"Thank you sooo much for alerting me to this bait and switch outfit. Fortunately I slept on my order before I confirmed this morning. I didn't confirm and called FIRST!! After being transfered to some yokel and then put on hold for ever I hung up and ran down to the bank and tranfered funds out my debit account. Stick it Sonic! You folks with bad experiences, do NOT give up. Vote for CHANGE!"

"Terrible customer service... 100% SCAM!!! Do Not buy..."

"I don't understand this order confirmation crap.
This was supposed to be a review of the store's scam tactics.
I emailed the store one of their sales of the 5D and scam of using EFS lens. "

"PLEASE do not buy from them! I suggest you complain to sites that let them link and advertise. Saw a good price on a canon flash ( about 25% less than at the reputable stores)and there were positive review of the company. I assummed they were treating it as a "lost leader" as many stores do with items. I ordered and completed the deal on line. I was wanting a Canon 40 D as a backup camera, so I though I would check and see their cost while on their site. It was 450ish dollars...never seen it less than 800 anywhere else and I got the sinking feeling. Googled their name and reviews and saw what it was. Same thing as others. 1- Email to confirm order, ask for 3 diget on back. 2 - Tried to get me to order a more expensive Sigma flash instead. 3_ When I asked the guy when it would ship and he said he did not know, that this was the European model that comes from over seas...and hung up. 4 - I called customer service and asked them to check when it would be shipping, they said it was backordered and would be 6-8 weeks. I asked them to cancel it and they did and sent me an email saying so. Going to call credit card company too.

My learing....don't trust the reviews at some sites...guess they are just adviertisement also."

"DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM.!! BIG SCAM.!!!!
IF YOU DON'T BUY OVERLY HIGH PRICE OF NONE SENSE ACCESSORY. THEY WILL CANCEL YOUR ORDER WITH FOLLOWING E-MAIL

DEAR MR.

Unfortunately we are currently oversold on the item you have ordered, and it is currently on a backorder for 6-8 weeks. Therefore, your order has been canceled. Please note, your credit card has not been charged.

Your cancellation number is: 26997 The email address that you provided to us has been added to our "Notify List" and we will notify you as soon as the product becomes available.

How Does Our "Notify List" Work? Once the product you ordered comes back in stock, we will email you to notify you that your item is back in stock. If you which to re-place your order you may do so by clicking on the link which will be in the email.

Please accept our personal and sincere apology for any inconvenience you experienced with this order.

We know that you have many options for your camera/photo needs. We appreciate that you selected Sonic Cameras.com, which prides itself on superior products and services, and we are sorry that we were not able to meet your needs in this instance.
If there is any additional assistance we can provide, please feel free to email us.

Sincerely,"

"Absolutely the most terrible shopping experience on the internet I've had yet. Ordered a Canon XTi digital camera with kit lens. The receipt clearly said that the item was in stock and I would have it in 5-7 working days. Received an email asking for confirmation of the order and (after 20 minutes waiting on hold) went through the standard upsell process. They tried to upsell me a real "glass" lens instead of the "plastic" lens supplied by Canon, a battery, charger, and memory card for absolutely rediculous prices. Went through the process patiently and declined all. Two weeks later called to find out where my order was only to find out that it had been placed on 6-8 week backorder - without any emails or other notification by Sonic Camera's! The guy then tried to convince me to switch to a different camera. Cancelled order and never received any notification of cancellation from them. I'm watching my credit card carefully.

Like many others, I was taken in by all the great but bogus reviews that I read about Sonic Cameras on other web sites. Don't order from these people! They are scam and bait-and-switch artists! "

