"This business is a rip-off specialist. They high pressure sold me an "upgrade" which was of inferior merchandise. They were not supposed to charge shipping, but did to a tune of $207, now I know why since shipping is not refundable. They also charge "at least 5% restocking fee. Customer Service does not answer the phone for returns. AVOID THESE SHYSTERS AT ALL COST! "

"ABSOULTELY REDICULOUS bogus fraudulent sorry excuse for a business. I was over charged around $1000. I am making it my mission to see that these people are prosecuted. These people are nothing more than a bunch of thugs who try to rip you off. Do not associate with these people.......Genius Cameras and their "sister" web sites are nothing more than a front for an elaborate network of illegal business practices. Everything in these posts are true......you can't begin to know how dirty and sorry these people are. If you look up "scum" in the dictionary you may find a reference to geniuscameras! How can New Jersey allow such activity to go on?"

"Horable experience. Bate and switch and then received inferior products. I did not receive a full refund. Invoice manipulated. I am currently filing a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs."

"Genius Cameras is disreputable and should be avoided at all cost. Their deceptive practices lure you in with deeply discounted prices, then they pressure you in to buying "accessories" that should already be included with the product from the manufacturer. I was told that there was no battery included with the camera, that the memory card only allowed for 8 photos and was badgered into taking the extended warranty. When I refused all "upgrades" I was engaged in banter usually associated with unskilled sales reps with absolutely no concept of how to sell effectively. I placed my order on hold to do some more research of hte product to see if other retailers were pulling the same stunts. When I determined very clearly that Genius Cameras are only scammers trying to rip me off I called back to speak to a manager to cancel my order. When I was transferred to the "manager" named Carter he asked for my order number and placed me on hold. The line was then picked up by the salesperson I originally talked to (his name is Mike at extension 248) who described himself as the manager and asked what my problem was. After unsuccessfully trying to get the managers name so I could call the next day, I was led to believe that "Mike at extension 248" was indeed the OWNER of the company and I had to talk to him! I told him to cancel the order and said goodbye, but did not hang up only to hear "Mike at extension 248" tell me to "Go Scr*w Yourself Buddy"!!

Please do yourself a favor and avoid this company. They lack any sort of integrity."

"Please DO NOT BUY from this site!!!! PLEASE PLEASE! Somebody should be taking down this company. All the complaints written on this review board are so true!
I tried to purchase an EF70-200mm Canon Lens due to the low price tag. I placed my order via the website and got an email to confirm by phone. When I called to confirm, they told me I was lucky because being a first time buyer I am eligible for a discount on a much better Sigma lens. I didn't bite the bait and researched what they are offering which turned out to be $300 overpriced even after their discount. I stuck with my order and was told it should be arriving in 7-10 days. It's been more than 10 days and I still haven't heard from them. I called to follow up and was put on hold several times until finally I talked to someone who just informed me that my order is out of stock because I ordered the one with the plastic mount (huh???). What they have is the metal one which would cost more than the plastic one. I canceled my order then! "

"Just wanted to add my name to the list of those intially duped into ordering from this website. I have the exact same story: Ordered a great price on Canon XT, made the verbal confirmation along with the obligatory 15 minute wait time on the phone. Nothing has happened for 2 weeks, so I decided to call and check on the status. (Originally they told me it would go out in 3-5 days) Actually, while I was waiting on my 2nd call-back I came across this website, read the reviews, and knew I was had. Sure enough, she said it was back ordered until 1st or 2nd week of Jan."

"On December 6, I called to inquire about the Canon EF 70-300 IS USM for my Rebel XT. The salesperson stated that the lens was "in stock" and would be shipped out the next day if I ordered the lens. I placed the order online right after the call. After placing the order, I received an e-mail stating that I needed to call them to provide "verbal confirmation" of the order. When I called to confirm the order, the person I was speaking to said that I was "eligible for an upgrade" on my order. I stated that I was not interested in the "upgrade."

Two days later, I checked to see if the charge went through for the purchase. Having purchased camera equipment at other online retailers, I expected to receive shipping confirmation and to see the charge show up on my credit card. When I saw neither, I called them for the status of my order. The customer rep said that my order should be shipped within 5-7 working days. When I asked if the lens was in stock, they repeated it will be shipped in 5-7 working days.

This didn't seem right to me so I called back to get more information. After being placed on hold and waiting for 1/2 hour, I decided to cancel the order. When I spoke to their representative about cancelling the order, he said the order had "already been shipped." I responded by saying that I spoke to another rep earlier who said it would not be shipped for another 5-7 days and that I checked with my credit card company and that no charge had been made. At that point, he said he would cancel the order.

Maybe I should have waited the 5-7 days but after reading all the negative feedback, I decided to go with another retailer with a better reputation. I ordered the lens from profeelvideo and the order was promptly charged and shipped by the next day."

