Bait and Switch from DealCost.Com

2008-01-01 00:46:55 UTC

Post by m***@gmail.com
I've never experienced a "bait and switch" until I tried to order with
DealCost. They advertised the Canon PowerShot SD700 IS for 319.00. I
ordered the camera, and 4 days later received a phone call telling me
that they were out of the item, but they could give me an SD750 for
the same price. While the salesman was trying to get me to buy an
extra warranty, I looked up the SD750, and found that it was an
inferior camera that could be purchased for 250.00 at several
reputable online companies, such as Buy.Com. When I brought this up to
the salemsan, he said they "don't know anything about the cameras they
sale." Also, that he was sure they didn't advertise the camera and
price, even though the ad is still up as I type. (http://
www.dealcost.com/viewitem.php?IndexID=17120&RefTag=dealcostfroogle) I
would advise to stay very clear of this place.

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Hope that you haven't ordered the SD700is from anyone else yet. It's two
year old technology. For about $10 more than the $319 you were going to pay
for the SD700is you could have the latest version of the SDis, the SD950is
from buydig.com. They consistently get pretty good reviews on the
resellerratings.com and other retailer rating sites.

Responding to your bait and switch issue, while the SD750 doesn't offer the
viewfinder and IS of the camera you originally ordered, at most places
today, they sell for about the same price - in the $250 range. You would
have been paying too much for the SD700is at $319, given that it's a 6MP
camera originally offered almost two years ago. Looking at the dealcost
website, the SD700is isn't the oldest camera offered new on their website.
They have the Canon G3 (originally introduced int 2002, and the Minolta
DiMage 7 introduced in 2001, both at absolutely insane prices. Don't know
how you came across their website, or managed to wait the minutes it takes
to move from page to page, but for obvious reasons - other than the bait and
switch issue, it's a site to be avoided. Looks more like an antique store
than a camera store. By the way, I managed to crash their site after
looking at only two pages of ancient digital technology. It overloaded, and
displayed only a page of mysql warnings.

Take a look at www.dpreview.com The Camera database will allow you to
choose several cameras and do a side by side look at the specs. Pick out
all of the Canon SDis series and see which one has the combination of
features you like.

If you've never used pricegrabber.com, it's a good place to do a little
price comparison before you order. Occasionally on of the sleazy Brooklyn
merchants will sneak into the list, but as I mentioned above, buydig and
Beach Camera (actually the same company) usually have among the best prices,
no tax - outside of their own states and ship free. Buy.com and Amazon.com
seldom offer the best prices on cameras, but Buy.com often has great deals
on memory cards, and accessories.

Good luck.

DS