Be aware of photoalley, Liar!

[Flatpicker]

I have dealt with Photo Alley several times. They always have been great.
This year I bought 3 digicams from them. When one was defective they cross shipped another immediately and credited my account when the return arrived.
I don't know (or care) if they know anything about photography, because *I do*.
The outfit I would watch out for is MP Superstore.

FWIW resellers ratings is a joke. It was OK at one time but now it is out of date and noone ever updates it.

BTW this belongs in brag and moan, not hot deals.

 

[poolshark]

resellerratings is the no spin zone

 

[cmv]

Back during the DC4800 craze I got brought from PhotoAlley and they worked with me to exchange the first camera I got (had defect, flash didn't work). I was even late returning the first camera and everything was ok... So I had a good experience with them for what it's worth. Sad to hear horror stories now. I hope we hear some good things from all of you with bad stories soon. Otherwise I won't be shopping there again .

 

[MontyBurns]

While I certainly don't argue with the complaints people have had, I do feel compelled to jump in here.

I've spent about $2,500 with PhotoAlley over the past year and a half. I think their customer service is nothing short of fantastic. What's more, I HAVE returned a camera to them, nondefective, and never had to pay a restocking fee. I have a very hard time believing that they'd really hold you to the fee, when you can return defective items for free. My guess is you got a CSR who didn't really understand the policy.

I highly suggest you give it another try, with another supervisor. I always recommend photoalley to my friends, and they've had the same results I have. I really don'y think your experience is common with these guys.

 

[saturngarden]

If you call photoalley 800 number. They are located in SF, CA. The physical address of photoalley is in NJ.
And you have to return your item back to PA. No contact information in PA, and NJ.

 

[masterjp]

Justincase: sorry if I missunderstood you the last time. As a matter of fact it was about Brooklyn companies, not the whole state of NY of course, you are right.
But as it turned to be PhotoAlley is worse than some "Crooklyn" companies.

The most important thing in that case was that someone was trying to post a "hot" deal that will bring him a lot of payed clicks and the argument to buy that camera for several hundred bucks more was that PhotoAlley is the "perfect" store.

Am I happy about the price: well I missed the gift check that nobody is getting.
Buying from MPSuperStore: yes, I did once, but no I would not do it again and I don't recommend it to anybody.
Buying from PhotoAlley: no I didn't (which was purely their fault) and hell no I won't even try it again. I strongly advice everybody to avoid them forever.

 

[saturngarden]

I called back twice. Both CSRs insist on charging me 15% restocking fee. I told them what's on their web page.
They didn't want to listen to me. Do those CSR get commision on restocking fee?

 

[SimMike2]

While Photoalley was trying to sleaze out of my $100 gift certificate good on future Photoalley purchases and getting the MSN Passport promo on the same order, they finally relented and shipped the item I purchased using the $100 certificate. It did take about five e-mails, with the last one containing a passionate plea about needing the item absolutely before Christmas. This worked and they released the order for shipment.

 

[masterjp]

saturngarden: all of the reps I talked to were mean, rude, impolite, ruthless, lacking any desire to help and looking forward to only one thing: skinning the client to the bone. Don't be surprised that they don't care about what is posted on their site, because they did the same with me.

 

[Justincase]

Well, just based on the comments I have observed here and elsewhere, it seems to me that PhotoAlley WAS an excellent company to deal with, but that something has seriously changed with them over the past several weeks - that would explain the huge divergence between the positive comments of those who have had prior dealings with them, and the current poor experiences. Perhaps they just don't have the manpower to deal with increased holiday sales, but whatever the reason, it seems to me that their current status does not measure up to their prior reputation. It looks like it's a crap shoot at the moment as to whether you get acceptable service from them or not.

 

[Justincase]

>>> It did take about five e-mails, with the last one containing a passionate plea about needing the item absolutely before Christmas. This worked and they released the order for shipment.<<<

Oh, that worked for you too? I told them that I was hoping to have this for my parents' 40th Anniversary, and then they finally released my order (which they previously told me had to be cancelled). It really was my parents' anniversary...but the cameras came 2 weeks later...PhotoAlley of course didn't know the date had passed, but I got the cameras anyway.


By the way, did anybody get the Dimage 7 at $649 at PhotoAlley AND get the $100 Gift Check?

 

[SemperFi]

I found this company a pain in the arse about a month ago.

I placed an order and they broke it up into 3 shipments. First no prob. like clock work.

Second I get email saying credit card not accepted. I then call and guy says I am like the tenth person to call in last half hour with same problem. He just cancelled theirs and reordered but I didn't want to pay more shipping since I already recieved first shipment. He said they would contact me later. Several days pass no email so I call again and ask for info with no results. Meanwhile the third package ships so I send email with all info necessecary to look up the order. Well they couldn't put 2+2 together and figure out my card was ok since they sent the third package. They told me that I had to work out the problem with my credit card company. :| I promptly sent another email telling them to cancel my order. And I recieve confirmation back worded seemingly glad that I cancelled.

Oh well, good thing money spends at other places too.