"I ordered the NIKON D80 package with the 18-135mm lens online at Sonic Cameras. Paid for the camera finished the transaction and thought all was well. About 20 minutes later I received an e mail telling me to call and confirm my order. I called, first I was asked for the three digit security code on the back of my credit card. I told the rep I wasn't comfortable giving out the info and was told if I wanted the camera I had no choice, figured it was ok so I did it. Then came the hard sell. The camera doesn't come with a battery, theirs start at $199.00 plus $199.00 for the charger, I declined. Then I was told the lens I had ordered wasn't sufficient and should buy another. I told them that the 18-135mm lens was what I wanted and no thanks. Then I was told I needed to buy high speed memory, they had a special for 2 4gb cards for $100.00 so I said ok. The original price for the camera on their site was $349.00, the package with the lens I ordered was $549.00 add the memory and some how I was up to $739.00 it was still an ok deal so I did it. The rep politely said thank you and enjoy your new camera. Ten minutes later I get an e mail telling me that the camera is out of stock and my order was cancelled. I immediately knew I had not ordered enough accessories and my oder was cancelled. The next day I called and posed as a new customer I inquired about the exact same package that I had ordered, asked if they had it in stock and was told yes, no problem. I then told them who I was and about my previous order and they hung up on me!! That was about three weeks ago and they are still advertising the same camera package for the same price showing "In stock". If you order a camera from any reputable dealer all cables straps and batteries are included, Sonic Cameras must take everything out of the box and try to sell it to the buyer as individual items. If I had bought everything as they wanted the camera would have cost in excess of $1200.00! I bought the same package elsewhere with all necessary components for $850.00! How do you get from the bait of $349.00 to $1200.00??? Take my advice don't waste your tim with Sonic Cameras...they are Sonic Scammers!"

"Yet another Sonic victim who didn't take time for a little due diligence. Next time their will be a bit more research before placing my credit card number on the internet.

I've now cancelled my credit card and pray I've seen the end of these scam artists. A $600 Canon lens for $219 shipped? Too good to be true? You bet your sweet a$$ it is!

FRAUD!"

"It is clear this company either is running a scam or knows nothing about cameras or BOTH. They offer the Canon 5D camera in kits with lenses that do not fit this body. The EF-S lenses only work on the Rebel line of digital bodies due to smaller mirror and sensors. The 5D has a full size mirror and CCD sensor and cannot use the EF-S lenses. Do not trust a seller with packages that cannot be used or consisting of incompatible components!!!"

"Update 8/12/08: I am completely astonished by Eric's customer service skills! He sent my camera bag and tripod overnight express and I received it today. Wow! I know that some people have had bad experiences with Sonic Cameras in the past, but it seems to me that they're trying to turn things around. My advice to people considering buying from Sonic:
1) Ask for Eric (x223). He's incredibly nice and professional.
2) Ask Eric to send you a detailed invoice via email before the product is shipped so that you can make sure the order is correct before it ships out.
3) If you're buying a camera body, remember that they sell the battery and charger separately, unless you specifically ask for the "retail kit" for a particular camera body.
4) Don't be shocked if you receive a non-US model of the camera you order. If you want a US model of a particular camera, you're going to need to go to a reputable reseller like B&H and the camera will cost you more. The camera I received from Sonic is fantastic - but I won't be able to get it repaired by Nikon USA. I bought an extended warranty from Sonic and it will cover the camera I purchased, though, so all is well. I would order from Sonic Cameras again, but I would be more realistic about the fact that, with rock-bottom prices, the likelihood of a non-US product is high. All in all, I love my new camera, it works great, and I'm a happy camper! :)

Update 8/11/08 (4pm): My package arrived - hooray! While it did contain a Nikon D80 retail kit with a Nikon USA Warranty, a Nikon/Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX (VR) Vibration Reduction Zoom lens, a 3-year warranty, and a memory card, the Nikon D80 Body itself is a gray market body with a Japanese serial number. The Nikon USA Warranty Card has a series of numbers that do not match the body and Nikon USA confirmed that the camera body I purchased is a gray market Nikon from Japan. At the price I paid for the camera, I really have no right to complain, though. I also didn't receive the free tripod and camera case, but Eric (x223) is sending it out to me.

Update 8/10/08: When I didn't receive my tracking number via email on Friday, I got a little worried that I might need to cancel my order. But I called Sonic Cameras today and Eric did, in fact, ship out my order Friday as promised. The gentleman who answered the phone this morning was very helpful and he provided me with my tracking number so that I could see the package was en route. Every step of the way, Sonic Cameras has done a wonderful job providing excellent customer service. I can't wait to get my new camera! :) I'll post an update when I receive the order on Tuesday.

____________________________________________
I have been extremely satisfied with the customer service provided to me by Eric Miller (ext. 223). I've ordered a Nikon D80 camera body and the Nikon (Nikkor) 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX (VR) Vibration Reduction Zoom lens. When I spoke with Eric this morning to confirm my order, he was extremely professional and he explained every aspect of my order in detail. When I asked for an itemized receipt of the items in my order, he emailed it within minutes. When I called back to ask a few more questions, Eric was incredibly friendly and patient. He assured me that the items listed in the detailed invoice he emailed me are the Nikon authorized US models, not non-US models. When I had questions about what was included in the Nikon D80 camera body retail package, he showed me the page of their website where the included components were listed. (http://soniccameras.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5106&extra_info=item_includes) He then took the time to explain everything that is included in the camera-body retail kit component of my order:

EN-EL3e Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery • MH-18a Quick Charger • UC-E4 USB Cable • EG-D2 A/V Cable • Body Cap • BM-7 LCD Cover • Shoulder Strap • DK-5 Eyepiece Shield • DK-21 Rubber Eyecup • Software CD-ROM (PictureProject, Drivers) • User Manual • 1-Year Nikon U.S.A. Limited Warranty.

