Today I ordered a Sony digital camera from the Digital Expo online, after searching prices on (ROR redacted link for security purposes) When I received the email confirmation, it asked me to call to confirm the order, so I did. I asked when my order would ship, and the representative told me tomorrow, Thursday, and I would have it by next Tuesday because I paid for 3-day shipping. (He said NOTHING about the camera being on backorder for 6 - 8 weeks!)
Then he tried to sell me all kinds of accessories at insanely inflated prices, and I kept saying I just wanted the camera. When I wouldn't be 'bought' with his scheme, he said: "You know this is a refurbished camera, and the manual is in Chinese, don't you? For only $50 more, I can send you a NEW one."
I told him I did not know that because the website said nothing about refurbished. He insisted it was posted. I mentioned that I thought this was Bait & Switch tactic, and I did not like that. He offered to cancel my order.
He continued trying to sell me a "new" camera, telling me the body of the refurbished camera was badly sratched, but he would throw in a free camera bag IF I paid whatever amount more. I told him to just send the camera I ordered - I did NOT want anything else. He got huffy and hung up.
A few minutes later, I received the following email:
"We thank you for your order and appreciate you shopping with us. Due to the product you ordered being out of stock for 6-8 weeks from today's date. We have cancelled the order. When or if we get the product again in stock soon will send you an email to place an order please do not resubmit your order again. Sorry again and thanks for your understanding."
So my take on this is that the low price advertisement is a "Bait & Switch" marketing gimmick. After you place an order, they tell you you have to call them to confirm the order, so that they can try selling you the overpriced accessories to make up for the undercut price advertised. Then, if you don't bite, they simply tell you the item is back-ordered for a long period of time, so they can cancel the order without getting into legal trouble.
The Digital Expo is a SHADY operation! And I would not be surprised if (ROR redacted website for security purposes) wasn't the EXACT SAME company - their website is precisely the same as "The Digital Expo" (http://www.thedigitalexpo.com/product.Asp? Productid=dsch5&tab=1), except a different company name, different colors and a different toll-free number.
Christine
San Jose, California
U.S.A.
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