Warning: A Camera Packages (acamerapackages.com)

sleddriver · Apr 4, 2016

I don’t know if this company has been addressed prior on the board but I have just had the worst purchasing experience of my life. I ordered a Canon 70D package from ACameraPackages.com. I implore everyone on this board to never get involved with this company EVER!

The package was advertised on their site for $1049.49. It was the 70D with the 18-35 STM along with a wide assortment of extras. See the ad here:

Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera with 18-135mm STM f/3.5-5.6 Lens Package - A-Camera Packages Inc.

I got a call from them saying they needed to talk with me before they shipped. They informed me that I needed to order a battery with the camera. It upped my price just a bit. When the package arrived it was only the camera, the lens, a cleaning kit and a table top tripod.

My wife called to correct the issue and was stonewalled by their “Customer Service” representative (the same guy who took my order) who eventually hung up on her. I then followed up and received the same treatment. They would not provide the missing items and would only allow a return with a 15% restocking fee. They refused to listen to anything I had to say. And when I attempted to ask for a supervisor or a mailing address where I could write to, he hung up on me.

I cannot stress enough how fraudulent this company’s actions are. If you find yourself considering doing business with ACameraPackages, Don’t!!!

Chris

SquarePeg · Apr 4, 2016

Sorry for you bad experience. There are a lot of bait and switch and just outright fraudulent gear sellers out there. For new equipment you won't really find any one legitimate retailer with lower prices than the others. If you do, it's likely a scam. Going forward, try the reputable online sellers like Adorama, Cameta, B&H, Hunt's or even Best Buy. If you can catch a rebate or a special sale you can sometimes get a better price at one over the other but most have price matching so I usually buy from whichever is offering better shipping terms/return policy.

I'd keep an eye on my credit card charges if I were you if that is how you paid. Maybe report them to your Attorney General's office as well.

Watchful · Apr 4, 2016

Amazon ftw.

robbins.photo · Apr 4, 2016

sleddriver said:
I don’t know if this company has been addressed prior on the board but I have just had the worst purchasing experience of my life. I ordered a Canon 70D package from ACameraPackages.com. I implore everyone on this board to never get involved with this company EVER!

The package was advertised on their site for $1049.49. It was the 70D with the 18-35 STM along with a wide assortment of extras. See the ad here:

Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera with 18-135mm STM f/3.5-5.6 Lens Package - A-Camera Packages Inc.

I got a call from them saying they needed to talk with me before they shipped. They informed me that I needed to order a battery with the camera. It upped my price just a bit. When the package arrived it was only the camera, the lens, a cleaning kit and a table top tripod.

My wife called to correct the issue and was stonewalled by their “Customer Service” representative (the same guy who took my order) who eventually hung up on her. I then followed up and received the same treatment. They would not provide the missing items and would only allow a return with a 15% restocking fee. They refused to listen to anything I had to say. And when I attempted to ask for a supervisor or a mailing address where I could write to, he hung up on me.

I cannot stress enough how fraudulent this company’s actions are. If you find yourself considering doing business with ACameraPackages, Don’t!!!

Chris

Sadly odds are good by this time next year this place will have changed their business name 3 or 4 times to avoid all the negative feedback they are getting for using such tactics. Pretty common with these places, they'll use a business name till it builds up enough negative press and they start losing sales, and then instead of putting a stop to the bait and switch nonsense they'll just turn around and change business names, revamp the website slightly and move on.

My advice to most folks is the same my grandfather gave me, if a deal sounds too good to be true it's because it is...

table1349 · Apr 4, 2016

I checked to see if they were at Store Ratings & Reviews - ResellerRatings.com - Find Trusted Stores but didn't find them. That is a good source to check before you buy anything on line. If they are not there I would be wary of doing business with them.

Watchful · Apr 4, 2016

Sadly odds are good by this time next year this place will have changed their business name 3 or 4 times to avoid all the negative feedback they are getting for using such tactics. Pretty common with these places, they'll use a business name till it builds up enough negative press and they start losing sales, and then instead of putting a stop to the bait and switch nonsense they'll just turn around and change business names, revamp the website slightly and move on.

My advice to most folks is the same my grandfather gave me, if a deal sounds too good to be true it's because it is...

Its like the furniture stores that keep being forced to close due to business practices only to rename and reopen a couple weeks later.

sleddriver · Apr 4, 2016

Thanks everyone. I have sicked my wife on them and she is on their tail.

robbins.photo · Apr 4, 2016

If they haven't shipped, I'd contact your credit card company and file a chargeback

Sent from my N9518 using Tapatalk

Dave442 · Apr 4, 2016

Sorry you didn't check here first. I know more than a few people that were turned off to photography before they even started with these bait and switch tactics on cameras, these have been around forever.

If you received the camera and lens and it all works then forget about the rest, those items are not really worth anything anyways. Picking up a battery and charger if they were not shipped will probably put you at the price you would have paid at any of the reputable dealers.