42ns Street Photo's Restocking Nightmare: I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd...

WilliamW Loc: Jackson, Mississippi

I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd Street Photo. I did this through Ralph by telephone. About forty minutes later, after having a changed of mind, I called and left a message that I wanted to cancel. Apparently 42nd Street had closed.

I normally order from Adorama or B & H, but both were closed for religious observances on Friday, December 23. Time was a factor, because of a European trip scheduled for early January, so I resorted to 42nd Street.

On Saturday, December 24, I called 42nd Street in the morning and told Walter that I had left a message the day before that I wanted to cancel. He told me the order had already gone out, so I just needed to receive the shipment and then call back for instructions on how to cancel, and there would be no problem. I told Walter I would do that.

This shipment arrived today at about noon, Mississippi time. I promptly called 42nd Street and spoke to Walter about returning the merchandise. He told me that there would be a 20% restocking charge. Based on the order, that would be about $800. I told told him that I had barely touched the merchandise, but he insisted that the charge would apply.

I told Walter I was unaware of the 20% restocking charge. He specifically told me that, "We never tell our customers about the restocking charge." I asked Walter why customers were never told this. Walter said, "Because it is on or website." I told sweet Walter that I ordered by telephone, not by website. Walter said that there was nothing he could do about this.

To his credit, however, Walter put me on hold and came back to tell me that he had authority to reduce the re-stocking fee to 15% (or about $600).

Ok, I am familiar with the narrow profit margins for sellers of cameras. If I keep the merchandise, there is a modest profit for the seller. If I return the merchandise, there is a 15% payment for "restocking" but the seller still has possession of the merchandise. Basically, 42nd would receive a $600 payment for receiving a package, the contents of which have not been disturbed. Nice profit for no sale.

I have chosen to keep the merchandise. Fortunately, I can afford to pay. But that is not the point.

As a lawyer, I know that a deal is a deal, and I ordered the merchandise. The seller has no obligation to take it back. That is all well and good. But my problem is with Walter's saying that his company never tells the customer about the 20 percent restocking fee. They really don't have too, but I can assure those reading this that I will never--I mean never--order again form 42nd Street. You guys can do what you want. Just beware.

We live and learn. I will stick with B&H and Adorama in the future. The "boys" at 42nd Street can do whatever the heck they want. I will rejoice knowing that I never have to deal with Walter, Ralph or any of those 42nd Street guys again for the rest of my life. I hope they have a conscience, but I really don't know, especially after Walter saw fit to interrogate me about why I wanted to cancel my order. I don't cuss, but if I did, I would know exactly what to say to this guy.

Ok, it is bedtime in Mississippi. Good night to all of you Hogs reading this.

chaman

Walter was absolutely right.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I'm surprised that, after over a year on the Hog you hadn't seen any of the warnings in the past. They are the worst kind of dealer. Restocking my ass. I hope you really needed the stuff. $4k is a handsome piece of change.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

A quick check in the search function would have saved you a lot of hassle. 42nd street photo is a known rip off site.

Walt

Edit: if you had opened the package you may have been shocked to discover missing accessories such as a battery. That Co. is known for doing things like that so they can upsell you those "extras".

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

WilliamW wrote:

I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd Street Photo. I did this through Ralph by telephone. About forty minutes later, after having a changed of mind, I called and left a message that I wanted to cancel. Apparently 42nd Street had closed.

I normally order from Adorama or B & H, but both were closed for religious observances on Friday, December 23. Time was a factor, because of a European trip scheduled for early January, so I resorted to 42nd Street.

On Saturday, December 24, I called 42nd Street in the morning and told Walter that I had left a message the day before that I wanted to cancel. He told me the order had already gone out, so I just needed to receive the shipment and then call back for instructions on how to cancel, and there would be no problem. I told Walter I would do that.

