Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

You will never know "beyond a reasonable doubt" the intent of XYZ in this interaction.
Intent is an unknown.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

[quote=anotherview]Salespeople live for one moment: a completed sale. They will say or do almost anything short of crime (usually) to attain a sale. As part of their sales behavior, salespeople exercise their social IQ to persuade a customer to buy whatever. They pose themselves as your best friend as part of their technique to make a sale.

Thankfully, the Internet has provided another avenue for a buyer to purchase items while largely free of the influence of salesmanship.

In your case, you may wish to go with your gut feeling. Consider cancelling your order. Then go online to buy your camera. Most likely, you will find a better deal including free shipping and no sales tax.

Most photographers recommend B&H, Amazon, and Adorama as reputable online sellers of photography gear.

I can also recommend Samy's Camera. This company has several brick-and-mortar stores here in Southern California as well as an online presence.

Good luck

I think you know very little about sales but you do know how to cast aspersions on an entire group of workers.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

CSI Gibbs rule 36 - if you think you are being played you probably are.

AzYooper Loc: Sun Lakes AZ (Almost Phoenix)

I HAVE been a "salespeople" and found it to be a very motivating and satisfying life and I completely disagree with the posters statement. Those greedy, make-a-sale "salespeople" will have very short careers. It's the "salespeople" who care about the customer that have long and rewarding careers, built on repeat business.

AzYooper Loc: Sun Lakes AZ (Almost Phoenix)

I think the margin of error goes up significantly when you are dealing with a one-of-a-kind item like a specific used item. If you were ordering a common high volume item, they would be more likely to find it.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thank you. I agree and think many will agree with you. The poster’s first paragraph casts aspersions aplenty on sales people.

The sales people I have dealt with, on both sides of the cash register, have given me honest information about their products, allowing me to make up my own mind. Of course they want to make a sale. That is their business. Of course you might want to buy. Isn’t that why you went into the store? I tell clerks I am not interested but am just looking. Never felt pressure but have had some great conversation. Often, two days or two weeks later I may return to the store and make a purchase.

Dennis

Dannj

The best salespeople I’ve dealt with are not concerned with making “a” sale. They care about making repeat sales and treat their customers accordingly. I’ve been talked out of higher dollar purchases by salespeople who knew I was going in over my head and wouldn’t be satisfied with my purchase. Those folks get my business AND my referrals.

Photocraig

In cases like these, perhaps it takes a moment to "walk in t'other guy's shoes." While I can guess the vendor you're referring to, any used equipment inventory is a challenge to keep up to date and accurate. (Versus new inventory in boxes and bar codes, and invoices to cross check, and Computerized inventory software packages available for sale developed by professionals.)

A Used equipment inventory is a collection of loose equipment, accessories etc. They get received, graded, inventories and placed on in a "location." Logging them in and out of the location is a cute trick and one that is easily messed up. (Think of WHY the Librarian makes you put the books you took off the stacks onto the replacement cart, so STAFF, and NOT YOU, replaces to books correctly.

I can think of a few scenarios in a high volume business where item A, almost identical to Item B, may be off the shelf (and off the inventory lookup) and where Item B might be a suitable offering. Then, circumstances find that Item A was returned to its proper spot physically and digitally in time for a subsequent phone call. Manual systems, even computer augmented, are prone to delays and errors.

Since, from your post I didn't get that the dollar differences were very great. The new offer at ANY discount is an accommodation, in my mind. I didn't get the impression that there was any misrepresentation involved.

Since the suspected vendor, and the two others it may also be, offer a generous no questions asked return policy, that you KNOW is good because you're a long time customer, I can't see how this falls into Bait and Switch. I suggest you ask your attorney friend how he would pursue a case in which the seller says by policy, "OK, you're not happy, send it back for a complete refund after you get to examine it at your home or business for 10 or more days---plus a warranty." What's you're downside--or as the Attorneys say, damages?

As a Native New Yorker (although an escapee for over 50 years) I can tell you that it is never good practice to form an opinion or more importantly base business and money transactions on opinions formed about legal disputes, like the ones I'm guessing are on labor practices, that are being litigated in the Press--especially the NY Press.

Do the deal, DON'T do the deal, That's up to you and your"gut." But projecting ill motives on a long established business, where you have a relationship, and if my suspicions are correct have a fellow UHH member who acts in Ombudsman role, is a step too far. Let's leave the projections to the Camera Clubs, Movies and Politicians.

I mean this constructively. In today's world, it is easy to think you're being taken advantage of. It happens all the time. I think you're dealing with a good business be it any one of the Big 3 in NY. If you get the jitters easily, then perhaps, buying used equipment isn't for you, at least not remotely. The most important thing is for you to be comfortable with your purchase, be it a genuine unopened box of Chocolates, or an expensive camera, used or new.

Give yourself a break, use your resources and do transactions in ways where you are comfortable.
C

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

let me start by saying I am not a fan of litigation.

Bill_de Loc: US

All these suggestions about calling the company back make no sense ... if the OP was honest with us.

How do you get a phone number for a hypothetical company?

--

tandemrider

Wow, I can't believe I came across this discussion as I had a similar issue myself. I was trading in a number of lenses that I no longer was using and was going to use the money toward the purchase of a Sony a7iii. Now we all know how difficult these cameras are to come across, but the used equipment salesman said he could get me a new one. I authorized the balance on a credit card. I was happy and felt very lucky until....

The delivery was made on time and I immediately opened the package. What I found was a used grey market model of the camera for which I had been charged the full retail price of a brand new U.S. version. I also noted that the Sony U.S. warranty card was not there. I was in touch with customer service who thankfully was honest and told me the camera was not new but was in perfect condition and would be covered by the store's 6 month warranty. This was one of the big NYC stores that are widely recommended by many.

I will tell you that the store was Adorama because in the end they took the camera back and refunded my money. It all turned out okay but I was shocked that a dealer with their reputation would do a thing like that. I have never had an issue with them and their customer service was excellent in getting things resolved. They even paid for the return shipping. At that time, the requested camera was not in stock. Because previous purchases from them went as smooth as glass, I am chalking this up to a one time snafu. In fact, I have since ordered from them again without problems.

I hesitated to actually name the store but felt that if others in this community have had issues with them, we all need to know. We already have an Abe's of Maine and don't need another.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Thanks for identifying the store. That information makes all the difference, if one wants to make a difference.

AzYooper Loc: Sun Lakes AZ (Almost Phoenix)

This is not the original poster who is identifying Adorama. That store is still "hypothetical", just to be clear.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

The store to which I am referring is NOT Adorama!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Instead of playing this game of "warmer....warmer....not so warm....colder....colder..." why not just say it?

Are you afraid that when we find out what store it was you will get some embarrassing questions that you can't answer? Or more likely you will get the B&H or Samy's rep coming to this thread and explaining the actual situation and it will differ from what you described?