Do not buy from 86th Street Photo-RIP OFF ARTISTS

[MP]

I placed an order for a ZUMO 550 GPW with 86th Street Photo, because they had the best price.
It was in stock when I ordered. 
They require you to call when ordering.  They then give you the high pressure sales pitch for over priced accessories.
I have an identical unit now in use. So, I know how the ZUMO 550 works.

1. Told me the GPS "would not work without a SD card". I know it does.  Their 1g card is $99.99.  I have a 4g for $8.00.
2. Told me I had to buy a 120 v charger as the 12v and the mc cord do not charge it, and if you leave the 12v or the mc power cord plugged in, it will "burn up the Zumo 550". I leave the other one in all the time, it charges the battery, and does NOT burn up the unit.
And, it was $200.00 for it.

Tried to sell me other over priced accessories.
Finally took my order. It was in stock, and would ship in 2 days.

The next day, I get an email that it is out of stock, and will ship in 3-4 weeks!

I call them this morning, and get a pretty nasty guy, He accuses ME of trying to SCAM THEM!
Now, when he checks, it will be 6-8 weeks backorder!
I hated to cancel, but I want it before winter here in ND.

That is their scam.  Sell at cost, and then pressure you into buying WAY over priced accessories, after lying about needing them.
Then, if you hold firm to just the unit, they put it on "backorder for forever," and if you complain, the backorder just got longer.

I imagine they do this will ALL their cameras, etc.

BE WARNED, they WILL rip you off.

MP

[Strong Eagle]

A good place to check on these shops can be found at:

http://photo.net/neighbor/subcategory-index?id=2

And... for the company you posted about:  http://photo.net/neighbor/view-one?subcategory=2&neighbor_to_neighbor_id=338581

[MP]

thank you, Strong Eagle.
MP

[Steve K (IA)]

I came really close to ordering my Zumo 450 from these people because their price was so low it was unbelievable.   So unbelievable that I typed in their name into Google and was  shocked to read all the stories claiming exactly what you experienced.  So, I got mine from Amazon.  I have gotten several things from them with no complaints.
Sorry you had to go through their BS scam.

[DeathWishBikerDude]

Lot's of scams in the photo shops.
Try using reseller ratings before buying.
There are some good camera shops.
Here is a good one,with pretty good pricing.
I usually go with refurbs,but ymmv

http://www.adorama.com/

[Bladedog]

http://www.resellerratings.com/

Best place to check for this kind of third-world service.  I had similar experiences last year when I tried to order camera equipment from someone's "lowest online price".  It's unbelievable these places aren't shut down for this behavior.  For what it's worth, 86th st. photo has a rating of 0.2 out of a possible 10.  Yep, ZERO POINT TWO! Check out the reviews, a comedy of blatant ripoff tactics.

BTW, +1 on Adorama.  Good outfit (9.3 rating)

Good luck!

[sandy]

Go to www.mysimon.com  You do a search for what you want and they show all the sites selling it. Each has a rating. I've bought lots of stuff through them and have always been satisfied.

[gregc]

  Yes they do the same type of ripoff for cameras too.  I dropped my good Olympus digital slr. They were the cheapest price around for just the body.  Got the same story, you need everything for it to work. Told them was just replacing a damaged body. Didn't matter.  WATCH they didn't charge you credit card, they did mine. had to file a complaint with the bank to get my credit .