This shipment arrived today at about noon, Mississippi time. I promptly called 42nd Street and spoke to Walter about returning the merchandise. He told me that there would be a 20% restocking charge. Based on the order, that would be about $800. I told told him that I had barely touched the merchandise, but he insisted that the charge would apply.

I told Walter I was unaware of the 20% restocking charge. He specifically told me that, "We never tell our customers about the restocking charge." I asked Walter why customers were never told this. Walter said, "Because it is on or website." I told sweet Walter that I ordered by telephone, not by website. Walter said that there was nothing he could do about this.

To his credit, however, Walter put me on hold and came back to tell me that he had authority to reduce the re-stocking fee to 15% (or about $600).

Ok, I am familiar with the narrow profit margins for sellers of cameras. If I keep the merchandise, there is a modest profit for the seller. If I return the merchandise, there is a 15% payment for "restocking" but the seller still has possession of the merchandise. Basically, 42nd would receive a $600 payment for receiving a package, the contents of which have not been disturbed. Nice profit for no sale.

I have chosen to keep the merchandise. Fortunately, I can afford to pay. But that is not the point.

As a lawyer, I know that a deal is a deal, and I ordered the merchandise. The seller has no obligation to take it back. That is all well and good. But my problem is with Walter's saying that his company never tells the customer about the 20 percent restocking fee. They really don't have too, but I can assure those reading this that I will never--I mean never--order again form 42nd Street. You guys can do what you want. Just beware.

We live and learn. I will stick with B&H and Adorama in the future. The "boys" at 42nd Street can do whatever the heck they want. I will rejoice knowing that I never have to deal with Walter, Ralph or any of those 42nd Street guys again for the rest of my life. I hope they have a conscience, but I really don't know, especially after Walter saw fit to interrogate me about why I wanted to cancel my order. I don't cuss, but if I did, I would know exactly what to say to this guy.

Ok, it is bedtime in Mississippi. Good night to all of you Hogs reading this.

I will make this as short as possible. On December... (show quote)

Why didn't you simply refuse the shipment. Once you opened the box, you became responsible for the condition of the contents. Also, since when has a policy quoted in one medium become the standard for all orders? If dear, sweet Walter knew about the restocking fee and did not inform you via your only means of communication, it seems that you were defrauded by omission of the conditions of the sale.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I am sorry, but it is your fault. To know about 42nd street and not be aware of their practices in this day and age, not to mention that you have been on here as a member for awhile, how have you not seen all those threads? In any case, are the products US or gray market?

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

I'm really curious why you have not seen all the warnings in the Hog postings about 42nd Street Photo since you have been in this site for about 10 months. The poor reputation of that store has been mentioned in EVERY discussion of photographic sales stores.

WilliamW wrote:

I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd Street Photo. I did this through Ralph by telephone. About forty minutes later, after having a changed of mind, I called and left a message that I wanted to cancel. Apparently 42nd Street had closed.

I normally order from Adorama or B & H, but both were closed for religious observances on Friday, December 23. Time was a factor, because of a European trip scheduled for early January, so I resorted to 42nd Street.

On Saturday, December 24, I called 42nd Street in the morning and told Walter that I had left a message the day before that I wanted to cancel. He told me the order had already gone out, so I just needed to receive the shipment and then call back for instructions on how to cancel, and there would be no problem. I told Walter I would do that.

This shipment arrived today at about noon, Mississippi time. I promptly called 42nd Street and spoke to Walter about returning the merchandise. He told me that there would be a 20% restocking charge. Based on the order, that would be about $800. I told told him that I had barely touched the merchandise, but he insisted that the charge would apply.

I told Walter I was unaware of the 20% restocking charge. He specifically told me that, "We never tell our customers about the restocking charge." I asked Walter why customers were never told this. Walter said, "Because it is on or website." I told sweet Walter that I ordered by telephone, not by website. Walter said that there was nothing he could do about this.

To his credit, however, Walter put me on hold and came back to tell me that he had authority to reduce the re-stocking fee to 15% (or about $600).

