47 exchange, 570 5th Ave, New York. Fontana Gallery, Inc Owner - Joseph Purchased $30 sim card, $17 felt tip user pen, mobile phone battery $127 ($27 everywhere else) New York City, New York

On April 18,2012, I purchased a $30 sim card, a felt tip txt pen $17, a $127 "back up/plug in" battery for my iphone, which I purchased in Australia a few days before going to New York.

The salesman insisted in inserting the sim card into my mobile phone. He took it outside to "get coverage". He then suggested the felt tip pen for ease of txt messages and a battery if my phone battery ran out during the day. I recall the purchase price was the amount for these three items. When looking for my receipt, I could not locate it and cannot recall being given it. 

I checked the cost of the battery during my travels and found at all other stores, the battery cost $28 - $29. On return from a six day trip, I went back to ask for a refund on the battery, as this was not used and not a fair price. The salesman said the owner Joseph, needed to approve of this and to return on Monday, which I did. Joseph would not enter any negotiations and I said I suspected there were ill dealings and would investigate further.

I used my American Express card and was unaware that indeed, I had been charged $417.57, as per statement received when I arrived home. I phoned to dispute the claim from the merchant and the feed-back received from Amex was that they had a copy of my signature on the docket for the purchase price. I absolutely know I did not sign for this amount. I requested a copy of the purchased items, only to get a copy for a cell phone at the price of $417.57.

My name was not on the purchase docket, nor any reference to the actual items I did purchase; I have photos to prove what I purchased, plus the sales docket saying I bought a cell phone. Amex rejected my claim saying even though they believed me, the sales docket had my signature in it and what annoyed me most was that the man talking to me about my grievance said that these merchants were their customers too and they could not go any further. I paid out the rip off, closed my account and pursued further enquiries myself to glean that this company has ripped off several other customers as well.

They need to be brought to account, repay me my money and go out of business before they deceive any other trusting potential customers.