Royal Camera Bad company selling gray market prod. laying they have warranty. New York New York

After a long price comparison process I found Royal Camera to have a far better price than the other sellers. Even though I was very suspicious (the difference of price was huge), I decided to go forward, because they have a professional looking website with well/clear writing policies about delivery and returns; plus an automated customer service phone (that initially sounded professional).

When I called their number (1800 301 1778) the first guy was very weird and impatient, and I lost the call 2 time. In fact he hung up twice on me (but I thought it was my phone). Finally at the 3th time (with a more polite seller)I bought a Nikon D-70 with lens and a bunch of accessories, express delivery (2 days delivery).

I asked about warranty and the seller assured that all equipment have 1 year warranty.

Then today (02/03/05), I called them again to confirm my order because I saw that my credit card was charged. At first the guy said they already shipped my order (without even getting my confirmation number). Then I mentioned I was not sure of the size of the memory (I was testing the sales person), saying I may wanted to upgrade it. After providing my confirmation number, it was clear the seller started to guess what I had ordered, saying I just bought the camera body. After I mentioned I ordered a memory, he said they didn't ship my order and I could up grade my 250 Mb memory. In fact I had bought a 1 Gig memory.

When I mentioned that I wanted to cancel the order, he gave me a customer service number (718-336 4670) but I would need to call the following date, because they had already closed.

Fortunately I Gogloo Royal Cameras and discovered at the Rip-off-report, that I had been ripped-off.

I call my credit card company and they cancel the order and shut down my credit account number, so these guys couldn't charge me again.

I used to buy a lot of stuff on-line and this is the first time this happen to me.

The big lessons to me are:

- There is no miracle for costs. If the price is too below the average there is a problem there.

- Price comparison engines show a lot of small stores that may sell gray market products. For expensive and sensitive products like high end digital cameras, it is a big risk to buy Gray Market products.

- Be skeptical about rating srores have at price comparison. And read them, don't accept the final result. This Royal Camera has a good rating 3.5 from 5 at:

http://www.pricehead.com/product.asp?i=128414

To be honest I didn't read the reviews, I took for granted the 3.5 score.. , it would be obvious the company write good reviews (stars) for them, to balance the REAL ones (1 star reviews).

William
Alameda, California
U.S.A.