Circuit City Fraud - Paid $1,300 for empty box! ripoff Durham North Carolina

I paid $1,269.00 for 10.2 MP Nikon SLR cameras only to find that the camera was not in the box. Every piece and part that belonged with the camera was there. everything but the camera body. Explains why the box actually felt heavy enough when I bought it.
The clerk at the return counter when I went in to request an exchange WITH a camera in the box, said she couldnt tell it wasnt in there either.

When I went back to the store the next day to tell them what I found when I opened the box, they told me basically "tuff sh**". They gave me the number to the corporate office which is a bunch of crap. After explaining the situation to them they told me to go back to the store.

When the store was no help and I called them back they said the district manager would call me. When that didn't happen in a week, I called again. Basically everyone listens to the problem and then says "oh well .. to bad". On my last call today I was unintentionally hung up on 3 times. They place me on hold for 14 18 minutes and I guess when I wouldnt hang up they mistakenly did.

This was after the ESCALATION team suggested that I call the manufacturer. AND TELL THEM WHAT? I don't have a freaking camera for them to repair or replace .

And if the story was bad enough. When I left he store I stopped across the street for some house hold products I needed. A gentleman walks up to me and I recognize him from the store. He says to me dont give up because that is NOT the first time that has happened. In fact, its happen many times. He said that it was SUSPECTED that someone responsible for loading and uploading the trucks was responsible. NO proof though.

In fact, he said he couldnt afford to lose his job, so I definitely cant use his name with that accusation. But it was enough to let me know I was not crazy, which I was questioning.

I can't believe the things I have read today about this store. Had I had ANY clue, I would never have gone there to save a buck. I normally shop at Best Buy period. Right now I am wishing I had bought open box or something. A broken camera I can get fixed would be preferable to NO camera and a $1,300.00 bill to pay.

This time, looking for a new camera because I enrolled in a digital camera class. I want to get into professional digital photography so I wanted GOOD one. I went to Circuit City thinking to save about $60 on the camera. I ended up going to Best Buy ANYWAY to get the same camera. (YES, I know Best Buy price matches) I normally take advantage of that, but this PARTICULAR camera at Best Buy comes with a DVD that makes it DIFFERENT than the Circuit City version. For that reason the manager wouldnt consider it a price match. They are tricky about that sometimes.

The ONLY saving grace here is that I did use my Capital One credit card. I have filed fraud charges against Circuit City. This is my first credit card dispute and I dont know how they handle this, but I hope they handle it well. They seem to be my last hope.

Everyone, please WATCH OUT!. This particular manufacturer, according to Circuit City, does not send their product in sealed boxes. So you have no way of knowing if someone tampered with the box unless you open it right there in the store.

I will NEVER shop there again, but for anyone who does. CHECK IT OUT BEFORE you leave the store. PLEASE.

Jai
DURHAM, North Carolina
U.S.A.