Well, I thought I had found a good source for buying the SP-350 at FotoConnection.com for $214.99 with shipping. Ordered the camera on 9/30, took another day to call and verify the order, then received the camera yesterday.
Odered a "Brand New Factory Sealed, USA Warranty" camera but received a Refurbished camera with a battery that had been broken out of its plastic wrapper and the camera was in a plastic bag that had been ripped. The bubble wrap this was inside was in good shape.
Needless to say i was rather hot but approached it in a professiona manner. I called my CC company last night to alert them then called FotoConnection this morning. I anticipated all kinds of hassles, but so far they have been quite "stand-up".
They admitted that it should have been a new camera but they were out, the website had not been updated and a refurbished unit had been sent instead.
They offered various incentives to get me to keep it but it was not a hard sell. When I told them I wished to return it, they stated they would email me an RMA application form that I should fill out and fax back.
Within five minutes of hanging up, I received the emailed form! I filled it out, faxed it back and received my RMA # within an hour. I was able to get the camera to the UPS outlet by noon.
While I had found reviews listing positive feedback for FotoConnection before ordering, last night I searched SB and found FC to be on a list of, shall we say, less than stellar performers. Wish I had found that before.
While I will not order anything else from FotoConnection, so far this has not been a horrible experience. Frustrating and annoying, but as of now they have admitted they were wrong and have been responsive to addressing it.
Live and learn. Once I get this credited back, then Costco will get my order.
Odered a "Brand New Factory Sealed, USA Warranty" camera but received a Refurbished camera with a battery that had been broken out of its plastic wrapper and the camera was in a plastic bag that had been ripped. The bubble wrap this was inside was in good shape.
Needless to say i was rather hot but approached it in a professiona manner. I called my CC company last night to alert them then called FotoConnection this morning. I anticipated all kinds of hassles, but so far they have been quite "stand-up".
They admitted that it should have been a new camera but they were out, the website had not been updated and a refurbished unit had been sent instead.
They offered various incentives to get me to keep it but it was not a hard sell. When I told them I wished to return it, they stated they would email me an RMA application form that I should fill out and fax back.
Within five minutes of hanging up, I received the emailed form! I filled it out, faxed it back and received my RMA # within an hour. I was able to get the camera to the UPS outlet by noon.
While I had found reviews listing positive feedback for FotoConnection before ordering, last night I searched SB and found FC to be on a list of, shall we say, less than stellar performers. Wish I had found that before.
While I will not order anything else from FotoConnection, so far this has not been a horrible experience. Frustrating and annoying, but as of now they have admitted they were wrong and have been responsive to addressing it.
Live and learn. Once I get this credited back, then Costco will get my order.
