Grand Central Photo bait & switch, Boca Raton, Florida

I am presently in the beginning stages of receiving some recourse from this merchant.  I, too, entered my order online for a Canon 50D body only for a discounted price.  I considered the discount viable because Canon has since released the 60D on the market and the 50D is discontinued.  The online order process went as planned but then the confirmation email did not itemize my order for printing.

I then called the phone number on the site and was told by "John" that he would send a ticket to the processing dept. to forward an invoice to my email.  Additionally, John was quite knowledgeable about his product and must have sensed that I was not familiar with the processing demands this camera would require.  He suggested that I would need a high speed CF card for a 15 mega pixel camera and that the standard battery would only work about 1/2 hr.  He continued by offering me a bundle pkg that would include the 5hr battery, it's quick charger, and a high speed 8gb CF card for an additional $149.  I asked him 3 times if these accessories were knockoffs or the Canon brand.  He assured me, 3x, that they were Canon.  I was told that I would receive an updated invoice reflecting my order upgrade.

I did receive the updated, and only, invoice the next day and to my surprise the company bundled the cost of the accessory pkg into the cost of the camera.  The itemized accessories did not denote that they were of Canon origin, nor was there any unit price next to the item description.  I now know that the tactic is for them to bundle it all in the first line item so that credit card companies cannot separate out the individual charges for dispute.

So here was my "red flag" and I immediately search for seller reviews to which I found multiple complaints against this merchant.  I then decided that I need to re-read the fine print on Grand Central's website and was infuriated at what I found.  In fine print, these items are "grey market".  That in itself led me on the quest to cancel my order. 

I called the company and spoke to "John" who plays musical chairs at his office because he is located at several different phone extensions.  I was notified that I must sign a CC cancellation agreement before receiving the RMA #.  He switched his story several times that led me to believe the shipment hadn't even gone out of the whse yet, albeit, he informed me the order was shipped and funds are in hand.  I was to send back the signed agreement and a cancellation fee would be imposed.  I received the agreement via email which stated they would retain $200 for cancellation fee on a $949 order.  I've been trying all day to fax the form back to their office and the line has temporarily been disconnected! 

All in all, my credit card company will not dispute the charge until it actually becomes a transaction on my account.  So I wait....then the real fun begins.