Complaint Review: Royal Camera

On May 19, 2004, I ordered the VX2100 camera for a price (with shipping) of $1508. This camera normally retails for $3200 so I was excited to be getting such a good deal. Then a got a call and an email from Bob the salesman saying I needed to call and confirm the order.

Once I called, Bob was extremely pushy asking me if I wanted all these extra accessories and not mentioning how much they would cost. Everytime I said no he would make sure to tell me that these accessories would be needed and I couldn't shoot without them. I did agree on a 5 year warranty which was $379. Bob said he would send me the VX2100 "kit" and never confirmed any prices with me, so I was expecting a credit card bill of around $1880.

When the camera came, the bill was $2982! I immediately called Bob and he informed me that he had sent me the VX2100 "kit" which is a USA model instead of the one I had ordered on the website which was a Japanese model. He said I couldn't get the warranty in the USA and that this was the deal of a lifetime. When I questioned the faulty advertising on the website, he said that that was just the base model that included no accessories, and kept avoiding me when I said thats what I wanted.

When I said I was going to send the camera back and I wanted a refund, he wanted to know where else I was going to find a VX2100 at royal camera's price. I said I'd rather pay $4000 on any other site then do business with them again. Before hanging up, he tried to persuade me to buy a VX200 for $2100. Unbelievable!

Stay away from these people at all cost. I am filing a report wtih the Better Business Bureau and will be fighting Royal Camera to take back the camera without charging me shipping or "restocking" fees. These people are rude, pushy, and use bad sellling techniques. They must be stopped! Avoid!

Alisa
Chelsea, Massachusetts
U.S.A.