thoughts-of-dave

SuperGoodDeal.com: A Super Big Fraud

2012-01-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

The latest incarceration from the Brooklyn fraudsters appearing on Bing is supergooddeal.com. No, they don't actually sell any of the items advertised on Bing for that low price. Out of 333 current reviews on reseller ratings, they have a .01/10. The site is run by criminals. Beware, my friend, beware.

Worst Deal of the Day....Ever

2012-01-28T07:17:00.000-08:00

I personally think Groupon sucks. 99% of the deals are for lame services like hair tinting. However, Google Offers takes the cake for the worst deal of all time:

Nextag: Enabling the Brooklyn Bait and Switchers

2012-01-04T05:53:00.000-08:00

Run a search for a Canon T3i on Nextag. The lowest price is $379.95 from certifieddigital.com. Some quick Googling reveals that certifieddigital does the "no battery/no charger/pay for insurance" scam.

Search Nextag for the Nikon D90. The sellers include getondigital.com, buyherephoto.com, and digital hunter.com.

Getondigital.com is absolutely a scam operation. Read the reviews.

Buyherephoto.com is just as bad. Read the reviews.

Thedigitalhunter.com: Awful reviews.

Nextag: the gateway to an absolutely miserable experience of getting ripped off by some of the greatest conmen living today. Can you trust results from Nextag? HELL NO.

A note to Nextag: I know that you monitor this blog, which makes it even worse that you continue to enable these criminal enterprises by allowing them to appear in your search results. You are harming your users.

CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL CREATES INTERNET FRAUD DIVISION

2011-12-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

If you are a resident of California and have been ripped off on the Internet, you are in luck. Attorney General Kamala Harris just announced that she's created a new "eCrime Unit." Per the press release:

The eCrime Unit is tasked with investigating and prosecuting identity theft and technology crimes. The primary mission of the eCrime Unit is to investigate and prosecute multi-jurisdictional criminal organizations, networks, and groups that perpetrate identity theft crimes, use an electronic device or network to facilitate a crime, or commit a crime targeting an electronic device, network or intellectual property.

Contact the eCrime Unit here: http://oag.ca.gov/ecrime/contact

No response? (Which is likely, since Kamala has a history of inaction. Her tenure as the DA in SF was a disaster, and she basically emptied the jails). Drop Kamala a note: kamala.harris@doj.ca.gov

Robert Morgester is a senior assistant attorney general with the eCrime Unit. I'm sure he'd like to hear about how you were ripped off by Brooklyn-based criminals: Robert.Morgester@doj.ca.gov

CameraPromo.com aka CameraPromo on Google Shopping: SCAM ALERT

2011-12-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

Camerapromo.com is now appearing on Google shopping. Their prices are unrealistically low. 347 area code is from Brooklyn. Whois info is private. I'm going to go ahead and call bait and switch right now.

Scam Alert: Compudeals2u

2011-12-07T06:13:00.001-08:00

There is an indication that compudeals2u is the newest alias for the folks over at projectorsandelectronics.com. The site is registered to Jack Sarwa, per Goddady. He lists a phone number of 267-338-1440 and an address in Pennsylvania. The only Jack Sarwa I could find is in Brooklyn. It should be noted that a Victor Sarwa, also out of Brooklyn, is listed as one of the operators of some infamous Brooklyn websites. Check out this link. The PriceGrabber link doesn't work.

Looks like they are doing the "no battery" scam, per this link. More stories here. Check out their "privacy" page where they've buried some really onerous terms...7 day return policy, 15% restocking fee, etc.

Sloppy, sloppy website. Note that they haven't replaced the "Company Name" and "Company Slogan" text. They've also left the name Emicrox.com in.

I'd be very careful dealing with these guys.

Update: Okay, so I just confirmed that Compudeals2u is operated by the same people that run allstatecameras.com and projectorsandelectronics.com. I've narrowed down the current bait and switch sites to just a few operations and I'm working on a detailed expose to finally rid the Internet of these criminals.

Google Search "Enhancements": A Huge Step Backwards

2011-12-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

I've used Google for Internet searches since my days at Oracle in 1999. In the last 12-18 months Google has made changes to its search format which have made conducting searches more difficult and the results less relevant.
The biggest change was doing away with a quick link to "cached" search results. Now, you have to scroll over the individual search result, select the arrow, and then see if a cached result is even available. Often, even when there is a cached result, the page is no longer available. If you do extensive Internet research like I do, then you use the cached results to quickly find the information, which is highlighted, on the search result. Without it, you have to either manually screen the document or search within the document. The changes by Google are annoying and time consuming.
Another annoying "enhancement": they've removed the search box at the bottom of the page. I have my search settings display 100 results per page. When I get to the bottom, if it's clear that I need to adjust the search, I previously was be able to simply use the search box at the bottom of the page. Not anymore. It's a strange change that makes no sense.
My guess is that Google is taking a page from Microsoft's playbook and simply making changes for change sake, with no apparent benefit. I'll continue to use Google, but other search engines are quickly catching up and at some point I may make a switch.

Feds Seize 150 Websites in Counterfeit Crackdown

2011-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Attorney General's office just teamed up to shut down 150 websites selling counterfeit goods. Per AP:
"The government seized the domain names for the sites that sold everything from fake replica NBA jerseys to replica Louis Vuitton handbags and imitation Ugg boots.
"This is straight crime," ICE Director john Morton said. "This is people being duped into buying a counterfeit." The federal government has seized the domain names of 350 websites since first targeting online counterfeiters in June 2010. Each investigation, Morton said, has grown."
Also at the press conference was Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer.

Let me get this straight. The U.S. Government spends three months, and countless resources, prosecuting people selling fake Uggs and Louis Vuitton bags. Who are they protecting? Billion dollar corporations. But they turn a blind eye to a huge fraud harming actual Americans right now, letting Brooklyn conmen perform rampant Internet crime, via bait and switch advertisements, with impunity.

