Feedback on Butterfly Photo? or any suggestions?

[Rossi]

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Hi Everyone,

Longtime lurker, first-time poster.

I plan on buying a Digital Rebel from an Online store but am a little wary of which one to choose.

So, I decided to consult the dealer list attached to the DCresource.com website and choose one of these vendors. However, I'm not entirely sure if dcresource.com stands behind these retailers, meaning if they list the shop, then it's safe to buy from?


Anyhow, has anyone purchased from Butterfly Photo? They seem to offer a competitive (not rock bottom, but that's ok) price. What are your experiences in dealing with them?


Also, does anyone have a favourite online vendor they like to deal with?

I've noted Ernest's red flag about camerapot.
I've also read pderbidge's reply about butterfly, I'm just looking for a little more info. That info was especially useful.

[lewg1]

bought my fz20 2 weeks ago from butterflyphoto. no problems at all...was best price at the time. the sales rep asked me if i wanted some extra accesories, but no pressure. ordered on sat and arrived wed. the free shipping they advertise is us mail, but i paid 10 dollars extra for fed exp 2nd day. no problem in reccomending them. their web site says 14 day refund, the packing info said 10 day?? not sure about that, but just check your purchase right away.

[CHRIS2222]

I ordered from butterfly photo as well i ordered the fuji 5100 but not satified enough with the camera so exchanged it for the panasonic fz3, For butterfly photo there is complaints on them on bbb.org but i have no problems with them.....

[biscuitdog]

I would NOT recommend anyone use Butterfly Photo. On Dec. 6th I ordered a Sony DSC F828 camera. Two days later I got the sales phone call to try and sell me additional stuff. I politely declined and the sales rep. said they would proceed with my order. After 6 days I called to find out the status ... no camera or shipping information had been received. I left messages for 3 days because I could not get anyone on the phone ... and I never received a call back or email response. Finally after 3 more phone calls and more than an hour on hold I got "customer service" and was told the order was canceled and they had no cameras in stock. Butterfly photo is a lousy operation.

[ernie3143]

Abes of main i here is good and reasonable

[ButterflySucks]

I would DEFINITELY NOT buy from Butterfly Photo again, not only did I receive the proverbial sales call after making the online purchase (like biscuitdog's story), but then they sent the wrong charger (rip at 49.99 and accessory kit). Neither fit the Sony camera that THEY shipped -- yes, they shipped accessories that did not fit the camera. WHAT A JOKE. When I called they said to send it back, which I did, but they NEVER sent the correct stuff, did not credit my card, and then refused to reply to emails and letters. SO THEY HAVE THE ACCESSORIES BACK AND MY MONEY!! I am now in the credit card complaint stage. THESE GUYS ARE BAD. STAY AWAY, VERY FAR AWAY!!!

[anna3730]

I too had tried to research feedback on Butterfly photo as they offer good prices but the Brooklyn address made me nervous after reading feedback on other Brooklyn based electronics discounters. I had a very good experience, ordered a Sony camcorder on Sunday (12-188-05) night, got "the call" from customer service on Monday (asking to call them back about the order). They did try to sell me accessories, I declined, and then waited (had read horror stories about how they would hold the order, keep calling back, etc.) But the camera arrived Thursday morning! I would classify these guys as a hard sell organization, but they are not swindlers. Good luck.

[Matthew]

It is important to note that DCRP does not endorse any of the sites listed, but merely lists them as a service. I would imagine they assume no liability for anything that could go wrong :)

[Aaron0602]

Hi guys, first day on the forum.

I ordered my Lumix FZ5 on Butterfly this past December and had no problems. Granted, the did try to sell me an extended warranty and an extra battery at the "sale" price of $49, but I declined and they went through with my order. I got my camera very cheap, about 330 plus shipping, and I have no complaints. The camera came with everything and a full warranty. The thing to remember when ordering from stores like Butterfly is that it seems like they make money off of their accessories, so buy the camera, don't buy any accessories, and be firm about your stance. If they try to screw you, your credit card company will be on your side. So good luck, and remember, NO ACCESSORIES!

[peacexisxfree]

I ordered my Fuji S5200 and had no problems what-so-ever. The salesman did try to sell me extra batteries, etc, but when i refused, he said ok.

Got my camera on time (next day shipping) and everything was fine. I have heard horror stories about this company though.

[free2victory]

I placed my order on a sunday-May 5. I paid an extra $29.00 for 2 day shipping, I recieved an email today on May 9th, saying that I would have to
call them, and when I did no body responds, and I would kept on hold for long, and finally I spoke with VICTOR 800-339-9960 Ext 236 from Butterfly photo. He was so RUDE, I was totally shocked to see a representative talking with a customer in a FOUL language(m***F***), very very Disappointed and hurt! I lost all the days Infact it was priority shipping, now they cancelled the order I need to book again with some other vendor, see how pathetic these ppl are....so my advice not to shop with them at all!!!!!

STOP BUYING FROM THEM!!!

[John Jr5]

Hi I bought a tv from butterfly.com and a 3 year extended warranty for 225.00 and now that I need to repair it they said that they will not honor the warranty, they say that they are not resposible for the warranties, what a rip off. John

[nodpete]

I bought a Sigma lens from them, it shipped right away, no calls from them at all. Good price.
They have a 9.04 rating for the last 6 months and a 6.87 lifetime rating at www.resellerratings.com In contrast, Adorama has a 9.52 6 month rating and 8.73 lifetime.

[Sole Shooter]

Wow, I have never purchased for butterfly but it's interesting to see that some folks hate them so much they're inspired to join DCRS just to voice their displeasure. I guess as always, YMMV.

[hrlydavison]

I purchased a television mount off of Amazon from Butterfly Photo. The mount had my specific television listed in the heading of the ad for fitment. I bought the mount and it did not fit. After returning the mount I left a negative feedback explaining the situation.

I then had several messages left on my phone to contact them to make it "Right" with my problem. I chose not to do so as I was to frustrated to deal with it. When I finally did answer the phone and talked to a gentleman who "seemed" concerned with making it right. He went over several options of fitment Etc. with some of the mounts they have available. I told him I was now looking at a Sanus model VMDD26B for $349 from Amazon. He said they didn't have one of those available but said he could get me a comparable model from Peerless for $400. No mention of I'll knock the $50 bucks off and give it to you at a discount for your trouble. So I told him no thanks and then Incredulously he launches into a persuasion for me to remove my negative review from Amazon. I asked if they had removed the Heading of the ad that included my specific model. He said yes, but I checked it when I got off the phone and it was still up. I cant believe he was trying to get the review removed. He was even trying to give me specific instructions step by step on how to remove it from Amazons site.

Then I receive another call from the same man the very next day saying they had removed the Ad and would I now remove my negative review.

That is an extremely poor business practice when someone tries to coerce you into removing your review. It was their companies mistake and the review was justified.

Now I must put up with Butterfly photo treating me very unfairly. They tried with two separate phone calls two days in a row to get me to remove my negative review from Amazon.com. C'mon...harassment two days in a row ??!!

To pour salt in the wound I checked Their website and their peerless mount listed is only $319.00. It does need the mounting plate for another $149. So instead of working with me to make me FEEL like I WAS a VALUED CUSTOMER. He was again just concerned with getting the feedback removed.

I had also recieved an email from their Customer Service Manager Dan Woods. When I returned that email with my story of displeasure...Guess What?? I never heard from him again.

So Buyer Beware from a company that obviously doesnt care about their customers and only worries about negative feedback.

[Flintlock1776]

I'm convinced, I'll stay away. Thanks for the heads up!