I ordered an electronic device i.E. Mini-dvd camcorder for the 1st time via internet. I've researched price differences & actual different types of products & brands in the stores & via web. The ad states the price of the Sony camcorder was $365.00 w / free starter package worth $89.95 which included a tripod, a case & a cleaning kit plus free S & H but only if you purchase the warranty, which I did'nt.
And so, I ordered the product. After replying to the company to confirm order & verify credit, I was instructed to call a sales rep to make further confirmations/verifications. He then proceeded to sell & suggest that I buy another battery because the battery that it comes with does not last long. He said he would sell me a 4-hour battery for $99.00. When I asked him how much it cost normally, he said $130.00. And so, I agreed to add the additional battery to my order.
He then instructed me to check my e-mail for further confirmation. The confirmation included the product (camcorder) that I ordered plus all the items in the free starter package. It did not include the additional $99.00,4-hour battery that I purchased in addition. After reading the contents of the invoice or verification aggreement, I replied to them telling them that they forgot to include tha addtional battery & that I will only sign the aggreement as soon as the battery was included.
By the way, at the bottom of this agreement, you were given the choice to press I agree or I disagree, so I press I disagree but it did not seem to respond or did anything at the time. Nevertheless, I sent my reply to them. Then a reply from them stated to call the sales rep about the battery & that my order had been shipped. I followed it up w / a phone call to the sales rep the day after who tells me that everything was fine, he took care of everything & the battery was included & that I will receive my order the next day. What bothered me was that, I was not given another chance to see the list of items in my order again to confirm that it was in fact included.
When I received my order from UPS, the box included 2 smaller boxes; one for the camcorder which was sealed w / a Sony tape & the other one for the started package. I did not see another package or loose item which would have been the extra battery. When I looked at the battery that was in the camcorder box, I though it was thin for a 4 hour battery. So I proceeded to look in a little pamphlet included of list & pictures of different Sony products available for purchase.
Guess what? The model # for my battery included in the box w / # ending in 40, was not even in the list of products available for sale which meant, it was not sold separately & was in fact included in the package. I even called Sony to confirm. I should have received another battery w / model # ending in 70 worth $99.00.
So, I became very, very upset that I became too gallible enough to be tricked & just confirmed my fear of ordering anything in the internet. I called the company, & spoke to another sales person & told him what I did & did not receive. He told me that what I got was an upgraded package which he explained that what the $365.00 item was called the OEM (original equipment merchandise) which included a battery that lasted only for several minutes. He became upset & condasceding but later offered to give me the battery that I purchased but that I had to pay for $19.95 S & H. And so, I did; what else do I have to loose.
When I received the battery, Oh my God, I got a "replacement battery" for the Sony model that I want. I did not want a replacement battery, I wanted my Sony battery. And I know that replacement battery does not cost $99.00. Besides who wants to use another model battery other than what the manufacturer recommended; which I confirmed again w / Sony. Sony also said when they looked it up, that Fotoconnection was not in the list of their suppliers. I was so mad I couldn't wait to talk to someone from their company.
This time I called the customer service # to speak w / a supervisor. I was put on hold by an automated answering system that I was becoming more upset & impatient that I had to hang up & call several times until I spoke to a person. But I realized that everytime I call the customer service #, a sales person picked-up & & after telling them my situation, they tell me to hold & they will connect me to the customer service which connects m e to a voicemail. I called several times & finally the sales rep who sold me the battery picked-up & when I told him I did not want to speak to him, he asked me what was wrong. I told him upsettingly & told me again that he will transfer me to customer service which led me to a voicemail.
I gave up, what can I do. I tried to call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in my state who states I have to call the NY BBB. I called the NY BBB & only got the automated service instructing me to give them my credit card # because they charge $5.00. So, naturally I didn't. I tried the BBB via web but unsuccessful because they could not find them on their list of companies.
I'm sorry that my complaint is so long, but I wanted you to get the whole picture of what transpired. Fotoconnection is fraudulent, deceitful, the sales reps were rude & condascending & it just annoys me that companies like this exist & allowed to do business to people. I can't be just the only person that just got ripped off by these people. I hope other people would complain as well so that this company & other company like them will be closed down & be punished.
Rose
Sranton, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
0 comments