While shopping for a Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D and extra lenses, ExpressCameras.com was listed as offering one of the best prices for the camera. It appeared to have a number of attractive packages available, and it had good customer satisfaction ratings on the web site I checked.
When I went to their web site I did not find a package that offered exactly what I wanted, so I called their telephone ordering number and spoke with Scott. I told Scott I wanted the black Canon Digital Rebel with the Canon 17 85 mm and 70 300 mm IS lenses. I also wanted UV filters to protect those lenses.
Scott told me my request was similar to their Continental package, and that he could provide what I wanted for approximately $1420. I said in that case I would place my order over the telephone to get what I wanted.
While I was placing this order, Scott repeatedly urged me to purchase Sigma lenses rather than Canon lenses, because he said the Sigma lenses had superior features. I told Scott I wanted both Canon IS lenses because all my research suggested they were superior to the Sigma lenses. Scott made several disparaging remarks and argued with me, but finally said I could have what I wanted. Then the final price jumped from $1420 to $2300, an $880 increase over the original price he quoted.
I asked why the final price was so much higher, and Scott explained that it included shipping and handling, plus he was going to supply a rebate coupon from Canon, since I was purchasing 3 Canon items. (This was three weeks after Canon's rebate offer had lapsed. He said he was going to back-date the order.) Scott said the final cost would be closer to $2000. At that point I agreed to the purchase. The cost was now no lower than other suppliers, but they had what I wanted in stock.
When the camera and lenses arrived, I was shocked and dismayed to see a Canon 28 135 IS lens was included, not the Canon 17 85 IS lens I had specified. I immediately called Scott to see how he could correct the error. Scott insisted I had ordered the Continental package with the 28 135 lens, and that's what I got. I reminded Scott about our conversations on the telephone, when I repeatedly specified the Canon 17 85 IS lens as my choice.
Scott said this was my fault, not his, but he was willing to exchange the Canon 28 135 lens for the 17 85 lens, so long as I would pay more for the lens I wanted.
By this time I was fed up with Scott and, by association, with Express Cameras. I felt Scott was continually engaging in bait and switch tactics, and I repeatedly had to fight for my right to get what I wanted, even when it was at a higher price than Scott originally quoted. Adding an additional charge for the lens I had specified from the beginning was adding insult to injury. I decided to return everything to Express Cameras, rather than deal with a company that seemed willing to abuse its customers.
Beware Expresscameras.com
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