"Beware!! DO NOT BUY FROM THEM. I repeat all of the other negative comments. I ordered a JVC GRDX77 camcorder and recieved the famous email requesting a call to confirm. I did and was told that camera (international model) did not come with battery and sales rep sold me an "extra capacity" battery w/charger and extended warranty. I called to cancel, but was I was sweet talked into the "great value" I was losing out on. So, I did not cancel. Boy, did I ask for it!
The item was shipped late and when I finally did recieve it, there was no battery, charger, or warranty card. I called to complain and was told that I did recieve those items, which was untrue. I instantly requested an RMA to return item. Sales rep tried to save deal by promising to send a free battery. I refused, asked for an RMA and was told to fax a return form. Only then, would I get an RMA. Both reps I dealt with were rude and knowingly crooked. One rep became very angry when pressed about their training in deceptive and unethical sales tactics.
I am shipping back item and disputing with AMEX. I hope I recieve my refund (less 5% restocking fee & shipping). I hope these guys get screwed like I did. Again, STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"This place was terrible, and I finally did it. I reported these @#$@#% to the New York BBB. I wonder, does anyone knows what will happen? I want the BBB to shut down companies like these.....since it makes us consumers nervous about making online purchases. I hope this company gets what they deserve.
They do false advertising, terrible selling practices, and rude customer service. Like I said, I hope they get what they deserve.
Oh yea....the names i dealt w/ were Ronin (pronounced ROW nin), Andy, William and Chad. And they each know my voice, since I did yell at them at the top of my lungs.....
hahaha....everyone should try it....makes u feel oh so much better......
here u go....
1.***-***-****
press 2, then press 2....wait about 10-15 min. and enjoy.....
sorry @#$#@ crooks........"
"I wanted to express my disappointment with this merchant so I looked up the word DISHONEST, here is what I found:
- Deceptive or fraudulent
- Capable of being corrupted
- Lacking integrity
- Marked by deliberate deceptiveness
- Misleading by means of pleasant or alluring methods
- Not worthy of trust or believe
You get the point.
My experience with this merchant is a repeat of the many stories I just read about here. All of the above descriptions perfectly fit the bill.
Do not give A and M Photoworld your business!"
"Ordered two cameras from A&M Photoworld last week. My experience is summarized in the email that I recently sent to them (read below). I am really surprised these guys are still in business since the start of the complaints in 2002.
-----------------
Dear A&M Photoworld,
Please read my experience regarding a recent order
from your website. If the issue explained below is not
resolved with satisfactory explanation or result
before the end of this week, I will contact my credit
card company, any state agencies related to business
practice, and also leave negative feedback on any
Internet links that refer to you.
I just called your customer service number regarding
order #25284569. This order was cancelled, without any
warning, and I had been trying to reach your customer
service, without much success (i.e., no return to my
voicemails).
The representative that I spoke to told me that the
two digital cameras I had ordered were Japanese
versions and that they were not in stock. His second
statement was to offer the cameras for $150 higher
price, and when I tried to ask a few questions
regarding this unusual situation (and only after 45
seconds of our conversations having started) he hung
up on my face.
1- I was planning to use the cameras on an
International trip next week. Now I don't have a
camera for the trip and also have to deal for a
substitute for the second camera that I was planning
to give as a gift.
2- Your website still shows the two cameras as in
stock, and big, red letters -- ORDER NOW.
3- My question to the representative was: "Do you ever
expect to have the cameras in stock?", to which he
anwered "NO!".
4- Nothing on the description of the cameras says that
they are Japanese versions.
5- My order was canceled without a reasonable warning
or explanation.
6- My voicemails were not returned.
7- The customer service representative hang up on me.
Sorry for having wasted his 45 seconds, but I wasted
much more time dealing with this issue.
8- Google returns references to the exact same
complaints that I have been having. Therefore, it is
straight forward to assume all the bullets above are
your common practices.
Thank you
------------------------
"
"Do not order from this company they will try to up-sale you a $445.00 camera ends up costing twice that price($835.00). after add-ons
(battey, charger, instructions in english, memory cards
Check out "Beach Camera"
they have Excellent service and will take care of you."
"Obviously since I ordered, I did not find this site with reviews until afterwards. I am a Certified Fraud Examiner and A&M PhotoWorld is definitely conducting a bait and swithch operation, though it varied a bit from what others have experienced.
We ordered a digital camera and received the telltale e-mail (and phone message) to call them right away. I was told they needed to confirm my address, which is bull. They then proceeded to try to sell me a bunch of extras - longer life battery and an extended warranty. I was told the battery upgrade was 50% off if I purchased today, $99.95 if I purchased it later. When I still refused, the fast talking salesman said "So you would rather send us more money later than save $50 today?" To which I replied "No, I plan to use the battery that comes with the camera.
Within hours of their failed attempt to get me to purchase any extras, I received an e-mail that the camera I ordered was (mysteriously) backordered, despite any indication of that at the time of purchase on their website. Just as well, this gave me the chance to cancel. "
"AVOID!!!!!!!
Totally false and misleading advertising on their web site. Ordered a digital camera from them. Got email to call for verification. When I did, I asked them if this camera came with all the standard accessories one you would buy in the store would. Told no, just camera (not even a charging cable!!!!) Told for extra, I can get "USA" version of camera - what I joke. THIS STORE IS CROOKED."
