"After careful research, I picked the camera that I wanted to buy, the DMC-FZ18K, checked the best price available online and these bozos showed up at the top of the list with the best price. I placed the order only and the next day I got an email asking me to call the store to confirm the order. This is how I found out that the great deal they had offered me was for a japanese model unit with no warranty in the US, no mention whatsoever of this little fact online. I cancelled the order immediately.
Thanks 86th st photo for wasting my time."

"Placed an order for a fantastic deal on a camera. A couple days later received an E- mail stating we had to call to confimr the order. This sounded fishy so we read the reseller ratings on your site. Called the company and spoke to Bill in customer service. Explained that we were recording the phone conversation and that we would be happy to still do business with them to get the camera we ordered, but that we had researched their company and they had horible reviews online. We further explained that we wanted the camera and ONLY the camera we ordered, nothing else and we expected the quoted price of $249.00. Bill told us the camera was backorderd and would not be available for 6- 8 weeks even though our order had been marked "in stock." Bill then said he would either hold the order or cancel. We said to cancel the order and withot a further word he hung up on us. WATCH OUT FOR THIS COMPANY!!!"

"Just piling on to confirm that this is indeed how they operate. Low price teaser->you order->they confirm then a 2nd e-mail comes telling you they need to "verify" the order->you call->bogus story about not getting all the digits on your CCV->then the truth comes out, the camera I ordered is Chinese, no warranty, can sell you a US one with warranty for way more, and btw wouldn't you like these other way overpriced accessories?

I cancelled right away, paid 10% more from a reputable dealer.
"

"Same story as the others, website had the camera at almost 1/2 price and it showed that it was "in stock". I couldn't believe it, called immediately to order it. I was on the phone for 30 minutes explaining that I did not want to upgrade. Like an idiot I had already given them my credit card #. After all of that he then said, "well the camera will ship in 5 to 6 weeks" After they had already said it was in stock. Well I told him I wasn't interested, then he sent me an e-mail within minutes canceling my order. I rate them a ZERO!!!

I wonder if I need to check my credit card to make sure they didn't charge me?"

"I carefully researched what camera I wanted and then searched for which site offered the lower price. To my great misfortune I ordered from 86th Street w/o taking the time to research their company. Not only did I end up spending twice as much as I intended, which is major as I am disabled & newly widowed, but the camera doesn't even work! My options now are to return everything losing the shipping I've already paid, + the shipping to send it back, + an insane restocking fee. I aslo didn't receive 2 of the promised accessories."

"I am so very disappointed in your company and your sister company, 86th St. Photo and Video. Both places I placed orders (after it stated in stock) and then for both companies to come back and say not in stock but only to try and sell another more expensive camera package. I also asked for a discount and the customer service rep. said an email for cancelation would be sent. This customer service rep. at ext. 233 (Steve)is very unfriendly and pushy to make a sale. I will never do business here and will tell others not to also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Last Thursday I placed an internet order for a Panasonic PV-GS500 video camera with 86th Street Photo & Video because, using a search engine, I found that they had the lowest quoted price. The next day I received an email that they would not ship the product until they had "verified" the order. Upon calling the person designated (Steve), he asked me why I hadn't ordered accessories with the camera (e.g. batteries). I told him that I only wanted to buy the camera. The next day I received an email from the company saying that my order had been cancelled. In my opinion, this strikes me as being the old scam where the company advertises a product at below market price, then charges exorbitant prices (which is why I didn't want to buy the accessories) for the normally purchased accessories, making a large profit through the accessories purchase. If the customer doesn't bite on the high priced accessories, then the company simply refuses to sell the product as advertised. My rating for this company is zero (0), as, in my opinion, they seem to be in the business of trying to cheat the customer."

"Same story as everyone else. Should have found this rating service sooner! At least I cancelled in time! What a scam!"

