"This was my worst transaction in more then 5 years of Ebay! I was bidding on an Epson Stylus 1280 Printer. Seller had two ending soon. One was very cheap at $279, said refurbished clearly. The other was $319, clearly marked brand new. I used BIN and paid $319 and paid $35 to ship. I received it quickly. Item was clearly used. It had a large crack in the casing, dirt in the seams, blue tape, and had small parts in a dusty zip loc bag. I called asking for the name of the person in the emails by the name of Sol. He wanted to give me a credit for it being refurbished. I told him no, I only wanted a NEW printer. He told me to send it back, he would repay the shipping and send me a NEW one. I shipped it out next day. They received it and didnt contact me nearly a week later. I had to call Sol again. He magically assured me a NEW printer had been sent out that very day, how CONVIENIENT! I reminded him that I should be reimbursed via paypal the $18 I spent to return item. An hour later I received a Paypal email saying I had been repayed the FULL printer minus shipping of $319.....WEIRD. If that were true I would have a new printer on its way and a full refund. I called Sol again! I asked him again if in fact I had been sent a new printer. He ssaid yes, but wasnt SURE, call back tommorow he says. I call back the next day. There was never a new printer sent out. He said they were all out. I was annoyed to see there were 3 NEW printers on Ebay he was selling. He told me those "didnt count" as store stock once they were allocated for Ebay. Good service would have meant cancelling one of those Ebay printers and sending me one right away. INstead I got my refund and told Sol I expected the $35 and $18 for both shipping to be repaid. I was later sent an email from Sol saying he was not in charge of shipping refunds and to call a number and ask for Abe. I did just that. Abe instantly gave my attitude and a song and dance of why I would never get my money back. I explained all that Sol had said and that none of this was a fault of mine and should not pay for it. The kicker is Abe had no idea who Sol is!!! I was fuming. I sent Sol an email telling him to talk to Abe himself. I warned of the time and aggravation involved in this transaction. I warned that if I did not receive the refund I would proceed accordingly. No response. So I am here, I am posting the negative feedback and will take it as far as I can go. I am on vacation, might as well let out some of the frustration. Why should I pay $55 for someone elses careless mistake. These poeple are quite rude on the phone. They give you the run around. Part of my suspects they did not send me a used printer by accident. Avoid these poeple at all costs. "

"I found hotbuyselectronics on Froogle. The prices were very attractive. I made an order there and then came across the ResellerRatings.com and saw many complains about this company. I was really scared. Then, I called them to find out the same pattern others have already reported. A guy named "Bob" told me that for the lenses they have two types, one with plastic mount from Thialand and the other with metal mount from Japan. I told him that I was calling from Switzerland so he added that the Thailand model had only a warranty valid inside Thailand and in case of problem I had to send the lenses there. He then stated that the price for my two lenses with Japanease brand will be $400 more that their prices on their website. I knew that I would hear such things (according to what I have read in this site from others) so I just said that in this case I don't like the prices (which was already more than much more trusty shops like Adorama) and cancelled the order. These guys are not honest! I was a real fool to give them my credit card details! I would not recommend these guys to anyone: stay away from HotBuyElectronics!"

"Very unsatisfied with this seller. I purchased a Canon A-70 camera based upon it's price advertised by this seller. After I had made the order, I received 3 separate calls - each several days apart asking me if I wanted the US Warranty (which would be $30 more). I told them, no, I wanted to pay the price that they had advertised the camera for. After a month with no camera, I called and they said they were out of stock (and they hadn't bothered to advise me of it.) They said they maybe would have one in by the next Monday and that they would e-mail me for sure about the status by Monday. No message on Monday, but a message on Tuesday that indicated the item had shipped. It arrived safely - but it had a scratch on the LCD screen. I decided I could live with that, but then when I looked at the bill, it was for $30 more than what I had purchased it for and they had charged that amount to my credit card - without clearing it first!!! I've written them twice about it but haven't heard back yet (it's been over a week). Needless to say this is a terrible place to make a camera purchase from - unless you don't mind the bait and switch techniques and poor communication routines that they use."

"!!!!!!DONT BUY FROM THESE PEOPLE!!!!!

I read the reviews on EBAY and thought these people were reputable. The reviews on Reseller Rating say they are not. Reseller Rating is correct. These people are crooks!!!!!
They have lied about everything. My order was supposed to ship on 12/8 then 12/9 then I was told it shipped on 12/11. They even gave me a USPS tracking number. Except that the number they gave me did not exist. They said they would track it down and call me back. I was told, "I'll call you in an hour" at least 6 times. No one ever called. The funny thing is that when the credit card charge was 1st refused because of an address error they called me on my business phone, cell phone and emailed me all within 30 minutes.

When I told them I wanted a refund because my order was never received as promised, Bob had the nerve to rudely say, "Why should I give you a refund??" What kind of treatment is that??

