"Summary: Overcharged by $241.99

1. The Order.

On Tuesday, August 31st, 2004 I placed an order for an Apple 15" PowerBook G4 using InfinitiPhoto.com web site. The web site accepted my order, however, after two days of waiting my account still wasn't charged. On September 3rd, I called Infiniti Photo and spoke to Mark Gonzales (salesman number MA 207).

FIRST RED FLAG: MY ORDER STILL WASN'T PROCESSED when Mark looked at it on his computer.

Mark told me that by default this laptop comes with 45 minutes battery and no charger. However, they had an UPGRADE for this model: for an extra $199 I could get 2-hour battery and a charger. A-a-a-a-and, they even had a PROMOTION: 4-hour battery for the same $199!

SECOND RED FLAG: IN ORDER TO GET A STANDARD CONFIGURATION I HAD TO PAY EXTRA.

So now it was up to me to decide: did I want to use my new laptop for 45 minutes and then what? o-o-o-or I could get an upgrade and have a 4-hour battery and a charger (and, of course, a peace of mind).

* I decided to upgrade. (Add $199 to the original $2049)

THIRD RED FLAG: NO APPLECARE PLAN OFFERED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. This means they are not an authorized Apple reseller.

When talking to Mark I asked if they sell an AppleCare plan to protect my investment. The answer was "No".
However, ...

I was offered another protection plan for $299 and I thought that without it I would have a problem if a laptop came in with defects (at the time of the order I thought that since I wasn't buying from Apple then it would be impossible to convince Apple Computers Inc. to repair those defects). So...

* I decided to get a protection plan. (Add $299)

Please be aware that Apple Computers, Inc. DOES OFFER you to buy the AppleCare plan within 90-days of the purchase so you don't have to buy a third-party plans from Infinity Cameras (or Infiniti Photo - they are operating under at least two different names).


2. The Shipping and Handling.

After my order was complete, Mark told me that they would call me back with UPS tracking number, so I would be able to trace the package.

* THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK WITH MY UPS TRACKING NUMBER.

I called them three times and eventually got the UPS tracking number on the day of delivery.

Also, when I was making an order using the web site it showed me the S&H charge in the amount of $117. But the invoice that came with a laptop showed $159.99. So...

* I GOT OVERCHARGED $42.99 FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING.


3. Overcharge Suspicions.

The laptop came in on Friday, September 10th. It was a brand new Apple box that had a charger included. The laptop had a 4-hour battery. Everything looked brand new and untouched. This raised my suspicion that no upgrade work was performed on my laptop.

Today (Sep. 20th) I called Apple Computers, Inc and asked them whether this model (M9422LL/A) comes with 45 minutes battery. Apple Help person Joshua Glen told me that he never heard of 45 minutes battery for M9422 and that by default it comes with 4-hour battery and a charger. So...

I REALIZED THAT I GOT OVERCHARGED $199 FOR "EXTRA" FEATURES THAT ARE ACTUALLY INCLUDED IN THE STANDARD M9422LL/A CONFIGURATION.

The total overcharge at this point: $199 + $42.99 = $241.99 (!)


4. The Dispute.

I called Mark Gonzales and complained in a very polite and calm manner about the overcharge. He replied that I misunderstood the order. By default they sell a "starter kit" with 45-minutes battery and no charger. But, because I agreed to upgrade to ANOTHER package (which is actually the standard configuration that Apple Computers, Inc. offers at this time) they charged me $199 for the battery and charger.

He also explained that the "starter kit" comes from Taiwan and that American Apple may not know (!) about this option.

"Can I have a contact number of this Taiwan Apple division so I can call them and ask questions about the default configuration?"

"No, we do not disclose the sources where we buy our products from".

"Can I speak to a manager or someone who has more information about it?"

"NO! No one is going to talk to you about this. If you don't like your computer you may return it but you WILL be charged 10% fee."

"I don't want to return it, I just want to get a refund for the battery and charger".

Then he sad that he's been on a phone with me for 25 minutes and he was just losing his time. And he hung up on me.

With all that mentioned above, I have to admit, that I still got a good deal on my PowerBook G4.

It's just a sadness that comes from deception...
"

"DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY. They use a low price to get your order than call the next day to "make sure you know that does not include the standard accesories". The day that I called I was told it did include the battery and charger. I was told after I placed the order that it included the "sub-standard" package. And it was suddenly a 3 week back order. The price for the "USA" Package was no better than reputable dealers like B&H Photo. I cancelled my order immediatly.
In fact I was so mad I took the time to do this review."

"A classic scamster!!! They advertize a low price... talk very rudely when you call. List the product (Canon ZR85 Camcorder) as In-Stock but when I call to confirm my order the person tells me about some accessories and warranty that are good and that I should buy. And, when I refuse the add-ons... lo and behold they are suddenly out of stock and won't have the product for another 3 weeks! It's not hard to imagine why they do this... the margins are in the non-branded accessories they sell!!!

