camerasandelectronics.com

I feel obliged to rate this retailer because I saw so much rhetoric on this and other websites, it made me very cautious. In the end it was a comment on the C-Net site that asked for input if I had any problems with one of the retailers advertised on the C-Net site, that swayed me to deal with Cameras & Electronics (C&E).

I was pricing a Panasonic AG-DVC30 camera, and the pricing at C&E was agressive on this product. There were a number of sites with prices considerably (40%) lower, however I knew that a price that low brought trouble; and they were not on C-Net.

My call went to hold for 5 minutes, (with please be patient reminders every 30 secs or so) but I knew these people were busy and when I was answered I immediately stated that I had seen their site on C-Net and was interested in this particular camera. The salesman said yes, and quoted me the same price as was on the C-Net price survey. Now, being forewarned and alert, I asked what was included in the purchase and the answer matched the data from other more expensive sites, and the next question I asked was if the product was in stock and the answer was yes. I finally asked if this purchase would be followed by an e-mail request to call and was told those calls are a function of e-mail orders only. OK, I want to buy. Name address etc., credit card number, and I was then pitched on a filter set, (no thanks), a UV filter, (yes, thank you for reminding me), a better price on the filter set, (no thanks again), do you need tapes, (yes, I'll take a 3 pack), and then the inevitable pitch for the extended warranty. I listened to the pitch, said no thanks, listened again, again no, finalized all the info and got the third pitch for the warranty and again declined. Persistent, like a good salesman, (they only get one chance), but not rude and after three tries we moved on. Thanks for your business, you will get a tracking number. Eighteen hours later the tracking number appeared and three days later the camera arrived. The camera was in a factory sealed box and in perfect condition, exactly as promised.

The freight was $81. plus change, I had said that was high, he said it is for shipping, handling, packaging and insurance. More importantly I knew the shipping in advance because the C-Net ad had done the calculation before I called. Just checking. They were consistent.

As an interesting point, the first notification of shipping came from "Abe's Cameras" (or something similar but definately Abe's), and I figured they were probably also Abes of Maine, who are also in New York. Same people I think.

If you buy from any of these discount houses, be realistic and expect to be pitched for extras. The extended warranty in particular is a big money maker and they will try hard to sell. Just listen politely and let the man do his job, and then my standard answer is, "i'd prefer not to do that now, thank you". Relax and let him do his job again, and if you choose, reject it again. Their job is to get you to add to the purchase price of the deeply discounted product. If you can't take the sales pitch, buy from a big box and pay the balance, but I saved about $300.00 buying from C&E.

If the measure of a "10" is satisfaction and completion, then C&E get a "10". I got what was promised, in the time frame promised, at the price that was promised. Yes I was pitched hard (but politely) but I expected that and understand it is part of the procedure. I can say "no", if I mean it and I had no trouble. More importantly I believe you get back from people what you give them. These people work on slim margins and they are in business to make money. Know that going in, keep emotion out of the deal, be polite like your mother taught you, protect ypurself by using credit cards, and again, it was the C-Net protective phrase that moved me off center. I wold most definately buy from Cameras and Electronics again.

I ordered the camera and video camera in late November for a Christmas present.

I got the package the week before christmas, and wrapped it up as it was.

The present was opened a few days before Christmas, with only the video camera.

I called and emailed the company immediately. I was told that it was out of stock. I was never notified of this, and I was changed for both the video camera and the missing still camera, which I know for a fact is illegal, I cannot be charged until the item ships.

I was told that the missing would be shipping. I asked for a return call once the item shipped, and that it would be overnight shipped. I told them the date in which I required the camera or a cancel and credit on my card.

I had received no call by the date that I required. I called them and told them to cancel the missing still camera and credit my card. I then called my credit card and they calceled/disputed the carge for the part of the order that was missing.

When I was out of town on Christmas day, I checked my email remotely and had received a shipment notification from them.


When I got back home the weekend after Christmas, the camera was here. Though Christmas was ruined for the recipient of the gift,I decided to go ahead and keep the camera. I immediately called my credit card company and said to go ahead and allow the charge. It ws put back on for my Jan. bill.

The next I know, in May, Cameras and Electronics called my wife at work (I have no idea how they got her #) and just started yelling at her as to why I haven't yet paid.

That night, I checked my credit card statements, and in April (I believe) my credit card company, for some reason, took the charge off of my credit card again. I had them put it back on.

This is THE WORST business, by far, that I have dealt with, not even counting their breaking the law by charging me for items that I did not get (but did eventually).

Anything that you can do to make sure that word gets out regarding this hack of a company would be appreciated. I have made sure to get this information out as widely as I can on the internet.

We have discovered that this business has SSL (secure sockets layer), which means that this business handles your data, such as personal information or credit card details, with secure connection. We discovered that the domain for this business is relitevely new, which means that it could be a start-up business that does not yet have a huge amount of customers.