Mellodigital.com: Ha anyone dealt with Mellodigital? I was looking on-line for replacement batteries for my Nikon D5100 (EN-EL14) and found Mellodigital advertising them for $26.99...

Kalskag2

Ha anyone dealt with Mellodigital? I was looking on-line for replacement batteries for my Nikon D5100 (EN-EL14) and found Mellodigital advertising them for $26.99, significantly less than I found anywhere else. I ordered two batteries. A couple days later, I got a call from Mellodigital, saying they were sorry but the Nikon batteries were back-ordered a few weeks; however, that they would be willing to sell me, for the same price(!), "better" batteries by Premium Tech that had the proper chip, would give me 250 more shots per charge than the Nikon battery, had some kind of automatic shutoff to prevent overheating, etc. I went on line and couldn't find any reviews for this battery, so I cancelled my order. This seemed like a classic bait and switch to me. I'm curious if anyone else has dealt with Mellodigital and had a similar experience, and whether anyone has used the Mellodigital EN-EL14 battery in a Nikon D 5100.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

So when do people learn that the words"....significantly less than I found anywhere," is going to get you exactly what you got.
You have been a member here for 14 months and have not read countless threads on those places?

How many times do we have to repeat the online places that are known to be reputable?

LouEllen

If it walks like a duck....

Lou Ellen

Kalskag2 wrote:

Ha anyone dealt with Mellodigital? I was looking ... (show quote)

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

CaptainC wrote:

So when do people learn that the words"....significantly less than I found anywhere," is going to get you exactly what you got.
You have been a member here for 14 months and have not read countless threads on those places?

How many times do we have to repeat the online places that are known to be reputable?

There is a difference between responsibly frugal and obsessively cheap.
An obsession is a hard trait to abandon in favor of another trait that appears similar, like frugality.
Most obsessive deal-hunting folks justify foolish purchases with what they saved thereby equating junk with quality.
I know many very intelligent folks who are like moths to a flame when something is offered "significantly less" no matter how many warning signs are there, and will buy it anyway even when advised against it - because once in a rare moon it proves to be a true bargain.
It is a hard habit to break CaptainC and those so afflicted will continue to rationalize the merits of their obsession no matter how many times you clearly point out their folly.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Festina Lente wrote:

quote=CaptainC So when do people learn that the w... (show quote)

Well....you are correct, Festina. I have zero sympathy for their purchase, but a great deal of sympathy for the judgment they display.

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

Google is your friend.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Mellodigital.com

Read the reviews that show up in the results.

Kalskag2

Thanks, everyone. I checked with Am Ex to make sure my card hadn't been charged. Moral of the story: if the price seems too good to be true, it is! Fortunately, I didn't get suckered in to order the substitute batteries.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Kalskag2 wrote:

Thanks, everyone. I checked with Am Ex to make sure my card hadn't been charged. Moral of the story: if the price seems too good to be true, it is! Fortunately, I didn't get suckered in to order the substitute batteries.

Whew! Good for you. And now you know.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Kalskag2 wrote:

Thanks, everyone. I checked with Am Ex to make sure my card hadn't been charged. Moral of the story: if the price seems too good to be true, it is! Fortunately, I didn't get suckered in to order the substitute batteries.

That's good.
Beware the ides of next time. . (paraphrased from The Bard of Avon)

EstherP

Kalskag2 wrote:

Ha anyone dealt with Mellodigital? I was looking on-line for replacement batteries for my Nikon D5100 (EN-EL14) and found Mellodigital advertising them for $26.99, significantly less than I found anywhere else. I ordered two batteries.

Kalskag, you probably spent 5-700 dollars on your camera, add a couple of lenses, and your investment is quickly up to $1500 or more. Then why is $60-$65 too much for a good, namebrand battery from a reputable seller?

Maybe I am paranoid, or naturally distrusting, but if at all possible I'll buy anything camera-related from our local camera shop. If they don't have what I want/need and can't order it in, I'll order on-line - but only from a business with a well-known, good name. At least that way, I know I can take/send it back if there is something wrong - and even with brandname stuff, that can and does happen.
EstherP

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

You mean those crooks are actually still in the business of ripping people off? Unbelievable.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

EstherP wrote:

quote=Kalskag2 Ha anyone dealt with Mellodigital?... (show quote)

On the other hand, after spending all that money on cameras and lenses, it's good to get a bargain on a battery - provided the battery is actually available.
:D

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=EstherP quote=Kalskag2 Ha anyone dealt wit... (show quote)

Well, that's sort of the point - there are no bargains on the good stuff - no BIG bargains. And off-brand batteries are really a risky proposition.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

it is like spending 50K on a ford shelby mustang and then instead of using premium unleaded, you put cheapno name regular unleaded in the gas tank to save a few bucks. Do not understand it myself.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

DPReview does not think well of them:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/50369390