"Placed order online for Canon A650. Got a call which I returned, and was offered rediculously overpriced batteries, which I declined. Within minutes I received email saying the item was backordered 3-4 weeks. I tried to cancel the order online, but their website couldn't cope. I eventually got the order canceled. These guys are at least unethical and probably crooks."

"Ditto problem to me today. Ordered Canon SD850IS digital camera. Got e-mail today and told to call. Kevin (rude guy) said I left off my zip code - impossible. Tried to sell me a battery - said the one that came with only lasted 20 minutes. Then said it was back-ordered 2-4 weeks. Spoke to customer service and they said it must have gone on back order after I placed the order. Site still says will ship in 1-2 days. Canceled order. BEWARE!"

"I only wish I would've found this site sooner! I haven't read too many of the reviews (haven't had to) but I can see the trend is similar. This place uses classic Bate and Switch tactics... if it sounds too good to be true... in this case... it is!

I purchased a Canon HD camcorder from 86th Street Photo Video for a great price online. I received a phone call a couple days later asking to confirm some information. The salesman proceeded to talk me into what sounded like several great deals. He sold me 2 for 1 high capacity Li-Ion batteries, an international rapid charger, 2 for 1 lenses, extended warranty and a camera bag.

As he was talking me into the lenses he told me to go ahead and get them and if I didn't like them, I could return them within 21 days.

I asked for an updated line item invoice of the items I purchased. When I finally got it after two requests and saw the total was a package deal, I knew I was in trouble.

I didn't get 2 batteries, I got one. The salesman started the conversation by telling me the camera didn't come w/ a battery... it did... and apparently that was the second battery I was supposed to receive as that's what customer service explained to me.

Anyway... After I added it all up... I didn't get a deal at all. I got a basic charger and 1 battery. The total for the order if ordered seperately was the same as what I paid. So... I figured I would send back everything but the camera. Well... it's a package deal. It all goes back or I keep it all... and I have to pay a 20% restocking fee.

Customer service proceeded to offer me more free stuff... $350 worth! I didn't need more stuff I wasn't going to use... I wanted some money back for items I wanted to return!

None of this was told to me during the purchase process. In calling the salesman back tonight, he was abrasive and claimed he never said such a thing... he said he told me the whole package would have to be sent back.

I know I wouldn't have gone for the deal if he would've told me that! Who would!?

Upon reading their return policy... it does state exactly what they've told me. But... you have to dig to find the policy... 21 day satisfaction guarantee... yeah right!

Needless to say... I'm sending it all back, paying the restocking fee and I'll buy a regular mini-dv camcorder and still be a few hundred ahead.

Buyer beware... be very aware!"

"You will see many posts similar to this one, I actually used part of another post as a template for my e-mail to this shady retailer... pretty self explanitory.
DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY OR GIVE THEM CREDIT CARD INFORMATION!

What follows was my E-mail to them.

I have made repeated attempts to get an order connfirmation from several different agents, so far I have only been told that I have an order # of 536970 and also MF 742802. I have since done some research into your less than reputable company and I wish to cancel my order if it even exists. I was told that the item (Canon G9) was in stock and ready to ship, but when I didn't agree to the overpriced accessories I now find my camera indefinitely backordered. I want all credit card information deleted from your systems.
Consider this my formal direction - cancel my order #MF 742802 or 536970.

I have logged onto your website to cancel but there is no order shown on backorder to cancel.

Unless you can provide me with a verifiable shipping & tracking number, consider the order #MF 742802 or 536970 cancelled.

If billed without receiving the camera, or charged in any way it will be turned over to the State Attorney General's Office.

