Where not to buy

[Lynn D. Brown]

I just wanted to warn everybody about US1 Camera out of NYC (us1camera.com). I spent about $2600. for a Sony HDR-HC3 videocamera and many accessories. The Sony camera is OK except for a non-functional remote, but all of the accessories - ~ $1300. worth - either didn't work or didn't fit the camera. That includes a remote control (not) tripod, wide angle lense, lense filter set, long life extra battery and a "rapid" battery charger. And they failed to ship a Sony memory chip.

It's bad enough that they overcharged me for the accessories, but that's my fault for not researching better. But shipping me all bogus merchandise is another story. I mean an honest mistake is one thing, but every item ?

Then I attempted to call them 5 times, and only the Sales line would work. When you try to get the "Customer Service" line, it won't answer, and then a message says, "Call back during regular business hours". I did this 3-4 times during the 1-3 PM timeframe, and their stated quitting time is 8 PM EDT.

Clearly a fraudulent outfit, and I will not let them get away with this w/o consequences ! I guess the old adage "Caveat Emptor" applies here !

[Paul79UF]

Sounds like how a lot of the shady NYC shops do business. I've dealt with all that crap a few times.

Not to hijack your thread, but I'd also advise everyone to stay away from Etronics.com.

Etronics shows every item on the site as being "in stock ships in 24 hours" or "1-2 days" even for items that have been discontinued for many months.

They will delay your order till they can "confirm" it by trying to sell you overpriced memory cards on the phone.

They finally shipped my order after 5 business days, and that was only half of it. My 3rd item was the long ago discontinued Canon camera bag (great little grey bag with zippered pocket) that I ordered just because their site actually showed it as in stock. I got the 4th item 26 business days later.

I also should mention that once my negative review of Etronics was posted on PriceGrabber.com, an Etronics Rep called my home phone 3 times, my cell phone 4 times, and emailed me. I didn't reply/answer.

They should invest more time in servicing their future customers than "trying to make things right" once my order was already complete. They already lost me, so work on not screwing over the next guy.

/rant over

I ordered another camera this Wed. from Beach Camera, and it shipped the same day with no harassing phone calls.