Time for the DOJ to do something. If you've been affected, send your thoughts to Lanny:
lanny.breuer@usdoj.gov

Warning: DigitalDepotOnline aka Digtaldonline

2011-11-28T05:50:00.000-08:00

A new site showing up on Nextag is Digtaldonline aka digitaldepotonline.com. A Canon 60D for $449? Bullshit. Take a look at their website...it sucks. The About Us page provides no meaningful information. They have a 626 area code, yet there is no way they are located in California. Buyer beware.

AJRichies: Legit?

2011-11-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

AJRichards.com just changed their name to AJRichies.com. I'm guessing they got in trouble for the name, as there is another company called AJ Richard. Read my previous post about ajrichards here.
Standard Brooklyn stuff....no battery included, grey market, etc.

Bestpricephoto aka Best Price Photo: Legit?

2011-11-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

BestPricePhoto is showing up as a sponsored link on Google with prices much lower than B&H and Amazon. Lots of good reviews on resellerratings, but some of the negative ones indicate that customers are told that the camera doesn't come with a battery and they are then offered a "long life" battery. According to this interesting article, they are located at 2389 60th St. in Brooklyn. Pretty much sums up everything you need to know about BestPrice Photo.

Here's some stuff I noticed:

In looking at their website, I noticed the following:

This is the exact same language used on bigcameradeals.com, palacecamera.com, saveheredigital.com, and soniccameras.com. All of these were bait and switch sites. Here's a purported photo of their headquarters.

Dealfordigital on Google Adwords: Bait and Switch

2011-11-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

Read the reviews on resellerratings before buying from dealfordigital.com.

WARNING: ALLSTATECAMERA.COM

2011-11-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

A new site, Allstatecamera.com, purportedly sells the Nikon D700 for $1,999. They advertise on fake price comparison site "splashprices.com" Beware of splash prices....click on any of the links at the bottom..."About," "Contact," etc and it simply takes you to the top of the page you are on. I'm guessing allstatecamera and more4lessdigital are related. Allstatecamera's website has issues as well. It has the same text as projectorsandelectronics.com:

There are other warning signs. No address provided (but they are located in New York), overpriced compact flash cards, the credit card logo links don't work, domain registration information is hidden, etc.

New Scam Site: More4LessDigital

2011-11-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

A Canon T3i for $469? Bullshit. These guys claim to be located in "North Miami FL 33181" but I'll bet money they are in Brooklyn. A post on resellerratings indicates they are run by the same criminals that ran thundercameras.com and skypointdigital.com, two of the worst bait and switch websites out there.

Run, don't walk, away from more4lessdigital.com.

A Personal Note to Bait and Switchers

2011-10-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

You can hide your IP location, but I still know when you guys are on my site. Thinking of reactivating Vivitphoto.com? Good luck with that.
As fast as you put up a new bait and switch website, I'll expose you. Your ONLY option is to enter another line of work or legitimately sell cameras for the advertised price. I'm not going away, and I'll keep the pressure on you guys until there are no more bait and switch websites. That's a promise. Your days of ripping off American consumers are over. Accept it and move on.

The Digital Hunter on Bing

2011-10-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Thedigitalhunter.com is once again a sponsored link on Bing. They have a perfect "F" rating from the BBB. Read it here.

Firstclasscameras.com aka First Class Cameras: SKETCHY!

2011-10-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

A new site showing up as a sponsored link on Bing is firstclasscameras.com. It looks pretty sketchy. A Nikon D90 for $679? It's $699.95 on Amazon.

Click on the "verified by Visa" card fraud protection image. It doesn't take you to Visa's site, it just refreshes back to firstclasscameras.com.

There is no physical address listed on the "contact us" page, and their whois data is private.

They copied a review from B&H:

No reviews on resellerratings yet, but I'd be very careful ordering from these guys.

Nextag: A Warning

2011-10-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

If you are using Nextag to search for camera equipment, beware. They apparently have no quality control whatsoever. Currently appearing as sellers are buyherephoto.com and getondigital.com, both showing the lowest price for some cameras.

Buyherephoto.com has a .97/10 rating on resellerratings. Read the reviews. They are nothing but a criminal bait and switch enterprise.

Getondigital is even worse. .67/10. Read the reviews.

It's time for Nextag to stand up for its users and boot these criminals from their search results. If not, DEFCON 3 looms next week.

Recording of Telephone Order with AJ Richard

2011-10-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

You've got to check out this link from a guy that recorded the upsell from AJ Richard. You can even access the actual telephone call with "Mark."

Dealfordigital.com: Legit?

2011-10-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

Dealfordigital.com is now appearing as a Google sponsored link. They've already managed to earn a 0/10 rating on reseller ratings. The complaints are all over the place - Very difficult to reach, credit card billing issues, etc. Read the reviews here. Here's a picture of their world headquarters.
The site is registered to Elliot Nakkab. Other URLs that he owns:

Redlightvibes.com

directprocesscorp.com

digicityonline.com

He's also got a company called appraisers worldwide.

He currently has an ad selling the domain “mobileworldwide.com” listing his address as 475 5^th avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

718-832-1337

elliotdcity@yahoo.com

He registered the corporation as Deals for Digital.com, listing his contact information as follows:

646-261-2946

1802 Avenue W

Brooklyn, NY 11229

dealsfordigital.com forwards to dealfordigital.com.

If you had any dealings with dealfordigital.com, please post your experiences below.

iPhone 4s Activation Fail

2011-10-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

So I spend 5 hours ordering my iPhone 4s last friday just so that I could receive it today. It arrived at 9:15 a.m. this morning, but I've been unable to activate it for the last three hours. I keep getting the following message:

Which one is it? Will I receive notification, or should I try again later? Why is the top sentence in a larger, bold font?
When I try the process again, I have to start from the beginning, re-entering the same information. Apparently only AT&T customers are experiencing this issue. Perhaps AT&T should compensate new iPhone 4s users for loss of use.
From the 4+ hours trying to order the phone from Apple's website, the Apple Store iPhone app, the Apple 800 number, the AT&T website, and AT&T customers service, to incorrect order confirmation, this whole process has been mind numbing. I actually received confirmation for an order that I didn't place, and I had all of the other person's contact information, including partial credit card info. I easily could have changed the delivery address to my house, but instead I notified Apple. Still, this experience is far better than any experience I ever had trying to contact Microsoft, so I'll let Apple slide.