If I receive no response within 72 business hours by either the phone # or E-mail provided I will consider the matter closed.
Again, my order (which does not appear on the website as of 3/22/08 shopping cart is empty and no orders available under my login) is to be cancelled if in fact it has been created, all bank information is to be deleted!. I have contacted the BBB regarding this matter. Furthermore all provided contact information is not to be used or be made available to any third parties for marketing or other purposes. "

"My experience with 86th Street & Video is similiar to just about everyone else's on this post. I ordered a GPS because the price was $80 cheaper than any other vender. "Wow - What a great price!" I thought. Well as it turns out it was too good to be true. I ordered the unit via the internet and two days later I received an e-mail and a voice mail message stating that they needed to talk to me to verify and complete the order. I called them and talked to "Clark" who was very nice on the phone and explained that the month of expiration did not come through for my credit card. I gave it to him and then he wanted to sell me an SD memory card for $160. He explained that all of the memory on the GPS was used for the maps and that if I wanted to use the MP3 player I would need this memory card. I declined and said that was too expensive. He then said he could get it for me for $130. (These same cards are available through other vendors for $10 - $20!!) I declined again. He then wanted to sell me a wall charger for $30 over what the manufacturer was selling it for on their web-site meanwhile telling me this price was quite a bit off the regular price. I also declined this offer. He then said the order was processed. No sooner had I hung up when I received an e-mail stating that my item was on backorder for 3-4 weeks!!

After reading these posts I decided to cancel the order. Again I called "Clark" and he told me he would cancel the order. I received an e-mail stating the order was cancelled.

I did not experience the rudeness others encountered but it seems quite obvious that if you don't buy any highly overpriced accessories your core product is put on permanent back-order!!!

There should be some way to put shady bait and switch businesses like this out of business!!

Luckily I escaped unscathed (so far - I will be monitoring my credit card for any unauthorized transactions!)and a little bit wiser about buying off of the internet."

"I purchased a Product for 86th Street Photo & Video. I was notified by phone that I needed to contact them before they would release my order.
When I called and spoke with a salesmen he had made me believe that I needed additional products in order to use the product that I had ordered.Once I recieved my order I came to the conclusion that I did not need any additional items. When I called the Store to return all of the un-needed product is when they became rude and un willing to help me!So a product that started at $239.00 ended costing me $699.00 (What a Gimmic)Buyer Beware!!!!"

"Needless to say same thing happened to me they called and after I didnt order anything else they said it was on backorder. Whatever I'll pay a little more somewhere else. And people dont forget to cancel and bank cards and get new ones, no telling what these donkeys would do."

"DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM 86TH STREET PHOTO AND VIDEO

Well, I'm a real sucker. I did not know to look for ratings on the company I was buying from. Here's my story.

In late December, I placed and order with 86th Street Photo and Video to purchase a Canon Powershot G9 for $339.00 + $14.95 shipping. What a great deal. I missed their phone call and they left a message asking me to call back to confirm my order. I also received an email requesting the same. I called back to confirm the order and they said that the month was missing from my credit card expiration date. I gave them the information and they proceeded to sell me a ton of stuff I didn't want and was way overpriced. I told the guy that I had bought the extra battery and card elsewhere because I had found it much cheaper. He was surprised to hear this. After getting off the phone with him I received an email telling me the order was back ordered for 6-8 weeks. Which I thought was funny because the website said that it was in stock. Anyhow, I canceled the order by email because I wanted the camera before that for a special occasion.

So, I ordered the same camera from CameraAddict.com. I promptly received an email telling me that the camera was back ordered 6-8 weeks and my order was automatically canceled. (Now I'm wondering if this is fishy too.)

I decided I was too impatient and why not just wait the 6-8 weeks and have the camera I wanted for the price I wanted. Dummy me. . .I reordered the camera from 86th Street Photo and Video on February 23, 2008.

I received the email again asking me to call and confirm the order. So I did and received the same sales pitch for over priced items. I was promised that the camera would be shipped in two weeks.

On March 14, 2008 I had not received any email saying that the camera was shipped so I submitted an inquiry through their website. Sure enough I received this email back today, March 17, 2008.

Dear Valued Customer,
We regret to inform you that the products you have ordered with our company are sold out temporarily.
However, these products shall be available again within about 6-8 weeks from the date of this email.
We would like to notify you that we still have not charged your credit card as of yet. Once we have the products ordered available again, we will send you another email notification and only then, you will be billed 24 hours prior to products shipment.
If you would like to be on the backorder list for this product(s), just reply to this e-mail with the phrase “Please backorder order# (________) in the subject.
If you would like to cancel the order just reply with the phrase “Please cancel order# (__________) and we will take care of the rest and destroy current information about your order.
Thank you for your business!
Sincerely, 86th St. Photo and Video

I got online to see if the website still said "in stock" and first saw this website. I was ANGRY when I read these accounts and canceled the order by email.

