Complaint Review: 42nd st photo

1) They lie: They lied about the model being a USA model, they lied about the model being used for Nikon professional services points, they lied about my contact with PayPal, and lied several times about "grey market." They repeatly lied to me and tried to make me believe that Nikon will put overseas serial numbers on "Dealer special" cameras, telling me over and over again that I had a USA model when I know, and Nikon knew, along with the hundreds of other photographers I deal with on Facebook, that is not the case....

2) 42nd Street Photo is not a Nikon dealer: I called Nikon and talked to them in depth about the grey market cameras. Grey market cameras are worthless as far as Nikon letting you get it repaired, it counting towards your NPS points, and tech support. Adam lied! (according to several post online the warranty that 42nd Street Photo gives you instead, sucks. They try to get you to except it as a better one than what Nikon has because it is a 3 year warranty instead of a 1 year warranty) Look on Nikon's site for authorized dealers, at the very bottom of the page.

3) They will bait and switch: When you order something from them you will most likely get a phone call about your order, and then they will try to sell you more stuff, and they are pretty pushy about you needing it. In my case, my order went from $3,079 to $3,999.99 after I was assured I would be getting a USA model and not a grey market model. As a matter of fact, I was so concerned I called them back the day I placed my order and was again told that I would be getting a USA model. (they jacked up the price big time, and I still got a grey market camera)

4) Per the web site: "There is a twenty % restocking fee for all returns"....20%!!!! That means I would have had to pay almost $800 on a $3,999 order....its almost 1/4 the full price. They require an RMA on all returns or they will not accept your return.

5) PayPal is your friend: When I finally filed a PayPal dispute, the next day Adam calls me and lies to me again, saying that he just talked to PayPal and PayPal wants "us" to just do an exchange for a USA model. By this point I was pretty disgusted at Adam and his tactics so I told him "sure", knowing d**n well that it was a way to stall the complaint long enough for PayPal to drop it so that they can send me another "gray" camera! But the final straw was when I contacted PayPal, and told them what Adam had said. PayPal verified that he, in fact, had lied! Adam, and 42nd Street Photo, had not even contacted PayPal and PayPal had not talked to them. it was at this point PayPal esclated the claim.

6) Honesty would go a long way: I wish these guys would drop the shady, sneaky, lying sales and just be honest. I mean, I was told by Adam that they don't advertise that all of the cameras (Nikon) are gray! (this alone is deceitful) I mean, come on! I know people that would gladly pay for a gray cam to save a few bucks. Just be honest!! I loved the store and the lay out and I buy tons of gear every year, but I will not buy from this place ever again! They would have to send me a USA model cam for free, and guess what...THEY DON'T HAVE THEM! (well, maybe they have used ones they would sell you for a new price, I really would not put it past these people)

7) As of this writting I am waiting for a response from PayPal that they have responded to the complaint. They have until July 21st to respond. I bought the Camera on July 4th, so, all things being the best senerio, I should have my money back after about a month of this BS! I can't order another Camera until I get my money back, so its added yet more time wasted on waiting.....UGH!! Please take heed! DO NOT use this store!! No matter how awesome they sound, how nice they are to you, how much free stuff they send you, (junk) dont waste your time and money at 42nd Street Photo in New York!

8 ) Protect yourself: My claim with PayPal sat un-answered for days, but finally I received a notice to send the camera back for a refund. At this point of the transaction I was so angry I felt that I had to protect myself. When I shipped it back, I placed insurence on the package for the full amount, and here's why. 42nd Street Photo had been so dishonest, I felt that it was possible that they would receive the camera and claim it was damaged, trying to keep the money and the camera. So shipping the camera back cost me a total of 97 dollars. Now according to PayPal, anything over a value of $750 has to be signed for, and I was told as soon as it was delieved I would recive my refund and the matter would be closed.

9) Conclusion: I have my moeny back after 15 days of wasted time. They didnt even bother to respond to the case on PayPal. Im am telling my fellow photographers, do not take the chance! Dont waste your time and money dealing with these people. Of course, this is just how I feel, but several people have had this kind of crappy stuff happen to them too! Just look around and check out the ratings on Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and other places. I dont think my review could actually be brutally honest enough. This is what happened to me, and it can happen to you.