"I submitted an order for a Canon SD110 for a great price of $210.00. After about a day they sent me an email that stated that they wanted me to contact them. When I did, they informed me that this price was for the International model and included only the camera body (no battery pack, memory, etc) and the price for the regular retail model is 279.00."
"Do not, under any temptation by prices posted on the A&M Photoworld website buy ANYTHING from these absolute crooks. If you are reading this then you are intelligent enough to be researching companies before buying, so you will read on these pages alone, how bad they are. Any dollars you manage to save (be assured they will try to squeeze them out of you) will not be worth the quality of life you will lose in the few weeks you have to deal with these people. Most diseases we can now cure or at least medicate, unfortunately this one just changes its name and continues ripping off anyone that is careless enough to get too close. In my time I have bought a lot online and this was the worst experience by a long shot!
This is wortth repeating DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THESE CROOKS!"
"I wish I had read these reviews BEFORE ordering from these awful people. They are bait and switch artists. Their prices and product descriptions are misleading. The product you receive does not match the product on the website. The shipping charges are outrageous. I was charged $59.50 shipping for something that UPS charges less than $10 for! Their customer service people are rude and obnoxious. "
"I should have found this website before ordering. They use a typical 'bait and switch' tactic. I ordered a camera for what was a really good deal (red flag should have gone up) but then they send you an email stating you have to call. When you finally get through after hours of waiting on hold, you get to talk to rude and incompetent sales peeople. They tell you that you ordered a NON-US model and to get the US model is X dollars more (in my case- $200 more!!!!) or you can cancel your order for a 5% restocking fee plus the outrageous shipping charge even if the order hasnt been shipped or even processed yet. They are scam artists. I have reported them to the New York Consumer Affairs Board and too the Better Business Bureau."
"Canon PowerShot S500
1. Website has the description for the PowerShot 500 (and uses that term), while image is for IXUS, the European version. Ordered it expecting US PowerShot 500, but called. They said it was the IXUS without documentation, battery, CF card, etc. Only camera.
2. But offered me US Canon PowerShot 500 for $399.99, saying he would not charge me shipping, but shipping would be on the bill.
3. The camera arrived today. It was the JAPANESE version with photocopied version of the English manual, NO manufacturer's warranty, NO instructions, etc.
4. Called them up. They said they "made a mistake" -- that the GRAY MARKET versions of this camera were "mistakenly" sent out at the warehouse! Offered me a replacement, but I did not trust them and declined. Said they would charge me for shipping. I said the shipping was a bogus number and I deserved all the money back for their error. They offered either a battery (only 840 maH) or 128 MB CF card, neither of them Canon, for my troubles with a PowerShot 500. I still did not trust them and demanded my money back. THEY PRACTICE BAIT AND SWITCH TACTICS. I HAD TO PAY $22.50 TO FED EX TO SEND IT BACK AND I'M AWAITING MY REFUND. IN THE MEANTIME I WILL CONTEST THE CHARGE WITH VISA.
_____________________________________________
UPDATE: September 13, 2004
The company refunded the entire amount of the order I shipped back, including "shipping" ($399.99) on my credit card account. I am only out the $22.50 I paid Fed Ex to send the shipment back to Brooklyn, and insure it."
"I called to try to place an order for a Sony T1 with these clowns. When I was asked whether I also wanted to purchase the battery and charger, I informed him that was supposed to be an "included accessory" according to every other website on the net. He then asked me if I thought he was stupid. When I countered with the same question for him, he muttered an obscenity and hung up on me."
"Placed an order for a fuji e510 was quoted a price of 205.00 which was way under every other reseller by at least 50.00 . ( alarm bells were ringing ) Placed order with the idea that it would shipped within 24 hrs (ala zipzoomfly) NOT!!!
2 days later get voice call verifying my order and trying to sell me everything they can. It will ship right away they said. 2 more days and I get an email that it is on backorder.
I call thier sales number and say I am interested in purchasing e510 camera only if they have it in stock. sure they have it was reply, I counter with then ship it out under my original order number and they said fine. When do you expect it to get to me ? about 5 to 6 weeks was answer. what is going on here !
It seems that I have ordered a japenese version (grey market) it will be billed when shipped to your credit card, by the time the container gets to NYC it will be after xmas. nowhere in ad on website does it state that this is a grey market item. Wait it gets better, the salesman who goes by (bob or john) its depends on his mood I guess states that I can get the american version for an additional 55.00 . ( a flagrant bait and switch tactic)
I said cancel order. I am awaiting a confirmation email to that effect. If I do not receive confirm I will be intouch with NY consumer affairs in no time.
AVOID these scam artist at all costs.
Save yourself time and money and aggravation."
"We received the Sony DSC-W1b camera, from A&M 9 days after it was ordered and paid for. It was shipped 5 days after you took our credit card order and only after our e-mail complaint.
Most importantly however, it is not the brand new USA Sony product. Nowhere in their advertising nor in my conversation with their salesman, was I informed that they are selling us a gray market item. Furthermore, they shipped an open Sony - Japan box, the camera itself was hastily and badly wrapped in a plastic bag, the manual is a poor xerox copy of the original. The package is missing the warranty card and the service card. There's no way to tell whether they sold us a used or a demo item for what they advertised and described to me on the phone as a brand new, Sony boxed camera.
We are adding this company to "Do not do business with" list, which we share monthly with our business affiliates
Waldemar Kalinowski
Angel Paws Inc.
"