"Complete scam. I received the same routine about needing to buy all sorts of "extra" things that digital cameras usually come with (e.g. battery and charger), then received the camera in a badly damaged "factory-fresh" box and with a photocopied instruction manual. Tried to call to process a return authorization number, no answer -- voicemail loop hell. Sent an email, no answer. Finally, filed a dispute with my credit card company, and THEN received a call from someone at VIP asking me to call him back at a number that was clearly his personal cell phone. By this time, the website was down. This person gave me an address to return the camera (clearly a home address, and not the same one on my invoice), and asked me to "drop" the credit card dispute. They never processed a refund, and are sketchy beyond belief.

Go to the BBB, file a complaint with the IFCC (http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp), etc. etc. They are BAD news."

"I ordered a digital camera from this company right before Christmas. I had an email asking me to call their store to verify something. When I did, the guy talked me into buying a warranty (probably a good thing now!), and the package including a bag, extended life battery, mini-tripod, and a couple of other things. Fortunately, I got everything and the camera works. The battery is dead though. It won't take a charge. I tried calling them before January 1, 2005 and that's when the answering system gave me the loop routine. The website was up for a few days, but then it disappeared. BAD NEWS! They should have given customers the news that they were going out of business and there was no possibility of returning anything purchased."

"Like everone else says, this store is absolutely a scam, I was stupid enough to place an order without checking the reviews first and found out the next day that nothing from the store exists anymore (web site down, phone out of service), they should not even be allow to be listed in froogle anymore after all the negative reviews."

"Do NOT buy anything from this company! I ordered a camera from their website over a week ago, and didn't even recieve a confirmation E-mail. I E-mailed them and asked them to send me a new confirmation E-mail, and they haven't even responded yet! Another bad thing about this company is that all five of their telephone numbers don't work. I tried calling each one of their numbers, but after you press "2" for customer service, my call started over again. I read in another responce that there is only one guy running their entire business. To make matters worse, their website is no longer in service! This company is a scam, I regreted buying the camera from this store ever since I tried calling them the first time. Don't fall for this scam, there are plenty of other places to buy cameras at, this is not one of them."

"S C A M

The myriad phone numbers all go to the same menu system that just goes in a loop no matter what you press. The VeriSign link doesn't work. It's a very nice web site made to look like the real thing, but it is not. TOTALLY FAKE. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT."

"These other reviews are dead on, The Panasonic GS120 I ordered from this clown was to good to be true. There is no doubt this is a scam and there is only one guy who runs the entire business. It has been 2 months and I have yet to get my camera or even a tracking number. I had the same run around with the sales pitch, the email "camera on backorder", gray market w/ no warranty, called for 1 hour straight and never did get through to a real person. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY. I have cancelled the credit card I gave them and plan to file a complaint with the better business bureau. Please Do The Same IfYou Have Been Scammed. We need to put this clown out of business."

"Watch out for this store. They will try and sell you additional items that you don't really need, and if you try and return them-they will make you send everything back, becuase of a "package upgrade." Everything about this store smelled of fraud, but when I called and complained about the camera, I got $50 in store credit to buy tapes. Then when I bought tapes, they said "for an extra $20, we'll upgrade those 3 tapes to 4, and they'll be our high definition tapes too!" Buyer beware"

"SCAM!!!! I attempted to order the Nikon D70 via internet and got the call us to verify order. I called and they wanted me to buy more memory. When I declined they wanted me to buy a better lens. When I said no they said they won't have the camera until after Christmas. I cancelled the order.

"

"I tried to purchase a digital camera from this merchant. Merchant claims on his website that all items are brand new factory fresh. After I placed an order, merchant left me a message to call him for order verification. After trying to get through for half hour, he finally answered the phone. After verifying my order he tried to sell me an extended life battery stating that the only batteries that come with the camera last 20 minutes. After I declined to buy any he got very rude. He requested I buy a 1 - 3 year warranty. I asked him how long was the manufacturer's warranty. He stated that there is none and that he would not be shipping the camera out if I did not buy a warranty. I told him to go ahead and cancel my order. He got very rude and defensive. He used profanity and hung up the phone on me. He did sent me an e-mail stating my order had been canceled later. Buyers please beware of this scam!!!!!! They use low prices to lure you in and then expect you to buy load of extra stuff. I did buy the same camera from a different merchant later on. Upon receiving it, I found out that it does come with a rechargable lithium-ion battery (charger included ofcourse) and a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. What does that tell you about VIPCamera?"