Ok, I am familiar with the narrow profit margins for sellers of cameras. If I keep the merchandise, there is a modest profit for the seller. If I return the merchandise, there is a 15% payment for "restocking" but the seller still has possession of the merchandise. Basically, 42nd would receive a $600 payment for receiving a package, the contents of which have not been disturbed. Nice profit for no sale.

I have chosen to keep the merchandise. Fortunately, I can afford to pay. But that is not the point.

As a lawyer, I know that a deal is a deal, and I ordered the merchandise. The seller has no obligation to take it back. That is all well and good. But my problem is with Walter's saying that his company never tells the customer about the 20 percent restocking fee. They really don't have too, but I can assure those reading this that I will never--I mean never--order again form 42nd Street. You guys can do what you want. Just beware.

We live and learn. I will stick with B&H and Adorama in the future. The "boys" at 42nd Street can do whatever the heck they want. I will rejoice knowing that I never have to deal with Walter, Ralph or any of those 42nd Street guys again for the rest of my life. I hope they have a conscience, but I really don't know, especially after Walter saw fit to interrogate me about why I wanted to cancel my order. I don't cuss, but if I did, I would know exactly what to say to this guy.

Ok, it is bedtime in Mississippi. Good night to all of you Hogs reading this.

I will make this as short as possible. On December... (show quote)

Basil Loc: New Mexico

You ordered from 42nd Street. You should have done your homework!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

William, you kept the merchandise. So, the issue is sort of moot. However, had you returned the merchandise it isn't going to jump out of the box and restock itself. Someone has to receive it, unwrap it, check to make sure it hasn't been damaged by either you or the shipper, then restock, enter information into a computer, etc. In short, there is a good bit of work required of the employees in handling returned merchandise.

Some companies may look at this as just part of going business. Some may consider it enough of a detriment to productive time spent by employees to seek compensation for that time. Thus, the restocking fee, which I'm not sure is a required bit of information for a store to share with a customer until it's placed in a position of having to accept returned merchandise.

Additionally, 42st has a well exposed reputation here on UHH. There have been a number of examples cited by UHH members. Just do a search for 42nd St. Photo and read the glowing reports that have been written.
--Bob

WilliamW wrote:

I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd Street Photo. I did this through Ralph by telephone. About forty minutes later, after having a changed of mind, I called and left a message that I wanted to cancel. Apparently 42nd Street had closed.

I normally order from Adorama or B & H, but both were closed for religious observances on Friday, December 23. Time was a factor, because of a European trip scheduled for early January, so I resorted to 42nd Street.

On Saturday, December 24, I called 42nd Street in the morning and told Walter that I had left a message the day before that I wanted to cancel. He told me the order had already gone out, so I just needed to receive the shipment and then call back for instructions on how to cancel, and there would be no problem. I told Walter I would do that.

This shipment arrived today at about noon, Mississippi time. I promptly called 42nd Street and spoke to Walter about returning the merchandise. He told me that there would be a 20% restocking charge. Based on the order, that would be about $800. I told told him that I had barely touched the merchandise, but he insisted that the charge would apply.

I told Walter I was unaware of the 20% restocking charge. He specifically told me that, "We never tell our customers about the restocking charge." I asked Walter why customers were never told this. Walter said, "Because it is on or website." I told sweet Walter that I ordered by telephone, not by website. Walter said that there was nothing he could do about this.

To his credit, however, Walter put me on hold and came back to tell me that he had authority to reduce the re-stocking fee to 15% (or about $600).

Ok, I am familiar with the narrow profit margins for sellers of cameras. If I keep the merchandise, there is a modest profit for the seller. If I return the merchandise, there is a 15% payment for "restocking" but the seller still has possession of the merchandise. Basically, 42nd would receive a $600 payment for receiving a package, the contents of which have not been disturbed. Nice profit for no sale.

I have chosen to keep the merchandise. Fortunately, I can afford to pay. But that is not the point.

