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Avoid fotoconnection.com

::dleuty
06/20/08 9:42 PM GMT
I ordered a Canon XTi from fotoconnection.com. Instead of simply shipping the unit as presented, a representative identifying himself as "Sam" contacted me this evening of shipping verification. He tried to sell me batteries that I don't need and refused to ship without selling me either a 3-year of a 5-year extended warranty, "In case you ever dropped it or anything." When I refused, he said he could not ship without the warranty. I told him I was not interested in the warrant and to either ship as advertised or cancel the order. He laughed and taunted me by saying that at that price he was doing me a favor.

Rather than waste my time, I simply canceled my order, and went somewhere else. There are more that one site doing the old "Bait and Switch" by advertising at a super price, then calling instead of shipping saying they are out of stock and pointing you to another "bargain". This outfit refused to ship without an upgrade to an extended warranty. No telling what other unscrupulous business practice they may have up their sleeve.

It may be fruitful for us to start a new category keeping track of other internet businesses engaged in unfair practices.

d
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." -- Benjamin Franklin

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.mxvirgil
06/21/08 4:54 AM GMT
Better call your credit card company and make sure "Sam" didn't do himself a 'favor.'
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The preceding comment does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff and management of this fine establishment...
::dleuty
06/21/08 5:59 PM GMT
Nothing has hit, yet. That would be the push for me to sic some of our watchdogs on to them. I really don't want any involvement with the clowns, but I felt that informing our community might benefit someone else.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." -- Benjamin Franklin
.427cobraAC
06/21/08 11:23 PM GMT
Release the hounds.


Thanks for the tip, Hearing this makes me glad I shop at amazon
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And the Lord said "Go Sox"
::dleuty
06/22/08 5:23 AM GMT
I sent an email to their customer support, Friday, asking that this situation be made right, but no response of any kind. Sam may have been carrying out company policy. I'd like to thing that Sam was acting on his own, but....
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." -- Benjamin Franklin
.427cobraAC
06/22/08 7:22 PM GMT
Its probably a grey area thing. Its not really company policy but they act blind to its happening. Theres no real reason to be paranoid of people across the world trying to scam you when your own countrymen are finding every way to do just that.
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And the Lord said "Go Sox"
::dleuty
06/22/08 8:54 PM GMT
Right you are. I've even done a couple of third-party deals with Russians expecting to bite the dust only to have created a long lasting business relationship.

Let's see what COB tomorrow brings.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." -- Benjamin Franklin
::dleuty
06/27/08 5:43 PM GMT
After a letter to their customer service, I got notice that my order had been shipped via UPS, with no further explanation.

Good news...Got the XTi body in a factory box and bundle.

So-so news. The threw in some odds and ends and charged an extra $12 for them.

Long story made short. It cost a $471 -- the advertised price, $459. Close enough, and still a good price... and I don't have to shuttle lenses any more.

I just don't like an on-line transaction being turned into a telemarketing nightmare.

Be careful out there.
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There is no substitute for genuine lack of preparation.

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