"These guys SUCK! I got suckered in by the incredible deal and ordered a camera from them. I then did the research on the company and found nothing but horrible reviews. I called their "customer service," was handed off to the "camera department" and told them I had just ordered a camera from them and wanted to know when it would be shipped. I also told them that I had researched their company and thought that they may be a scam. The "camera dept. guy" told me that he was going to have the camera sent out today but because I told him I thought they were a scam that I'd hurt his feelings and he canceled my order and hung up on me. I then called my credit card company and they told me that 86th street didn't even have an order pending. So, if you are stupid enough to read this and still purchase something from this company. Go for it. "
"Dear 86th Street Photo & Video,
Re: Order 616671-W
I spoke with Brian this morning to verify my order for a Canon G9 listed for $249, and in closing he said that my order would be shipping in 3 weeks. When I called back a few minutes ago I was told that the order was canceled. When I asked for clarification, I was told that you are no longer receiving the product. However, your website indicates that the item "Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business Days". So I called again to try to submit another order. Prior to giving your representative my name I asked him to check on availability, and shipping methods. He indicated that the item would be available in 14-21 days, and then asked me if I would like to order any accessories, to which I answered in the negative. He then asked me for my name, and after a pause told me he could not accept any orders because of the 14-21 days, and that I should call back then.
Please note that I will be filing a claim with the BBB in NY state, the NY Attorney General, Google, the USPS postal inspector, my credit card company, VISA, and the FBI for fraudulent business practices. I believe that my claim is warranted because your website accepted my order, generated an order number, and sent a separate email requesting that I verify my order for the sole purpose of seeking to sell me to another battery, after deceptively indicating that the "demo" battery in the box was only good for 10 minutes. My order was canceled when I declined the extra battery, and I was told I couldn't order a camera after indicating that I didn't wish to purchase any accessories. Clearly the price of the camera is not $249 as listed on your website.
Thank you,
David
"
"AWFUL AND DECEITFUL COMPANY. THIS WAS THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
I WAS HUNG UP ON, LIED TO SO THAT STEVE COULD GET AN UPSELL AND THEN EVEN WHEN ASKED TO SPEAK WTH THE MANAGER KEVIN, HE WAS AS RUDE,CLASSLESS AND UNEDUCATED AS HIS EMPLOYEES.IF YOU DON'T WANT A HASSLE DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY. I THOUGHT THEY HAD GREAT DEALS BUT, IF YOU SEARCH THE WEB YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING JUST AS GOOD OR BETTER.
THIS WE THE BIGGEST HASSLE EVER AND I'M KICKING MYSELF FOR TRUSTING SUCH A DECEITFUL COMPANY."
"I just wanted to salute the service provided by ResellerRatings and the guys who wrote reviews of this outfit. I placed an order for a camcorder at a shockingly attractive price. Shoulda known then it was too good to be true. Then, somehow, I found ResellerRatings and looked this company up. I found all these highly negative reviews posted -- and two hours later used the company's email function to cancel the order. Even at that, I still got the "call us to confirm your order" email message. I called and spoke to some human there and cancelled the order.
But ResellerRatings and all you reviewers kept me from having my own bad time with this company. I ordered the product from B&H, which I know is the most reputable of all the online suppliers out there. Just wanted to say thanks to ResellerRatings and its contributors!
Doc Pingree"
"These guys are a complete scam. They actually told me that they are from India and they come to this country because Americans are easy to ripoff. He literally told me that they come here and try to get all of our money so they can make their country wealthy. I'm not sure if they just want to steal your credit card info or if they will only sell you an item at their huge discount prices if you buy the rest of the over-inflated accessories/svc plan. As soon as you say,"No thanks" to the other stuff then your item is all of a sudden on backorder indefinitely. Call them and ask where your order is and you will get the automatic answer,"it's on backorder, what do you want me to do." You don't even have to tell them your name or order number. Someone please shut them down."
"WARNING !!!! This is the same company:
www.86photovideo.com
www.ontimedigital.com
shopdigitaldirect.com
soniccameras.com
myrtleelectronics.com
digitalsfuture.com
lensesnmore.com
www.closeoutgenius.com ( GENIUS )
slrgenius.com
camcordergenius.com
projectorgenius.com
plasmagenius.com
allpcgenius.com
cellulargenius.com
receivergenius.com
navigenius.com
cameragiantsinc.com
Suppliers to avoid like the plague? - http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?forumID=58&threadID=99394&messageID=1140513&tag=forums06;forum-threads"
"I wish I had known about this website before ordering from 86th Street Photo. The lowest price is not always the best price! I ordered a Panasonic TZ-5 digital camera from them because their price was low and their site had the appearance of a reputable dealer with many five star, gold awards. These awards must be self proclaimed and bogus because their treatment of my order left me very unsatisfied and it seems that I am not alone in this boat.