VersaDeals aka Versa Deals: FRAUD ALERT

2011-09-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

Versadeals is a complete scam. Read these reviews on resellerratings The Versadeals website has the same fake reviews as buyherephoto.com, probably just one of many aliases. Do they actually sell a Nikon D7000 for $439? Absolutely not. They are a fraudulent enterprise run by criminals. I can say this because it's true. If you've been burned by them, don't bother with the BBB, email the Attorney General for the State of New York, A.G. Schneiderman, and demand that he put this bait and switch operation out of business. Email him at eric.schneiderman@ag.ny.gov. Better yet, call his office at (518) 474-3527.

BIGONPHOTO.COM (aka Bigonphoto): FRAUDULENT BAIT AND SWITCH WEBSITE

2011-08-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

A new online retailer appearing as a sponsored link on Bing is bigonphoto.com. They are a complete scam operation.

They will never, ever sell you that camera for that price. They were sloppy in putting together their website, and left their former name, palacecamera, in two paragraphs:

Palacecamera.com was a completely fraudulent bait and switch operation. Read the horror stories here. Their site is now done, and they've moved on to bigonphoto.com. Previous names included sonic cameras and delta cameras. These guys have been running a scam for several years, and you need to avoid them.

Nextag and Instockdigital: Enabling Web Fraud

2011-08-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Nextag continues to allow Brooklyn-based bait and switch websites to appear in its search results. One of the worst offenders right now is Instockdigital.com. Read the reviews and experiences of customers. Absolutely, 100% bait and switch fraud. I'm shocked and pissed that a publicly traded company that purports to provide price comparison services fails to protect its users. By turning a blind eye to this fraud they are basically complicit in it. If I were a legitimate company, such as B&H, Dell, or J&R, I'd pull all my advertising from Nextag until they clean up their act. Enabling fraudsters like buyherephoto and instockdigital to rip people off is despicable.

A personal note to Nextag: I know you guys read this blog. As a test, go ahead and search for a Nikon D90 using your service. Then see if you can buy one from buyherephoto.com for $439...your advertised "best value." There is absolutely no way they will deliver for this price unless you agree to an overpriced battery, charger, or bullshit "firmware." Time to remove these bastards from Nextag.

What Kind of Shoe Does Steve Jobs Wear?

2011-07-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

The New Balance M991

Instockdigital.com: Legit?

2011-07-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Instockdigital.com aka In Stock Digital is now online. No confirmation yet, but they may be linked to Need4Digital (N4Digital.com). That countdown clock has appeared on numerous other sketchy sites (it simply resets when the time is up).

The site first appeared in March 2011, per this link. Brooklyn based. Complaints can be found here. As of today's date, nothing on resellerratings yet.

Please post your experiences with them below. If you did order from them, please post any return addresses listed on the box/invoice.

Feds Crack Down on Infomercial Scam; What About Bait and Switchers?

2011-06-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke filed charges against infomercial king Donald Lapre this month for bilking "thousands of people out of millions of dollars." Per Burke, "His scams swindled a sea of victims."

Nice Job Mr. Burke. While you're at it, how about going after the Brooklyn bait and switch sites? They've scammed thousands of people out of millions of dollars, and continue to do so. You can reach Mr. Burke's office at (602) 514-7500.

YesMicro: Legit?

2011-06-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

Yesmicro.com is showing up as a Google sponsored link. Recent resellerratings reviews are negative. There are about 6 reviews from the last 8 months, and then a lapse of three years. Yesmicro claims to be located at 1266 E. Main St., Stamford CT. This is the address for Soundview Plaza, an office building. Per the building's operator, yesmicro is not listed as a tenant. Per a review on resellerratings, mail sent to Yesmicro at this address is returned as undeliverable. The website claims they have a "Google Five Star Customer Rating" but I could find nothing to support this claim. Their reviews on Pricegrabber are primarily from 2008 and older. Then, suddenly, they had a positive review on November 15, 2010, 7 positive reviews on November 16, 2010, and a few others up until November 27, 2010, all from first time users. Nothing since then. Strange.

Supergooddeal.com: Legit?

2011-06-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

A site appearing on Google Adwords is supergooddeal.com. Negative reviews can be found here. Please post any return address anonymously below.

BuyHerePhoto.com: WARNING! BAIT AND SWITCH

2011-06-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

A new site showing up as a Google sponsored link is buyherephoto.com. Not a good sign that they have a 0/10 on resellerratings.com already. Link. No address listed on their site either.

Another really bad sign...the testimonials on their website are FAKE. The exact comments appear on versadeals.com, using different names.

If you've ordered from these guys, please provide the return address anonymously in the comments below and I'll forward it to the appropriate authorities.

Update: They are a complete scam operation. I'll be having them removed from Nextag shortly.

Sixth Avenue Update (6ave.com)

2011-06-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent article: http://www.twice.com/article/469149-Sixth_Ave_Finds_Backer.php

N4Digital: BAIT AND SWITCH ALERT

2011-06-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Bait and switch website need4digital.com has changed its name to n4digital.com. Don't be fooled; they are a bait and switch operation. Read these reviews. Shame on you, Nextag, for including these bait and swithcers in your search results.

Nextag: Bogus Results

2011-05-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

I've given Nextag the benefit of the doubt in the past, but I'm done. They have the Nikon D90 listed with the "best value!" from bait and switch website 24hrdigital.com. Come on Nextag, do some vetting of your merchants. You are exposing your users, who trust your site, to bait and switch tactics by some nefarious individuals. Not the best way to build loyalty.

