"I ordered a Sony camcorder for just under a $1000 - a great price compared to other internet sites where it is typically several hundred dollars more expensive.

Within a few hours I got the 'standard' email asking me to contact them to verify the order. When I did so, I was told that because I am an international buyer from Europe, they could not process my order using a credit card.

Instead, I had to both buy one of their kits at either $2499 or $2999 and also wire the funds to them. There is no mention of the kits anywhere on their website, and I was told that these are reserved for special customers and international orders.

It all seemed a bit strange and started alarm bells ringing in my head - even before I had seen this website.

My main concern was that if I didnt use my credit card, and instead wired the funds to them, then I would have absolutely no way of disputing anything if it went wrong. They would already have my money!!

When I spoke with their sales department to ask about the kit, I did find them very helpful and knowledgeable, and we spoke for around 15 minutes. After this, I said I'd think about it and they said to call back if I still wanted to proceed with the order.

I didn't mention about cancelling it yet, and they didn't say anything about cancellation charges.

Hope this helps anyone who might be thinking of buying."

"A friend of mine purchased a Sony DSC 717 from their site for $459. He told me they were hard sellers and had talked him into buying extra accessories and an extended warranty. His $459 ended up being over $900. I used the camera, it's great! When I decided to purchase one for myself, there was an upgraded model available - the DSC 828. Their website prices flucuate everyday! I checked one day it was $769, then down to $624, then $614, and then $749. I checked this morning and it was $719, this afternoon I checked again and it was $714.99. They said the prices flucuate depending on how many cameras they can get. Its a new camera so if they can get more in, the prices will be lower and if they have to pay more for the cameras then they have to raise the price. That's alot of fluctuaions for 1 week!!


So I decided to check around and do more research.. I found this site and was awestruck! So many problems. I read a few pages of reveiews and decided to call them back to ask more questions. The rep told me that the camera will ship right away, $39 for shipping and ofcourse sales tax for New York State. I asked him if it was the US version, he said it was but the price was only for the camera and nothing else, NO ACCESSORIES, NO BATTERY, NOTHING. He said I could buy the kit that came with the charger, the battery, cables, software and the other things that should come with the camera anyway for $949!!! I expected him to get ugly like the reviews I had been reading..he didn't. He just asked if I wanted to place an order, told him no thanks and the call ended.

I guess my friend had a good experience because he purchased the "kit" and extra accessories.

I am SOOOO glad I found this site, I would have been fuming if I had placed this order! I think I'll go back to ebay I can get better deals from reputable sellers!

Thanks ResellerRatings!"

"I was told I had a 21 day satisfaction gaurantee by this company if for any reason I was unsatisfied with the product I could return it for a full refund of my money. I not happy with the service provided by the company when I asked to send back the property they treated me like I was a piece of scumm. I was not happy with the way I was treated and let them know it.The customer service needs help. If that is the way business is ran in New york I am glad that I am no longer a part of it.The cameras were imported which was not explained in the beginning. When I found that they were to begin with I told them I never would have done business with them because no company would have touched those cameras not being under warranty had I not purchased a warranty. I ended up spending twice as much money then what the camera was said to be. Also the sales person sold me equipement saying the camera would only work with these items. This was not the case he wanted me to spend the bigger bucks. This made me even more upset. I am happy to have this over with. They will have their cameras returned. They even sent out the wrong items I called them on it I got dinged with having to send it back to them hello how does that work out."

"I was buying a Olympus C-5000 zoom camera. I found amphotoworld had the best price and showed the item in stock. The price of $248.99 which was the best I could find. I placed the order on the evening 2/17/04. The next day I rceived an email stating to call about the order. I did and was informed that this was the price for an international order (note I checked while on the phone this is not illustrated in any way). That if I wanted English instructions the price was $299. I asked about cancelling my order and was told I couldn't without having to pay a penalty. I was informed it would be advisable to purchase a extended battery for $60. Normally $120 if bought separately. I asked too speak to a manager and then the owner when the phone rep. said he was the supervisor. I was online looking at their add and told him that know differentiation for USA vs International was noted. I told the rep. that I felt this was a bait and switch. He quickly told me I could cancel my order without penalty and that is what I did. I have emails to confirm some of what I am stating. I have since order the camera elsewhere and got a extended battery for $30 ($60 if bought separately). I strongly question their business ethics and tactics. "

"I received order confirmation but NO confirmation of shipment. I have called this company several times and emailed them several times. I just kept getting the automated message to call someone there. When I threatened them about calling my cardholder to file a complaint and to stop all payments to their company. They finally called me back and told me they would cancel my order because I was difficult. I will never order from this company again. Basically they scammed me for my personal information and cc number. I now have to call my cc company and file a complaint. Hopefully they get their ability to take visa/mastercard pulled."

"Got a phone call from this company, they wanted to verify that I had made the order. I was interested in speedy delivery, before I go on an international business trip, they assured me the camera would be delivered within a few days. They then tried to sell me 'upgraded' battery for the camera. I declined. Moments later, I received an e-mail notifying me that my order was backordered. When I called, they used the line, "we have the US version of that camera for an additional $69, but the international version is backordered." I ordered the camera from the U.S. to be shipped within the U.S. and nothing on the order specified an international version of the camera. When I called to cancel, as soon as I gave the order number, he said, "the order has been cancelled" then immediately hung up the phone."

