Broadway Photo Bait and Switch, False Advertising, High Pressure Sales, Dishonest Salespeople, Dishonest Sales Practices Brooklyn New York

Broadway Photo, http://www.bwayphoto.com is a typical bait and switch operation.

They have no intention of selling the items they advertise at the prices they advertise.


January 16, 2007

After placing my order last night for an Olympus E-3 from Broadway Camera, I got a call and a message to call Broadway Photo to confirm my order.

Mr. Diamond verified my address and then went on to tell me that the camera came without a battery. When I told him that the list of included accessories included a battery, he said "That's only a twenty minute battery; I have the standard battery and the long life battery, which one would you like?"

I replied "Neither."

He argued with me saying that I could not use the camera for more than twenty minutes without an additional battery. After the battery issue was solved (I didn't order any additional batteries.) he asked me if I wanted the "USC" version of the camera. I told him I wanted the version that I ordered. He explained that it was the Japanese version and that all the writing and menus would be in Japanese. He then tried to push the "USC" version. He then went on to explain that they carried three versions of the camera: the "USC", the "grey market and the "Japanese" version.

I told him I would stick with my order the way it was.

He said (in a snooty tone) "I hope you can speak Japanese. Enjoy your camera." And hung up.

Even if I get the product I ordered and everything is in English, this hassle may still not be worth it.

Then I got this message by email:

From: Orders@bwayphoto.com
To:
Subject: Re: Your Order#
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:03 -0500
Dear Frank,

This e-mail is being to sent to update you on the status of your order # W1482928. Your credit card had has not been charged due to the fact that the product you ordered is currently on back-order. When the product arrives we will e-mail you and then process your order.

For updated order status, shipping and tracking information visit the "My Account" area of bwayphoto.com or you may e-mail us at support@bwayphoto.com. Click here to cancel you order

We apologize for any inconvenience.


bwayphoto.com
Staff

This was my reply:

Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:54:02 -0800 (PST)
From:
Subject: Re: Your Order#
To: Orders@bwayphoto.com
CC: info@uscp.org


Hello Gentlemen,

Your web site currently reads that this item is in
stock!

http://www.bwayphoto.com/productlistings.aspx?qu=e-3

http://www.bwayphoto.com/viewproduct.aspx?id=9778767

I hope you can resolve this issue or update the web
site immediately.

Thanks,
Frank

I believe this strategy is called "Bait and Switch". The item advertised is not actually available so they try to sell you another item (in this case the same item at a higher price or with additional, overpriced items).

Two days later the web site still reads that the item is in stock.

Even Now, January 24, 2008, their web site still has the same price and claims that the camera is in stock.

I'm aware of the grey market risk, but would like to buy the advertised product for the advertised price.

My order remained out of stock while listed all the while on the web site as in stock for over a month. On February 18th I called the store. Without telling them that I had ordered the camera already, I asked if I could purchase the camera at that price. The salesman told me I could. Then he asked me which software I would like: English or Japanese. He said all the menus are in Japanese and that his store does a lot of business in Japan. When I asked how much the camera would be with English menus, he told me about $1590 (up from $1243).

I then asked him if I should cancel my order and that although his web site says the camera is in stock I am still waiting and was last notified that it was out of stock. He then replied You must have refused to pay import tax. I told him that I was never informed of any import tax, then I asked him how much would the camera come to with import tax. He told me about $1680. He told me that his store is a virtual store and there is nothing at the address listed, so that there is no stock: NOTHING IS IN STOCK! I don't know if it's true or not. I'm not going to drive over to find out.

I finally asked him if there was any way to get this Olympus camera for the price he advertised and he told me "NO".

I told him that I think he and his associates are dishonest. What I said was: "I think you guys are full of crap."

He responded in the most mature way saying: "We think you're full of crap." "Thanks for ordering." And then he hung up.

I will finally cancel my order.

I also think that Shopcart USA, shopcartusa.com is somehow in cahoots with them. You cannot give them a bad review. In fact, they've had the same number of reviews for over a month (5021). I've tried posting reviews a few times and emailed customer service at Shopcart directly as well.

Frank
New York, New York
U.S.A.