Thedigitalhunter.com aka The Digital Hunter: WARNING - FRAUD ALERT

2011-05-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

A new sponsored link showing up on Google Adwords is thedigitalhunter.com. The URL was created in December 2010. At the bottom of their homepage they list numerous affiliations, including authorize.net, BBB, verified by Visa, etc. None of the links work. Not a good sign. The site is sloppily put together, with portions taken verbatim from getitdigital.com and numerous typos. Their phone number area code is based in Florida, but good luck trying to figure out where they are located from their site. Stay tuned for updates.
Update: They list a Nikon D90 for $629 on Bing. Used ones go for more. You will not get this camera for this price, period. Get ready for the upsell if you try to buy one from these clowns.
UPDATE 9/2/2011: Check out the reviews on resellerratings. Many of the positive ones look fake. They advertise a Nikon D90 with lens for $429. Bullshit. Avoid these guys.
UPDATE: Thedigitalhunter.com is the latest incarnation of thundercameras.com, an infamous bait and switch website. Read the reviews of how these guys operate here.
The operators of thedigitalhunter.com have posted FAKE reviews an inducement to their fraud. Don Lapre was facing 20 years in prison for doing similar shenanigans. As you can see below, thedigitalhunter.com has the exact same testimonial as one on their previous scam website thundercameras.com; they've simply replaced thundercameras with thedigitalhunter:

Update: If you are fighting with Bank of America over false charges from thedigitalhunter.com, here's proof that B of A is aware of problems (different visits on different days):

Did you use a Capital One credit card when buying from these criminals? Capital One is aware of problems:

ajrichard.com aka AJ Richard: Beware

2011-05-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

AJ Richard (www.ajrichard.com) shows up on Nextag as a trusted seller. Read the reviews...you'll see that they are actually for a site called ibuydigital, which has mixed reviews at best.

The resellerratings reviews for AJ Richard are not good: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/AjRichard

If you've dealt with these guys, please post their address and any phone numbers they use in the comments section below.

LCDPlasmadeals.com: Legit?

2011-05-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Check out the reviews here.

Fight Credit Card Charges from 24hrdigital.com

2011-04-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

If you feel that you have been incorrectly charged by 24hrdigital and seek to contest the charge with your credit card company, send me an email. I can forward you proof that Amex and Visa are aware of the problem. Charged for items you didn't order? Over charged for shipping and insurance? Charged for an outrageous "restocking fee?" Don't get mad, get your money back.

Over Half a Million Visitors to This Site

2011-04-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

Per sitemeter, over 555,000 people have visited this site. If just 10% were dissuaded from buying from a Brooklyn bait and switch site, that's 55,000 fraudulent sales prevented.

Sixth Avenue Electronics aka 6ave.com: A Warning

2011-04-12T01:06:00.000-07:00

Per this article last month, GE Commercial Financing sued Sixth Avenue Electronics last month after they defaulted on payments totaling $9.6 million.
Per the article: "As a result, the financing company is entitled to seize about $5.5 million worth of inventory at 18 of the chain’s retail and storage locations, most of them in New Jersey. In all, the complaint lists 27 pages of inventory for seizure, including home theater systems, digital cameras, plasma televisions, refrigerators and dishwashers."
On April 1st, GE reached a settlement with Sixth Avenue Electronics (Link), after they closed several stores. In addition, they are being sued by the publisher of several newspapers for $532,000.
There are now reports that Sixth Avenue Electronics has been acquired by Broadway Photo.
Perfect 0/10 rating on resellerratings.com
Article about the State of Texas suing Broadway Photo.
Another lawsuit by the State of Texas
Detailed information.
6ave.com had very positive ratings on both the BBB and resellerratings.com websites. If the rumors are true that it has been acquired by Albert Houllou and the rest of the clan at Broadway photo, then I highly suggest that you read the reviews about Broadway Photo to see what kind of experience you can expect to have.

Kings County District Attorney

2011-04-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

While the bait and switch websites, including www.thundercameras.com and www.saveheredigital, continue to operate, the Kings County District Attorney's office (which covers Brooklyn) sits idly by, doing nothing. It's time to start filing complaints with Kings County DA to force them to put an end to the nationwide fraud that is being run in their county. It shouldn't be left to a blogger to protect Americans from these fraudulent sites. Someone needs to step up and prosecute them.

The District Attorney is Charles J. Hynes.
hynesc@brooklynda.org
Telephone: 718.250.2202

Amy Feinstein
Chief Assistant District Attorney
718-250-2217

Anne Swern
1st Assistant District Attorney
swernaj@brooklynda.org
718-250-3939

Lance Ogiste
Counsel to District Attorney
ogistel@brooklynda.org
718-250-2798

Mary Hughes
Confidential Assistant District Attorney
hughesm@brooklynda.org
718-250-2309

Hit the Bait and Switchers in Their Pocketbooks!

2011-04-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

There's one thing the operators of the bait and switch websites love more than ripping people off...money! So hit 'em where it hurts...
Go to www.bing.com and search for any camera you can think of, such as the following:
Nikon D3100
Nikon D7000
Canon G12
Canon 60d
Canon T2i
Nikon D7000
Nikon D90
Click on the "sponsored site" links from www.saveritephoto.com, www.thundercameras.com, www.digitalelect.com, and www.getondigital.com. The bait and switch websites get charged by Microsoft for the click, and if the daily budget is reached, the ad disappears!

Brooklyn's Saul Kassin Admits Guilt

2011-03-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Saul Kassin, a Brooklyn community leader, pled guilty to running a massive money laundering ring.
Link to article.
There's also a new book that details the fraud called The Jersey Sting, which you can buy here: http://jerseysting.com/
Money laundering...tax fraud...illegal kidney sales...makes the bait and switchers look like boy scouts!

Projectorsandelectronics.com: A Warning

2011-03-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

A new site showing up as a sponsored link on Bing/Yahoo is projectorsandelectronics.com. I'd be careful in doing business with these guys.
Check out their generic about us section. I particularly like the fact that "company name" and "company slogan" haven't even been changed. Where are they located? No way of telling from their website.

Their volusion certificate indicates they are somewhere in Brooklyn.

But most disturbing are their statements regarding positive ratings from Nextag and Bizrate.

They are not, in fact, rated by Bizrate. See here. This, in my opinion, is a huge red flag. I can find no mention of them on Nextag either.

