Best Price Cameras Bait and Switch Rip-off Artists. Goes by Many Names. Be Careful! Brooklyn New York

I placed an order for the Canon HV20 on their website last night, advertised at $449, a full $200 less than Amazon and other online retailers. The price was too good to be true. And guess what? IT IS! Best Price Camera is yet another classic example of bait and switch and naked dishonesty. I immediately filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and came here to warn others so that they may avoid going through what I and many others have. Part of this complaint includes what I wrote to the BBB.

In addition to the camera, I also ordered a "second" battery, thinking the camera already included one. I put "second" in quotes, because that's what I thought I was getting, since digital cams come with one out of the box. I ordered a 5-hour battery for $179, which I thought was expensive, even considering the Buy One Get One offer. The battery had no model number or other indication as to maker, so I was immediately suspicious and emailed them to cancel the battery.

I received a call today from 718-382-2140 to confirm. Representative tried to sell me a higher priced package (~$800) and additional accessories, explaining that what I ordered did not come with a charger or battery. It was a "bare camera body only", which immediately raised my suspicions further. He said I'd need to buy a $219 charger. When asked if the camera itself charged the battery, he said no. This I knew immediately to be false, as a digital media professional and a consumer. Every camcorder & camera I've ever seen or used charges through the base unit. No separate charger is needed. The HV10 manual shows charging instructions on page 18: http://www.camcorderanswers.com/manuals/Canon_hv20.pdf

When asked if the battery I ordered was an official Canon one, he said yes. However, I did not believe him at this point, since there is no model number listed.

He told me that camera body alone retails for over $700 and I'd be getting a bargain with one of the bundles. When I replied that the price he quoted was ~$100 higher than Amazon's ($688), he said "that is not possible".
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-HV20-Definition-Camcorder-Stabilized/dp/B000MUV6BA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198522454&sr=8-1

I told him to cancel my order, and said he was trying a bait and switch on me. He then called me an idiot -- his exact words: "Bait and switch? You are an idiot", and immediately hung up before I could respond.

This company engages in deceptive practices. The salesman made outright fraudulent and untrue claims, and topped it off with a personal insult when I refused to fall for his tricks. I am an educated consumer who makes the bulk of my purchases online. This is the worst example of bad business and unprofessional conduct I have ever encountered.

When something looks too good to be true, 99.9 out of 100 times, it will be. This is a classic example of that. I know better now and will stick with companies I trust, like Amazon. My advice to anyone reading this:

1) be wary of sites offering discounts far below what anyone else sells them for

2) stick with the major etailers. Amazon offers very good prices and excellent customer service. Even if they aren't the lowest, I appreciate their prompt, professional service.

3) check BBB.org first for any complaints

This company has had many many complaints filed against it. They have a number of aliases too.
http://search.newyork.bbb.org/reports.aspx?id=12668&pid=44&page=0&FindStr=best+price+cameras&SearchBy=company&Address=&City=&Phone1=&Phone2=&Phone3=&MembersOnly=False

359 complaints in the last 12 months.

Pogostixx
brooklyn, New York
U.S.A.