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From: wjt@hound.UUCP (Bill Taggart)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Camera Discount Places
Message-ID: <813@hound.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Jan-85 16:47:33 EST
Article-I.D.: hound.813
Posted: Wed Jan  9 16:47:33 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Jan-85 22:56:42 EST
References: <1114@teddy.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 37

Since everyone seems to be unloading their tales about sleazy
camera stores, I figure I would put in my two-cents worth.  I
have ordered equipment from a number of stores including,
but not limited to: 47th Street Photo; Executive Photo; Focus
Electronics; Olden Camera; and Adorama.  In general, I have had
pretty good success.  The best service I have received has been
from Focus Electronics, I have always received the mechandise I
ordered quickly, with the appropriate warranty cards, and in good
shape.

The store I will never order another item from is Executive Photo.
Why?  When I ordered a Sony TV from them they told it was in stock and
would be shipped the next day.  The only thing they did the next day
was charge it to my MasterCard.  After about two weeks I called and
was told a new shipment had just come in and they would ship it the
next day.  After another two weeks I was told that they were having
trouble getting the model I ordered, but expected to get one in
soon.  Two more weeks passed and I got my MasterCard bill, I called
them up to find out why they had charged it to my card without having
shipped the merchandise.  I was told that I could select another TV and it
would be shipped right away; instead, I asked for a credit on my card.
They said they would issue the credit immediately.  My next MasterCard
bill brought finance charges but no credit.  To make a story that is
getting too long, shorter -- it took me six months, several letters to
MasterCard, Executive Photo, the Better Business Bureau, and Modern
Photography (who supposedly polices their advertisers) to get the original
charge and the finance charges removed.  MasterCard was the one that
cleared the mess up; Executive Photo never issued me a credit, they claim
they did and it was their bank that caused the problem.  The problem
really is that Executive Photo is the sleaziest of the bunch.


-- 

             Bill Taggart
             ...ihnp4!houxm!hound!wjt