Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

So, I finally got around to selling off my backup 12.8 MP 5D body and am in the process of replacing it with a 18 MP 7D body to serve as my backup. I have been searching the net for new, refurbished, or good used ones, and came across a very attractive deal on Overstockdigital.com. Now I usually buy my gear from reputable sellers like B&H, Adorama, or Amazon, and avoid places known for up-selling techniques etc., but this price at least has me curious. Their rating on resellers-review is 8.6/10. Not the best nor the worst I've seen.

So, I'm really curious. Have any of my fellow Hoggers had direct experience with Overstockdigital.com, and if so, was it a generally good or bad experience?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

No Nikon DSLRs. That makes me suspicious right away. :D

Why don't you order something and tell us how it goes, like MT did with another online seller?

The body with lens is $940, compared with Amazon, at $1,339 for the body alone. Much too low to be legit.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Ultimately, I may just do that, but I'm not one to just jump blindly in order to save a few bucks (or in this case a ship load of bucks). They are offering the body only for $849 with a 1 year US warrenty, which certainly is ridiculously low compared to other known reputable dealers. Does make me curious as to what is up, and the reason I was curious as to any Hogger's experiences with them. If their whole approach is to simply try to up-sell me lens, etc. they would find me a tough sell; I'm just after a backup body and have anything they might suggest I need already. So, I would be willing to go through their dance if in the long run it saved me a few $100. Of course, if they can be shown to be ripoff artists I can always get a good used model from a respected reseller like KEH for the same price.

So, if anybody does have some knowledge of this company, please jump in and share your knowledge and advice.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If wonder if they're an authorized Canon dealer. They would have to be in order to offer a legitimate warranty. Maybe it's an aftermarket warranty. I emailed them and asked.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I looked at the 5D they are offering, but it didn't say II or III. Isn't that part of the complete name? Also, they are offering four accessories to buy on the page with the camera. I bet that will also be the subject of a phone call you'd get after ordering.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Good idea! I have just gotten home from a weekend show, so I'm scurrying around today getting things in order for next time, and guests later this week. Since you have already asked, I'll wait to hear how they reply to you. (Maybe I should hire you as a personal business manager!) :P

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Excellent idea! Let's start with $1,000 per week, plus expenses. :D

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

from a review:







1/5

posted Aug-08-2013


"Overstockdigital is a scam plain and simple. Here's what happened to me in a nutshell:
I ordered a Canon lens online. Overstock digital called me and made false claims regarding the lens I ordered and convinced me to buy a different lens at roughly 1.5 times the street price.

Detailed description of the events:
7/27/13 I placed an order online for a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM from overstockdigital.com
7/27/13 I received an email confirming my order.
7/29/13 Logan from overstockdigital called me and told me that the lens I ordered would not stop down to f/2.8 when mounted on a Canon 60D, (my camera body). When I questioned him about that he told me that he owns a Canon 60D and that he has used the 70-200mm 2.8 lens, and that is will not stop down below f/4.5.
7/29/13 Logan went on to say that Overstockdigital had a smoking deal on a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens which does stop down to f/2.8 on the Canon 60D. So I changed my order and purchased the Sigma 70-200mm lens for $1849.98
7/30/13 I did a little research on the web and saw that the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens routinely sells for $1249 from many other online retailers. However Overstockdigital had it listed as a macro lens, I though that might be why the price was so high.

8/1/13 The Sigma lens arrives and I actually like it a lot, but it's not a macro lens, so I know I'm going to call Overstockdigital, but it's after hours in New York.
8/3/13 I attended a gathering of local photographers. A local and very reputable camera shop had some demo equipment on hand including the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. I mounted the lens on my camera and took several shots at f/2.8 At this point I know the statements made by Logan at Overstockdigital were intentionally made to deceive me, which is in a word fraudulent.
8/5/13 I made several phone calls to overstockdigital.com trying to reach Logan, but he was unavailable. I ended up speaking with Kevin at great length. I explained that Logan had misinformed me regarding the Canon lens and that I’d like to either be refunded $600.00, (that would bring my cost down to $1,250, the “street price” on this lens, or I would return the lens if I could receive a full refund. Kevin advised me that there would be a minimum restocking charge of 10%. As we talked the restocking charge went up to 12%. I had 2 conversations with Kevin that totaled 73 minutes during which he agreed to refund $325 then he agreed to refund an additional $50. He also threw in a 5 year warranty, which I didn’t want.
8/7/13 I posted a negative review of Overstockdigital on ReselleRatings.com
8/8/13 I sent an email to Kevin at Overstockdigital detailing the events that had previously occurred and outlining 2 remedies that would appease me.
8/8/13 Kevin called and offered to refund another $150 which fell short of my requested $225, however by this time I had wasted several hours dealing with him so I agreed to settle for the $150. At this point Kevin directed me write a review on ResellerRatings and he directed me to write “I had a great experience with the company”.

I then waited for the pending transaction of $150 to be applied to my account. Frankly at that point I was swamped with work and I neglected to get back to ResellerRatings to change my review. I apologize to anyone who was misguided into dealing with Overstockdigital.com due to reading my coerced review. "


they are not listed as a canon authorized re-seller either.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Per:

http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/general-merchandise-retail/overstockdigital-in-washington-dc-235990877

THIS BUSINESS IS NOT BBB ACCREDITED

OverstockDigital
Phone: (888) 617-2292
1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004
http://www.overstockdigital.com

! There is an alert on OverstockDigital ! Text of alert follows:
"Mail sent to the business on 12/17/2012 was returned by the U.S. Postal Service as No Reason Indicated."

"F" On a scale of A+ to F

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Thanks for the reply, Annie. I had looked over resellers reviews.com ans saw this review posting. They do appear to be another one of the sites that specialize in trying to upsell their customers and try to make you go through their dance. I guess I have just been curious to see if others here had had first hand dealings which might indicate that playing the game might get me what I'm after at a price that worked to my advantage. (And a certain warped part of my personality loves the idea of the challenge!)

Since I'm just looking for an upgraded backup, I have the luxury of not having any pressure on me to deal on anything but my own terms. I have half a mind to call and negotiate just to see if the camera body suddenly goes out of stock when it becomes clear I am not going to buy anything else.

Or maybe I'll just go to KEH and pick up a LN used one for a similar price.

Thanks again, Annie.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Ah! Well that throws a new wrinkle into things. Thanks for that info, Mogul. Looking more like I should follow my gut and shine these guys on after all.

Mogul, I'd offer you a job as business manager, but jerryc has already agreed to take the position (albeit at a ridiculously high salary)!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

He's just greedy. After all the millions he made on the comedy tours in the Catskills, he should relax and enjoy his fortune, leaving the real jobs for us kids.