Called Preferred Photo on 7-30 to order the Samsung LN-T5265F LCD HDTV. The price advertised online was $2536 plus $258.75 freight. The individual I talked with confirmed that the price was correct, the HDTV was brand new, and that the product was in stock, so I ordered it.
Then cam Preferred Photo's bait-and-switch! The individual taking my order attempted to hard-sell me various unnecessary products (including cables) and outragious prices, to which I repeatedly answered in the negative. Then, when he was obviously convinced that I was not going to purchase those accessories at those high prices, he asked me "Do you want a stand with the TV?" My response was that a small (plastic) stand was included with the TV, and that I had a console stand on which I would place the TV and small stand.
He then further responded that the small plastic stand — which is included on Preferred Photo's internet page advertising the Samsung LN-T5265F — was NOT included by the manufacturer! He further "explained" that Preferred Photo was selling the "wholesale" version of this TV, and that the retail version, like you would purchase at Best Buy, etc., and which included the small plastic stand would cost $3299! I then pointed out that I never heard of any "wholesale" vs. "retail" marketing of this product that would not included the stand as a part of the product. This individual then continued to obfuscate, including stating that they only had the one description (and price) of this product because they didn't "want to confuse people."
Well, Preferred Photo IS trying to confuse people, and rip them off as well by convincing them to buy unnecessary items and/or paying EXTRA for a part (the small HDTV stand) that is ALREADY INCLUDED in the package by the manufacturer!
I immediately telephoned Samsung Electronics on 7-30, and asked their representative if Samsung was selling both "wholesale" and "retail" versions on the LN-T5265F LCD HDTV, and if the "wholesale" version was being sold minus the small stand. The Samsung representative advised me that Samsung sells only ONE version of this product to all its purchasers, that this was the same package as being sold by the big box retailers like Best Buy, and that all the packaging for the LN-T5265F included the small plastic stand.
Classic bait-and-switch by Preferred Photo, trying to charge extra for a part already included by the manufacturer! On 7-31 I again called Preferred Photo to talk about this issue and their consumer fraud practices, and they hung up on me.
I have contacted the Office of the Attorney General for the State of New York, Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection, and have filed a complaint against Preferred Photo in this matter. I have requested that the Attorney General seek an injunction and/or consent decree against Preferred Photo LLC (and its various aliaqs, noted below) regarding its fraudulent consumer practices. I would urge all others who have been the victims of consumer fraud by Preferred Photo, or its other alias names (A&M Photo World, Broadway Photo, Cameratopia, Digital Liquidators LLC, Ghu LLC, Regal Camera, and Tronicity) do the same.
Here is the link for the Complaint Form with the Office of the Attorney General for the State of New York: http://www.oag. State. Ny.Us/complaints/pdfs/cns001web_consumer. Pdf
Also, the Attorney general for the State of New York can be contacted as follows:
State of New York
Office of the Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
120 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, N.Y. 10271-0332
TEL: 212-416-8345
FAX: 212-416-8787
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