the receipt was not itemized. The customer service representative told me that they carried both the Japanese and US models of this camera and had given me the US model that contained the upgraded battery.

I’ve since researched this a bit more thoroughly, without the Prestige Camera guy on the phone and without my boss looking over my back. I’ve found that the discounted phone was not advertised as a Japanese model and I’ve found that I can purchase a 512 MB SIM from Sony for $29.99. Had I bought this from Sony, it would have cost me $260 total without shipping. Prestige Camera has $396.47 of my money and will not take anything back, because I inserted them into the camera. Their return policy makes it impossible for you to even verify that you purchase works.

Thes guys are crooks!

[Jailblazrs]

I called them back today and was told that they wouldn't take anything back from my purchase unless I sent them everything. They also said that I couldn't send them anything back that I had opened. I had to open two of the boxes, so my entire order isn't eligible to be returned.

I complained about this and tried to find out what it was that I was getting at a discount. He eventually told me that he would send me a new 2MB upgrade to the memory and a professional tripod at no additional charge. I will feel much better if I actually get these items and do not see an additional charge on my Visa.

I've got my fingers crossed.

[Sourfeelingfromnet]

Home Digital Cameras
Sony Cybershot DSC-H7B, 8.1 Megapixel 15x Optical/2x Digital Zoom, Digital Camera (Black)(DSCH7B)




Product Information
Availability: In Stock
Mfg. Part No: DSCH7B
Price: $282.00







Description
Specifications
Included Accessories


The black Cyber-shot H7B - Get closer to the action with the impressive ZEISS 15x optical zoom lens, manual controls, 8.1 effective megapixels, double anti-blur and face detection technologies, HD output, 2.5-inch LCD screen and electronic viewfinder. • Lithium Battery
• Battery Charger
• Software
• USB Cable
• Video Cable
• Shoulder Strap
• Remote Control
• Lens Cap
• Lens Hood
• 1 Year Warranty



I read this add, and thought I would get what I ordered!!! First I filled out the order sheet on-line at the Prestige Camera website, and notice that there was a way to edit everything but what you order. "You Can't Change Your Mind"! I wanted to though, so I called the 800 number on the website. When I called they told me to click "Submit" and they would fix the order there, I trusted them still, pressed "Submit"! Things seemed not right, so I asked about my camera order. The answers were, "I read the add wrong", the one I pasted above.
I did not read a one year warranty.
I did not read lithium battery
But for $69 and change I could purchase lithium battery, and I didn't say no more. I called my bank and cancelled my debit card as soon as I hung up the phone.
BAIT AND TRAP IF THATS WHAT YOU WHAT TO CALL IT. I JUST FIND THE INTERNET A FOUL PLACE TO PURCHASE THINGS LATETY, AND THATS SAD FOR HONEST PEOPLE WHO VISIT OR SELL HERE!

[orb123]

I ordered the Olympus E-510 camera kit with the two lenses for $574.00 from Prestige Camera four days ago. I received this e-mail
Dear *******,

Thank you for choosing prestigecamera.com!


Your order, #********, has been received by our system.

We are required to speak to you in order to verify your billing information. You may also be eligible for discounts on additional accessories and packages which are available with your product. Please call in at your earliest convenience. Our friendly team is ready to assist you and provide you with a great shopping experience. Our phone number is 1-800-432-2186. Please choose Extension 291, when you call.

Please have your order number ******** ready when you call.

Store Hours:
Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm EST
Monday - Thursday: 8:45 am to 9 pm EST
Friday: 8:45 am to 5 pm EST
Saturday: Closed



Thank You,
The prestigecamera.com Staff

I googled Prestige camera and found this forum and said to myself oh, oh. I called them and an automated phone service says that my order number doesn’t match my zip code even though I have a copy from their checkout that show that it does.

Next problem is forty minutes on hold. Now I know I’m in for it. Finally the rep comes on the line for more billing verification. After that nonsense comes the bait and switch about the battery that was posted on this forum. He stated to me that the battery is only a demo and lasts fifteen minutes. We can upgrade the battery for $129 or a better one for $189. I declined the battery and he said “how about memory” (at ridiculous prices). I stated it was a Christmas gift and I just wanted to give the camera kit as the gift. O.K he finally says, I’ll ship that right out and enjoy your new camera. Again I stated it was a gift, he laughed and hung up.

The next e-mail,
Dear *******,
Regarding Order #******
Please call at 1-800-432-2186 Extension 291 at your earliest convenience.
We need to verify your order.

Thank You,
The prestigecamera.com Team.
Prestige Camera

I didn’t call back I waited another day and then got this e-mail,
Dear ********,

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, but at least one of the items that you ordered from us is currently unavailable. On rare occasions, an item that is marked "In Stock" on our website is either oversold and/or becomes unavailable from the manufacturer. At this point, your order with us has been put on hold and your credit card has not been charged. If you would like for us to keep trying to obtain your product, or if you would like assistance in finding a newer or similar model, please contact our sales department 1-800-432-2186 at your leisure.

For updated order status, shipping and tracking information visit the "My Account" area of prestigecamera.com or you may e-mail us at support@prestigecamera.com. Click here to cancel you order

We apologize for any inconvenience.

