This is actually a two-level scam. I was interested in the new Olympus E-3, so I Googled it. Every time I did a Google on this or other cameras, one of the first paid advertisers was always a price comparison site called "DidUPrice.com." They were always showing a significantly lower price than the other returned results. So, when I went to DidUPrice.com, there were 3-4 sellers listed, including ShopDigitalDirect.com with a very low price. The thing is, DidUPrice.com lists ShopDigitalDirect as a TRUSTED SELLER with 5 stars!!! This is obviously a conspiracy between the two sites (or maybe they are run by the same people).
I tried to find a way to tell Google about this, but could not find any complaint email address for this kind of thing.
Anyway, my initial order was for the E-3 camera body plus a $34 camera bag. I get a confirmation email with a total of $972, and it asked me to call the salesman who was assigned to my order to confirm. That is when the BS started. He told me it did not come with a battery charger or the battery. He told me that ALL digital SLRs MUST be cleaned every year, and that cost $300, and their extended warranty covers that for free (except the cost of the warranty, of course). When I asked, he also told me that the battery from my old E-500 would not work in the E-3. All LIES!
Finally he said he could save me some money with the "Starter package, " which included everything I was adding on. He said it cost 1999 (I thought this was the original price PLUS $19.99). I agreed, and the next thing I know, I get a call from Visa asking me if the $2,100.00 charge is legitimate!
So, I called Chris back and told him I wanted to cancel the entire order. He said that would cost me $350 for the cancellation fee. I told him this was bait-and-switch, and he denied it and became very rude and condescending. I told him that the transaction on my credit card was still showing as pending, and he could cancel it without any fee. He refused.
So, now the transaction has posted, and I opened up a dispute with my credit card company. I've told Chris and others at ShopDigitalDirect that I wanted the order cancelled and the charge reversed.
0 comments