"False advertising" [Archive]

sandhu

06-22-2002, 04:46 PM

I read the June 2002 issue and called up A&M photo and talked to Toni at ext.768. They advertised nikon F5 for 1549 but it was not available and further on the camera was a grey market product without any manuals or accessories which was not said in the Ad. 
 
Then I called Broadway photo and talked to Semi at ext.201. They had highlighted in their Ad with the F5 "in stock" but it was not available and further it was the same grey market product. 
 
I suggest popular photography should check these retailers who do not specify the product in their ad's whether grey market or US and further dont have the product available at the adverstized price.

thunderstick

06-22-2002, 10:34 PM

i can't believe what i just heard, that some advertizers have false and misleading ads in the back of popphoto. thanks for clueing us in. p.s.- Smiley cancell my order for the $249 M-6.

smiley

06-22-2002, 10:49 PM

Thunderstick, 
 
I have cancelled your order! /ibb/skins/default/emoticons/biggrin.gif

DrJalapeno

06-22-2002, 11:52 PM

The fine print DOES mention international warranties and no guarantee that the product is in stock. That covers ''em.

roofguy

06-23-2002, 01:26 AM

Sorry for the reaction we've given you, sandhu. 
 
Some crooks took a shot at you. 
You dodged. 
I don't blame you for feeling betrayed. 
 
So why the comic reaction? We've been here 
a long time, and all that time these aholes 
have been trying to scam those who would join 
us. There is an element of humor in 
watching someone hold their nose from the stink 
after they opened up the sewer cover. 
 
That said, grey market stuff is part of our 
lives. Most of us use it, to save money. Legitimate 
retailers sell grey market stuff, but they 
don't try to sell it as USA, nor do they 
advertise things at prices they have no intention 
of selling them at.

NJMurphy

06-23-2002, 01:57 AM

And my two sense: If one merchant lists a price for an item that most other merchants advertise with the word "Call" in place of a price, you're never going to buy it at the first guy's price. 
 
To paraphase the punchline of an old joke, "Well, when I don't have it in stock, the price is only $1200.00" 
 
Caveat emptor.

roofguy

06-23-2002, 02:18 AM

If one merchant lists a price for an item that most other merchants advertise with the word "Call" in place of a price, you're never going to buy it at the first guy's price. 
 
This is only true in the consumer photo equipment 
business, if we're discussing national publication 
advertising. 
 
Imagine seeing, say, a "DeWalt 12 inch compound 
mitre saw" advertised in Sunset magazine 
at an excellent price, but when you called to 
order it, you found yourself in the middle 
of a scam which has been going on for 40 years. 
It just doesn't happen. That's why people are 
naive when it comes to this industry.

kzoomn

06-23-2002, 02:46 PM

"Read the fine print at the bottom of the ad!!!" 
 
Even with "reading glasses" I find it very difficult to read the fine print on some ads without using a ''loop'as an aid.. 
 
IMHO, it would seem that the smaller the fine print, the smaller/and or larger, the_____________of said dealer! (fill in the blank)

ronk

07-03-2002, 12:58 PM

One of the niftier things I found at thr B&H site was that they had a "email me a better price" spot for some cameras. Apparently one cannot advertize a item below a certain price if it goes through a USA distributor, but you can dicker a bit in the store and on-line. 
Let's face it. The world is into money and sleazey ways to get it. A little bit of common sense and reading the fine print will go a long way in preventing you from being ripped off.

MasonResnick

07-10-2002, 02:29 PM

OK folks, I'm happy to announce that we now have a Reader Gallery forum! 
 
One favor--our web editor started a thread "Free image hosting service recommendations." Please post your suggestions (reccomendations based on personal preferred) on it so participants will have a handy-dandy reference (the thread is linked to from that forum's FAQ). Thanks. The URL is: <A HREF=http://www.popphoto.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000001" TARGET='_blank'>http://www.popphoto.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000001</A> 
 
Now, go forth and populate the Reader Gallery with great photography!

irakly

07-22-2002, 04:22 PM

Just today I had a marvelously debilitating experience with CCI Camera City, A&M Camera World and Broadway Photo - all retailers that advertise Canon EOS 1D body for less than $4000. Interestingly, yesterday I found out that A&M and Broadway Photo have the same physical address with no retail space. 
 
