"I usually shop B&H, Adorama, Newegg (good results with all). But none of them had a Panasonic camcorder I was looking for in stock, since it is in the process of being discontinued. So I was drawn to BoD by the fact they had it in stock (according to their site), and the price was good. Their website is pretty decent, too.

After placing my order I received an email the next day saying my order was on "hold" and to call customer service -- but with no explanation of why. I got a queasy feeling and THEN found the numerous complaints here about problems that began with this tactic. Wish I'd checked deeper beforehand!

When I called, the wait on hold was reasonable (about 5 min.) The customer service person (probably a salesman) indicated he needed the security code from my card. After I provided it, he said OK and it would ship within about 10 days. And OH, what a coincidence, he owns the same camcorder and it's great but the battery on it only lasts 20 minutes! So he did try to sell me an extended life battery, and offered 10% on other accessories ordered at that time.

I somehow expected something like that, and politely declined. But I must say the response was reasonably polite and he did not push it too hard. So I was a bit suspicious, but he was not impolite or overly persistent so not a biggie.

Now comes the real test. Will I receive the item, intact and correct, within the indicated time, with no other hassles? If so, I'd say they are skating on thin ice but not broken through yet.

Big On Digital if you are watching these posts: I think you have the chance to build a reputable, competetive business if you avoid playing monkey games with customers who come to you to spend money. Think about it: when someone has placed an Internet order, the selling part is *done* -- they've selected what they want and are trying to pay you for it!! Don't mess up a good thing by making them regret they ever found you. You are not at the bottom of the rating barrel yet, but it would not take much to go that way. It's up to you whether you compete for legitimate business, or compete for the lowest repeat customer ratings ratings. Just a thought.

FOLLOW-UP: after a week with no signs of the item shipping, I contacted BoD by email indicating I was concerned because I would be leaving town and did not want the item delivered while I was away. I received a reply within a day indicating my order had been canceled, no questions asked. That was fair enough, so no complaints (though I don't know why it was taking so long to ship an item that was supposedly in stock).

"

"Online ordering didn't work and then tried to ship me 3 of the same order. Customer service was basically non-existant. My credit card was charged for a different amount than what I was told over the phone. Hidden shipping insurance charges were added. And, once I did receive my package, it was the WRONG item."

"Best price but............
Got told product was in stock for all 4 dsys prior to the shipping date . After confronting them i got told that there supplier was out of the item dvr-pc330. I dont understand why they do not told me we dont like you to sell you this item for this price and i would have moved on
W a i s t o f t i m e"

"They are scam. They price the canon eos 330 at 819 dollars with full warranty and brand new. I placed the order and i was told i had to wait for couple of weeks. After three the order was stil in back order status. I called again and i was told they woud ship after two day and that the warranty was 90 days. I asked why and they told me the reason was the camera was an old model, so for full warranty i had to spend 150 dollars. I told them they were changing the conditions on the order and i was asked if i wanted to cancel the order, something i did immdiately.
This is a scam.
Fabrizio"

"I will never shop with this company again & I strongly recommend that no one else does business with them. I placed my order online on April 8, 2004 and the camera was in stock. I had to call to confirm my online order and was pressured by the salesperson to purchase other items. I was lied to several times about when my order would ship. It was always "by the end of the week" or "in a few days" or "by the end of today", yet it never shipped when they said it would. I found the camera elsewhere, and less expensive, so I cancelled my order on April 26, 2004. The day I cancelled it, they charged my credit card and shipped the camera the following day. I had to refuse the package and they said they would refund me fully, including shipping since it was their mistake. As of May 22, 2004 they still had not refunded me so I filed a claim with my credit card company. Within two days of my credit card company contacting them they FINALLY credited me back. This has been one of the worst experiences ever! Complete liars & terrible customer service! DO NOT BUY FROM BIG ON DIGITAL!"

"On 5-16-04 I ordered an Olympus C-750. They charged my credit card 5-18-04. As of 6-2-04 I received no camera and only lies and excuses. When I asked for a refund on 5-27-04, I was told that they couldn't because the camera had been shipped. On 6-1-04 I was told it would be shipped within days. On 6-3-04 I asked for a refund AGAIN and was assured by William (if that's his real name) that he would get it credited that day. On 6-8-04 I was told that they have 30 days to issue a refund credit.
Cons and liers at a minimum. I've had to report it to my credit card company. Hopefully they will quit doing business with this front group.
26 days - no camera and I'm out $360."