For any further assistance, please email us at support@prestigecamera.com.

Prestige Camerae Camera

After I canceled the order I called my credit card company and they in fact did not charge my card.

I then received this e-mail,
Dear *******,

As per your request, this e-mail is confirming the cancellation of your order # *****.
If your credit card has been charged and your order did not ship, your card will be refunded in full. Please allow 24 to 72 hours for the refund to be posted to your account.

Thank you for choosing Prestige Camera. Should you need any further assistance, please e-mail us at support@prestigecamera.com.

In conclusion their web page still lists this as in stock. Also since I placed this order I’ve received spam on my cell phone via text messages which I never had before. I can’t prove they are the culprits but I have no doubt after having this number for years and suddenly after this order I do.

If anyone’s interested I placed an order for this camera kit at newegg which has a special for $650. This company I know well.

I should have researched Prestige camera more thorough. Don’t make the same mistake as me or the other people who posted about this company.



prestigecamera.com

[Boy-george]

Ordered a TV and received an email saying I need to confirm my delivery address. I call and it turns out to be a high pressure sales call for all sorts of upgrades with the sales rep talking a mile a minute. The sales rep claims that what I ordered is the Chinese model which does not come with any English instructions. I told him the web site did not say anything about this. He disagreed with me, told me to stop wasting his time and either upgrade to the English at twice the price or take the Chinese version. I asked where on the web site it said that i was ordering the Chinese version because I had the web page loaded on my computer in front of me. He swore at me, said the order was canceled and hung up on me. And now I'm worried that these scam artists have my credit card number!!

Ask yourself if this is the type of company you want to do business with.

[picgrinder]

I can't believe Prestige Camera remain in business. They can't be getting any repeat customers. I too had a run-in with Prestige Camera a couple years ago.

I thought I was going to get a $4500 (B&H price) Sony HVR-Z1U Camcorder for around $2400. Same as everyone else, battery upgrade was first. The guy talked so fast, and made it sound so much like I *really* needed these items, that I actually allowed some of the upgrades. The prices were ridiculous ($250 for a battery charger??!?! "Oh, but it's needed for the extra powerful battery you bought"... yeah right), but I was adding it up and it still seemed like I was getting a fantastic deal. He was even throwing in a case for it, which I hadn't even thought of... $200+ value he claimed. I stupidly agreed to a set of 3 "super high HD quality" lens filters for the camcorder... ($300+) just to shut him up and end my order!

When I got the confirmation email, the total was around $4550. "What the heck did he add on there??" I thought. Turns out, the $2400 price on their website was just for the camera itself... no battery, charger or *CABLES* and other doodads. Somewhere in his spiel he threw in the cables for some ridiculous price and I must have just missed it. Or maybe he failed to mention it.

I called back, and by now there were two guys involved, and they refused to give me an itemized list of what I bought. I found this incredulous. When I said I wanted to cancel my order, they said it was all packed up and ready to ship. I called my credit card company, and asked to cancel the transaction, and they said it hadn't occurred yet.

I thought it over, trying to rationalize to myself that I didn't get the great deal, but it *was* too good to be true, and I was getting what appeared to be a very nice case (from website photos) for it. Then the credit card company called... the transaction was happening and they wanted to know if I wanted to let it go through. I really needed the camera for something that was coming up in a few days, so I told them to let it go through.

It arrived promptly. I did not get the original box with pictures & descriptions of the camcorder on it. (I assume that's what it comes in). I looked it over and tried it out thoroughly, expecting it to be a fake, but it appeared to be real. The filters were some cheap noname brand I'd never heard of, the case wasn't half-bad. What a terrible experience though. I certainly wouldn't buy from Prestige Camera again, no matter how low a price I found.

But beware! Prestige Camera is apparently not the only company doing this! I just checked to see what the price today is, of a HVR-Z1U, and it's still over $4000 at all respectable dealers. 2 places I saw had it for lower, and one for $1499! shopdigitaldirect.com. They no longer have it (I saw the price on pricegrabber.com), but I checked to see what they had a Nikon D700 (body only) for: $1649! That's $1000 cheaper than everyone else! It's impossible. There's just no way. So you go to add it to your cart, and it recommends some "accessories". A battery ($198), a charger ($297), and a 4GB CF card ($134), something most other places are giving away for free with the camera (and the battery and charger come with it). But that only brings the total to $2278. Which is still almost $400 less than any other price I'd believe. So there's still some "ripping off" to go on that order. I'm betting it's the cables and strap and instruction manual package.

There should be a law against this type of deceit. The problem is, I don't think it rises to the level of "fraud". They skirt around that by the mandatory phonecall where they get you to agree to their "packages" and "upgrades". Although refusing to give an itemized list of what you purchased should be against the law.

[Debbieb]

The same thing happened to me. They lie and switch the merchandise, unfortunately I didn't see this site until after. Does anyone know a good lawyer in New York, I bet we could get a class action suit going against them. I am mad enought to contribute to the fund and see these guys go down to save some other people the stress they caused me. What they do is not legal and they should be stopped.

