Fotoconnection Bait and Switch and Sales Lies about Product Specs Midwood New York
This has been the worst internet shopping experience I have ever had. It is nothing short of fraud. I ordered a Nikon D80 camera body and also opted for the "free" accessories bundle that I had to pay shipping for. Within a few hours the sales department had contacted us telling me that this camera only came with a TRIAL battery and that it REQUIRED a Hi speed Memory stick. So I opted for the additional VIDPRO High Capacity battery and GODIGI Extreme High Speed 2.0g Memory stick. Imagine my surprise when my package arrived and the "free tripod" i got with my accessories kit had been replaced with a trinket tripod that wouldn't hold up a disposable camera much less my D80, but you get what you pay for.
If that were all I wouldn't have been upset but come to find out my camera came with a great EN-El3E battery and the VIDPRO High capacity batter retail price $149.99 had been replaced with a Digital Concepts version retail price around $30 (estimated from other sites because it isn't even listed on fotoconnection.com site! Oh and my Godigi High speed memory card retail $159.00 was replaced with a normal Transcend 2g Card estimated retail $4.00(once again not even offered on their site).
I almost forgot to mention that I ordered separately at the same time a Nikon Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR lens for which the sales person informed me that the 5 year extended warranty was a misprint on the website, instead selling me an additional 5 year consumer priority service plan for $89.99. Once again to my surprise my camera comes with an extended 5 year Nikon service plan with IDENTICAL coverage. Oh, did I forget to mention the Crystal Optics 62mm High Res UV Filter retail $68.65 that was replaced with a Digital Concepts version est. retail $16.99 (you guessed it, not even on their site).
I have contacted the company and they say they will issue an exchange for the memory card and battery but tried to give me some garbage about it being a Package offer and to look at the Amp ratings for the battery irrespective of brand/quality, the original products are on their way back to the company. I have yet to call about the additional 5 yr service contract and the cheapo lens cover I purchased. Not to mention Customer service kept me on hold for over an hour then hanging up. Later to apologize and issue me a $25 gift certificate toward my purchase that my sales person "Louis" said he applied but somehow never made it to my Invoice. I have since read other horror stories about this company.
If the originally purchased products are sent to me I will be the first one to add a huge retraction to this submission! Until then SCAM! SCAM! FRAUD! FRAUD! STAY AWAY FROM FOTOCONNECTION.COM. THEY ARE LIARS AND CON ARTISTS!!!
Marshall(son) and Frances(mother)
Kenner and Baton Rouge, Louisiana
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Bigmgreen68
Kenner,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
fotoconnection.com
#3Author of original report
Fri, January 02, 2009
I was told they would waive the restocking fee if I got the product here in 5 days and that I would have to pay the shipping. I told them they would have to pay for the return since they fraudulently sold me products and the warranty. They then Issued me a Return Authorization Numbers despite me telling them I did not ask for a return.
I emailed the company and told them this and they said it was my decision to return it or not at my own cost and it was shipped as confirmed with an "additional 5 year warranty" (not sure what they are talking about here). These people are SCAM ARTISTS!! STAY AWAY!
Bigmgreen68
Kenner,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
Customer Service Dead end, Managers RUDE
#3Author of original report
Wed, December 31, 2008
So after speaking again to customer service this evening about my lens filter and additional warranty I was forwarded to a manger. On the upside I was told that I would be shipped the correct UV filter at no additional cost (holding my breath till it gets here). Then I was forwarded to the manager "Rodney"(last name deleted out of kindness) about my warranty. When I told him how I was lied to about my product's warranty and told I needed another, he tried to do this song and dance about a grey market upgrade how all products on their website are grey market. When I told him that his sales person "Louis" told me this was a US product and that the 5 year warranty was a misprint online he proceeded to accuse me of "making up lies." He said that they have the credit documents and that the burden of proof would rest on me! If that doesn't sound like someone guilty I don't know what does. I have never been treated so rudely by a sales associate especially a manager anywhere.