As a lawyer, I know that a deal is a deal, and I ordered the merchandise. The seller has no obligation to take it back. That is all well and good. But my problem is with Walter's saying that his company never tells the customer about the 20 percent restocking fee. They really don't have too, but I can assure those reading this that I will never--I mean never--order again form 42nd Street. You guys can do what you want. Just beware.

We live and learn. I will stick with B&H and Adorama in the future. The "boys" at 42nd Street can do whatever the heck they want. I will rejoice knowing that I never have to deal with Walter, Ralph or any of those 42nd Street guys again for the rest of my life. I hope they have a conscience, but I really don't know, especially after Walter saw fit to interrogate me about why I wanted to cancel my order. I don't cuss, but if I did, I would know exactly what to say to this guy.

Ok, it is bedtime in Mississippi. Good night to all of you Hogs reading this.

I will make this as short as possible. On December... (show quote)

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Besides B&H and Adorama, there are actually many good, trustworthy camera shops; there's no need to restrict yourself to just those two. However, 42nd St is not one of them! "Ralph" and "Walter" have been ripping off customers for years now.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

WilliamW wrote:

I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd Street Photo. I did this through Ralph by telephone. About forty minutes later, after having a changed of mind, I called and left a message that I wanted to cancel. Apparently 42nd Street had closed.

I normally order from Adorama or B & H, but both were closed for religious observances on Friday, December 23. Time was a factor, because of a European trip scheduled for early January, so I resorted to 42nd Street.

On Saturday, December 24, I called 42nd Street in the morning and told Walter that I had left a message the day before that I wanted to cancel. He told me the order had already gone out, so I just needed to receive the shipment and then call back for instructions on how to cancel, and there would be no problem. I told Walter I would do that.

This shipment arrived today at about noon, Mississippi time. I promptly called 42nd Street and spoke to Walter about returning the merchandise. He told me that there would be a 20% restocking charge. Based on the order, that would be about $800. I told told him that I had barely touched the merchandise, but he insisted that the charge would apply.

I told Walter I was unaware of the 20% restocking charge. He specifically told me that, "We never tell our customers about the restocking charge." I asked Walter why customers were never told this. Walter said, "Because it is on or website." I told sweet Walter that I ordered by telephone, not by website. Walter said that there was nothing he could do about this.

To his credit, however, Walter put me on hold and came back to tell me that he had authority to reduce the re-stocking fee to 15% (or about $600).

Ok, I am familiar with the narrow profit margins for sellers of cameras. If I keep the merchandise, there is a modest profit for the seller. If I return the merchandise, there is a 15% payment for "restocking" but the seller still has possession of the merchandise. Basically, 42nd would receive a $600 payment for receiving a package, the contents of which have not been disturbed. Nice profit for no sale.

I have chosen to keep the merchandise. Fortunately, I can afford to pay. But that is not the point.

As a lawyer, I know that a deal is a deal, and I ordered the merchandise. The seller has no obligation to take it back. That is all well and good. But my problem is with Walter's saying that his company never tells the customer about the 20 percent restocking fee. They really don't have too, but I can assure those reading this that I will never--I mean never--order again form 42nd Street. You guys can do what you want. Just beware.

We live and learn. I will stick with B&H and Adorama in the future. The "boys" at 42nd Street can do whatever the heck they want. I will rejoice knowing that I never have to deal with Walter, Ralph or any of those 42nd Street guys again for the rest of my life. I hope they have a conscience, but I really don't know, especially after Walter saw fit to interrogate me about why I wanted to cancel my order. I don't cuss, but if I did, I would know exactly what to say to this guy.

Ok, it is bedtime in Mississippi. Good night to all of you Hogs reading this.

I will make this as short as possible. On December... (show quote)

You obviously did not came across one of the many warnings on this site ( not to ever buy at/from 42nd Street). They just appear about once a week on a regular basis it seems!!!