Now I'm concerned because they have my debit card information. Also, I just reread their first email that they don't accept cancellations by email. I'm just hoping my account is not charged for either order.

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM 86TH STREET PHOTO AND VIDEO



"

"I had the same experience as others, placed my order and received a phone call the following sunday from Jason telling me he needed to verify shipping. I asked him if he was going try to sell me additional batteries, cards, a domestic version of the camera versus the import I supposedly ordered (not true, per the website) and if I declined to make additional purchases was going to find out the camera was out of stock for 3-4 weeks. He said he was. I thought I misheard him and said you are going to do all those things and he said "yes, I am." I told him to cancel immediately. "

"Just wanted everyone to know that thanks for leaving helpful reviews. I almost bought a camera from this company and then thought to check for ratings. How can these criminals stay in business?"

"I purchased a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18S Digital Camera. After searching the web this supplier was the lowest cost on the new camera. Jason was the salesperson I spoke to. I also was ording a few accessories to go with my new camera. While I was telling him what I wanted he kept telling me that he was throwing other accessories in for FREE. At the end of the order Jason advised me that the total of my order was now $1,199.00. I was really surprised to the amount he was quoting me. He repeated that alot of the items were free and it came with the package deal. He then advised me that I would be getting an e-mail telling me the break down of the order.

After approximately 6 hours from the time I talked to Jason I had not received an e-mail. I returned the call to him and he stated the items have been shipped and gave me the order number and the tracking number.

Of course they wanted to get the items shipped before they sent me the brake down of the order. I asked him if I wasn't happy with what I received could I send the items back and receive a full refund and he said yes no problem (another lie).

I received the items 3 days later (great shipping time). However, I did not need or want some of the items. I was also missing one of the items I do need. I was a sucker and Jason was a good salesman. I called Jason and explained to him that I do not want the extra items. The items I do want is only approximately $570.00. He said he would have me talk to Customer Service area.

I talked to a lady there and was advised that I can not return only a portion of the order since it was a package deal. I asked if I could return all of it then with a full refund. Her answer to me was yes, but I had to pay a restockng fee of 20% and the return shipping. Now you do the math. That is a large sum of money for restocking. I could by another camera just for the restocing fee alone. I asked her why I was not advised of this when I purchased the items. Her answer was that the return policy in on their web sit. I told her that Jason had informed me I could return any portion of it with a full refund. He did not state anything about not breaking up a package or a restocking free. All she could say is that she is sorry. Always a sorry and no other logical answer.

Bottom line is that I am stuck with items is was suckered into buying from a good salesperson. I would never recommend this supplier to anyone. The camera is a supposed to be a good camera.

WARNING: Do not purchase from this vendor. You will lose money and time in the long run. Spend a little extra for a peace of mind."

"My experience was much like many others. I ordered a Canon S5 IS w/ Credit card and received an email the next day to "confirm" all the details. At which point, they tried to sell me additional overpiced batteries and an overpriced SD card. The item had shown in stock when ordered as well as the next day. I also work in the New York City area and offered to pick it up. They would not allow me to do so. The unit showed and still shows as in stock. I immediately received an email stating the item as out of stock and would be replenished in 3-4 weeks. Cancellation and or changes would incur no charges nor fees and the credit card would not be charged ubtil the camera would be shipped.

I went to the website to cancel my order and there was no order shown to cancel. Subsequently, I wrote the following email:

3-12-08

86th Street Photo

Consider this my formal direction - cancel my order #535780-W.

I have reviewed the email sent earlier and there is to be no cancellation charges of any kind.

I have logged onto your website to cancel as per the email but there is no order shown on backorder to cancel.

Unless you can provide me with a verifiable shipping & tracking number, consider the order # 535780-W cancelled.