These people are rude, liars and should be put out of business. I don't believe the EBAY reviews. I think they are fraudelant. They treated me just like the other reviewers from this site said they would. I am letting my credit card company deal with these jerks. I will file a complaint with the FTC. Check all reviews carefully. Buyer beware!!!!

I did not include an invoice number because they failed to send me an email confirmation with that info. They repeatedly promised they would, they never did that either!!!"

"I won what was described as a new camera in retail box. What I got was a used camera in plain cardboard box, although working. I called HotBuys to tell them 1. that I was sending it back, 2. that I DO NOT want a replacement because I need it by a certain date and had to get a replacement elsewhere, and 3. that I want a complete refund including the original shipping cost and the shipping cost of the return. The man I talked to on the phone said he would do it if I posted a favorable feedback. I said I would. What I received was the money I had paid for the camera, neither shipping charge was refunded. When I called them and spoke to Charles, their manager, he told me I had originally agreed to accept a replacement camera and had changed my mind, therefore the shipping costs were not refunded.
General remark: In Ebay deals and Internet retailing the customer is always at the mercy of the merchant, which makes it a seller's market. For the USA this is highly unusual. Can this be reversed? Is there anything we as buyers can do?

"

"Do not buy from this vendor!!! They lied to me at every step of the purchase. They told me the product was in stock when I ordered it but it was not. It took about one month for me to receive it. I called them to report that I had not received a warranty card with my Leica product and was told that they would send one right out. I called back again since I did not receive it and was told that it would be sent right out. On the next call to them I was told that it does not come with a USA warranty. When I said that I wanted to return the item because I did not feel that I had received what I had paid for, I was told that it would be about $52 for a restocking fee. I asked to be called back with a price of the USA warranty but was never called. "

"The most awful experience in my life with internet orders. Guys messed up my order and yelled at me on the phone, never tried to correct situation. Never buy anything from them!!! "

"I can only encourage anybody who feels betrayed by Hotbuyselectronics to file a complaint with FTC ( http://www.ftc.gov/ ).

I wanted to order a Canon EOS 300D and lenses. I sent an enquiry via e-mail and got an automated response to call. Fine - I called. Next the guy talked me into accepting a higher price than published on the web site (Sigma from different source factories with different quality and warranty). However he said he had everything on stock and I could receive the stuff within a week. I ordered and waited. No confirmation - nothing. After 10 days I called more than 4 times to follow up. The guy told me all sorts of stories (order misplaced, jewish holidays, rain floods that have damaged the company's computer system, merchandize already shipped). The only thing they did manage to do, was to charge over$2,200 to my credit card. I finally canceled the order and requested the credit card company to revoke the payment.

I CANNOT recommend Hotbuyselectronics to anyone."

"This place is not to be trusted. I ordered a Sigma 105mm Macro lens online and the receipt page had a message instucting to call and confirm the order. When I reached them the sales person was rude to begin with and then lightened up a bit when he advised me that the product I was ordering for $267 was a plastic mount. He offered me the metal mount version for $284. I agreed but then felt something was up. I contacted Sigma and found that they do not make plastic mounts. Their adverstised prices are just to get you to call. I called back to confront them and they acted dumb to the situation so I cancelled my order. Later that day, even though I had asked to have the order cancelled, I called and cancelled my card. I did not feel comfortable that a company that carries itself in that manner had access to my card info. I also found them selling the lens on Ebay and they even have the Square Trade Seal.. Yeah whatever!!. I reported suspicious activity to Square Trade, like its going to do any good.

The following day, even though I had cancelled my card, I called back out of curiosity to check the order status and they had not cancelled it. I told the person that I had cancelled the order the day before. He then asked why and I told him about the metal mount situation and that I had stumbled upon this review site and read where they had done this to other people. He didnt like that too much. This whole time he was trying to act dumb to the situation, like he was not the person I talked to but I had my susipicions that he was. I hung up and seconds later the phone rings. My wife answered and the guy tells her he his upset about the situation and that he had tried to sell me a US Warranty and not a metal mount. He tried to get her to keep the order open. She said cancel it, he reverted back to his rude attitude and that was it.

As suggested in one other post. I have filled out an online form to alert the proper NY Officials about this entire situation and even directed back to this site so they can see all the complaints for themselves. Will it do any good?, Probably not. If everyone that has had this type of problem would do the same, the chances of something being done are greater.

READ ALL OF THESE REVIEWS AND YOU WILL SEE A PATTERN. DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY."

"They list great prices for Contax grey market stuff on their website, but when you call the "one with the actual warranty, box, and case" is about fifty dollars higher. If you say okay I'll take the one without the warranty, box, and case, they say "Wait a minute let me check... Oh, I don't have that one in stock." Bottom line, a runaround and quite an ingenious way of pulling you in when they have no intention of selling for the price they advertise."

"In the last week of September, 2003 I ordered two items:

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO HSM for Canon EOS

Sigma 1.4 APO teleconverter EX for Canon EOS

From the folks at hotbuys, via the website. The short story is that I got a great price on the products promised, speedy delivery and all parts and pieces included as it should be, along with factory warrenty cards and so forth. The stuff was shipped via FedEx and got to Oregon as promised, in two days.

