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Broadway Photo / A&M Photo World, Regal Camera, Prestige Camera, Preferred Photo, Royal Camera, bway
2009-06-30
1/5
"I purchased a Panasonic AG HMC150 camcorder from Broadway Photo after finding them on the web. Their advertised price was too good to be true. I contacted them by phone with questions on accessories and through high pressure sales tactics and offers of specials on the accessories I ended up with a total bill of $4,499. When I received the camcorder the box it was shipped in had been poorly tapped together and it had been left on my doorstep.
The invoice did not show a breakdown of costs. When I requested one I was refused—Broadway Photo stating that it was a package deal. At no time in my dealing with the salesman was I made aware of this. Although I was told I had free shipping there was $150 of handling and insurance, again I was not aware of this at purchase. I was told I was getting high quality accessories—the cost quoted and the assurances by the salesman certainly suggested this. When I received the accessories I could not verify either the quality or the pricing, by the invoice or researching online. The salesman told me the accessory battery I ordered was a high capacity 8 hour battery priced at $300. When I received the battery it was the same battery that I could purchased elsewhere for $150-160. This was the only accessory I was able to verify.
I contacted Broadway several times on issues with this order. I did get a charge back on the battery but the lack of breakdown of the costs, questions on the quality and suitability of the accessories and other factors lead me to desire to return the entire order. I was not aware of the return policy at the time of the order, the small print on the invoice stating a minimum of 5% restocking fee and no refund for shipping and handling was my first awareness of this. The salesman made no mention of the return policy and it was not obvious on their website. I checked their website for their return policy and found it buried several levels down. When I pushed for returning I was told the restocking fee was 15% and it could go as high as 17% and I would have to sign an agreement before they would issue an RMA.
I ended up returning the order without a RMA—the shipping and handling was under $20. Since I had made the purchase with a credit card I disputed the charge. I did get most of my money back but the experience was very unsatisfactory. I would not recommend purchasing any equipment from Broadway Photo."
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