"VERY Very dissatified, I placed an order online, got a call from them confirming my order, then I found out the camera I ordered was not a usa model, but from another country and didn't come with anything so it was on with the sales pressure, so I caved and said okay .... after I thought about it I called them back to get a total price, Had a hard time understanding the high pressure salesman... My 254.00 camera became 410. I hung up with the manager and checked out circuit city and best buy to see what Items were included.... everything was included there... at ccicamera city it was all extra cost... I called once again and finally talked to the manager again... very rude man!
I told him I could get it cheaper at best buy and circuit city..... he said no you can't he ask me how much there? I said 349.. he told me he'd give it to me for that much plus the 29.99 shipping... I told him to just cancel my order.. he said he'd still charge me 20.00 restock fee...... restock you've got to be kidding me..... I have NEVER had such a bad experience and to beat it all.... he hung up on me. all this for the sony dsc-w7... "
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Warning to camera shoppers! DO NOT ORDER FROM www.ccicameracity.com
This company is VERY NEAR FRAUD, SELLING GREY MARKET ITEMS. These items do not come with ANYTHING (no batteries, cards, chargers, etc), AND ARE NOT IN STOCK. Also, they do not tell you there is NO WARANTEE!
There is NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. Only EXTREMELY RUDE HIGH PRESSURE SALES CALLS to purchase additional items.
I placed an order for a digital camera from them, and received a call trying to sell me accessories. Not a big deal; but then they said the camera I ordered didnt even come with a battery, charger, or memory card!
No where on the order did it state these items were not included. After talking to several customer service people (and two people hung up on me!), a manager "Ronny" said that my order "did not specifically state the camera came with those essential items". If I wanted the camera I ordered (without a battery, etc), it would take at least 6 weeks for delivery. Or, he could sell me the camera and all the accessories for $140 more, and ship it immediately.
I cancelled my order and let them know I would be writing reviews about my experience with their site; then Ronny hung up on me.
This is not how a reputable company does business. This web site is obviously running scams. They try to suck people into orders with misleading advertizing, and then force them to buy the essential "accessories".
Please warn your readers about this disreputable site.
Regards
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"
"I DEALT WITH MAX AND HE WAS KNOWLEDGEABLE AND VERY PROFESSIONAL. I ORDERED DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE STAFF TO TAKE WITH THEM ON THE ROAD. WE DEAL WITH RENTAL APARTMENTS IN NYC AND NEED A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO TAKE SHOTS FAST AND ACCURATE. TIME IS MONEY AND MAX SAVED US ON BOTH!"
"I am so unlucky not to read the reviews here before I placed an order for a camcorder.
I called them a number of times to confirm the order and finally got somebody to answer the call. After the sales rep pushed me to buy other accessories and got refused, I was told, there is no battery included and I would have to pay more to have that included. The total is much higher than other stores, and so I want to cancel the order. The sales rep immediately hang up.
Then I started a painful and long journey to cancel my order:
The sales reps are so rude and often hang up in the middle, just after I mentioned I want to cancel my order.
I just kept calling them. The guy once yelled at me on the phone "what the hell you are calling. Your order cancellation is taken cared". I said, "How do you know my cancellation is processed, even before I told you my order number". Eventually got a cancellation #1234. I am wondering if I am fooled.
I am waiting for my credit card statement and will dispute the charge if any from CCI. I am determined not to get ripped off. "
"All these horror stories you've been reading here are true. They just tried pulling this very same thing on me. Exact same scenario, they have an incredible price on a camera your looking for(Fujifil S 3100 @ 160.00$) and then Larry calls you. You need a case, you need batterys, you need a memory card and when you refuse he gets to the punchline: It's an overseas camera and to "Upgrade" it to a U.S. model is going to cost you a hundred bucks. When I refused this option he told me that in that case my delivery time would be upwards of 5 weeks at which time I told Larry to cancel my order. Larry kept reiterating that I would have to pay more elsewhere, I told him I would pay more elsewhere to deal with a legitimate, ethical company. I just got off the phone with my credit card company and they tell that I was never billed, I guess he was waiting for the upsell. Unfortunately the lady told me their was no way to block them from charging my card if they decide to so I'll have to keep my eyes on it for a while. Sure wish I would have looked at this site BEFORE I went to these guys but I feel lucky considering what I've been reading. So long story short: If you are are being smart and reading these reviews before you buy at CCI Camera City or Royal Camera (They are one and the same I understand) RUN! Do not walk, quickly away and do not look back. Even if you turned out to be that one person in a dozen or more who doesnt go thru this song and dance with these people your going to have stress over it and there is no reason to reward them with your business for that."