After placing the order online, I received an email saying that I needed to verify my order by calling them on the phone. That phone call was nothing more than a sales pitch to try and sell me an overpriced battery and memory card. I declined both and was told that my order would be processed and I would receive an email when the camera shipped. Two weeks later, and no word from them, I called to check the status of my order. I was told that this camera was oversold and would not be available for another two months, even though their site showed the camera in stock and available in 1 to 2 days. I was given the options of backordering or canceling. It was a no brainer at this point and I cancelled the order.
What disturbs me about this experience is that they have my credit card information and I don't know what to do now except cancel my card and get another one.
If time is money, this has been a waste of both. Life is just too short and the water rises."
"This company are the BIGGEST CONS in the business. Shop at your own peril. They will "upgrade" you with extras that extremely overpriced.
The camera they sent me has problems with a dark spot showing and the "Warranty" company seems to be just as shady.... obviously the same family with NO SCRUPLES when it comes to customer service."
"Just a quick NEGATIVE review to let everyone know that 86th St is still pulling their shenanigans. I ordered a Sony camera, rec'd an email verification that day, rec'd a second email the next day saying to call them.
When I called they tried to convince me the battery that is supplied w/the camera is only "20 minute demo" battery and that I needed to buy either the 8 hr battery (big bucks!) or, preferably "because it's a better deal", the 5 hour battery at only $89.00. After asking a few questions they offered to knock $20 off the battery price AND give me free shipping since my item is backordered for 3-5 weeks!
Their website showed the item is in stock, both when I ordered and when I double-checked a few minutes ago.
I canceled the order and rec'd a cancellation email within one minute after hanging up the phone.
What irks me is that Amazon, where I buy from quite often, had a pop-up offer on their site leading me to 86th St. I hope there is a way to alert Amazon as to who they are promoting."
"I ordered a Canon HV30 and received a confirmation number. I then received an e-mail that said I had to call them. When I did, they tried to sell me add-ons at very high prices. I said no thanks, then I got another e-mail saying they were out of stock for the item I ordered. I tried to cancel the order online, but their website did not recognize my e-mail address (!?!) I then called them and it turns out they did have the item but only available as a package deal at a ridiculous mark-up for stuff like an extra battery and extended warranty. it ended up being more than twice the original price. I will never deal with them again."
"This store offered the lowest price for the camera I was looking for; however, when I placed the order I received an email saying they wanted to confirm the order. When you call they try to sell you an extra battery for $59 (you can get the same battery on ebay for under $10)and an extra charger. When you decline the extra products the camera is suddenly out of stock! Very unethical practices. "
"This store is a scam. I placed an order for a cannon digital camera b/c they offered the cheapest price. I received an email requesting that I contact them to verify the order. They offered to sale me batteries and memory. I declined. A few minutes later I got another email saying my item was backordered. What a scam! Somebody needs to shut this place down. "
"I ordered this Cannon PowerShot SD880 Camera on 12/22/08 for $188.95 After having to call back to confirm shipping address 24 hours after the order I was hoping they were processing my order. Wrong ! They wanted to sell me a battery for $95.00 that can be bought for $15.00 ! Then I just called back today 1 month after initial order,to be told by the SAME GUY that tried to sell me the battery that the delay is from Cannon and wont ship until the end of Feb or maybe March 2009 ! 3 month later ? WTF ! ?? I canceled the order and called AMEX and Blocked any charges from 86st Photo. What a Bunch of losers.. im so sorry I didnt just order from B&H in Dec. 08 for $20 bucks more.. I lost a great deal.. 86st Sucks / !!!! DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM !!!!"
"Same thing as everyone else. After checking on my order for 6 months I have been told it is discontinued. All regular store still have this item for sale. Countless calls every time I was told 2-3 more weeks, now it is discontinued! I wonder if I had bought that expensive battery if they would have shipped the camcorder?"
"I got the classic bait and switch from 86th Street Photo. I placed my order only to get an email that I needed to "verify" my order. When I called a very abrupt person who did not identify themselves tried to upsell me on a battery pack. When I said I didn't want it, I was told my order would ship in 7-21 days. After another day I received an email that the camera was now out of stock and backorder for 3-4 weeks. I canceled my order and went to a more reputable company. DO NOT BUY FROM 86th Street!"