rael@inuxe.UUCP (07/14/83)
----- News saved at Thu Jul 14 10:50:44 1983 I've had a bad experience with Mail Order Places. I wanted to buy a Vivitar 70-210mm f3.5 lens, and looking on the back portion of Modern Photography I found that prices ranged from $117.50 to $169. I visited a local photo shop and found they sold the lens for $189. Naturally, I didn't see why I should pay $60 extra for the same item, so I decided to Mail Order it eventhough I needed to get the lens fast (not to dispair, they had quick service, for a small fee). Since I was also going to buy a few more things (a tripod, filters, etc.) I figured I should check these guys out before I give them my credit card number. I tried calling the BBB in Portland, Maine about 20 times and never got an answer (now who do you complain about the BBB), so I decided to go ahead and place my order anyway, since Modern Photography guarantees that their add section is legid. That's when the fun began, I started placing an order with Riviera (the place that advertized it for $117) and when they gave me the prices they weren't at all what I expected. For example, they wanted $169 for the lens and when I told them their add listed the price as $117, they told me that was the price without the mount. Well ... to the best of my knowledge these lenses are integral unit (meaning they're just one piece) so there is no lens "without the mount". I wasn't too thrilled about this, then we got to the price of the tripod ... it was $20 more than the price advertised elsewhere, so I let the guy know about this and he replied: "That's for the chrome one, this is a black one". I asked him what the difference was and he told me "the black one is more profesional looking". I told him I wasn't going to pay $20 extra for a coat of paint and I cancelled the order. I purchased the lense from the local store and I have been very happy with it. I don't feel very bad about paying a little extra because if I have any problems I can go back and scream at them (though this hasn't been necessary at all), plus I also get great service since I've made a couple of big purchases. Whenever I go to the store, the manager will pull out and let me try anything I want, whether I plan to buy it or not. Sooo ... it sometimes is worthwhile to spend a little more and get good service (and no deception). Dan Vanevic inuxe!rael
jeff@tesla.UUCP (Jeff Frey) (07/16/83)
I also had a negative experience with Riviera. THey`re the type who remove the batteries from the camera box then charge you for them, and who charge your CC account and ship your stuff many weeks later. JF