Foto Connection reviews and complaints

DO NOT be tempted to purchase anything from fotoconnection.com. They will not ship your order until you confirm it by calling them which is only done to try to sell you accessories. If you don't buy the accessories they will switch what you purchased to a less expensive model. Here's my story...

I ordered a Nikon Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens and to my surprise they did not ship it within a few days as any other reputable online merchant would do. Instead, they called me several days later under the guise that they needed to confirm the order (yeah right) and attempted to sell me some lens filters. They told me they were running a half price special only for that day. Since I was at my new job and didn't want to start googling to research and I wanted to get the lens before my son's karate belt test which was coming up in a few days, I hastily approved the accessory. When I got home and realized that I should research the price, I found out that they were charging me significantly more for the lens filters than what I could get them for anywhere else online. I e-mailed them and told them to cancel the lens filters but send me the lens. For several days, I kept receiving an e-mail confirmation which included the lens filters. There were two buttons to choose from which was accept the order or decline the order. To no surprise, the accept button was a live one but the decline one was a dead link. Several e-mails later of trying to cancel the lens filters and keep the original lens order did not seem to work. I finally sent them a scolding e-mail to cancel the entire order and I also told them that I was going to send a letter to the US Attorney General's office to request them to look into their sales practices. The next thing I know, I received a confirmation e-mail with the lens filters off, but the lens they now switched to the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens. The difference is that the lens they were now sending did not include the VR (which is vibration reduction) and this lens was like $30 or more cheaper than the other lens I ordered, however the price of the order did not change. I sent them another scolding e-mail telling them not to ship the lens and to cancel my whole order and if they did ship it, I would just reject the package and dispute any charge with my credit card company. Well they shipped the lens and I rejected the package as I told them I would. They ended up crediting me over a month later but the credit was for 15% less than the original charge which they said was a restocking fee. This was totally ridiculous considering I didn't even take possession of the package let alone open it (besides everything that I went through). I ended up disputing the difference with my credit card company and got back the money (hopefully they charged them back).

Stay away from fotoconnection and pay the extra 10% or 15% to deal with a reputable company. In actuality, you're really not paying more since you won't get that price from fotoconnection.com anyway. You'll just end up paying the same or more and be forced to deal with an unethical company.

To Make the story short
You order a Nikon kit with a body camera and a lens that goes with it. The kit cost 700$ which is a good price for a relatively high end SLR.
You have Chad on the phone who processing your order arguing that you need 100 $ upgrade for "a real autofocus lens" . After number of calls he even argued that nikkor lens are not nikon lens! Then they process the order with a lower end lens for the same price. I succeeded to cancel the order

I wonder how this company is STILL able to be doing the same things to consumers over and over? Who is the consumer advocate that will shut them down?
I didn't see all of the complaints on this site before I purchased a 65 inch sharp aquos television from their website. I was called within 10 minutes of hitting the "send" button, with a hard sell to upgrade my shipping and to purchase a warranty. When I refused, I was verbally attacked. When I still refused, I was told that I had to sign a waiver, saying that any damage done to the set would NOT be covered and would be at my own peril. I said, "Fine, send the set...I will take the chance." Two days later I got another call with the same pitch to upgrade to truck delivery and purchase a warranty. When I refused again, Victor became patronizing and rude. I told him to cancel my order at once. Believe me the savings on their merchandise is no savings at all! It is a bait and switch deal and they continue to try to wear you down. Trust me...pay the higher price at a REPUTABLE store and save yourself the bullsh**

I was searching online to find a good deal on the Canon EOS XT Digital SLR Camera. I came across this website www.fotoconnection.com and reviewed their site as being a good way to go. I purchased the product online with no problems. Within 24 hours a representative called me to confirm the order telling me that there had been many recent fraud purchases online, which the reason for his call. He continued to try to sell me more products to buy, used very high pressuring sales tactics and would rebuttle everything I said until I confirmed the order. He had told me that the OEM battery that came with the camera only lasted 15 minutes and that I should purchase the high power battery. He also tried to sell me a speedy charger along with another 5 hr battery. Negotiations went back and forth finally getting down to 525.00 which also included an insurance fee that was not disclosed as purchase. He told me that this is mandatory by law, which is also a lie. After my conversation with him, I called up Canon and told them everything he told me. The batter that comes with the unit is a standard, only one kind lithium battery. The battery last for over 600 shots and is not classified as only lasting 15 minutes. They also told me that the battery charger takes 90 minutes to charge and that there is no other charger that will do it any faster.

I was completely lied to and mislead by the sales associate. He was inconsiderate, did not listen to me, had a rebuttle for everything I said, giving me no choice but to continue with the purchase. I had told him over 3 times that I wanted to cancel the order, but he came back with more rebuttle and told me that I had to sign an aggrement by email, which unforunetely I did, not knowing what I was getting into.

I called back after speaking with Canon to cancel the order and I got transfered to the same exact person that I had talked to before. He told me that it was too late to cancel, that I would have to return the product and get charged a 15% restocking fee. He also told me that state law is 30%, so he was breaking the law and giving me a deal on the restocking fee, which was as well a lie.

I came back and checked the BBB website, which I should have done to begin with, and found out the record of this company. I am glad you folks are here because there are so many people that get ripped off by companies like this.

One more thing to mention is that they dont disclose that their USA product comes from overseas. They label it on their website as 350D which simply is the name they give it over in Europe.