"I received a call from vendor who called saying that they were verifying the information. They then tried to sell me other things. When I would not buy them, they then asked me to buye an extended warranty. I would not buy it. They then said that the Canon A80 that I was buying would have to be purchased directly from Japan and would not come with a USA warranty. When I said send it anyway, they said it would take 6 - 7 weeks because they would have to import it directly from Japan. I said to them that they did not want to sell the camera at the low price they offered it for. The person then pretended not ti hear me. I am cancelling the order."

"Placed an order--was e-mailed to phone them. they tried to force me to buy extra accessories and extended warrenty. When I said no, they canceled the order. This is "bait and switch" operation."

"This is the worst vendor on the internet. They request that you call them to "verify" your order, then try to sell you additional things you don't need. Most of what they tried to sell me would have already come with the product. They are complete scam artists. Don't be fooled by their low prices. I got a bad feeling about them, and after reading reviews on this website, I called them back to cancel my order. They said there would be a $75 cancellation fee and the guy was extremely rude. I cancelled anyway. Very shady. I will never do business with them again. "

"Order the camera for 450 plus 22 in shipping, got a call a couple of days later. Was told that memory stick is special sold me one for 110. Was charged 740 in total when merchandise was received. Called several times and the customer reps were extremely rude; refused to provide breakdown of the charges. Never buy from this site, they are not honest people. "

"I placed an order for a Sony DCR TRV33 digital camcorder which was listed on the website for 449.99 plus shipping. This was the lowest price I had ever found! The following day I received the following e-mail response:

Thank you for shopping at amphotoworld.com!

We have received your order, 22460698.

For verification purposes, please call our customer service department at 1-***-***-**** ext. 781, in order for us to proceed and process your order.

Please have your order number ready when you call.

Store Hours:
Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm EST
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 9 pm EST
Friday: 9:00 am to 3 pm EST
Saturday: Closed

Thank You,
The amphotoworld.com Staff

When I called to verify the order, I was told that I would have to buy kit which included a 1 hour battery the cables and software and one year warranty for another 149.99 - these are all manufacturer included accessories!! They said that for the stated price, I would get only the camcorder and nothing else. So I said i want to cancel my order - and the response I got - no sir, there is a $200 cancellation fee!!!

This way I was forced to buy the camcorder for a total of $640 (with shipping). I could have got the same camcorder with all the manufacturer included accessories + lots of other extra accessories from Top Choice Digital (via -eBay) for the same total price! Oh what a fool I was. If only I had known ResellerRatings.com website before..I could have saved my wallet from being drained. I am happy that atleast I received a genuine New Sony camcorder and not a grey market item!

You know what? EBay is a better marketplace if you want to find a deal. Planning to gift someone something? - plan a month in advance, take your time to research the product and its pricing and grab a deal on eBay (or Amazon or Yahoo!) Do not use internet searches. If you find a company that is selling something for an "unbelievable" price - DO NOT believe it. See if you can find reviews or complaints against that company via internet search. This is the lesson I learnt from this experience.

I will certainly not buy from amphotoworld.com again."

"Ordered DCR-DVD100 DVD Sony Handycam from them. Received call next day asking if I wanted 1hr or 2hr battery. When I told them, I wanted the one that came with the camera, I was told I would receive it in 8 weeks. I received an email telling me to call customer service. I replied "CANCEL MY ORDER""

"Ordered online, but received an error message with order was directed to retry...resulting in two orders charged to credit card. Cancelled orders and did not receive confirmation number of cancellation. Not a good, secure shopping experience."

"I placed an order for a Sony digital camera DSC-T1 which was listed on the website for 429.99 plus shipping. The following day I received the following e-mail response:

Dear Gerhardt,

Thank you for shopping at amphotoworld.com!

We have received your order, 22376129.

For verification purposes, please call our customer service department at 1-***-***-**** ext. 774, in order for us to proceed and process your order.

Please have your order number ready when you call.

Store Hours:
Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm EST
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 9 pm EST
Friday: 9:00 am to 3 pm EST
Saturday: Closed

Thank You,
The amphotoworld.com Staff


When I called to verify the order, I was told that I would have to buy kit 1 which included an additional battery for another 119.99. They would not permit me to buy just the camera at the stated price."

"Ordered Canon Optura 20 Camcorder on Thursday. Recieved an email on Friday asking to call in and verify. I called and was pressured to buy additional items (if I wanted other items with the camcorder, I would have done so online at the time of purchase), and was pressured to buy an extended warranty becuase the (Brand New) camcorder did not come with one (all new Canon's come with a one year factory warranty). I was told that the comcorder will not be sent on that day (friday) becuase it was a "short day" for the warehouse. It will be sent on Monday. Friday night, 5 min. after midnight, I got an email stating the camcorder was out of stock??!!! I called Sunday, the next day they were open, and cancelled. I'm not dealing with this bull. They lied about the warranty, they lied about the Canon being in stock, they lied about the warehouse being closed. Forget them, I ordered from BUYDIG.com for $25 more, and they hold a high rating with about 2200 reviewers."