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Just as a point of interest, here in the UK, we have The Consumer Contracts Regulations. This gives us the right to return any goods bought online or by phone within 14 days of receipt of the goods. You can also cancel an order for 14 days after placing the order without having received the goods.
The reason for return includes just having changed you mind.

Refunds must be paid within 14 calendar days after returning the goods, or evidence that they were returned... proof of posting.

Consumer protection laws like this would soon put paid to many of 42nd Streets antics.
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/i-want-to-return-something-bought-online

EDIT: Restocking fees are practically unheard of here, the only time I've seen them applied is when the seller has had to order in something in specifically for the customer.

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

WilliamW wrote:

I will make this as short as possible. On December 23 at about 4:30 P.M. CST, I had the urge to order about $4000 in camera stuff from 42nd Street Photo. I did this through Ralph by telephone. About forty minutes later, after having a changed of mind, I called and left a message that I wanted to cancel. Apparently 42nd Street had closed.

I normally order from Adorama or B & H, but both were closed for religious observances on Friday, December 23. Time was a factor, because of a European trip scheduled for early January, so I resorted to 42nd Street.

On Saturday, December 24, I called 42nd Street in the morning and told Walter that I had left a message the day before that I wanted to cancel. He told me the order had already gone out, so I just needed to receive the shipment and then call back for instructions on how to cancel, and there would be no problem. I told Walter I would do that.

This shipment arrived today at about noon, Mississippi time. I promptly called 42nd Street and spoke to Walter about returning the merchandise. He told me that there would be a 20% restocking charge. Based on the order, that would be about $800. I told told him that I had barely touched the merchandise, but he insisted that the charge would apply.

I told Walter I was unaware of the 20% restocking charge. He specifically told me that, "We never tell our customers about the restocking charge." I asked Walter why customers were never told this. Walter said, "Because it is on or website." I told sweet Walter that I ordered by telephone, not by website. Walter said that there was nothing he could do about this.

To his credit, however, Walter put me on hold and came back to tell me that he had authority to reduce the re-stocking fee to 15% (or about $600).

Ok, I am familiar with the narrow profit margins for sellers of cameras. If I keep the merchandise, there is a modest profit for the seller. If I return the merchandise, there is a 15% payment for "restocking" but the seller still has possession of the merchandise. Basically, 42nd would receive a $600 payment for receiving a package, the contents of which have not been disturbed. Nice profit for no sale.

I have chosen to keep the merchandise. Fortunately, I can afford to pay. But that is not the point.

As a lawyer, I know that a deal is a deal, and I ordered the merchandise. The seller has no obligation to take it back. That is all well and good. But my problem is with Walter's saying that his company never tells the customer about the 20 percent restocking fee. They really don't have too, but I can assure those reading this that I will never--I mean never--order again form 42nd Street. You guys can do what you want. Just beware.

We live and learn. I will stick with B&H and Adorama in the future. The "boys" at 42nd Street can do whatever the heck they want. I will rejoice knowing that I never have to deal with Walter, Ralph or any of those 42nd Street guys again for the rest of my life. I hope they have a conscience, but I really don't know, especially after Walter saw fit to interrogate me about why I wanted to cancel my order. I don't cuss, but if I did, I would know exactly what to say to this guy.

Ok, it is bedtime in Mississippi. Good night to all of you Hogs reading this.

I will make this as short as possible. On December... (show quote)

You have to Read the Fine Print when it comes to Restocking Fees!!!

...& What in the Hell did you buy from 42nd st Photo for 4 Grand???

74images

whitewolfowner

Since you ordered over the phone and they failed to tell you about a policy, it seems legally it would not be binding; no meeting of the minds. Secondly, since you called right back and cancelled the order and they still sent it out, I would bet you have dispute rights with your credit card company. I find it puzzling you are a lawyer and do not know these things. You should have refused the delivery and had it sent back, especially when you called and cancelled the order.

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

If you don't want what you purchased, I suggest listing here on UHH; maybe some will want what you don't.