I called Eric back later on in the morning to ask a few more questions and Eric helped me feel confident that I am purchasing new, Nikon-issued and authorized models of the D80 body and the Nikon (Nikkor) 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX (VR) Vibration Reduction Zoom lens. He answered each and every question patiently and professionally. By 2:45 today, Eric let me know that my order had already been shipped via 2-day air and the tracking number would be sent to me via email by 5pm today.


For the skeptics out there: When I receive my order from Sonic Cameras on Tuesday, I'll take a picture of myself with my new camera and lens so that you can see that Sonic Cameras does, in fact, sell US-authorized Nikon equipment. I'll also post an update here confirming that Sonic Cameras sent me the US-authorized and warranteed Nikon equipment that I ordered. So far, my experience with them has been 110% positive and I have every reason to believe I'm going to LOVE my new camera!!


"

"I really hate to be adding mine to the list, wish I had seen this before placing an order. Everything bad you read below is true. I am still waiting on my CC to be credited with my cancel. In my final conversation with them they said."we don't need customers like me" and hung up on me."

"Seems this vendor is nothing if not consistent, I too was caught up in their bait and switch tactics. Learn from all our mistakes and do not do any business with these lying snakes."

"I was caught by ther very good bait and switch. Same as so many other reviews - don't vere do business with these miserable people. Too bad there are such terible people out there - beware - don;t go anywhere near them."

"Sonicameras.com lives up to all the negative reviews out there! Don't waste your time. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In this case, a Canon Rebel XSi body for $379...first you get the order confirmation, then you get the email asking for a phone call to confirm, then after they get your 3 digit credit card number, they try to sell you some overpriced accessory, then they tell you the camera doesn't come with a battery or charger or even a strap!

It's all bogus, don't waste your time!

Once I discovered all this, I just told them to cancel my order. Then this guy had the nerve to ask "why?" He got really short and then hung up abruptly. To date, I have not seen any charges, so that is the only positive side to the story.

Bottom line...DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH SONIC CAMERAS"

"BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE!

Boy, did I learn a lesson. This company practices what I would call a "bait and switch" sales tactic with their online sales. I ordered a canon lens for my camera, got a call later in the afternoon from Nick the salesman finalizing my order, and he basically told me I was nuts for ordering the Canon lens when he had a "better professional" lens that I could purchase for just $29.00 more. We went back and forth, I asked several pointed questions to which I was promised better quality and I was assured that if I was not happy with the purchase, I could return it and get the lens I wanted with no hassles. I also ended up paying 41.37 in additional shipping and "insurance" when my first purchase was supposedly "free shipping." The "bettter" Sigma lens arrived without any professional grade notations as I was told it would have, and the price I had paid for this lens was more than the manufacturers suggested retail. I called Nick the day the lens arrived before I even tried the lens on the camera and was informed that I was nuts, as it was without a doubt the professional grade lens as I had been promised, but since I was not satisfied, I could return it with a 20% restock charge. As I reminded him he promised me satisfaction or a swap could be done, he put me on hold in the middle of a sentence and put me in touch with "customer service". What a run around. After sensing I was not backing down on the restock charge, the customer service rep said in order to pacify me he'd issued an immediate $200.00 credit, which he did. However, I am still stuck with a lens that was still overpriced from what other sellers have it online for. Bottom line is these guys are crooks and are practicing "bait and switch" tactics every day. A quick yahoo search under "customer satisfaction for sonic cameras" yielded a wealth of information I wish I'd seen before making my purchase, plus your records show that they are questionable in their practices. Hopefully the State of New York will step in soon and shut thes scam artists down. For now, I have a high priced lens that they finally offered to take off my hands and only penalize me $60.00 instead of the normal $84.00 if I wanted to send it back. My guess is I'd never see the credit and I'd be out a lens as well.
From now on, any online purchasing I do will begin with doing a thorough check of whom I am thinking of doing business with!
"