Bought a 5D2 Need help... (Long Post)

I have been a lurker here for a while now and have learned so much from this site. This is my first post and I wish it could be on a much happier note. I own a 400D and enjoy it. I decided to upgrade to a 5D2 and here is how it went.

This might not be the right place for this thread but I thought I would start here. Ok, here goes. I ordered a 5D2 from Sonic Cameras. They had a good price offered on thier website plus they were in stock. To go with that I also ordered a Sigma 120-400 lens (I wanted a Canon 100-400L but was talked into the Sigma), an additional battery and that was a buy one get one. SO that means I should of had a total of 3 batteries if you include the battery that comes with the camera. Because I was a returning customer (I bought a Sigma 18-200 lens a month ago) they threw in an 8gb card for me.

So, 2 days after I ordered my camera, I saw on thier website they had reduced the priceof the 5D2 by $800! So I called and asked what was up. I got the run around of course and was told that the camera I ordered and what was being offered at the new price was something different. I was not happy about that but I dealt with it.

My package arrived yesterday. The order was complete with the exception of no memory card and no spare batteries. I was miffed about that but I had a new toy to play with so I charged the battery and started reading the manual. Once the battery was charged i put on my new lens and began to play with it. It makes a fairly loud growl when auto focusing. Much more that my 18-200 does. Also when the Optical Stabilizer is on, instead of being smooth as it stabilizes its very jerky. I don't care for the lens at all. I did not snap one frame with the camera as I had a bad feeling about this whole thing.

This morning I called Sonic Cameras to talk about it. First I explained that there were no additional batteries in my shipment that I had paid for. I was told that I already had one battery and that they were waiting for a shipment of batteries and when they got them I would be sent my remaining battery. I tried to explain that a camera comes with 1 battery and I had ordered 2 more. The sales person got very rude with me and said that I had gotten a great deal on a new camera and asked what my problem was. I said that I paid for something I did not receive. I then said I was not happy with the lens and wanted to exchange it for a Canon 100-400L. He was not happy about that at all. After some conversation of trying to keep me into the Sigma lens I finally said I was the customer and I wanted the lens exchanged. He then said OK, let me look and see what the difference will be. He came right back and said the difference was $200 something. How would I like to pay? Well WTF?? On thier website the lens I bought was $1999. The Canon lens shows $949. When I asked about that he said that was a plastic Canon model lens made in Taiwan and that what he was selling me was a metal one made in Japan which is much better quality. I have no clue if that is true or not but I didnt think it was.

The conversation got heated from there with him actually cussing at me! I told him at that point I wanted to return the whole order for a refund. He said he would have to find out how much that will cost me. He said that I now need to put everything back in the box, include a check for $700 bucks and when they receive the order back, the check clears they will refund my credit card.

I am very nervous about this. I have a lot of money at stake here. Whats to say when they get the shipment back they wont say something was damaged and not give me my refund? Has anyone had any experience with this company? Any ideas as to what I should do? I really like the camera and would like to keep it but not get ripped off. I really feel like I am getting hosed here.....

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

Wow, mate, sorry to break it to you but I would have run far, FAR away from these guys.

I don't get the $700 check in the box -- for what? Restocking fee?

I would dump the whole thing back on them and file a complaint with your CC if they don't refund. Your CC will side with you and make the store explain the charges.

As you suspected, there is no "plastic" version of the Canon lens. They put those ridiculously low prices on their site to lure people into buying where they then upsell to a Sigma or the "metal" Canon version.

It is funny that the guy was claiming there are two versions of the 5D2 with a cheaper one on the website. I'd love to see their training manual where they teach people how to run their little phone scams.

"The Canon lens shows $949. When I asked about that he said that was a plastic Canon model lens made in Taiwan and that what he was selling me was a metal one made in Japan which is much better quality. I have no clue if that is true or not but I didnt think it was. " Classic....

Erm, I would demand a full refund based on your not recieving everything. Here in Europe ALL internet purchases can be sent back within a cool off period with no extra charge (providing the purchase is as new) , most often you can get your shipping fees paid too (Amazon are good for this).

Sorry to hear about this....bad news a firm like that!

That is a sucky tale!

If you used a credit card, contact your card company, explain the situation and then return everything with your charges completely cancelled. If, though, by "credit card" you mean "debit card", your situation will be much more complicated, although you can talk with your bank and they may be able to push back on the charge.

I was told $489 (10% restocking fee) $68 for shipping and $143 for insurance. Plus I have to get it back to them on my nickel. So if the shipping is correct and I pay the insurance, I will still have to pay $211 on top of that.

Send everything back, insured, signature required, call your credit card company and cancel the transaction entirely.

TheHoff wrote in post #6939115
I don't get the $700 check in the box -- for what? Restocking fee?

I would dump the whole thing back on them and file a complaint with your CC if they don't refund. Your CC will side with you and make the store explain the charges.

As you suspected, there is no "plastic" version of the Canon lens. They put those ridiculously low prices on their site to lure people into buying where they then upsell to a Sigma or the "metal" Canon version.

It is funny that the guy was claiming there are two versions of the 5D2 with a cheaper one on the website. I'd love to see their training manual where they teach people how to run their little phone scams.

Id do exactly what he says because it WORKS. Let your CC deal with them, the CC company will win trust me. This is also a reason people should only buy from reputable vendors.

Man that is horrible, these guys have an aweful reputation. I'm sorry this is happening to you.

Have you credit card cancel the transaction and send it back. Do it now!!! Do not wait!!!

Well, I have now learned that this is a Bait and Switch company. Sadly I used my debit card. I spoke to my bank and they said they could contact them but it would come down to a fight between Sonic Cameras and I. This sucks. Lesson learned.

I am sorry about your situation. It is truly unfortunate there are retailers out there who operate like this one.

However, you could have researched their reputation very easily. A quick check of reseller ratings would have led you elsewhere for your purchase. Even asking on this site would have led you in another direction and avoided all of the crap you are now enduring. DO NOT SEND THEM A DIME. Do as the others have suggested and dispute the charge to your credit card.

I use three very regularly that have always been excellent.

B&H, Beach Camera & New Egg. Amazon.com on occasion as well.

Edit: Wow, just saw you used your debit card. Another fatal mistake. When dealing with online retailers there are a couple of rules to follow: 1. Ask about or look up their reputation. 2. A too good to be true price usually is just that... 3. ALWAYS, Repeat, ALWAYS use plastic.

Unfortunately, this is not a unique story. Lots of people get scammed. In this forum alone there is another person that was sent an empty box through an eBay reseller when he ordered a 50D. Man these sorts of folks are bold.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=619117

Ouch!

Familiaphoto wrote in post #6939439
Unfortunately, this is not a unique story. Lots of people get scammed. In this forum alone there is another person that was sent an empty box through an eBay reseller when he ordered a 50D. Man these sorts of folks are bold.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=619117

I've heard this sort of thing before too, but actually it was the SELLER that was in the right and got away with it - only because they said somewhere in their post that it was "for the box only". The buyer didn't read the whole post / all the details, and they screwed themselves.

This may be an option for you...depending on where they are located.

Find out what city/state they operate from and call the local PD. I once had an issue with an ebay seller, the police were more than happy to pay a visit. Shortly afterward I received the item I purchased. Given they are in NY, this may not be a good option for you...I was dealing with Texas police!

Looks like a nice part of town!

http://maps.google.com …um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Sonic Cameras
3505 QUENTIN RD
MARINE PARK, NY, 11234