[bubba1]

I'm not sure how many of you have ever visited a big city and looked at some of these type places, but Brooklyn is full of them, as is Manhattan and the other areas of NYC. I won't go into the types of people that typically own these places, but lowlife comes to mind when thinking of the ones I've met. Oh, New Jersey also has their share of them also.

I'm close enough to NYC that I will buy from some of these places since I can actually walk in the place and see exactly what I'm getting. If the deal goes bad I'm also close enough to go back and threaten to shove the stuff up their behinds, or stand outside and loudly bash them (that usually gets their attention).

I always recommend staying away from any vendor that offers prices substantially lower than everyone else unless you can walk in and actually touch the merchandise. Chances are the stuff is stolen, refurbished, not meant for import to the US or a host of other things.

[acomp1977]

PrestigeCamera.com is now operating under Broadwayphoto.com. Beware because they will pull the same crap on you!!

[UmbraSprite]

This forum just saved me from what likely was going to be a BIG mistake.
Thanks!

From the Better Business Bureau....they have LOTS of names....

http://search.newyork.bbb.org/report...bersOnly=False

Business Contact Information
Name:
BROADWAY PHOTO
Additional Business Names:

A&M Photo World

Best Camera

Camera Addict

Cameratopia

Digital Liquidators LLC

Ghu, LLC

Millennium Camera

Preferred Photo

Prestige Camera

Quest4Cameras

Regal Camera

TheDigitalExpo

Tronicity

Wild Digital LLC
Address:
337 East 89th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
View Location Map

Principal:
Ben Z. Cohen, President
Phone Number:
(718) 338-1800
Additional Phone Numbers:
(718) 338-0634
(800) 951-9542
(718) 338-1352
(800) 709-4491
(866) 407-3425
(800) 432-2180
(800) 572-6152
(718) 338-0634
(718) 837-5999
(718) 837-2666
(718) 837-5999
(718) 837-2666
(800) 819-6661
(800) 819-6661
(253) 423-3535
(718) 645-4800
(718) 645-6944
(800) 685-5140
(718) 663-7123
(917) 852-6536
(800) 957-6628

Fax Number:
(718) 338-3029
Website:
www.bwayphoto.com
Additional Websites:
BuyeRetail.com
www.amphotoworld.com
www.cameratopia.com
www.digitalliquidators.com
www.kingcameras.com
www.preferedphoto.com
www.preferredphoto.com
www.prestigecamera.com
www.regalcamera.com
www.thedigitalexpo.com
www.tronicity.com
www.wilddigital.com
Type of Business:
Photographic Equipment & Supplies-Retail, Photographers-Commercial, Cellular Telephone Equipment & Supplies, Computers-Dealers, Electric Equipment & Supplies-Retail, Electronic Equipment & Supplies-Dealers



This is NOT a BBB Accredited business

The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.
Nature of Business
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Complaints to the Bureau indicate that this firm uses high pressures sales tactics after consumers place their orders. After ordering merchandise consumers report receiving a phone call from the firm’s customer representatives attempting to sell additional items. Representatives allegedly try to persuade consumers to buy the U.S. warranty, as well as accessories like cables, peripherals, and software, or lead consumers to believe the product will not work if additional merchandise is not purchased. In some cases, if the consumers declined, an email was sent advising them to cancel their orders because the item was on back-order despite being listed as available on the firm’s website. Consumers also reported unauthorized charges on their invoices. When trying to dispute such charges, consumers report difficulty talking to management, claiming they are verbally abused by the company’s staff.
Customer Experience
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Based on BBB files, this business has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau, because there is a pattern of complaints, and the business has not corrected the underlying reason for the complaints.

The company's size, volume of business, and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The number of complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.
Complaint Outcome Statistics:
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Complaint Outcome Last 12 Months Last 12..36 Months Total
Resolved
Consumer received the requested resolution 89 366 455
Resolved
Consumer received part of the requested resolution 36 129 165
Administratively Judged Resolved
The Company has responded to the complaint(s) addressing the disputed issues, however, the consumer remains dissatisfied 70 83 153
No Response
The Company has failed to respond to complaints 163 33 196
TOTAL 358 611 969
Complaint Issues:
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Please understand that complaints may concern more than one issue
Complaint Issue Last 12 Months Last 12..36 Months Total
Advertising Issues 59 62 121
Billing or Collection Issues 12 5 17
Contract Disputes 3 7 10
Credit or Billing Disputes 0 78 78
Customer Services Issues 20 8 28
Delivery Issues 12 38 50
Guarantee or Warranty Issues 4 17 21
Gurantee Or Warranty Issues 0 1 1
Product Issues 24 10 34
Product Quality 0 25 25
Refund Or Exchange Issues 39 30 69
Refund Practices 0 52 52
Repair Issues 3 7 10
Selling Practices 179 250 429
Service Issues 3 21 24
TOTAL 358 611 969
Additional Locations
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This firm also does business at the following locations.

2922 Avenue L
Brooklyn, NY 11210

315 East 89th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236

5014 16th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11204

1354 E. 2nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11230

1709 65th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11204

1412 Avenue M
Brooklyn, NY 11230

321 East 89th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236