Avoid Grand Central Photo

I called them yesterday to order a 7D because the price was really good. The saleman assured me that it was a USA warranty, that it was in stock in their Florida warehouse, and took all of my info. He then told me the battery only lasts half an hour, and he could sell me a better battery for $99. I declined. He then offered me an 8GB memory card, some really off brand that I'd never heard of, for $75. I declined that as well. He hung up. I never got a confirmation email, so I called today to check, and the person I spoke to told me that they "overextended" themselves on that product, and it would be another two to three weeks. I canceled the order.

Sounds like the usual add on deal - where the genuine battery (best available) is no good so they will keep it and send you a lesser product for 10 times what it is worth (and you lose your $70 canon battery too - so $170 for a $10 after market battery). I am sure the memory card would not have kept pace with the Camera either.

Keep an eye on your credit card statement for "mystery charges" the next few months - does not always happen - but with scammers as reputable as some I would not rule it out.

For a good deal on the 7D - check out the Canon Loyalty program threads - camera is going to be more than likely unused and you wont find a better price (or a more reputable company).

If it's too good to be true, it always is!

Glad you didn't go for it...

Bryan

Classic bait and switch! Glad to hear you did follow through your purchases.

god, why can't people tell if the website is a trap or not? just buy from legit websites, like abesofmaine...beachcam​era...adorama...etc Just use common sense. If the site looks like crap and 90% of the time it's a scamming site.

That's why you always read store reviews before buying.

MOkoFOko wrote in post #11871991
That's why you always read store reviews before buying.

Their reviews seem consistent http://www.resellerrat​ings.com/store/Grand_C​entral_Photo

Justaddwata wrote in post #11872384
Their reviews seem consistent http://www.resellerrat​ings.com/store/Grand_C​entral_Photo

0.42/10, thems be purdy good ratings!!

MOkoFOko wrote in post #11872490
0.42/10, thems be purdy good ratings!!

Ratings like that remind me of Broadway. Any place with a rating less than one on a 10 point scale should set off an alarm in everyone.

Jim K wrote in post #11872801
Ratings like that remind me of Broadway. Any place with a rating less than one on a 10 point scale should set off an alarm in everyone.

Less than 8 and they won't get my business (Abes of Maine has a rating of 7.88 and I won't shop there).

You never get something for nothing and there is ALWAYS A catch !!!

By now I can see the "store" name and tell if it's a bait and switch place.

goldboughtrue wrote in post #11880310
By now I can see the "store" name and tell if it's a bait and switch place.

Yeah. Grand Theft Photo

craigslistpost604 wrote in post #11871418
god, why can't people tell if the website is a trap or not? just buy from legit websites, like abesofmaine...beachcam​era...adorama...etc Just use common sense. If the site looks like crap and 90% of the time it's a scamming site.

It's strange. There's a never end string of threads like this one, or similar, asking "is this place safe?", but there's also the never ending string of "Adorama sucks; I'll never shop there again" threads.

You would think that people would focus on big picture: Buy from a legit retailer with good prices, and not get sucked in to this kind place or twisted up because Adorama shipped a day later than they expected.

The real issue with a place like Grand Central is that now they have your CC info and you don't know just how illegitimate they are. Will they stop at canceling your sale because you didn't go for ridiculous accessories, or might they sell your credit card info to the highest bidder on the black market?