I placed an internet order for a digital camera with RegencyCamera.com on Monday, 10/01/01. They then went on holiday for the next two days, and I called them upon their return on 10/04/01, to confirm my order and to see if I could change the order so it would process through my Discover Card rather than my Visa card. (While researching the camera prior to ordering I had seen a banner on their website advertising "Free Round Trip Air Fare for 2" if a Discover Card or American Express Card was used for orders over $500. After checking the terms of that offer, I had concluded my order qualified, but I forgot about this incentive when I placed the order an hour or so later and provided my Visa card number instead of my Discover Card number.)
When I talked to the RegencyCamera.com order confirmation department I was confronted by a very aggressive, persistent salesman who kept trying to sell me accessory after accessory after accessory, without answering the questions I had called about.
When I finally interrupted him and told him I did not want to buy anything else, but just wanted to confirm my order and inquire about changing it to process through Discover instead of through Visa, he informed me the Discover Card offer had expired weeks before.
This despite the fact the offer was on the website banner when I placed my order (and to this day remains there!). And as for the order confirmation, I was also informed (oh, by the way) the delivery of my camera would be delayed a couple of weeks since the item was not in stock.
This despite the fact it was identified as being IN STOCK at the time I placed my order. When I complained about this, instead of offering to expedite the shipment or upgrade the method of shipping to make up for the delay, the salesman seemed incredulous and wondered why it could possibly make any difference to me, after all I was going to receive the camera, it would just be delayed ten days to two weeks. I told him that the delivery time was important to me and that had I known it was not in stock, I might well have not placed the order.
If you're like me, and take offense at offensive salespeople and lack of honesty in marketing, order taking and order fulfillment of internet companies like RegencyCamera.com, I suggest you shop elsewhere. Seems like the old bait & switch to me.in my opinion, RegencyCamera.com does not warrant your business. Their approach seems to be - just get the order in the door no matter what it takes, and worry about fulfillment later, if at all.
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