I was thrilled to find the camera I wanted - an Olympus SP-550 UZ for $100 less than anywhere else. I ordered the camera on-line, and after 4 days with no confirmation - I checked with customer service.
I went through the high-pressure bull% sales pitch of batteries that last only 20 minutes, and memory cards that only hold 7 photos, and a high-pressure approach to buy more stuff ("How many memory cards do you want me to add to the order?")
After refusing the extended warrantee, I was asked "Is there any reason you ordered the Japanese version of the camera?" I responded that I didn't know I had ordered that version. I was asked if I wanted the English version. When I said yes - I found out it was $85 more. With shipping added, I could have purchased it at WalMart for less.
I assumed I had made a mistake on the web site, but when I went back to check - not only did I find that THERE WAS NO ENGLISH VERSION OF THE CAMERA LISTED - but also the ONLY indication that this was the Japanese version was two words at the bottom of a fourth tab marked "Included Accessories" that said "import version."
This is shameful marketing practices. When I pointed this out to a customer service rep - he simply said "you can always cancel your order, " which I did. It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to cancel the order because the customer service rep kept putting me on hold for his entertainment. They argued with me when I told them why I was cancelling ("Do you actually know the real definition of bait and switch?") I finally had to cancel the order by calling the billing department. Arrogant, ignorant. Horrible experience.
Don't do business with this unethical company!!
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