How can I (and my creditcard company) get the advertised deal from a NY sCamera store?

[WhoMeCheap?]

I want to buy a camcorder and the lowest price, by FAR is from ontimedigital.com. They are known to be bait&switch artists. You order a camera but they won't actually send it without some "optional" accessory. For instance, they demand that you pay extra to buy maps to put on a GPS unit.

For the camera, it appears to be sold without a battery
How can I best get my camera? Will my credit card force them to take back the battery they plan to force on me?

Step 1) I order the camera at the ridiculously low price
Step 2) they call to extort more money
Step 3) I agree and pay with my best Credit Card (which is ...?)
Step 4) They send the Camera Kit
Step 5) I call and ask for a RMA for the battery, tripod, wipe-rag etc
Step 6) They refuse
Up to here, the path is pretty clear
Step 7)
..... Please help me fill these in
.....
Step 10) I smile


Others suggest a different plan:
Step 1) I order the camera at the ridiculously low price
Step 2) they call to extort more money
Step 3) I refuse and threaten them with a report to the Government
Step 4) They send the Camera.
Step 5) I smile

but it seems so unlikely.

Thanks!

[qoncept]

I had a problem with a purchase from a different camera store in NY. The only advice I can offer is that I've had to contest charges on 4 different credit cards. 2 were issued by local banks/credit unions and they were very helpful. The other 2 were with major credit issuing banks (Citibank and ... ugh, I don't remember the other) and from the very beginning of dealing with them you'd think <b>I</b> was the bad guy.

So I'd definately recommend, if you have any intentions on having your bank intervene, using a credit card from a local bank.

[IAMSLICK]

What's the camera make/model, and how much cheaper are they. I personally wouldn't risk it...

[WhoMeCheap?]

I'm looking at the Canon HF100 HiDef camcorder that records onto SD cards, Most places are in the $550 range though I think I saw a $520.

Ontimedigital has it for $309. I could add a couple batteries and add-on lenses before I get to even the cashback-reduced eBay prices.

[JustAnEngineer]

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/On_Time_Digital#reviews
They have a perfect score: 0.00 / 10
:stress:

[WhoMeCheap?]

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/On_Time_Digital#reviews
They have a perfect score: 0.00 / 10
:stress:

I would be proud if I beat them at their own game.

[heavylee]

Yeah, but can you really force them to sell anything to you? It's their choice if the say the camera is free, but the battery and tripod are $1500.

[Superocean]

Just stay away from them.

After all your headache you are going to end up canceling your order. Then what's left? You had tons of headache and time wasted and they have your name and account number. Who know what they will do with your account info after that.

STay away dude. I'd look for deals somewhere else. People have given them a bad rating for a good reason. Unless you are 350lbs 6'5 and live in Brookland and can meet them in person when they offer to kick your ass on the phone, I'd move on to another place to buy it from.

[WhoMeCheap?]

Yeah, but can you really force them to sell anything to you? It's their choice if the say the camera is free, but the battery and tripod are $1500.

They can say a lot of things, but what really matters is what the credit card company says. They (OTD) can't say the camera is free since their website says it's $309.

What will the credit card company say when I say that OTD added a bunch of overpriced add-ons to my $309 order and they refuse to take it back? Won't they force OTD to take it back or not get paid for it?


I think it is a stretch to say that because they are bait&switchers that they will resort to other crimes, especially violent crimes. But you're right I hadn't considered pay-backs. I would want to be sure to give them a virtual card number of some sort.

[bzhayes]

I would be proud if I beat them at their own game.

They are very good at the game... so I wouldn't put too much hope in it.....

Your second scenario definitely will not work. Once you refuse to purchase additional items they will "check stock" on the camera and then come back and tell you it is out of stock. At that point there is not much you can do... they will claim they don't have the camera to sell you.

I guess your first scenario has a chance to work. Your next step would be to do a charge back with your credit card company( or threaten to do a charge back first). Tell the cc co. the things they sent you are no good and they refuse to allow you to return them. You may have to fib a little bit, but most likely not. The credit card co. will then issue you a refund and investigate. Mostly likely that is the end of it... move to step 10 :) Bad scenario, cc co. suggests you are at fault... you stick to your guns that they defrauded you and again move to step 10 :) . Worst case scenario.... cc co. finds in their favor and you pay the whole bill.

I would make sure to read and understand their return policy before you begin... just so you understand it and are not thrown when they tell it to you.

[bzhayes]

...What will the credit card company say when I say that OTD added a bunch of overpriced add-ons to my $309 order and they refuse to take it back? Won't they force OTD to take it back or not get paid for it?
....

The cc will just withdraw the funds... OTD has to get the stuff back from you. The cc co. will not get involved in the return policy. A more likely scenario, is OTD will send you a letter threatening legal action to try and bully you into doing what they want.

In most cases the cc will side with you and wash their hands of the whole issue.

[WhoMeCheap?]

They are very good at the game... so I wouldn't put too much hope in it.....

Professionals. Children of professionals. They've had generations to work on their scam.

Your second scenario definitely will not work. Once you refuse to purchase additional items they will "check stock" on the camera and then come back and tell you it is out of stock. At that point there is not much you can do... they will claim they don't have the camera to sell you.

In the sticky at the top of this forum, in the "How to buy a camcorder" thread is a report of success using a story of "I only need the camera because a borrowed camera was damaged. All accessories exist". The out-of-stock wall would be difficult to breach.

I would make sure to read and understand their return policy before you begin... just so you understand it and are not thrown when they tell it to you.

Excellent advice all around. Thanks