All three places acted remarkably similar - first that confirmed that the product is in stock, but as soon as the salesperson realized that I didn't need anything but a spare body, he would immediately change the story. First they tried to talk me out of it because it would take them three weeks to get the body, when I said that it was fine, another lovely detail appeared - I was told that this body would come with a manual in Chinese. When I said that I had a manual, I was told that internal camera menus were in Chinese too (imagine that). When I said that it was fine (because I knew for a fact that it was BS), I was put on hold for amount of time sufficient for any normal person to hang up (I am not normal, I guess), and after that I was told that they cannot order the camera right now and it is not known when they can. 
 
Now, the most exciting part. When I told the Broadway Photo salesperson that I was going to complain to Popular Photography, he said: "Oh, yeah? Go ahead, let's see if it helps". Now, how about that? They are absolutely sure that nothing will be done. I would love to hear from Director of Advertizing what is that supposed to mean.

RED#25

07-23-2002, 12:03 AM

I HAVE TO ASK & I'M PROBABLY GOING TO GET FLAMED FOR IT. IF YOU'RE NOT A NEWBIE WHY WOULD YOU TRY TO PURCHASE A PIECE OF CAMERA EQUIPMENT THAT IS PRICED MUCH,MUCH LOWER THAN THE TWO MOST REPUTABLE CAMERA STORES(ADORAMA & B&H). THE FIRST THING THAT SHOULD GO OFF IN YOUR HEAD WHEN SEEING THE PRICE IS "WHY IS IT SO MUCH CHEAPER"?, NOT "WOW! WHAT A GREAT BARGAIN". I'M SORRY IF THIS SOUNDS MEAN BUT, I AM TRULY AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE GET SUCKERED INTO SOME OF THE ADVERTISED PRICES & OTHER SCAMS LIKE IT("HI MR. LEVESQUE, THIS IS THE ACME SIDING CO. & WE'D LIKE TO VINYL SIDE YOUR HOUSE FOR FREE & USE IT AS A MODEL HOME". YEAH, I BET YOU WOULD.). 
FORGET ABOUT READING THE FINE PRINT, HOW ABOUT USING COMMON SENSE. IF THEY WERE ACTUALLY SELLING A USA F5 FOR $1549 DON'T YOU THINK THE OTHER TWO STORES WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS? 
YOU KNOW THE SAYING, IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.

NJMurphy

07-23-2002, 01:13 AM

quote:Originally posted by RED#25: 
...I'M PROBABLY GOING TO GET FLAMED FOR IT... 
 
I'll only flame you for not unsticking your caps Lock. 
 
If you find the need to shout, there's UBB code. 
 
(Typing in all caps is like talking like Owen Meany. And if you understand my screen name, you'll know who Owen Meany is.)

RED#25

07-23-2002, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by The Water-Method Man: 
 
 
I'll only flame you for not unsticking your caps Lock. 
 
If you find the need to shout, there's UBB code. 
 
 
 
GOTTA STOP DOING, oops, doing it again. the rookie complains when i do it to. bad habit, it won't happen again. /ibb/skins/default/emoticons/wink.gif

The Rookie

07-23-2002, 02:21 AM

quote:Originally posted by RED#25: 
Originally posted by The Water-Method Man: 
 
 
I'll only flame you for not unsticking your caps Lock. 
 
If you find the need to shout, there's UBB code. 
 
 
 
GOTTA STOP DOING, oops, doing it again. the rookie complains when i do it to. bad habit, it won't happen again. /ibb/skins/default/emoticons/wink.gif 
 
It's The Rookie to you pal, not the rookie

lsuotto

07-23-2002, 03:42 AM

Never finished reading "Prayer for Owen Meaney". 
By the way, how many times can an author write about New England boarding schools and wrestling? I say that cuz I have always enjoyed reading Irving.