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General discussion

USA Photo World. Is it too good to be true

Feb 6, 2005 1:34AM PST

I was looking for a low price on the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T1. I came across this site http://www.usaphotonation.com/ I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this site. I was wondering if it was too good to be true.

Discussion is locked

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I'd pass. Here's why.
Feb 6, 2005 2:53AM PST

They have no obvious location. When a company hides it location, I don't deal with them. Period.

Bob

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All you have to do is
Feb 6, 2005 2:54AM PST
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I hope its not like amphotoworld
Feb 8, 2005 10:44PM PST

I got charged for every separate item in the box - stuff that ought to have been included for FREE!

So maybe that is how they advertise it so low.....that or a different kind of scam.

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Same here
Feb 10, 2005 2:04AM PST

The price quoted by AMPhotoWorld is just the camera - not the battery, cables, or anything. You pay extra for that, and end up not saving any money. However, I might be wanting to upgrade from a Panasonic FZ10 to an FZ20, so I already have all the batteries and cables and stuff, so in that case I suppose there might be some advantage (although I wonder whether they CAN sell you just the camera, without all the other stuff... Like, I wonder if, once you say you DON'T want the cables and stuff, if they're forced to cancel the order).

BNM
http://digitalcameraguide.blogspot.com

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3 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO FIGHT BACK
Feb 19, 2005 11:58AM PST

The following is what I successfully did to fight back against the online scammer known as "AMPhotoworld.com"

1. Contact your credit card company and DISPUTE THE PURCHASE:

The credit card company will immediately credit the entire money you paid back to your account until they can finish investigating the complaint(even if you already received the merchandise). They will contact the company and try to settle your complaint within 90 days. In my case, the company never responded within 90 days when my CC company tried to contact them and therefore I kept the merchandise I had received and never paid a dime. If they can't get the company to respond to them OR has sided with YOU in your complaint, they will either let you keep your entire money or credit your payment back to the company minus the amount in question.

2. Make a complaint with the Attorney General of NY http://www.oag.state.ny.us/contact.html

I made a complaint myself. They deal with all businesses physically located in NY (many of these online scammers are located in Brooklyn, NY).

3. The better business bureau can also be contacted but they only work as an intermediary to get the seller and buyer to compromise. If the buyer and seller can't agree on a deal there is nothing they can do. They can't force the seller to do right.

Many online scammers look professional but come from the same location: Brooklyn, NY. I've seen pictures of their physical location and it is a rat hole. A small old building with no sign out in front. There is a street with a whole line of these online merchants living on it. Many of these online companies are owned by the same person. It is scary just how easy it is to make a professional looking website with a statement on the frontpage touting "curteous customer service" and the customer is none the wiser until they are screwed over.

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Online Scams
Apr 15, 2005 3:36AM PDT

These unscrupulous online retailers, it seems are actually driving up prices since no one can tell who is legitimate! I want to buy a camera but I can't get a decent idea of what I should pay!

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I am currently quite pleased with B&H Photo & Video. They
Apr 15, 2005 10:48AM PDT

have most, if not all, of the gear, and very good prices. I have not had a problem with them, and they seem to have a good rep with photographers.

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Same people as A&M photo
Apr 15, 2005 10:02AM PDT

as far as I could tell, if I remember right. They are like one group that tries to act like many different companies.

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ummm
Apr 15, 2005 10:20AM PDT

newegg.com
zipzoomfly.com
bestbuy.com
circuitcity.com
dell.com
buy.com

What's the problem? How much money do you expect to save? Nothing comes for free in this life.

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USAphotonation bait and switch
Apr 16, 2005 4:11PM PDT

this is a totally dishonest seller. I called about a Nikon camera they had for a great price. They said it was available. Then they tried to upsell me on their very expensive accessory packages. I didn't need or want any so my camera was now "backordered". They said 4-6 weeks. I called 8 weeks later- still not available. Bottom line is they never intended to sell this camera unless I bought the entire accessory package. Avoid completely