I had the very unfortunate experience of being ripped off by what seemed from the outside to be a reputable store. HD Computer and Camera which was formally known as JK Computer and Camera (there are loads of complaints online about JK so they changed it to HD) is based at 830 7th Avenue. New York. After demonstrating various models of camera lenses by what seemed a knowledgeable sales assistantI decided to purchase a Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens for for my Cannon he told me that this retailed at 500 in the UK and that he could do it for $499.
He then also sold me a 2x lens converter at $299 which he said retailed at $399. His colleague also told me that I would be able to claim the sales tax at the airport. They got me to sign two credit card stubs that did not itemize the items or show the sales tax. When I asked for a receipt they got me to leave my details as they said international receipts would need to be posted. They then handed me the bag with the goods in and I left the shop, they had tied the top of the bag.
When I opened the bag back at the hotel I was horrified to discover that they had put in a different lens a sigma 28-300 (older and very much cheaper model - $200). I decided to check the 2xconverter that they also sold me and discovered the retail price was $149! I went back to the store the following day to complain and to obtain an exchange/refund but I was told that all sales are final, no refunds or exchanges. After a heated discussion, where the sales assistant shouted at me I decided that it was best to try and deal with this matter later as I was with my wife and two kids and the children got distressed with the whole situation.
The sales assistant (I think he may have been the manager - he wouldn't give me his name) handed me a different converter telling me that this was a better version than the $149 version (it turns out it is actually a cheaper version) but refused to give me the lens I was originally sold and paid for. I am appalled that in a cosmopolitan city this type of illegal trading is allowed where consumers (mainly tourists) are been effectively robbed!
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