"Stay away from this store. They advertised the Panasonic AG-DVX100A camera for $1575.00 online. When I called to check the order they tried to sell me all kinds of add-ons. When that didn't work, they told me I had purchased the "foreign" model (which doesn't exist) and that I would have to pay $3450 if I wanted the "US version" of the same camera. I cancelled my order on the spot. Buyer Beware of CCI or CAmera City, Inc!!!"
"I ordered a camera at what was advertised as a good price. I noticed all of there "extras" were super expensive so I just ordered the camera. Shipping was $65 (obviously a big profit center). Then I called them up and they told me the camera I ordered couldn't be shipped for 4 to 6 weeks unless I paid for the non-import model. When I did the purchase online, there was no mention of this. The import model I would have to wait for would have no US warranty and would have to be shipped overseas to be repaired. I cancelled my order. This store is not selling for the prices they advertise. "
"BEWARE! They are bunch of crooks that run a multitude of related and ever-changing on-line stores based in Brooklyn NY. Their "too good to be true" prices also attracted my attention. However, I did my homework before ordering:
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,107855,00.asp
http://www.viewonline.com/pages/editorials/cameraincident.htm
http:****@****
http://www.donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/
http://www.donwiss.com/pictures/ManhattanStores/
http://www.photoreporter.com/091800/features/the_way_it_is.html
My advice: call them BEFORE placing any order and you will find out exactly what I did: if it's too good to be true, it probably is."
"I ordered a Nikon D2H and was told it was in stock and was a US model and would ship right away. When I didn't accept the upgrade option for the accessories, I was told it would ship in 30 days. I called back several times and got a different answer every time. It was either 2 weeks or 15 days. I was finally told that it was an International model and did not have a manual and would have to be shipped to Japan for any repairs. I finally cancelled the order. It is a scam, bait and switch! Buyer Beware!"
"I ordered a Sony DCR-HC40 videocamera from CCI's Web site on 9/15. After wondering why I never received an email notifying me that the camera had shipped, I called CCI on 9/21 and was connected to "Larry", a pushy, fast-talking salesperson who others on this site have apparently encountered.
I asked Larry why my camera hadn't yet shipped. Larry said he was checking on the status. Then Larry said CCI could ship my videocamera this week, and would even upgrade to a faster shipping method at no extra cost. Then he started to hard sell me on a bunch of accessories. For example, he said "No battery comes with the camera." When I told him that it does, according to his Web site, he said "The battery that comes with it is only a 20-minute disposable battery. You will throw this one away."
I repeatedly told Larry that I wanted ONLY the videocamera, and he finally gave up and said, "Then you will get the camera in 5 weeks." I was shocked! He told me that the base camera is an "international" model that takes 5 weeks to ship, while the cameras with the options he was trying to sell to me come in wrapped packages that they are not allowed to open. I told him that nowhere on CCI's Web site is it indicated that this $439.99+shipping priced camera is an international unit or that it isn't immediately avaialable and requires 5 weeks for shipping. He said it is clearlyl marked. Look for yourself--you won't find it. I asked him to cancel my order, and he complied and gave me a cancellation confirmation #. I think it was bogus because it was just my order number preceded with a "C". Fortunately, my credit card was never charged. His rude and pushy attitude was very demeaning, so I asked to speak with a manager. He said he was the manager.