This company is by far the worst company I have ever come across. I will be sure to relay this to every individual I come across along with displaying their record to everyone I can online. Companies like this in America should not exist and should be regulated or even shut down for committing such practices.

They also go by The New Connection. Everything the other people said is true. They do not send what they state in their add. Everyprice.com has been contacted in addition to NY Better Business Bureau and Casio.com

The item I ordered was a casio digital ex-s880 camera. The description stated BRAND NEW IN FACTORY SEALED BOX. Also was supposed to have a free case, tripod, cleaning kit and protector. Came in a unsecured opened white box (should have been a black/red Casio Box, thats how the factory sends it out) and the free items didn't come at all. When I called, they said that in order to send them, there would be a charge for shipping and handling. Go to the more reputable mail order houses like B&H or J&R (neither do I work for) It may cost you a bit more, but you will receive what you order and it will come as you expect it too.

The NY Better Business Bureau has been contacted. I will call USP tomorrow to let them know they are delivering items that are not as described. They have a inspection service within the company who can investigate.

This was to be a gift. Pictures will follow. I am angry since I did my part, I did investigation prior to ordering, I asked questions to make sure what I was getting was the same thing on their site. The salepeople are rude and they lie. Big Scam... stay away and for those who have had the same problem, write to whoever you can. Contact your workplace, your churches, your friends and family. These people should not be in business.

WHERE DO I BEGIN? My only hopes in writing this review is that prospective buyers read this first and AVOID, and I mean AVOID FOTO CONNECTION. I was in need of 2 digital cameras as Christmas gifts for my children. After doing my research I stumbled across the fotoconnection.com website. I was shopping on Cyber Monday and they had several deals listed for the day as did many other websites that I search. Their deal was not only lower in cost for the cameras they also offered buy one get one free on memory cards and each camera purchase would come with a free case,tripod and cleaning kit. After asking several questions regarding the items they sell and the reputation of the company via the on line customer service link, I decided to purchase. Well, I sent my payment and figured as all on line purchases , that my part was done. Well, WAS I WRONG ! After about 15 minutes I received a phone call from the RUDEST CREAP I HAVE EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH IN MY LIFE. He introduced himself as being from Foto connection and he was calling to verify my order. Well, he then proceeded to tell me that the cameras that I purchased were only coming with a 15 minute trial size battery and that I would have to purchase longer life batteries. I then told him that I had done my research and do know that the that the cameras come from the factory with full length batteries. He then recanted when I called him on it and told me he never said that, only wanted to know if I wanted to purchase backup batteries. I declined. He then started on the HIGH PRESSURE upsell of extended warranties. As I declined the price went from $169.99 each and continued to fall from there all the way to $39.99 each camera. At this point I was so worked up and worked over I was not going to spend one more dime with this scam deal. I wanted the cameras and hoped that I would at least get those. Prior to hanging up with him, I asked him how much they would be charging my card. He gave me a total including the warranties. I then had to yell and tell him to take off that charge as I did not authorize him to put them on my sale.( I only turned him down a total of 10 maybe 11 times). He got mad at me and hung up on me. I then contacted the Customer Service Dept. via phone and asked one of the girls to give me the total of my sale to insure he hadn't placed those charges. I told her what he had said about the battery life at first and she then told me that indeed I was not getting full life batteries with the cameras. The Cameras I purchased were considered "starter kits" not "retail kits"! I was so mad. I told her to cancel my order.She then transferred me back to the same JERK that I had talked to prior. He then transferred me back to her and so on. Finally, the SO CALLED MANAGER got on the phone and told me that he was going to make everything right. He understood I was upset and that he was going to give me the full sized batteries as well as the power chargers for free. (at his loss of course). I then crossed my fingers and hung up. Well I sweated it out for the next 5 days wondering if I was even going to get my goods. Surprise Surprise they did arrive. The cameras did come with the chargers and batteries as he promised. However, I did not get the free cases, cleaning kits and tripods. I called the customer service department this morning and after waiting on hold for approx 20 minutes, I got the customer service rep. I explained my issue. She then told me that I was indeed entitled to the kits however, I would have to pay $9.99 each for shipping. I then told her that they were supposed to be free and she said that that was handled by the promotional dept and needed to be shipped separately but she'll do me a favor and ship them both for the one cost of $9.99. Needless to say, I declined. She then told me that if I agreed to go to their website and give them a RAVING REVIEW She would send them for free. I told her that SHE DID NOT WANT ME TO LEAVE A REVIEW FOR THEM. IT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD ONE. She then YELLED AT ME AND SAID "OK THEN -- YOU WANT TO PAY THE $9.99 EACH THEN?" I told her that not only am I going to leave a horrible review on every website I can find, I was also going to Contact the BBB regarding their scam practices. She then YELLED AGAIN " GO AHEAD AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT" and then proceeded to hang up on me. THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ON THE WEB ! SAVE YOUR SANITY, SPEND A FEW DOLLARS MORE AND GO TO EITHER A RESPECTED AND HEARD OF SITE OR GET IN THE CAR AND HEAD TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTRONICS STORE. THE FEW BUCKS YOU SAVE ARE DEFINITELY NOT WORTH IT ! TAKE IT FROM ME AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN STRONG ARMED BY THIS SO CALLED COMPANY. TURN AND RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!