" Same story as everyone else here, although I foolishly thought I was getting a good deal on the overpriced accessories, and the infamous Steve got the better of me. I tried to use the cupon codes for buy 1 get 1 one lenses, shipping upgrade, and others. Instead of savings I got the call from Steve who told me I needed the extra battery, charger, high speed memory card ect. I received the camera and accerories and decided to return the package.
That is when things got interesting. In an attempt to get a return authorization # I spoke to Rachel who kept offering to discount the package, but couldn't explain to me why the company could afford to offer a 600 dollar discount, but couldn't waive a 300 dollar restocking fee, and sell me just the camera. I am shipping the package back today, notifying my CC company, the BBB and anybody else who will listen. What this company is doing is nothing short of criminal, I am considering the outrageous restocking fee a hard lesson learned, and I will always always always check out a company beforte ordering in the future."

"Same as everyone else.
Obviously I should have read these reviews first. I canceled before the order shipped but they wouldn't let me cancel it. They said to call back after 11AM eastern time Monday, I called at 10AM Eastern time, and emailed as well, and they had shipped it already. I wonder if it makes a difference to refuse delivery of the package...and to put the credit card payment in Dispute. I'll find out I guess."

"I had the same experience. Ordered a camera at a great price. Receive message to call them. They tried to sell me overpriced accessories, which I declined. IMMEDIATELY received email that product was backordered. My wife called twice a few days later and asked if they had my model of camera in stock. They said yes. I called them and asked why my order was backordered when they had them in stock. They said because I did not purchase a "bundled kit". WE ALL NEED TO CONTACT THE NY ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. Their tactics, called "bait & switch", violate federal law. "

"If you don't upgrade your order it's backorder.'
They use low price to get you and call you to sell you on upgrade. If you don't upgrade ,the order is backordered."

"Mid East Scam / Fraud: Experience is similar as all others. Web site states in stock, place order, receive message to call, extremely long hold, "Jason" will try to sell you other items, if you refuse, "Jason" immediately sends a note stating "back order" and trys to get you to cancel the sale. "Jason" was the only employee at night. You are left with the impression of a few guys, on shifts, running a telephone scam. "

"For those of you who did get suckered in to the upsell for accessories, as I did, only to figure out later that you were had, let me give you some hard won advice. Firstly, you only have 7 days to return your package, not the 21 days days satisfaction guaranteed mentioned on the website. They will try to delay you by offering you incentives to keep the package. Secondly, as soon as you hung up the phone the first time you were suckered for 20%, the "restocking fee", which you will not get back. Thirdly, the stuff you have in your package is worth less than 80% of the cost of your package, maybe much less because you probably didn't get the items you were promised, especially if you asked for the better of two options, they likely sent you the cheaper one. ( They offered to send me the "even more professional" telephoto lens when I complained.) Don't let them give you freebees to keep the package. Return the package within 7 days, take the hit for the restocking fee, and buy what you need from Amazon. You'll still come out ahead.

Update. 86 photovideo made fraudulent claims when describing their accessories. They state that they will require a 20% restocking fee for me to return the unused items. I asked my credit card company to interceed and Discover card will contact the company for return instructions. Hopefully they can reduce or eliminate the restocking fee."

"I recived the same e-mails...

We thank you for choosing 86th St. Photo & Video as your choice for all your photographic equipment.

In order to further verify your order, we will need to speak with you on the phone. Please call our Verification department at 1-***-***-**** Ext. 207 Clark so we may verify and complete processing your order.

I followed the instruction and called only for to wait on hold for over 30 minutes and then for a salesmen to try to sell me additional merchandise - which I did not buy. Withing 10 minutes of my call I received the following message:

This notification is sent to you from our shipping department.

We regret to inform you that by the time your order reached the shipping process, our inventory on the product(s) you ordered was negative, therefore your order will be placed on a temporary backorder until we receive the product(s) back again in stock which will be in about 3-4 weeks.

Please note that your credit card will not be charged, as long as, your order has not shipped.

You can modify and/or cancel this order at any time before it is shipped without incurring any charges or fees to your account.

To cancel Please email us at ****@**** with the Phrase "Please cancel Order# ____" in the subject - DO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR ORDER NUMBER.

We will keep you updated with further emails about the status of your order.

You will receive a separate email with shipment confirmation once your order is shipped.

We apologize again for this inconvenience and Thank you for your business.

86th Street Photo & Video.
"