42nd St. Photo Rip-Offs
Feb 17, 2016 12:15:40 #
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In order to get the advertised equipment at the advertised price, one is required to buy junk packages of add-on equipment at ridiculously high prices.
Last weekend I ordered from 42nd St. a grey market 105mm Nikkor for $700 (normal US import price around $900.) At that time the web site said they had plenty of that lens in stock. Two days later I got an email saying they over-sold their inventory and that they expected to fill the order in 4 to 6 weeks. At that time, and still to today, the web site says they have plenty of that lens in stock.
After several emails it turns out that they could find that lens, for immediate shipment, if I purchased an accessory kit for $150. That package included a $6 uncoated UV filter and a flimsy tripod and some other useless junk. If I did that Id end up paying $850 for a grey market lens.
Bottom line, one spends way too much for what is advertised as a bargain when dealing with 42nd St. Photo. If you want a grey market lens, you are much better off going to e-Bay.
Last weekend I ordered from 42nd St. a grey market 105mm Nikkor for $700 (normal US import price around $900.) At that time the web site said they had plenty of that lens in stock. Two days later I got an email saying they over-sold their inventory and that they expected to fill the order in 4 to 6 weeks. At that time, and still to today, the web site says they have plenty of that lens in stock.
After several emails it turns out that they could find that lens, for immediate shipment, if I purchased an accessory kit for $150. That package included a $6 uncoated UV filter and a flimsy tripod and some other useless junk. If I did that Id end up paying $850 for a grey market lens.
Bottom line, one spends way too much for what is advertised as a bargain when dealing with 42nd St. Photo. If you want a grey market lens, you are much better off going to e-Bay.
Feb 17, 2016 12:20:34 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
Sorry for your luck!! this kind of thing seems to happen all to often these days! I finally quit trying to find the deals, spend the extra and know I am getting a hassle free purchase,
good luck getting it straightened out
Feb 17, 2016 12:21:51 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
grey market according to B&H Photo, I checked on them a while back and was told "buyer beware". I take B&H Photo as a credible resource.
Feb 17, 2016 12:27:14 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
Yep, for my money, its Adorama, B&H, Cameta Camera or KEH
Feb 17, 2016 12:33:26 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
You should have posted a question here on UHH about 42nd St. Photo and we would have saved you some trouble by steering you away from them. This is how they always operate. You're lucky they just sent you and email asking you to upgrade. Usually they have a person call you and pressure you to do exactly what they asked you to do in an email.
Steer clear of 42nd St. Photo!
Feb 17, 2016 12:48:09 #
There's a long list of shady camera businesses out there. Stick with the ABC's (Adorama, B&H and Calumet). They might advertise lower but how much pain and suffering is it going to take.
As mentioned from JD, asking here would have saved you time or doing a search from the top would have given you a plethora of threads about their less than stellar reputation.
As mentioned from JD, asking here would have saved you time or doing a search from the top would have given you a plethora of threads about their less than stellar reputation.
Feb 17, 2016 12:52:23 #
redhogbill wrote:
Sorry for your luck!! this kind of thing seems to happen all to often these days! I finally quit trying to find the deals, spend the extra and know I am getting a hassle free purchase,
good luck getting it straightened out
good luck getting it straightened out
Why didn't you just buy it from MT Shooter/Carter Cottage Photography in Billings Montana and save your self all that hassle with gray market stuff MT would take care of you?
Feb 17, 2016 13:17:32 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
You should have posted a question here on UHH about 42nd St. Photo and we would have saved you some trouble by steering you away from them. This is how they always operate. You're lucky they just sent you and email asking you to upgrade. Usually they have a person call you and pressure you to do exactly what they asked you to do in an email.
Steer clear of 42nd St. Photo!
Steer clear of 42nd St. Photo!
My thought as well. :thumbup: Exercising due deligence is the buyers rsponsibility.
Feb 17, 2016 13:30:15 #
I agree 42nd st photo are not nice people.I stay away from them. They use a bait and switch to attract you. My suggestion is if you want to buy Grey market, both B&H and Adorama offer that and their customer service is excellent.
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
Feb 17, 2016 13:41:28 #
There are so many disreputable vendors on ebay. It's better to buy used from a person. Forget about these scammers.
Feb 17, 2016 13:58:23 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
If you use the "Search" function at the top of the page you will find a multitude of discussions indicating that 42nd St. is a scam outfit. I'm sorry you got taken to the cleaners, but with a little research you would saved yourself the hassle.
Feb 17, 2016 14:01:41 #
Been there - Done that. I have learned the hard way that there is no free lunch. There are deals to be had if you look hard enough but none to match the unbelievable low prices offered by the scam artists.
Feb 17, 2016 14:03:58 #
Always google before purchasing!
the 42nd photo bullcrap is well known in all photo forums.
the 42nd photo bullcrap is well known in all photo forums.
Feb 17, 2016 14:13:50 #
The amazing thing is that 42nd street photo have been is business for as long as I remember with that same name and bad reputation. They must be doing something right.
Feb 17, 2016 16:11:20 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Dan De Lion wrote:
42nd Streets advertised prices are lies. In orde... (show quote)
They are a well known bait and switch operation. Sorry you didn't ask here first. We could have saved you the aggravation.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.