"This Company http:\\geniuscameras.com which touts extremely low prices is a bait and switch scam. I tried to order the Nikon D50 with lens only. After placing my order on line, I called Carter to confirm camera was in stock and would be shipped. He wanted me to buy high priced accessories. I politely declined. He said camera would be shipped. The next day, I received an email saying camera was out of stock and would not be shipped. I cancelled the order. After reading ResellerRatings, I realized this was typical of this business."

"Purchased (or attempted to purchase) a Canon Digital Rebel XT w/18-55mm lens, and oh-by-the-way, since it's the holidays, they're offering to throw in a free set of filters (3), and also, a free case and tripod. All of that, for the the great price of $599.00! You can't beat that on ebay, I naively thought, and so I filled out the info and completed my order. Good to go, so I think, until I get an email asking me to call them to "verify" my order. So I call, and the guy on the phone, when he can find time to talk to me, starts trying to sell me things. He wants to sell me a CF memory card, which (1) I already have, and (2) can buy on tigerdirect, or newegg, or heck, even Wal*Mart for a third of their prices. So I tell him I alread have CF cards from my previous digital cameras, and then I get the hook....this great deal of a camera doesn't come with a battery or charger! Not to worry though, our good friends at genius camera will hook me up with a charger and battery at the bargain basement price of nearly 300 more dollars. I told the guy I didn't have any more money to spend, and would he just please send the camera, and he agreed. So I knew something was strange, but didn't realize what was up. So the next day, I get the lamest, most generic eamil I've ever seen to "Dear Customer, One or more of the items you ordered"...which of the many items I ordered could that be??? (I only ordered one!) ..."has become backordered"....blah blah blah. Basically, it boils down to if you don't bite onto their scam, they're not going to honor their advertisements. So then the email suggests that you email them to cancel your order if you're not interested in waiting an unknown amount of time. Hmmmmm, three weeks before Christmas.... Maybe their state attorney general should find out about this, I believe it's called....bait and switch??? So I emailed them to cancel my order, and then, just for giggles, checked their website again...same offer, nothing about being backordered metioned. It's only a matter of time before someone more motivated than me takes these fools down.

At any rate, DON'T SPEND A NICKEL AT GENIUSCAMERAS.COM They are trying to scam you, and are the very reason for the adage, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." "

"DO NOT EVER BUY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!!! geniuscameras.com Ordered online, was requested to call to confirm, very pushy sales rep, attempted to cancel my ordere because I found out the price was cheaper because they sell the Rebel XT without the battery and charger which they add another 300 dollars for. All other accessories are marked up as well, 1gb High Speed memory cards are 400 dollars each etc etc. 400% any other price online. I attempted to cancel my order in the morning the next day, sales rep stated that the order already shipped although he could not give me a tracking number or cancel my order. I tried to contact the returns dept and was on hold for 30+mins never got to talk to anyone. Now I have to wait until the package arrives to cancel my order. I'm sure you get the run around when you try to return items as well. "

"DO NOT BUY FROM THIS OUTFIT. I placed an internet order online for a Digital Camera body Oct 12th, 2005. After several days I received an email to call them to confirm my order. That should have been my first warning. Well, I called and was subjected to some of the most disgusting and rude "upselling" I have ever heard (battery and charger for $300.00?). I finally told the Scheister from NY/NJ(HEAVY accent) that I only wanted the camera body and he finally said it would be shipped out. Today is Dec. 1st, and I cancelled my order because I have still not received the camera (OUT OF STOCK). I am now watching my Credit Card, this seller has been known to charge anyway after the order has been cancelled."

"These guys are the shadiest online retailer I have dealt with yet. They have multiple online stores with different names and different prices. They are a bait & switch company where they make you call to confirm your order and then try to upsell you. Customer Service is horrible and the Supervisors are even worse. I actually found the place physically and they are in a very shady location with other businesses. The address listed on their site is a building complex with a bunch of Suites. they are one of them, but you can't find them because they are under a different name."

"I have had the same experience as everyone else that has posted...my camera is still not in stock...I have sent 4 e-mail asking for an in writing explaination and specifics.. This is my last one because today at 5 I am filing a claim with the better business buero...which I would highly reccomend. Unless someone in charge of stopping these types of businesses is notified nothing will be done.. Let's take a stand and do something about it. It takes 5 minutes online to file a claim."

"I called to order an advertised Canon lens for a Canon Rebel XT. The shyster on the phone told me that the Canon lens was no good and I would be better with a Sigma lens. Naturally it cost twice as much. It turned out that I could get the same lens almost anywhere for half the price at Genius. DO NOT BUY FROM THESE CROOKS...how many people have had the same experience? Too many. On top of every thing else they charged me $88.00 for shipping a two pound item on a seven to ten day shipping method. What a joke!!!"

"Placed an order for a Canon Rebel xt for a price including shipping of 679. Requested by Genius to confirm order by phone the next day. Genius informed me that no battery is supplied with Canon factory packaged camera. I confirmed that Canon does in fact include the battery and the charger as well as several additional items. Genius recalculated the price of the camera to include the battery and the charger and the price jumped over $300.00 to $997.00. I canceled the order! Canon confirmed that Genius is not an authorized dealer for their equipment."