Sonic Cameras Bait & Switch, tried to make a buck to the very end Brooklyn New York

I ordered a Canon70-300mm lens from this company. They sent an e-mail requesting I call a number to confirm my order. When I called the number, they told me I really ordered the wrong lens for my camera. They recommended I upgrade to a digital lens. I know basically nothing about cameras so I believed them. They also talked me into an extended warranty. All said and done my bill came to just over $631.

When I received the lens I opened the box to find a Sigma lens when I thought I was getting a higher quality version of the Canon. I called them this morning to ask for a return authorization number. I could not get anyone at the customer service number on the menu so after 3 or 4 tries I pressed the number for order confirmation.

Of course, the line was immediately picked up. I asked the rep for a return authorization number and he tried his very best to convince me to keep this "higher quality" lens. I explained that I thought I was getting a Canon lens for my Canon camera. Finally, after nearly having to threaten him he gave me a Fax number that I could send a request for the return authorization number. He said I would have to provide this and a money order for $198.38 to return the merchandise.

At this point I nearly went ballistic. I said "you're telling me I have to send you money to return the lens and get this taken off of my credit card. He said it was for a 10% restocking fee,shipping, $41 worth of shipping insurance and last but not least the extended warranty( for a product I was about to return). He explained that the warranty was prepaid to the manfacturer of the lens. The warranty cards that I would send in were merely a confirmation of this warranty. I got the Fax number and got off the phone with him.

I immediately went online and looked up the lens they sent me and could have bought it from any reputable company for $235. I sent the fax requesting the number. 5 hours later I got a call, no merchandise return number given, they wanted me to call them back. When I talked to them they would not give me the authorization number unless I agreed to their terms and conditions. I told them I wasn't agreeing to anything. I was sending the lens back and I would have my credit card company remove the charges. If they did not accept the shipment I would send proof to my credit card company that I sent it in good faith. . They wanted their restocking fee, shipping and $41 UPS insurance, and at this point I was not going to give them a dime.

After the supervisor made a couple threats about getting their money and I told him what I should do is turn them in to the New York Attorney General, he made a few more rude comments and hung up on me. 30 minutes later they called and left a message that they would accept my return and would refund the full purchase price. All of this wasted approx 2/3 of my day. I hope people read this and stay away from this company.. By the way FedEx charged me $3.61 to insure the package for $600 back to them. What a Scam!

Ted
Greenbrier, Arkansas
U.S.A.