Google Search: Manage Blocked Sites

2011-03-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

I've been using Google search since 1999, and have felt that they've dummied down the search results somewhat in the last few years. Instead of searching for exact search terms, they've include words that they assume you meant to search for, requiring you to put a "-" in front of it to exclude the term. But in the last few weeks they've added probably the most significant improvement to search in the last ten years. You can now exclude sites from search results. On the "manage blocked sites" tab, you can manually add blocked sites to your results. As an example, assume you are searching a name to see if the person is still at a company. While your search would return Linkedin results (a good thing), you'd also see results from plaxo, jigsaw, spokeo, mylife, etc. I consider these sites to be of poor quality, so now I can remove them. It cuts down search time significantly and provides more accurate results. Whoever implemented this at Google deserves a raise.

Declaring War on Thunder Cameras

2011-03-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

Thunder Cameras continues to falsely advertise low prices and conduct bait and switch practices. Here are the reviews from resellerratings and sitejabber. Perfect "F" from BBB. They continue to be listed as a sponsored link on Bing and Yahoo. It's time to end that.

File a complaint with the State of New York's Attorney General:
http://www.ag.ny.gov/resource_center/complaints/complaints.html#Forms
http://www.ag.ny.gov/resource_center/complaints/pdfs/internet_complaint.pdf

What the heck, conduct the attorney general himself: Eric T. Schneiderman. eric.schneiderman@ag.ny.gov. Also contact his first deputy attorney general, Harlan Levy. It's probably harlan.levy@ag.ny.gov.

Contact the Feds as well! The New York office of the Department of Justice:
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York is Preet Bharara. His contact information is as follows:
One St. Andrews Plaza. New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212 ) 637-2200. Fax: 212-637-2685.
Email: Preet.Bharara@usdoj.gov

Also contact:
Eric Holder
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
202-353-1555
Eric.holder@usdoj.gov

Contact the following journalists, all of whom have covered stories about the Brooklyn-based fraud:
Bob Tedeschi, The New York Times: tedeschi@nytimes.com, or call him directly at (212) 556-1234.
Dan Tynan: himself@dantynan.com
David Katzmaier: crave@cnet.com

Also contact the AG for the State that you live in:

LUTHER STRANGE (R)

Alabama Attorney General

Elected: 2010

501 Washington Ave. P.O. Box 300152 Montgomery, AL 36130-0152

(334) 242-7300

http://www.ago.state.al.us/

JOHN BURNS

Alaska Attorney General

Appointed: 2010

P.O. Box 110300, Diamond Courthouse, Juneau, AK 99811-0300

(907) 465-3600

http://www.law.state.ak.us/

TOM HORNE (R)

Arizona Attorney General

Elected: 2010

1275 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

(602) 542-4266

http://www.azag.gov/

DUSTIN MCDANIEL (D)

Arkansas Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

200 Tower Bldg., 323 Center St., Little Rock, AR 72201-2610

(800) 482-8982

http://www.ag.arkansas.gov/

KAMALA HARRIS (D)

California Attorney General

Elected: 2010

1300 I St., Ste. 1740, Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-9555

http://ag.ca.gov/

JOHN SUTHERS (R)

Colorado Attorney General

Elected: 2005, 2006, 2010

1525 Sherman St. Denver, Colorado 80203

303-866-4500

http://www.ago.state.co.us/index.cfm

GEORGE JEPSEN (D)

Connecticut Attorney General

Elected: 2010

55 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06141-0120

(860) 808-5318

http://www.ct.gov/ag/

JOSEPH R. "BEAU" BIDEN, III (D)

Delaware Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

Carvel State Office Bldg., 820 N. French St., Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 577-8338

http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/

IRVIN NATHAN

District of Columbia Attorney General (Acting)

Appointed: 2010

John A. Wilson Building, 1350 PA Ave, NW Suite 409, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 727-3400

http://occ.dc.gov

PAM BONDI (R)

Florida Attorney General

Elected: 2010

The Capitol, PL 01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

(850) 414-3300

http://myfloridalegal.com/

SAM OLENS (R)

Georgia Attorney General

Elected: 2010

40 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, GA 30334-1300

(404) 656-3300

http://law.ga.gov/02/ago/home/0,2705,87670814,00.html

DAVID LOUIE

Hawaii Attorney General

Appointed: 2010

425 Queen St., Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-1500

http://www.hawaii.gov/ag/

LAWRENCE WASDEN (R)

Idaho Attorney General

Elected: 2002, 2006, 2010

Statehouse, Boise, ID 83720-1000

(208) 334-2400

http://www2.state.id.us/ag/

LISA MADIGAN (D)

Illinois Attorney General

Elected: 2002, 2006, 2010

James R. Thompson Ctr., 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 814-3000

http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/

GREG ZOELLER (R)

Indiana Attorney General

Elected: 2008

Indiana Government Center South - 5th Floor, 302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 232-6201

http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/

TOM MILLER (D)

Iowa Attorney General

Elected: 1978, 1982, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010

Hoover State Office Bldg., 1305 E. Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50319

(515) 281-5164

http://www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org

DEREK SCHMIDT (R)

Kansas Attorney General

Elected: 2010

120 S.W. 10th Ave., 2nd Fl., Topeka, KS 66612-1597

(785) 296-2215

http://www.ksag.org/home/

JACK CONWAY (D)

Kentucky Attorney General

Elected: 2007

700 Capitol Avenue, Capitol Building, Suite 118, Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 696-5300

http://ag.ky.gov/

JAMES D. "BUDDY" CALDWELL (R)

Louisiana Attorney General

Elected: 2008

P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4095

225-326-6000

http://www.ag.state.la.us/

WILLIAM J. SCHNEIDER (R)

Maine Attorney General

Appointed: 2010

State House Station 6, Augusta, ME 04333

(207) 626-8800

http://www.maine.gov/ag/

DOUGLAS F. GANSLER (D)

Maryland Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202-2202

(410) 576-6300

http://www.oag.state.md.us

MARTHA COAKLEY (D)

Massachusetts Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-1698

(617) 727-2200

http://www.mass.gov/ago/

BILL SCHUETTE (R)

