Panasonic Electronics Rebates not honored by Panasonic Electronics Chesapeake, Virginia

I purchased a professional video camera from Panasonic, who was offering a $250 rebate along with a book/ software & 1 year warranty with the package. I filled out ALL of the paperwork and shipped back for my rebate & book. (mailed registered to make sure they got it)

After 2 months, I called the customer service center to check on my rebate. They said they were working on it, and that I should receive it soon. Two weeks later, I found on a video forum site, the name of a woman who works for Panasonic who I thought could expedite my rebate.

After contacting her, she emailed me back to say that my camera is a "grey market camera" so Panasonic will not honor my rebate, I would not get the software & book, or honor the 1 year warranty!! The company I bought it from online, denied and guarenteed that it was not a grey-market camera. The women from Panasonic said, I should have bought it from B&H Photo....  I was VERY upset after spending $2.600.00 on new equipment!

Then I spoke with another videographer who works with the local university, and she told me that Panasonic tried to pull the same thing with her. (The univeristy bought 6 of the same cameras, and when one broke, Panasonic claimed it was a grey market camera and wouldn't honor the warranty- they bought them from B&H Photo) After going rounds with Panasonic, the University pulled it's weight, which made Panasonic honor the warranty....turns out it wasn't grey market after all.

Well after doing some research online, I find that this is a common practice with Panasonic. Bait you with promises of rebates/warranties, then deny them, once you purchased. It's a SCAM all the way around.

I have alot of Panasonic equipment in my studio, and have loved their products for over 30yrs, but the last two highend purchases from Panasonic (over $5K) , have been a great disappointment, and an eye opener for me as a customer.....they are not the company they used to be, so I'm leaving the Panasonic camp.

Panasonic's business practice of false advertising, and not honoring rebates and warranties, is not the RIGHT way to do business if you want to KEEP your customers. Obviously they don't care about the latter.....so now I buy SONY products., and I am a happy SONY customer...Goodbye Panasonic!!