Stay away from these sites!
I didn't check on this company until after I ordered a camera. My story is similar to the others on this site. I ordered the body only for a Canon Rebel Xti because this company was listed on a comparison site, ShopCart USA, and showed over 700 satisfied customers. The camera came up one day as only $279 (normally sells for $500 - $700) including what was supposed to be 7 to 10 day shipping — so, the sucker in me decided to go for it. The guy on the phone assured me this was not gray market, but said, oh, by the way, that doesn't come with USB cables or a battery or the charger. Then he gave me some outlandish prices for those which I declined.
Before I could get another word in, he said, ok, your camera will be sent in 6 to 8 weeks, and hung up. I should have realized then and there it was a scam.
I checked on the company the next day on this site, and, of course, realized I was either not going to get the camera or that something would be wrong, so, I called and cancelled the order. The guy was very polite, said, ok. I received the email saying it was cancelled, from "Peter" — I'm sure not his real name.
I kept watching my credit card for about 10 days, to make sure no one was using it. Of course, I got busy and didn't check it for a few days. Luckily, the credit card bank fraud alert department called me when it had been used for a flurry of internet purchases.
I immediately closed the card, and 4 days later, there are still pending charges that keep coming through. To date, the total of unauthorized pending charges is up to about $2,900. I'm just glad I didn't use my check card —would have cleaned me out. If any of these actually post, I can dispute them and the credit card company will take care of it. BUT... in the meantime, I don't want to use the new card when it comes, and this is an account I normally use to pay for stuff for my daughter who is in college on the west coast.
By the way, almost every company on the ShopCart USA site has been reported on Ripoff as a scam. Obviously the group of phony companies have been listed together solely for the purpose of obtaining credit card info. Even tho the site gives 5 star ratings, the companies show up on consumer complaints as scammers. I don't understand why the New York attorney general (who I will be contacting) doesn't shut these things down.
I am a lawyer and I work at a court and should have known better. Just wanted everyone to know that anyone can get taken in by these companies, because we all want a bargain these days. I forgot my own rule — ALWAYS check on consumer complaints first before you order from someone.
Hope this saves others.
Paula
Whitehouse, Ohio
U.S.A.
0 comments