Michigan Attorney General

Elected: 2010

P.O.Box 30212, 525 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48909-0212

(517) 373-1110

http://www.michigan.gov/ag

LORI SWANSON (D)

Minnesota Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

State Capitol, Ste. 102, St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 296-3353

http://www.ag.state.mn.us

JIM HOOD (D)

Mississippi Attorney General

Elected: 2003

Department of Justice, P.O. Box 220, Jackson, MS 37205-0220

(601) 359-3680

http://www.ago.state.ms.us/

CHRIS KOSTER (D)

Missouri Attorney General

Elected: 2008

Supreme Ct. Bldg., 207 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101

(573) 751-3321

http://ago.mo.gov/

STEVE BULLOCK (D)

Montana Attorney General

Elected: 2008

Justice Bldg., 215 N. Sanders, Helena, MT 59620-1401

(406) 444-2026

http://www.doj.mt.gov

JON BRUNING (R)

Nebraska Attorney General

Elected: 2002, 2006, 2010

State Capitol, P.O.Box 98920, Lincoln, NE 68509-8920

(402) 471-2682

http://www.ago.state.ne.us/

CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO (D)

Nevada Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

Old Supreme Ct. Bldg., 100 N. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701

(775) 684-1100

http://ag.state.nv.us/

MICHAEL DELANEY (D)

New Hampshire Attorney General

Appointed: 2009

State House Annex, 33 Capitol St., Concord, NH 03301-6397

(603) 271-3658

http://www.state.nh.us/nhdoj/

PAULA T. DOW (D)

New Jersey Attorney General

Appointed: February 2010

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market Street P.O. Box 080 Trenton, NJ 08625

(609) 292-8740

http://www.state.nj.us/lps/

GARY KING (D)

New Mexico Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

P.O. Drawer 1508, Sante Fe, NM 87504-1508

(505) 827-6000

http://www.nmag.gov/

ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN (D)

New York Attorney General

Elected: 2010

Dept. of Law - The Capitol, 2nd fl., Albany, NY 12224

(518) 474-7330

http://www.ag.ny.gov/

ROY COOPER (D)

North Carolina Attorney General

Elected: 2000, 2004, 2008

Dept. of Justice, P.O.Box 629, Raleigh, NC 27602-0629

(919) 716-6400

http://www.ncdoj.gov/

WAYNE STENEHJEM (R)

North Dakota Attorney General

Elected: 2000, 2004, 2006, 2010

State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0040

(701) 328-2210

http://www.ag.state.nd.us

EDWARD T. BUCKINGHAM

Northern Mariana Islands Attorney General

Appointed: 2009

Administration Building, P.O. Box 10007, Saipan MP 96950-8907

(670) 664-2341

http://www.cnmiago.gov.mp/

MIKE DEWINE (R)

Ohio Attorney General

Elected: 2010

State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43266-0410

(614) 466-4320

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/

SCOTT PRUITT (R)

Oklahoma Attorney General

Elected: 2010

313 NE 21st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

(405) 521-3921

http://www.oag.state.ok.us/

JOHN KROGER (D)

Oregon Attorney General

Elected : 2008

Justice Bldg., 1162 Court St., NE, Salem, OR 97301

(503) 378-4732

http://www.doj.state.or.us/

WILLIAM H. RYAN, JR.

Pennsylvania Attorney General (Acting)

Appointed: 2011

1600 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-3391

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov

GUILLERMO SOMOZA-COLOMBANI

Puerto Rico Attorney General

Appointed: December 2009

GPO Box 902192, San Juan, PR 00902-0192

(787) 721-2900

http://www.justicia.gobierno.pr/

PETER KILMARTIN (D)

Rhode Island Attorney General

Elected: 2010

150 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02903

(401) 274-4400

http://www.riag.state.ri.us

ALAN WILSON (R)

South Carolina Attorney General

Elected: 2010

Rembert C. Dennis Office Bldg., P.O.Box 11549, Columbia, SC 29211-1549

(803) 734-3970

http://www.scattorneygeneral.org

MARTY J. JACKLEY (R)

South Dakota Attorney General

Appointed: 2009, Elected: 2010

1302 East Highway 14, Suite 1, Pierre, SD 57501-8501

(605) 773-3215

http://www.state.sd.us/attorney/

ROBERT E. COOPER, JR. (D)

Tennessee Attorney General

Appointed: 2006

425 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243

615-741-3491

http://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral

GREG ABBOTT (R)

Texas Attorney General

Elected: 2002, 2006, 2010

Capitol Station, P.O.Box 12548, Austin, TX 78711-2548

(512) 463-2100

http://www.oag.state.tx.us

MARK SHURTLEFF (R)

Utah Attorney General

Elected: 2000, 2004, 2008

State Capitol, Rm. 236, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0810

(801) 538-9600

http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/

WILLIAM H. SORRELL (D)

Vermont Attorney General

Elected: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010

109 State St., Montpelier, VT 05609-1001

(802) 828-3173

http://www.atg.state.vt.us/

VINCENT FRAZER

Virgin Islands Attorney General

Appointed: 2007

Dept. of Justice, G.E.R.S. Complex 488-50C Kronprinsdens Gade, St. Thomas, VI 00802

(340) 774-5666

KEN CUCCINELLI (R)

Virginia Attorney General

Elected: 2009

900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 786-2071

http://www.oag.state.va.us/

ROB MCKENNA (R)

Washington Attorney General

Elected: 2004, 2008

1125 Washington St. SE, PO Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504-0100

(360) 753-6200

http://www.atg.wa.gov/

DARRELL V. MCGRAW, JR. (D)

West Virginia Attorney General

Elected: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008

State Capitol, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. , E., Charleston, WV 25305

(304) 558-2021

http://www.wvago.gov/

J.B. VAN HOLLEN (R)

Wisconsin Attorney General

Elected: 2006, 2010

State Capitol, Ste. 114 E., P.O.Box 7857, Madison, WI 53707-7857

(608) 266-1221

http://www.doj.state.wi.us

GREG PHILLIPS

Wyoming Attorney General

Appointed: 2011

State Capitol Bldg., Cheyenne, WY 82002

(307) 777-7841

http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us

It's time to stop this fraud once and for all.

TC PhotoVideo (aka tc photo video & tcphotovideo.com): Legit?

2011-02-02T06:18:00.000-08:00

A new website showing up on Bing searches is TC PhotoVideo aka TC Photo and Video. No address is provided, the contact email is a yahoo address, and there is no phone number. Their prices are far below established retailers. How would a brand new website be able to offer such amazing deals on cameras and camcorders? Please post your experiences with these guys below.

Altigen iFusion Docking Station

2011-02-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

After attending MacWorld last week, I read numerous articles ranking the top 5 coolest products. No one mentioned the Altigen iFusion Docking station. But after visiting every single booth, it was definitely the coolest "must have" item for any iPhone owner. It's a very high end phone that works through your iPhone.

You can ditch your Vonage line and use your iPhone in your home office. It's not out yet, but is available for preorder.

Getondigital: Buyer Beware

2011-01-26T05:40:00.000-08:00

Getondigital is a new website showing up as a Google sponsored link, advertising prices roughly $200 cheaper than established websites. The getondigital.com website provides very little information, and does not include a physical address. (But here's a picture of their headquarters address) The website was created on December 26, 2010.
A search of the "whois" registry reveals the following:
Registrant:
jeffrey gadeloff
2277 mcdonald ave
fl 2
brooklyn, New York 11229
United States
Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: GETONDIGITAL.COM
Created on: 26-Dec-10
Expires on: 26-Dec-11
Last Updated on: 16-Jan-11
Administrative Contact:
gadeloff, jeffrey abc4040@gmail.com
2277 mcdonald ave
fl 2
brooklyn, New York 11229
United States
(718) 288-9791

2277 McDonald is the same address as one of the most notorious scam website operators in Internet history. Per the BBB, they have a perfect F:
Business Name:
The Camera Professionals
All Star Camera
All Star Electronics
Allstar Camera
Best Digital Online
Elite Camcorders
HD Camera
HD Camera World
HDCameraWorld
OnTime Digital Inc.
Pay Less Digital
The Camera Pros
Together Allstar Camera
UB Digital
Business Address: 1151 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Principal:
Moussa Swed, President
Phone Number:
(718) 265-9777
(718) 431-0610
(718) 677-0886
(718) 998-9320
(800) 496-0227
(800) 577-6791
(877) 422-5115
(888) 431-0611
(888) 745-0611

Reselleratings reviews, showing some of the horror stories. In my opinion, many of the reviews look fake. I just ran a search on priceclicks (a terrible, terrible website that serves up many bait and switch websites), and GetOnDigital has the Canon T2i for $264. This price is absolutely, 100% fake. They will never, ever sell you the T2i for $264. Used ones on eBay go for twice that. Don't be fooled. If you've been duped, use Google and search for your state's attorney general's office. Contact them, let them know what transpired. Also contact the State of NY AG's office. If you are in Texas, your attorney general has a record of successfully prosecuting these types of operations.

SWAT Academy: Coolest Batting Cages in Oklahoma City

2011-01-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

The first time I've wished we lived in Oklahoma City. Check out the batting cage in this video:
http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/morning_news/videos/vid_2336.shtml
All we've got where we live is the traditional pitching machine, which doesn't really give the Little League players the feel of getting a real pitch. Hopefully the SWAT Academy will be coming out West...but leave that annoying reporter.

Ripped Off by a Bait and Switch Site? File a Complaint!

2010-12-23T23:48:00.000-08:00

If you attempted to purchase a camera or camcorder (or any other electronic device) advertised on the Internet for the advertised price, only to be subjected to bait and switch tactics, file a complaint with both the State of New York’s Office of the Attorney General as well as the Department of Justice.

State of New York: CLICK HERE TO FILE COMPLAINT

Here's information on their website. In 2009, when Andrew Cuomo was the Attorney General, they went after several Brooklyn-based bait and switch websites for "illegal and fraudulent" business practices. Here's the article. Here's a description of the illegal and fraudulent activities that were prosecuted for:
Attorney General Cuomo’s investigation revealed that these seven companies would advertise consumer electronics, such as cameras, camcorders, projectors, and related accessories online at prices significantly lower than their competitors to induce consumers to place orders via the internet. Once an order was placed, the companies would call consumers and try to sell them additional or “upgraded” merchandise at inflated prices. If the consumer refused to purchase the additional merchandise, the companies would cancel the sale or claim the item was backordered for months. If the consumer did agree to purchase the additional merchandise, the companies would send them lower quality merchandise than what was promised, or merchandise that the consumer never ordered in the first place. When customers tried to return the items, they would either be denied or be slammed with undisclosed fees. All of the companies further limited customers’ ability to return merchandise by requiring them to speak to a live customer representative during limited business hours, and then refusing to answer those telephone calls.

Sound familiar? These guys are back to committing the same illegal and fraudulent acts. And they need to be stopped.
One of the attorneys that handled the original case is now the acting chief of the Internet Division:
Karen Geduldig (Her email address is karen.geduldig@oag.state.ny.us. Or you can call her at 212-416-6307.
Please, remember to file a complaint with the Department of Justice as well. Here's their online complaint form. Their main phone number in Washington DC is (202) 514-1026. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York is Preet Bharara. His contact information is as follows:
One St. Andrews Plaza. New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212 ) 637-2200. Fax: 212-637-2685.
Email: Preet.Bharara@usdoj.gov

Onpointelectronics aka Onpointcamera aka On Point Electronics: Legit?

2010-12-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

A new site showing up on Nextag is onpointelectronics (onpoint electronics). They also go by the name onpoint camera. Not a lot of information on their site, but I noticed that while they initially revealed that they are in Brooklyn, they removed this piece of information:

Please post your experiences below. Also, if you ordered something and managed to get an address or alternative phone number, please post that as well.

