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Broadway Photo Complaint - Blatent Bait & Switch - Olympus Digital Camera
Olympus Digital Camera - Complaint
I was thrilled to find the camera I wanted - an Olympus SP-550 UZ for $100 less than anywhere else. I ordered the camera on-line, and after 4 days with no confirmation - I checked with customer service.
I too went through the high-pressure bull____ sales pitch of batteries that last only 20 minutes, and memory cards that only hold 7 photos. After refusing the extended warrantee, I was asked "Is there any reason you ordered the Japanese version?" I responded that I didn't know I had ordered that version. I was asked if I wanted the English version. When I said yes - I found out it was $85 more. With shipping added, I could have purchased it at WalMart for less.
I assumed I had made a mistake on the web site, but when I went back to check - not only did I find that THERE WAS NO ENGLISH VERSION OF THE CAMERA LISTED - but also the only indication that this was the Japanese version was two words at the bottom of a fourth tab marked "Included Accessories" that said "import version."
This is shameful marketing practices. When I pointed this out to a customer service rep - he simply said "you can always cancel your order," which I did.
DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THIS UNETHICAL COMPANY!!
I too went through the high-pressure bull____ sales pitch of batteries that last only 20 minutes, and memory cards that only hold 7 photos. After refusing the extended warrantee, I was asked "Is there any reason you ordered the Japanese version?" I responded that I didn't know I had ordered that version. I was asked if I wanted the English version. When I said yes - I found out it was $85 more. With shipping added, I could have purchased it at WalMart for less.
I assumed I had made a mistake on the web site, but when I went back to check - not only did I find that THERE WAS NO ENGLISH VERSION OF THE CAMERA LISTED - but also the only indication that this was the Japanese version was two words at the bottom of a fourth tab marked "Included Accessories" that said "import version."
This is shameful marketing practices. When I pointed this out to a customer service rep - he simply said "you can always cancel your order," which I did.
DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THIS UNETHICAL COMPANY!!
Comments:
Posted by HappyJoyBear on 2007-07-12:
You should always avoid gray market goods.
Many foreign companies do not provide International warranties. You may not be able to get warranty repairs even if you ship the goods back to the foreign company.
Many foreign companies do not provide International warranties. You may not be able to get warranty repairs even if you ship the goods back to the foreign company.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2007-07-12:
I hear complaints of this nature pretty regularly about this company. Apparently their business model is to screw over everyone one time. Very profitable, and they just don't care if no one ever comes back.
Posted by Slimjim on 2007-07-12:
A lot of these outfits are discreetly selling grey market cameras and accessories over the net. This case of bait and switch seems even more severe than average. I guarantee the FTC will be on these NY online photo outfits real soon with this krap they keep pulling. You may want to accelerate the process by contacting them at ftc.gov and letting them know about your experience.
Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2007-07-12:
Slim, sounds like you're speculating here.
Posted by Slimjim on 2007-07-12:
That's because you don't know anything about advertising or bizzzzzzness in general pirate.
Posted by BaitSwitchVictim on 2007-08-01:
I had the same experience with Broadway photo today. They called to confirm my order, then tried to sell me batteries, saying the ones included would only last 10 minutes, then he told me that I had purchased the import version and the American version would be $90.00 more. I finally canceled the order.
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