"We placed an order recently and a complication got in the way, as sometimes happens. One phone call placed to Big On Digi and the assistance of one of the managers, Jerry, solved the issue and the order was completed. Jerry went "beyond the call of service" and he is owed a big 'Thank You'. We will recommend Big On Digi to our friends and family and others that seek the best price with the best service of any online electronics company.

Looking to do business with your company in the future!"

"Very poor service as of now 06/07/04 I have not received my order and it was placed all the way back on 05/25/04. I have got nothing but the run around and lies from this company for two weeks. not to mention they used profound language over the phone on me.I do not recommend this company at all."

"Don't buy anything from this online store. You will waste your time at least.

Have you ever received a confirmation email on which the total price is less than what you will actually pay? I received one from bigondigi. I ordered a JVC GR-D93 camcorder on Jun.4 for $379.9. I received a confirmation email with the same amount displayed. They raised their price and changed their webpage after I made my order and told me that the total amount on confirmation email is a price after rebate. Now I should pay $429.9.

Mush worse, when I called them, the sales Robby L. was very rude. There's no space for me to discuss it with them. They just commanded me to accept the raised price, otherwise they will cancell it. (Don't know if there will be a cancellation fee yet.) It is very unhappy to deal with them.

Don't be cheated by their lowest price (they still list their "lowest" price for GRD93 at pricescan.com, but now after you click in, you will see it's after-rebate price), they will not honor it after you made your order."

"Jerry has been outsatanding during my purchase for the camera."

"Let me make this easy for everyone here...
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection (go to the following URL and fill out the complaint form).
www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.htm

know your rights: www.pueblo.gsa.gov

please pass these links to other rating websites.

do i really need to iterate what my experience with this company was like?"

"Stay away! Far Away! I wanted a laptop computer. They had it for a qreat price. But, to good to be true! They said it would be here in 5-8 days. Well after a week gos by I check there web site to see it has not shipped yet. I call to cancel but its all ready been charged the day after I ordered (there site said no charging until shipped). Called and they say oh it shipped right after I ordered it(not). 10 days afer the order I get an e-mail that my laptop just shipped and will arrive 17 days after it was ordered (not the 5-8 days promised)and that the package is 4lbs. My laptop should weigh 16lbs. I dont know what they sent but I know at 4lbs its not what I ordered and I will not accepet it from ups or they could say I got the computer. I called and told them of the problem and I ask them to charge me for another one and send it air and when the first order comes I will refuse the other package and they can refund that money. They said they did not have any more of my laptops or they would. I called back 2 times and asked sells and coustermer service if they had the computer in stock and said they did! Liers! I had been planning to go on vacation but was waiting for the computer to get here. Shure the low cost looks good at this store, and you like, I thought this will not happen to you, Don't shop here!
"

"Horrible. It's taken me 2 months of problems to finally get the product I ordered. Although the customer service people were polite, I kept receiving products that were missing parts or not working. Now, after returning everything, I'm struggling with getting my money refunded."

"Excellent response. Able to cancel my order due to emergency trip coming up. A great source for products, with good customer service. I would use them again."

"Purchased Sharp Aquos 30 LCD television.
The TV arrived on time, but screen was flawed.

A call to sales group confirmed that the sales policy for this television is "we will replace any defective products." A series of calls to the service group confirms the policy that "this product ships directly from the manufacturer and we are not responsible for damaged goods. Talk to the product manufacturer or your shipper".

I have contested the charge on my credit card using Visa's system for arbitrating disputes between customers and sellers. This process is expected to take about 30 days. In the mean time, BigOnDigital assumes that I don't exist.

Buy from this company only if you understand you're on your own if the product arrives defective. Don't be confused about their 'insurance' charge as "we can't know where the product was damaged, and the insurance is only for shipping".

Recontacted the company on June 02 to try to tell them I had initiated a dispute over the charge with Visa. They said one week had going by since I received the TV, so nothing they have to do about it. (Even though the first contact was within the first week.)"