"SCAM - Just as others have said. I wish I had seen this first. I ordered the Canon ELPH, best price on net, that night I get a call to buy accessories and waranty. I refuse insisting I only want the camera. 10 minutes later I get an email saying my camera is on backorder and won't be available for 4 to 6 weeks. Only difference with others is I'm going to wait them out, even though it was for Christmas - I hope they loose money on this camera. They should not get away with this!"

"This company NEEDS to be shut down. I really wish I knew about resellerratings.com before I ordered. Pretty much the same storey. Ordered a video camera. We're expecting our first child soon so you can imagine how important this purchase is. Called to follow up and I'm a sucker like that... I got sold on the new battery and extended warranty. Asked if I going to get a tracking number. Never got one, called back and he said I should have it before the holidays. It pretty much went like this:
me: "what's up w/ my order?"
vip: "should be in before the holidays"
me: "woohoo... and oh yah, can I edit my order? I don't need the battery anymore."
vip: (disgruntled) "wha..? I can't edit orders."
me: "okay, cancel my order"
vip: "what..? okay, how about $5 off the battery"
me: "no... just cancel."
vip: "fine, I'll take it off."

minutes later, I receive an email that it's on backorder and it'll take 4-6 weeks.

I called back and asked the guy what's up w/ the backorder now. His instant reaction was, "okay, I'll go ahead and cancel it."

I have half a mind to replace my credit card now. I feel uneasy knowing that they have this information."

"Deja Vu. I wish I had seen these first.

Same pattern. Ordered cheap Digital Elph. VIP called and asked which aftermarket battery we wanted--said that battery that comes with camera is good for "15 minutes" (and later translated that into "15 photos"). I'm sure Canon would be happy to hear this. After my wife declined, they pushed hard for extended warranty with similarly dire predictions. My wife also declined.

Within minutes after getting off the phone, we received an email saying "The item you purchased is currently experiencing a back-order based on the latest logistics 4-6 weeks is the time frame for delivery." Never mentioned, obviously, on the phone.

What a bunch of scumbags."

"Comany is a rip off joint. I placed an order for a camera, 3 days later the company called back and tried to get me to add some over priced accessories. When I stated "No" they asked why and I said because I could get the accessories somewhere else cheaper. The rep then said "well why don't you buy the camera somewhere else then" I said "No, ship the camera as I ordered it" to which the rep replied. OK that should be there in 4 to 6 weeks. At this point it was obvious that they were trying to get me to cancel the order so I did. This company is a rip off joint and everyone should avoid them."

"SCAM! Ordered a Canon Elura 65 over the internet and received the confirmation email mentioned above. After arguing over not needing an extra battery, warranty, wide angle lens, or tapes I actually got the guy to admit it would be shipped in a plain brown box with Chinese letters written on it. He then asked if I wanted to cancel my order ...I said yes and he quickly hung up.

Needless to say, I will be watching my credit card statements very carefully. "

"In recently placed an order for a video camera.

I should have checked the availability prior to the order as your website only stated “order now” next to the availability. I took this as being in stock.

I ordered the camera using my credit card billing address as my shipping address to insure the order didn’t have any problems. I do order a lot of items on line.

I got a prompt email telling me my order was being processed. Then I got another email asking me to contact customer support to verify my order. I thought OK these guys are careful, I like that.

When I called customer support the person verified my order then went on to ask me which battery I wanted with my order. I was confused because the website did mention two batteries options. I quickly figured out the person was trying to get me to upgrade my battery and increase my order sales amount. He seems upset when I declined the upgraded and more expensive battery. And was indignant when I didn’t wish to purchase a extended warranty.

After our conversation a fourth email advised me my order was now (since I didn’t order anything else) a 4 to 6 week back order. Being only 3 weeks before Christmas and this being a present I was a little disappointed in you company. The clerk didn’t choose to tell me my order wouldn’t be available but choose to send an email.

I called VIP Camera company up and after approximately 20 minutes on hold I talked to what sounded like the same clerk.

I informed him I was about to order a video camera and wanted to insure it was in stock. At first he told me it was in stock, then he stated no, it was a different camera that was in stock the camera I wanted was out of stock. I asked when it could be shipped and he stated “ a week and a half” . I asked again to be sure and the answer was again "we would get the item in a week & a half."

I then informed him I had just ordered the Item and was told (since I didn’t purchase anything else) that the item would not be available for 4 to 6 weeks. He became angry and accused me of playing games. I told him I was just trying to very the email I had gotten.

It appears that your company has a policy of not being honest with the customers, punishing customer who only want to order what they feel they need & not what you want them to order. And the clerk was at very least rude when I declined to order the battery.

When you call your companies phone number the first thing you hear is VIP camera where we treat every customer like a VIP…I don’t think so

Dan Watson
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