Semper Fi

 

[VaG]

<< By the way, did anybody get the Dimage 7 at $649 at PhotoAlley AND get the $100 Gift Check? >>


I got 2 & I did receive the gift certificates. The new question now is will I ever get the items I ordered with gift cert. & if so how many weeks will it take, how many times will I have to call or email them, & how bad will they rumage through my "new" item to remove & open contents.

By the way I would never give them another penny so I place to separate orders totaling $90 each.

 

[vette9898]

<< >>> It did take about five e-mails, with the last one containing a passionate plea about needing the item absolutely before Christmas. This worked and they released the order for shipment.<<<

Oh, that worked for you too? I told them that I was hoping to have this for my parents' 40th Anniversary, and then they finally released my order (which they previously told me had to be cancelled). It really was my parents' anniversary...but the cameras came 2 weeks later...PhotoAlley of course didn't know the date had passed, but I got the cameras anyway.


By the way, did anybody get the Dimage 7 at $649 at PhotoAlley AND get the $100 Gift Check? >>



So far I got one $100 gift certificate and after I talked to the customer service rep and he says he personally will put in for the other.

 

[mrwade]

If you used American Express Blue, just contack Amex, they have a return those non returnable items feature. If you want to return and the merchant will not take it back American Express Blue will!!

 

[djlevyii]

If you used a charge card, dispute the entire charge with your charge card company. When I have had to return items, I simply write my credit card company, give them the info, i.e., the item was not as advertised, and I retunred it, and accordingly, I disputed the charge as I would not pay XXXX dollars and then wait weeks for the company to credit me the same XXXX dollars.

Works every time.

Write that letter and withhold that amount from your charge card payment. And, you can not be charged interest on any amount that is in dispute.

 

[poolshark]

well said djlevyii ,,, these places hate credit card disputes against them . It costs these companies $25 every time one gets lodged against them . If you tell these vendors you are disputing charges then they come around to your way of thinking in a very fast way.

 

[sirsolo]

I think amex blue has an upper limit on how much the item can cost in order for that return protection to work.
I recall it being something around $300 range, but I am not sure. It would not work with cameras that are expensive AFIAK.

 

[sirsolo]

I almost forgot to say that I, too, had not so pleasant experience with photoalley in the past..

 

[tazmania99]

Photoalley sucks ass! Avoid them! They never fulfill my order that was paid by the GC given by them earlier. I ordered on 11/30 and their website always shows it in stock. Bu tthey just don't ship it. I called them many times and they blamed my credit card. The charge is only $6.95 for shipping. My card cannot even approve for a charge less than $7? Bullsh!t. They don't even have a phone# for customer service departement. I was told the # I called is the Order Department. Whatever...just avoid those suckers.

 

[Justincase]

>>>If you used American Express Blue, just contack Amex, they have a return those non returnable items feature. If you want to return and the merchant will not take it back American Express Blue will!!<<<

The limit is $300 per claim, as stated.



It seems that PhotoAlley has an inordinately large number of problems getting cards to authorize, doesn't it? I've read that many many times in the forums.

 

[shutrbug]

<< While I certainly don't argue with the complaints people have had, I do feel compelled to jump in here. I've spent about $2,500 with PhotoAlley over the past year and a half. I think their customer service is nothing short of fantastic. What's more, I HAVE returned a camera to them, nondefective, and never had to pay a restocking fee. I have a very hard time believing that they'd really hold you to the fee, when you can return defective items for free. My guess is you got a CSR who didn't really understand the policy. I highly suggest you give it another try, with another supervisor. I always recommend photoalley to my friends, and they've had the same results I have. I really don'y think your experience is common with these guys. >>


I must have been lucky with my Photoalley purchase! I jumped on the Nikon Coolpix 995 as soon as the MSN deal was posted. My order was delayed a couple of days due to it going (or being) out of stock. The $100 gift certificate came before the camera, and I used it to buy a wide angle adapter which just came today. Both the Coolpix and the adapter are absolutely brand new and came without a single dent even on the shipping box.

My problem is with Amex! The online CSR said that my purchase was excluded from the Best Value Guarantee (match with Regency Camera, of course!) because of the $100 gift check. I faxed in the paperwork anyway. If I don't get it, I'll really b*tch at them for changing the Ts&Cs without notification.

 

[Justincase]

Hmmm...how did Amex find out about the Gift Check? Normally things like that don't appear on a receipt.

Just to be on the safe side, I guess I won't fight for my Gift Check - I'll do the BVG pricematch, then dispute the $100 with Amex

 

[Mookie]

Even though my recent purchase of a canon ELPH S110 digital camera from photoally.com went ok, I agree with most that have posted, and would never buy from them again. I only bought from them because of the MSN rebate going on and the fact that 800.com didn't stock the camera I wanted.
I don't like the fact that you can't contact the company directly. I never got a shipping confirmation or a tracking number, I went home and found the package on my doorstep. I would have appreciated knowing in advance when I was going to get it.
Maybe I got lucky and all went well, but I'll never buy from them again, too many bad vibes.

mookie:frown: