24HrDigital.com aka 24 HR Digital: BAIT AND SWITCH

UPDATE: The reviews are in; 24 Hr Digital is a bait and switch site.  When I first posted the post below, the owner of the site sent numerous emails and posted comments, complaining (whining) that he wasn't a bait and switcher.  However, just as I suspected, 24hrdigital is in fact conducting bait and switch, as confirmed by numerous comments on resellerratings and other sites. READ THE HORRIBLE REVIEWS HERE...AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE.


The newest Brooklyn-based camera website is 24hrdigital.com, aka 24 HR digital or 24 hour digital.

As of July 9, 2010, they list the following contact info:

877-700-2424

347-462-9134

Mailing address: 1511 Brightwater Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Resellerratings reviews are a bit suspicious. Four positive reviews (out of six total) appeared in the last week, all from first time reviewers.  The most recent review after that was a negative one from September 2009.

The address appears to be an apartment building or a USPS mailbox location.

As of July 9, 2010, they use similar language to two very bad bait and switch websites (my website is monitored by the Brooklyn denizens, but I save screen shots of all suspect webpages):

Techon Digital: (Resllerratings reviews - .44/10 A COMPLETE SCAM)

21 days for return or exchange (DIGITAL, VIDEO & Gps devices 7 DAYS) with the receipt RMA# only. Please call our customer service department to obtain RMA # (Return Authorization Number). Returns will not be accepted without RMA #. Returns received by us without RMA # will not be our responsibility. Also we will not be able to accept any returns without the original manufacturer box with the original manual and all the accessories which were included in the original shipment. Shipping and Handling is not refundable!  Please be aware that a return authorization number does not constitute any final disposition. After we receive your return, we will submit to our QA department where it will be assessed for a refund or exchange. All returns must include all merchandise or services sold under the same order number and invoice. Please understand these orders are often sold as a kit/package and we cannot resell those items separately.

Pro Photo Nation: (Resellerratings reviews – 1.50/10 ANOTHER COMPLETE SCAM)

10 days for return or exchange (DIGITAL & VIDEO 7 DAYS) with the receipt RMA# only. Please call our customer service department to obtain RMA # (Return Authorization Number). Returns will not be accepted without RMA #. Returns received by Prophotonation without RMA # will not be the responsibility of Prophotonation. In addition Prophotonation will not be able to accept any returns without the original manufacturer's box with the original manual and all the accessories which were included in the original shipment. Shipping and Handling is not refundable! All returns are subject to a restocking fee ranging from 3%-20%. Please be aware that a return authorization number does not constitute any final disposition. After we receive your return, we will submit the goods to our QA department where it will be assessed for a refund or exchange. All returns must include all merchandise or services sold under the same order number and invoice. Please understand these orders are often sold as a kit/package and we cannot resell those items separately.

24 HR Digital:

30 days for return or exchange with the receipt RMA# only. Please call our customer service department to obtain RMA # (Return Authorization Number). Returns will not be accepted without RMA #. Returns received by 24HRDIGITAL without RMA # will not be the responsibility of 24HRDIGITAL. In addition 24HRDIGITAL will not be able to accept any returns without the original manufacturer's box with the original manual and all the accessories which were included in the original shipment. Shipping and Handling is not refundable! All returns are subject to a restocking fee ranging from 10%-20%. Please be aware that a return authorization number does not constitute any final disposition. After we receive your return, we will submit the goods to our QA department where it will be assessed for a refund or exchange. All returns must include all merchandise or services sold under the same order number and invoice. Please understand these orders are often sold as a kit/package and we cannot resell those items separately.

And check out the identical language with ultra-rip off sight SupremeCamera.com (resellerratings reviews – 3.06/10 A COMPLETE SCAM):

Should you accidentally receive an item defective upon delivery or an item you may find not exactly as originally described, please contact our customer service department immediately so we can promptly replace the item and arrange a return. Please be aware that it is a time sensitive issue, as due to the nature of our business we can usually only request refunds or exchanges from the manufacturers/vendors immediately after you receive the merchandise. Should you prefer to receive a refund, you will have to return all other items sold along with the same order, with the same conditions set forth above for standard returns. Should you fail to notify us of the issue within 72 hours, we will deem the order sold and accepted as is. Any claim subsequent to the 72 hours, will be treated as a simple buyer's remorse situation with all its' customary conditions, as you elected to accept the merchandise as is. All of the above applies to ALL Phone orders as well. We are always working hard to make your shopping experience at SupremeCamera.com the most pleasant experience with online shopping.

24 HR Digital:

Should you accidentally receive an item defective upon delivery or an item you may find not exactly as originally described, please contact our customer service department immediately so we can promptly replace the item and arrange a return. Please be aware that it is a time sensitive issue, as due to the nature of our business we can usually only request refunds or exchanges from the manufacturers/vendors immediately after you receive the merchandise. Should you prefer to receive a refund, you will have to return all other items sold along with the same order, with the same conditions set forth above for standard returns. Should you fail to notify us of the issue within 72 hours, we will deem the order sold and accepted as is. Any claim subsequent to the 72 hours, will be treated as a simple buyer's remorse situation with all its' customary conditions, as you elected to accept the merchandise as is. All of the above applies to ALL Phone orders as well. We are always working hard to make your shopping experience at 24HRDIGITAL the most pleasant one.

Additional searches turn up exact language used on us1photo.com, LMR Photo Video, and thundercameras.com.

But most damning is something a simple search for "24hrdigital" turned up:

The manager, Roman Gimelfarb, has a linkedin profile listing him as general manager at prophotonation, a complete bait and switch operation (YOU REALLY, REALLY NEED TO READ THE REVIEWS ON RESELLERRATINGS.COM!):

Google needs to start vetting its sponsored links better.

UPDATE:
The real reviews (as compared to the fake ones posted by these guys) are now appearing.  Here's a sample of what you can expect, as posted on Nextag:

"Do Not Buy. ***My sale was a BAIT & SWITCH.*** I ordered a DSLR Rebel 2Ti body with accessory kit for $555 (9-Nov-10) only to come home the next day to 3 (three) emails that I must contact the store to “verify” my order. Not only was I being told that the camera body was not the US model but an import and the battery was a lower life non LP-E8 battery, but the salesperson jumped into a high-pressure sales pitch, “Oh, you should know for that price you wouldn’t be getting an American model” and then begins harassing me to “upgrade” and increase the ordered price by well over $100. I have never made an internet purchase (and I make a lot) where this tactic was used. I’d rather spend the extra money to buy from a reputable source, my advice is stay away from this company."

"I ordered a Nikon 18-200 lens because they had the best price. After receiving an order confirmation, they called to up sell me on products I did not want and add an extra 6% insurance fee that was not on my invoice. They would not sell me the lens for the invoice price and tried to push an inferior product for the invoice price. Wasted over 20 minutes of my time on the phone haggling with them and had to hang up. The next day they canceled my order."

"Careful - This is a switch and bait website. I ordered a Nikon D90 since it showed me a lower price at checkout and in the invoice (compared to any other sellers). They later called me and told me that there are some hidden fees and the actual costs is $50 higher. Stay away from this website - its a waste of time."
Sorry Roman.  New name, same old shit.