I will be staying away from these people and would caution anyone who wants to buy anything from them to just try buying the main product without the suggested accessories... and you'll understand what I mean."

"I purchased my camera (Sony DSC-F828) from these guys because without question, they had the lowest price ($589 pre-tax). I bought the camera on a Saturday; Monday I received a phone call stating that the camera was on backorder and would take 3-5 weeks.

I got back to them two days later. I was frustrated with the delay, because I wanted the camera for my son's birthday party that Saturday. When I talked to them, the salesperson immediately began to describe to me the "upgrade". It seems that the kit that I bought (which no other reseller seems to have) is a "body" kit, which contains only a "20 minute battery", etc.

I caught on immediately. After the "upgrade" to the "standard" kit that Sony sells (which Infinity Camera called a "starter kit"), as well as a lens pack for $250, the camera shipped in two days. Surprise.

Let the buyer beware; you can get pretty decent pricing from these guys, but their advertised price is NOT what you'll be paying. All told I am still pleased with the price, but not nearly so much as I was prior to the switch.

I contacted Sony. FYI, NO "barebones" kit exists. They don't make a "20 minute" battery. And Infinity Camera is not a direct reseller, they go through a second party.

I believe this to be a bait and switch, though, and will be contacting the authorities in New York as well as the better business bureau.

Good luck....."

"Ordered Sony camcorder DCR-TRV38. They called and said it would be backordered for about a week. Now, two weeks later, nothing. After reading other comments here, I'm cancelling the order. They do have the lowest quoted price on the web - by far. They just don't have the camera."

"DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY. I TRIED TO BUY A PANASONIC DVX 100A FROM THEM BECAUSE THEY ADVERTISED THE LOWEST PRICE. CLASSIC BAIT AND SWITCH. THEY HAD NO INTENTION OF SELLING ME THE CAMERA ANYWHERE NEAR THERE ADVERTISED PRICE"

"Classic misrepresentation. Posted low price for item on web, took my order, then as I was about to hang up, advised me that I needed a $700 video box to make the $3500 tv I ordered work. This box is in fact part 2 of 2 of the tv and included in the price from all other sources. I then got sent to a manager to "negotiate" a deal. This resulted is price slightly higher than that posted by other sources (but better than many). I went to another source, but what a waste of time."

"I ordered my s5000 on December 12, 2003. It is now Feb 12, 2003!!! I still don't have a camera. I called them about 4 or 5 times within the last 2 months, and every time I talk to them they say, "Oh, it's on back order, it will be about 2 weeks." Two weeks come, and I call and they say the exact same thing! I called their company and asked for a manager. I demanded they either upgrade my camera or send me something for free. He told me to wait until the camera comes in, and he will se what he can do. Well that's easy for him since it will NEVER come in!! I am going to call about 3 times a day now just to annoy them. DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!"

"These guys have no product in stock, worse experince ever, they try to upgrade you with thier own packages. Customer service is terrible I dont know how the hell they are in business"

"They will not honor their order, they tell me it is back ordered but other places stock this camera. They have upped the price and I am sure those deals are consumated but they will not deliver for what they first advertised their camera for. It has been 2 1/2 months, I would think that Fuji could have rowed a boat to their facility in this time frame."

"Stay away unless you want to waste alot of time. I placed my order in mid November and waited until the end of January before finally cancelling. After about 1.5 months I called to inquire about ordering the same camera, they said "it's in stock and can be shipped within 24 hours" - I said OK here is my order number - All of a sudden the camera was no longer in stock - amazing! "

"I ordered the Olympus C-5060. I was e-mailed to contact the company, Infinitycamera.com, in reference to my order. I called on 18JAN04 to be
told that the camera is not in stock. Varios pricing
links affiiated with this company show it as in stock, or availabilty as 'yes'. When I stated this to the rep on the phone. I was asked< "where did you see that at." Their advertising is very misleading "

"I ordered a Sony Camcorder DCR-TRV33 from the Infinity Camera web site. Prior to placing the order I called their sales line and asked if this item was in stock, incuded all of the U.S. Sony camcorder package items, and had a U.S. warrantee. I received a very quick respnse "YES".
After placing the order I received a quick reply email that my order would be processed in 24 - 72 hours. I had heard noting more by 1/6/04, so I called customer service. After checking, I was told that the camera was on 6 - 8 week backorder. I asked them to cancel the order; and I received a quick email cancellation.
If I had looked at the other postings on www.resellerratings.com, I could have saved the effort and time of placing this order and then having to cancel it."

"helpful on the phone.. one item missing.. they reshipped that item... good price on the nikon 5700"

"well, just to let u know, if a price sounds to good to be true, you are just about right, I will suggest to check out BHphoto.com, u might pay a little more but just give a look at there reviews, it talks by it self..................

BTW infinty camera and a&m photo and Bwayphoto r all the same company, they all have the same bad reviews........."