I placed an order for a Nikon Coolpix 5700 camera last night. This morning, I received two calls from Starlight. They did not leave a message, but paged me via my cell phone. I called back several times; when I finally got through, I spoke to a Middle Eastern or Indian fellow who complimented me on my choice of camera and confirmed my address for shipping. When he told me the battery the camera comes with is "crap" and offered a better one for $99, I declined. He immediately became hostile, saying that the camera was not in stock, would not be in stock for 6 weeks, and he had canceled my order. He said he sent an e-mail to this effect; I never received any e-mail from them either confirming or canceling the order.
I asked why the camera was not available since there was no such indication of unavailability on the website (not to mention that it became unavailable when I did not buy additional items)... He started yelling at me that the camera was unavailable, what did I want him to do? Etc., and then he hung up on me. I've never experienced a company canceling my order when they were going to continue carrying an item, simply because it wasn't currently in stock. Generally, a consumer is given the courtesy of notice and then it is up to the consumer whether they wish to cancel or wait.
I actually recorded this conversation, not for the purposes of litigation, but because I was driving and recording business transactions helps me to make an accurate memo to my Palm Pilot later.
I called back and asked for the manager. I was sent to "Peter's" voice mail, and I left a message that I would be reporting them to the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising. I called back awhile later to see if Peter had come in yet, and was told no one by that name worked there. I said I had previously asked for a manager and was transferred to Peter's voice mail. "Oh, Peter the manager, " the man repeated, as if it were a code name. "He only comes in once in awhile, after he makes millions."
I had an eerie feeling when he said this. His comment displayed not only his arrogance, but disrespect for the American consumer that are buying the products from them. I do not know exactly to whom the money spent at this site goes to support... I was contemplating suing them for specific performance of the contract, and seeking the post-rebate price even though the rebate will no longer be available after the end of the year, but I'm not sure I will. I think the FTC should do a full investigation of this business and will recommend same.
Incidentally, they are using the following phone numbers: 718 6277192,866 7227206,718 621-3111,718 627-7111,718 621-5005,718 621-9009. They are located at 295 Avenue O in Brooklyn, NY 11230-6320 (I didn't get this information directly from them; they hung up on me again when I called requesting their address).
0 comments