I called back because I didn't trust that the order was actually cancelled, and spoke to a manager named Peter. Peter was not a pushy sales guy like Larry, but he was almost as rude. He did give me a new cancellation number. I told him he should be ashamed of working for a business that treated its customers in this way, but he said this is the way all the camera companies work and he has to stay competitive.
Strangely enough, Larry called me again today (9/22), ignorant of the fact that we had already spoken yesterday, and tried to upsell me again. I told him I had already spoken with him by phone and he told me I must be wrong because he never spoke with me yesterday. His thickly-accented English and rude, pushy manner cannot be mistaken. I told him cancelled yesterday because I wanted the $439.99 camera and they said it would take 5 weeks.
This is such a scam! I think this is false advertising and bait-and-switch. I have filed a complaint with the FTC and will complain to Pricegrabbers and other price searching engines. Avoid CCI at all costs!"
"I just want to thank all you people that have taken the time to expose these "merchants!" and to whoever is responsible for putting up this web site. I wanted an Olympus c-8080 very bad and was prepared to order it. However after reading all of your comments I came to my senses. I had forgot that the basis for every sting operation is the greed of the mark. Of course, who wouldn't want a Porsche or a BMW even though an Escort would do everything that I needed a car for. Does this mean these sellers are not crooks?
Of course not. 95% of the murders in prison gave the reason they had murdered as "the victim had asked for it". These sellers need to be punished for their crimes. Although from the comments I am reading some have been in business for years with impunity. And we can't blame the manufacturers for creating our greed. They will sell their goods for what we are willing to pay. These digital cameras are extremely overpriced. For a $1000 digital you can get a comparable film type for about $200 and I'll bet the film type costs more to manufacture! If I really "need" a new camera I will just have to wait two years and the price will be the "real fair cost". Thanks again to everyone for bringing me back to Earth."
"very good people to work with i would love to buy again from them the salesmen treat you so well. thankyou for selling me a great camera
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"April 16, 2004: This company is ruthlessly unscrupulous. This company is a sneaky, hardcore-sales, rip-off, worthless fake. Do not. I repeat. Do not do business with these people. I feel as though I just got fleeced by a couple of carnival bums in a back alley. This company is diabolical. They sell gray market merchandise and don't tell you up front what it is you are purchasing. Then they overcharge for everything else. They do not have customer service. They have customer dis-service! Do not use these people. They will rip you off."
"Couldn't believe the low price of the Canon Optura 300 mini dv camcorder. $529? $590 with 2-3day shipping? No wonder. two days later I get a call at work from "Larry" saying there is no battery with the camera, I would have to purchase the battery and charger - another $149. Also I would need a warranty as this "offshore" version of the camera did not have a USA warranty. Another $100. I told him No to this and several other offers for filters, tripod, camera bag etc. Finally, I was concerned the order was not being shipped that day (as he said). Next day I receive this message: "please note the canon optura 300 is not avilable and we are not able to place your order. i will cancel your order. i am sorry for your inconvenience. thank you. ronnie shy." no time now to get a camera before my trip! Who are these people?"
"I have been a professional photographer for 6 years (Australia) and before that worked in advertising for 6 years (Netherlands) of which for 3 year I worked for a Camera distributor Account.
With the strong Australian Dollar I decided to buy some new equipment in the US. I tried to buy a Nikon D100 from Camera city, firstly they insisted on me buying extra cards (at inflated prices), batteries (don't they come with the camera..??..:-) I refused and was informed that they don't accept Mastercard....ok,
So I applied for American Express and with my new card 2 weeks later ordered the camera again (over the web).
Of course one gets informed to call and you are put on hold for at least 15 minutes (great when calling from Australia)
Well this time they informed me that company policy is not to sell a camera without accessories internationally.
I started to laugh and said, yeah sure, upon which I was hung up on.
Still trying to buy a Nikon D100 in the US, but it seems to be near impossible. Prices advertised are just not true and seem to be teasers only.
Is there any regulation in the US regarding this kind of advertising. I know it would be illegal in Europe and Australia.
"