Now the slightly longer and less excellent version. While I did get all as promised, there is some weirdness involved with ordering from these folks.

I placed the order on the website, paid w/ VISA and got a 'print this page' form. So far, so good. The weirdness came in the next morning, when I got an email that I should call to 'confirm' the order. Hmmm. OK, so I called and the sales person quickly found my order and asked if I would like the USA version of the items, as the items on the site were gray market. The cost was $139 (versus $119) for the extender and $589 (versus $553) for the lens, still pretty good, so I said fine, USA it is.

My experience with Sigma is limited and I didn't feel like taking risks. However, other onlne places like B&H will clearly list two items for a Canon 70-200 F2.8L (for example), one USA and one 'imported'. This is reasonable and an excellent business practice IMO. But interestingly B&H only lists a single item for the Sigma line lenses. Thus, I'm not completely convinced the 'USA' models are any different - I'm not sure.

So, the transaction was good, I'll buy again, but there may have been a last minute vaporware upsell, I'm not sure. Even with the upsell the price is good, so I'm happy.

"

"I placed an order for canon ef 50mm f1.8 mark II & canon ef 90-300mm f4.5-5.6 usm lenses from them. I did not give cc info online thought of giving it over phone. I called them after I submitted the order. The guy on phone asked me if I need the 90-300mm lens made in thailand or japan he said one has a metal mount and other plastic. I told him whatever. then he asked me if I needed a uv filter I said no. I gave him the cc info and hangup. I later thought of looking for some reseller rating info and came across this website. Thanks to you guys I cancelled my order with them."

"I ordered the Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 85mm f/1.8 and Sigam 15mm Fisheye. They told me I was buying the USA verson of all the lenses and they shipped me non-USA versons with no USA Nikon/Sigma warrenty. I called and tired to get the warrenty cards and they said they did send them and I was lying. Also when I called to buy the lenses they told me I should spend the extra money for the metal mount leneses, and so I did. Then I called Nikon and asked if they made metal vs. plastic; the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 they ONLY make in plastic and the Sigma 15mm they ONLY make in metal. I called and tried to get my money back for the differnce I spent from the plastic to the metal and they said I was lying again and Nikon was lying and he had a 50mm f/1.8 in his hand. These are rude and mean people, I would suggest buying from Adorama or B&H and spending more and knowing you are getting the USA and not lies about metal mount lenses. Stay away from this company and the money you save is from a shady company selling lies and illegal comments about Nikon and Sigma lenses."

"HotBuysDigital.com is a bad company. Their business plan apparently consists of selling bigger ticket items (like the cannon powershot A70 and waterproof housing I ordered) at or below cost, and then trying to badger their customers into buying overpriced accessories and extended warranties. After placing the order, instead of simply charging the credit card and shipping out what I had ordered, like any normal company, they e-mailed me and forced *me* to call *them* the next day in order to complete the order, just to see if they could get me to purchase some batteries, or a memory card, or an extended warranty, using hard-sell tactics on the phone. After I turned down all of these overpriced offers, they decided to charge me for a warranty anyway. When I received the camera, and noticed the extraneous charge, I called them up, and had to fight through a thick line of BS to get them to credit the charge to my card - actually, they still haven't credited the charge. They're requiring me to send them the physical piece of paper with the warrantee written on it, even though it hasn't been registered. I wouldn't be suprised if this requires more phone calls and a month to resolve. In short: DON'T BUY FROM HOTBUYSDIGITAL.COM. The $15 savings isn't worth it. You'd be better off buying from a reputable reseller on eBay, or paying full price."

"NOT HAPPY WITH THIS COMPANY!! I ordered a lense with 2-day delivery, I finally received it two weeks later. I lost a good paying photo job becuase they did not send the lense in time. I can see maybe a small delay and sent the following day, but not two weeks. That is inexcusable! It wasn't until after I called to find out where my lense was that they finally decided to send it out. If I knew there would have been a delay, I would have ordered with someone else. This is what I get for not buying from a trustworthy company like B&H. When I did speak to someone, they didn't even apologize for their delay. I asked for a refund of my shipping charge and whoever I was speaking to said he would refund me. I asked for confirmation and he said he'd email me. THAT WAS A WEEK AGO!! Why do I feel like they are going to rip me off??

The product did finally arrive and it is a nice lense. BUT, beware of their website prices. As far as this lense was concerned, they price the grey market products so it looks like they are cheaper than anyone else, when in fact they call you, as they did to me, and tell me I should get the USA lense with the metal mount. This is a huge lie, Sigma does not make lenses with plastic mounts, Hot Buys Electronics wants you to believe this so they will make more money.

DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY!! EVER!! I should have read the reviews ahead of time about them. You will find over welming bad reviews about their services, non-customer service and 'bait & switch' tactics. They give honest companies a bad name."