Axer Lens = Scam / Ripoff . Run Quick! Friend Ripped Off

[unpopular]

^^ yeah. I agree. While the transaction may have been in bad faith, I just don't think a lot can realistically be done aside from getting a refund. I mean, you could take it to small claims court, claiming that the seller knew that he was taking advantage of your friend's lack of knowledge, pointing to the fact he probed for information, but without an attorney who is familiar with contract law it's going to be a really hard sell - and I doubt very much that you'll find an attorney who will see this as being worth their time.

However, I have read of one case involving this store where the credit card company did reverse the transaction, but I also read on the same page that the credit card company did not choose to act.

One question I would have is if this lens was being sold as a complete optical imaging system, if this can be considered a "complete imaging system" and if she was being sold a lens with a specific focal length.

 

[Spundoolick]

Well it seems it not just Florida that these poor people were ripped off. Myself and 2 mates paid $200 each for these axer lenses. The guy showed us the axer web site and they were priced at $1500. The bottom line is they are rubbish. I think we should be looking at the actuall axer site because I think they have inflated the prices which is helping promote a scam like this . I had put an artical on the " guided impulse " section of the site someone mentioned in an earlier post . I got mine from Global Gift & Electronics in New York up near o' reillys on 7th 53rd but as the trip advisor new York forum says " never buy from any camera store in times square" ask locals to find out where they buy their products from. I paid on my credit card , rang them and they laughed! I'm off to Florida. Next year and am gonna take the lens with me and in the meantime see if I can come up with a plan such as returning a product back to a camera store without the receipt that I lost , any ideas?

 

[pixmedic]

Well it seems it not just Florida that these poor people were ripped off. Myself and 2 mates paid $200 each for these axer lenses. The guy showed us the axer web site and they were priced at $1500. The bottom line is they are rubbish. I think we should be looking at the actuall axer site because I think they have inflated the prices which is helping promote a scam like this . I had put an artical on the " guided impulse " section of the site someone mentioned in an earlier post . I got mine from Global Gift & Electronics in New York up near o' reillys on 7th 53rd but as the trip advisor new York forum says " never buy from any camera store in times square" ask locals to find out where they buy their products from. I paid on my credit card , rang them and they laughed! I'm off to Florida. Next year and am gonna take the lens with me and in the meantime see if I can come up with a plan such as returning a product back to a camera store without the receipt that I lost , any ideas?

before we spend any money on gear that isn't OEM (and sometimes them as well) we research it. ESPECIALLY third party equipment.
unless you are buying from a local store that you KNOW is knowledgeable and trustworthy, (and has a good return policy) never trust the salesman to really know the equipment, or be looking out for your best interest. you have to know what you are looking at, what the price for it should be, and how it works with the rest of your equipment.

 

[Kolia]

How can you not buy from B&H when in New York ???

 

[Spundoolick]

Exactly, I know that now but there's still a lot of peeps visiting these stores. I should have researched it. I am new to photography and had only had the camera a month so it's all new to me !

 

[ROBIN88]

I also purchased this AXER lens & I by chance I came across this chat. Even though I am using my lens & am very happy with it, I was concerned that i also got ripped off. I paid $625.

So I started to do some research. I have a very good friend who helped me research this type of camera lens. The funny part is that he also found the same type of lenses for $15 or $8. But after further research he found out that the AXER brand lens is a very top market brand. They specialize in optical lenses. There components are also used on projectors & more professional style lenses.

What we also found out is that even though Vivitar is a well known name in Europe. A few years ago they sold their name & the company that bought it uses this name to sell lower quality lenses.There is a HUGE difference between the Vivitar lens & the AXER lens.

My friend gave me a good comparisson to make me feel better. The same as if you buy a knockoff off Hublot watch for $20 or Maui Jim sunglasses & pay $10 & then you go to a reputable store for the same item, you will pay about $32,000 for the watch a a few hundred for the sunglasses. but how can you compare a knockoff with the actual thing.

I would not tell your friend to return her lens. She has bought the higher quality lens & will enjoy it as I do.

 

[BrianV]

I've never heard of them. I have a couple hundred lenses, been collecting them for almost 50 years. I have Wollensak projection lenses, Pacific Optical lenses from rockets, Bausch lenses from recon cameras. Custom optics made for optical computers. Never heard of Axer. It's hard not to specialize in optical lenses if you are going to make a lens- most lenses are optical. You sure that you did not get ripped off?

Post some pictures of your lens here, and upload some pictures.

 

[JBrown]

Robin, I am sorry to hear that you got ripped off. I know when you make a purchase you want to justify it no matter what, but this axer lens is a rip no matter what.

