Editorial

Photo Stores To Avoid

Here are seven photo stores you want to avoid ordering from. As we have consistently reiterated on this site, getting the lowest price on a product is not always the best course of action. In fact, if a price is too good to be true, chances are it’s part of a “bait-and-switch” tactic used to lure unsuspecting consumers out for a bargain into ordering online (or by phone). The scam goes like this and if you ever find yourself in this position, run:

  1. You place your order for merchandise (say, a digital camera) that seems like an incredible deal.
  2. The salesperson takes your order, then tries to sell you accessories such as filters, battery chargers, etc.
  3. You politely refuse. They insist. You refuse. Suddenly, your item is either not available anymore or you simply do not receive it when promised.
  4. You call again to follow through and they try to sell you accessories again. If you give in, you receive the accessories (sometimes the wrong ones), but no digital camera.
  5. You call again to return or exchange the merchandise, are put on hold forever then cut off.
  6. You call again and promised your camera is on back order.
  7. You give up, and learn a valuable lesson about always ordering from a trusted vendor.

It’s just not worth the aggravation and it’s all a scam anyway: the vendor never intended to sell you the merchandise at that incredible price!

Related link:
List of scammers