If billed without receiving the camera, it will be turned over to the State Attorney General's Office.

If I receive no response within 24 hours, I will consider the matter closed.


"

"My experience is basically identical to everyone else's. First, I needed to call to confirm my order. Then I was advised that I forget to order the Garmin recommended data card. He made it sound like this was required for the proper operation of the Garmin GPS. When I pressed him to admit that his "data card" was simply a blank SD Memory card, he did, but said it was a special high speed data card. I told him no, and that I didn't like the gimmick of needing to call to verify my order just to get some high pressure distorted sales pitch for some rediculously high priced SD cards. He told me in a sarcastic tone "I hope you have a nice day". Five minutes later I get an email with their standard garbage about being on back order for 2-3 weeks. I called and cancelled the order; to which I did receive an email confirming the cancellation. My big concern now is that these characters now have my credit card number. How can they be a "Featured Merchant" on LowPriceDigital.com???
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE!!!"

"I GOT A EMAIL TO CALL THEM IN REGARDS TO MY ORDER. TOLD ME THEY WERE MISSING A NUMBER ON MY CREDIT CARD. THEN THEY WANTED TO SELL SD CARDS FOR THE GPS I ORDERED. THE PRICE WAS OUT RAGEOUS.WHEN I TURNED THEM DOWN,I RECEIVED A EMAIL THAT MY ORDER WOULD BE 3 TO 4 WEEKS BACKORDERED,BUT STILL SHOWED UP ON THEIR WEB SITE AS IN STOCK.AFTER READING ALL REVIEWS,I FOUND OUT I WAS NOT ALONE IN THIS ORDEAL.HAS HAPPENED TO ALOT OF CUSTOMERS.I SAY BUYERS BEWARE!"

"My story is a dead-on repeat of previous accounts I've read here.
I submitted an electronic order on Saturday, 3/8 for a Garmin Nuvi 750 GPS system 86th Street was advertising at a phenomenal deal: $319.00
I received an email on Monday, the 10th, requesting that I call their provided phone number.
I did get through rather promptly, but the sales representative going over my details was abrasive to me on the phone. He informed me that I hadn't input a month of expiration on my credit card, and I replied to him that if I hadn't provided it, the website would have kicked out an error for missing data on the form.
Ignoring my observation, he pressed on to confirm the rest of my details, mentioned that the device was ready to ship, and then proceeded to try to pressure me into some ridiculously overpriced accessories.
The first attempt was to sell me an A/C adapter "Quick Charger" for the unit, which he claimed the Garmin site was selling for over $120, but they could cut me a deal for $68. Looking up the Garmin site online, I quickly found that there was 1-No such charger even listed on the Garmin site, and 2- the most expensive A/C adapter Garmin had for a Nuvi 750 was a whopping $25.
The person on the phone quickly shifted gears and informed me that for saving all sorts of destinations and preferred points of interest, I'd need a 'high speed' SD card which they could supply for a mere $65. I told him I already had a supply of high-speed SD cards, and he wanted to know what I use them for. (not that it's any of his business). I told him that the SD cards, along with a USB card reader, make great Flash drives for backup file storage. The sales rep was insistent on making the point that I was using a higher-grade SD card before eventually dropping it.
Once we got past the sales pitch, he concluded with a summary of my order, as I'd submitted it, and hung up on me.
Within 20 minutes, I had an email telling me that my order, once it was past processing had gotten in just after their supply of the merchandise had gone negative - I'd be placed on back order, and that they are not expecting to re-stock for another 3-4 weeks.
After having read the other reviews I found here, I decided I could do better elsewhere and called to cancel my order. It was here that I encountered the long wait on hold for a customer representative. I gave them my order number, and he rattled off the wrong number back to me with a message that 'it's back-ordered, at least 2 weeks'. I corrected this person on the order number, and he parroted the same message as applied to my order. I told him I wanted to cancel, he said "okay", and hung up on me.
An email followed confirming cancellation 3 minutes later.

As has been previously established, the Better Business Bureau apparently knows about this company's shady business practices, but is not empowered to do anything at this time.

Best thing to do is steer FAR clear of these people.
"