Ive held it in my hand and it's not a quality item. Are you really going to try and say that small piece of glass is better then the canon 70-200 f4 entire lens? Insert any specific high quality lens from nikon or canon for the price range.

For argument sake lets say it is better. A vivatar does the same thing at $15 and you spent $600 plus. Its a scam and a ripoff, there is no way around it. To say otherwise is just plain wrong. Furthermore look at their website and their ancient products listed for thousands of dollars that are inferior to their competition which cost 100s.

If you enjoy it great, but dont pretend it is something that its not.

 

[BrianV]

Lenses

I looked at the site. These lenses are pure crap, auxiliary lenses worth about $20 each. Return the lens and get your money back.

http://www.axerusa.com/video-camera...page=flypage.tpl&product_id=30&category_id=13

$2800 for a digicam that runs about $69 at Walmart.

Where do these scam artists come from?

 

[Helen B]

I also purchased this AXER lens & I by chance I came across this chat. Even though I am using my lens & am very happy with it, I was concerned that i also got ripped off. I paid $625.

So I started to do some research. I have a very good friend who helped me research this type of camera lens. The funny part is that he also found the same type of lenses for $15 or $8. But after further research he found out that the AXER brand lens is a very top market brand. They specialize in optical lenses. There components are also used on projectors & more professional style lenses.

What we also found out is that even though Vivitar is a well known name in Europe. A few years ago they sold their name & the company that bought it uses this name to sell lower quality lenses.There is a HUGE difference between the Vivitar lens & the AXER lens.

My friend gave me a good comparisson to make me feel better. The same as if you buy a knockoff off Hublot watch for $20 or Maui Jim sunglasses & pay $10 & then you go to a reputable store for the same item, you will pay about $32,000 for the watch a a few hundred for the sunglasses. but how can you compare a knockoff with the actual thing.

I would not tell your friend to return her lens. She has bought the higher quality lens & will enjoy it as I do.

Thanks for clearing that up. If they are optical lenses then $6250 would be cheap, never mind $625. Although I can't afford one, I believe that the Holga uses an optical lens, and they are certainly not cheap for what they are.

Just out of interest, how stupid do you think we are?

 

[tirediron]

Lenses

I looked at the site. These lenses are pure crap, auxiliary lenses worth about $20 each. Return the lens and get your money back.

Pocket Video Camera SPV-300HD

$2800 for a digicam that runs about $69 at Walmart.

Where do these scam artists come from?

Good gawd... that 'site can't be serious can it? People actually pay those prices for that junk?

 

[tirediron]

I also purchased this AXER lens & I by chance I came across this chat. Even though I am using my lens & am very happy with it, I was concerned that i also got ripped off. I paid $625.

So I started to do some research. I have a very good friend who helped me research this type of camera lens. The funny part is that he also found the same type of lenses for $15 or $8. But after further research he found out that the AXER brand lens is a very top market brand. They specialize in optical lenses. There components are also used on projectors & more professional style lenses.

What we also found out is that even though Vivitar is a well known name in Europe. A few years ago they sold their name & the company that bought it uses this name to sell lower quality lenses.There is a HUGE difference between the Vivitar lens & the AXER lens.

My friend gave me a good comparisson to make me feel better. The same as if you buy a knockoff off Hublot watch for $20 or Maui Jim sunglasses & pay $10 & then you go to a reputable store for the same item, you will pay about $32,000 for the watch a a few hundred for the sunglasses. but how can you compare a knockoff with the actual thing.

I would not tell your friend to return her lens. She has bought the higher quality lens & will enjoy it as I do.

Thanks for clearing that up. If they are optical lenses then $6250 would be cheap, never mind $625. Although I can't afford one, I believe that the Holga uses an optical lens, and they are certainly not cheap for what they are.

Just out of interest, how stupid do you think we are?

:hail:

 

[NancyMoranG]

I don't know if she has to 'demand' anything at this point. Just go with receipt and return it, as not what she needed right now.
THEN, get out with your $$$, and then BBB or tv, etc.
if you can go in with her, but let her handle it, they'll know, you know,and that may be the end of it,so long as she gets her $ first.
Mom always said, be nice, see what happens, then handle the rest of it.
i think we have a new member of the forum on board!
good luck, Nancy

 

[Overread14 2]

I find it amusing that they have a "Magnetic Series Titanium Lens"

Also I'm confused why half their lenses are titanium series - is titanium known to improve optical performance?

 

[ROBIN88]

I find it amazing how closed minded you ppl can be.

I bought my lens in miami, JBrown's friend bought hers in Orlando & I saw someone else who bought theirs in NY.

If these lenses are being sold all over the US at about the same price then it can't be a "scam" as you say.