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From: rael@inuxe.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Mail Order Incident
Message-ID: <602@inuxe.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Jul-83 12:32:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: inuxe.602
Posted: Thu Jul 14 12:32:48 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Jul-83 13:08:42 EDT
Lines: 44

----- News saved at Thu Jul 14 10:50:44 1983


I've had a bad experience with Mail Order Places.

I wanted to buy a Vivitar 70-210mm f3.5 lens, and looking on the back portion
of Modern Photography I found that prices ranged from $117.50 to $169. I
visited a local photo shop and found they sold the lens for $189. Naturally,
I didn't see why I should pay $60 extra for the same item, so I decided to
Mail Order it eventhough I needed to get the lens fast (not to dispair, they
had quick service, for a small fee).

Since I was also going to buy a few more things (a tripod, filters, etc.)
I figured I should check these guys out before I give them my credit card
number. I tried calling the BBB in Portland, Maine about 20 times and never
got an answer (now who do you complain about the BBB), so I decided to go
ahead and place my order anyway, since Modern Photography guarantees that
their add section is legid.

That's when the fun began, I started placing an order with Riviera (the
place that advertized it for $117) and when they gave me the prices they
weren't at all what I expected. For example, they wanted $169 for the lens
and when I told them their add listed the price as $117, they told me
that was the price without the mount. Well ... to the best of my
knowledge these lenses are integral unit (meaning they're just one piece)
so there is no lens "without the mount". I wasn't too thrilled about this,
then we got to the price of the tripod ... it was $20 more than the price
advertised elsewhere, so I let the guy know about this and he replied:
"That's for the chrome one, this is a black one". I asked him what the
difference was and he told me "the black one is more profesional looking".
I told him I wasn't going to pay $20 extra for a coat of paint and I
cancelled the order.

I purchased the lense from the local store and I have been very happy
with it. I don't feel very bad about paying a little extra because if
I have any problems I can go back and scream at them (though this hasn't
been necessary at all), plus I also get great service since I've made
a couple of big purchases. Whenever I go to the store, the manager will
pull out and let me try anything I want, whether I plan to buy it or not.
Sooo ... it sometimes is worthwhile to spend a little more and get good
service (and no deception).

						Dan Vanevic
						inuxe!rael