Back On! Awesome Deal on Canon T2i with 2 Lenses: $837

2010-12-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

Amazon has a great deal right now (it could expire any minute) for the Canon T2i w/ the standard EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, plus the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens, for a total of $837
First, click on the following link:

Make sure you are buying the camera from Amazon, not a third party. Add the camera to your cart.
Then click on the following lense:

Add it to your cart, and then enter promo code 7FU7NKSI for $100 off.

Want the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS telephoto zoom lens instead? The combo will run you $855. First, add the camera:

Then, add the lens:

Enter coupon code 4EXZTAMU for $150 off.

Time for Nextag to Remove Digitalelect

2010-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

Digitalelect is showing up on Nextag results. Digitalelect has an F rating by the BBB. Read it here. Also read the negative reviews on resellerratings here. It's time for Nextag to remove them from search results.
Scott Simmons is the President - North America. If you had a bad experience with digitalelect, and initially found their site using Nextag, please send Mr. Simmons a note. ssimmons@nextag.com. You'll not only help prevent future victims, you'll help Nextag clean up their results.

42-Inch LG LCD TV 42LD450: $499 w/ no tax, free shipping: Awesome Deal

2010-12-15T09:10:00.001-08:00

Paraphrasing Kenny Powers, you don't want one of those crap Vizios...here's an LG for an awesome deal.

Get Revenge on the Bait and Switchers!

2010-12-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick way to hit the bait and switch websites where it hurts most...in their pocket book. Search on Bing and Yahoo for the Canon 5d OR Canon T2i OR Nikon D90 or any other camera you can think of:
http://www.bing.com/
http://www.yahoo.com/
Look for ads from http://www.saveritephoto.com/, http://www.photovad.com/, http://www.thundercameras.com/, and CLICK ON THE SPONSORED RESULTS. They'll get dinged for each click! The best part? The more you click, the quicker they reach their daily ad budget, and the fraudulent ads disappear!

Mastercard Cuts Off Wikileaks; Why Not the Bait and Switchers?

2010-12-06T23:24:00.000-08:00

It was announced today that Mastercard now prevents WikiLeaks from accepting Mastercard:
"MasterCard said it was cutting off payments because WikiLeaks is engaging in illegal activity. "MasterCard rules prohibit customers from directly or indirectly engaging in or facilitating any action that is illegal," spokesman Chris Monteiro said."

Hmmm. That sounds alot like what the Brooklyn-based bait and switch websites do. If you used a Mastercard while attempting to purchase an item from one of these conmen, why don't you call Chris up and tell him that? His number is 914-249-5826. His email address is: chris_monteiro@mastercard.com
Chris McWilton is president of US Markets: chris_mcwilton@mastercard.com.
Noah Hanft is "General Counsel, Chief Payment System Integrity and Compliance Officer MasterCard Worldwide." His address should be noah_hanft@mastercard.com.
It's time to shut these websites down.

Beware of PriceClicks

2010-12-02T23:29:00.000-08:00

Priceclicks is currently showing the following results for the Canon T2i:
Skypointdigital: $299
Save Here Digital: $289
Thunder Cameras: $289
None of these prices are valid. The T2i sells for no less than $630 on eBay. There is simply no possible way they could sell the camera for this price without taking a huge loss. You should avoid these websites at all cost.

Feds Shut Down Counterfeit Goods Websites

2010-11-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

Per this article, the Department of Justice shut down 82 websites selling counterfeit Chinese made goods. It seems like the Brooklyn bait and switch websites are doing much more harm, on a larger scale, than these sites. But it's a good start, and perhaps with enough pressure the Federal Government will pursue the bait and switch sites as well. If you've been ripped off, contact:
Eric Holder

Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
202-353-1555
Eric.holder@usdoj.gov

Camera Lane aka Cameralane: Bogus or Legit?

2010-11-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

Cameralane.com is a new site is showing up on Google Products. Here's a list of the other aliases that this company purportedly uses, which links them to Broadway Photo. Here's an article detailing how the State of New York prosecuted Broadway Photo last year.
Per bizrate, their physical address is:
1722 east 28th st

brooklyn, ny 11229
Per this site, that's they same address used by Click4Digital, LLC, Click4Digital.com, aka Click For Digital, ClickForDigital.com; aka DailyCheckout.com Inc.; aka AMDV.com, aka Digital Megastore. Check out the photo.

Palace Camera (aka palacecamera.com): Beware?

2010-11-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Be careful ordering from palacecamera.com. There are several red flags about their website.
If you put the following language in Google (from the Palace Camera’s website):

"average online retailer. Among the earliest to sell consumer electronics online. Our goal has been to earn the trust of our customers"
The only results that you get are for Delta Camera, Save Here Digital, and two posts of mine about Big Camera Deals. Out of the hundreds of millions of webpages that Google catalogues, these are the only results. Sonic Cameras used the exact language as well.
From their “about us” page:
Company:
Palace Camera
Address: Fort Washington, PA 19034
US
Email:
info@PalaceCamera.com
CALL US
1-888-268-2505
Their volusion certificate also fails to provide a physical address, listing only Fort Washington PA. The phone number provided is 267-338-1440.
I tested their shopping cart and they don’t charge tax in Pennsylvania, only New York.

QuickStop Digital aka Quick Stop Digital (quickstopdigital.com): Legit?

2010-11-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

A new website showing up on some price comparison sites is quickstopdigital.com. Check out the photo of their headquarters here. There are some pretty disatisfied customers on resellerratings here.

A Note to Visitors to My Blog

2010-11-24T22:38:00.000-08:00

If you found this site, you were no doubt researching an online retailer (hopefully you are doing your research prior to be ripped off). I'm trying my hardest to have the websites that are committing illegal bait and switch tactics closed down. In the last year, Google has done a great job eliminating the crooked etailers from their sponsored links/ads. Yet I'm still getting 1,000 visits a day right now. So how are you finding these sites? Yahoo? Bing? Nextag? Please email me at dave.michael@rocketmail.com and let me know how you came across these websites so that I can get them removed from search results immediately.

eWaggle Appearing on Google Shopping

2010-11-23T23:09:00.000-08:00

eWaggle is showing up on Google Shopping. Their website provides little details...no address, etc. They were on resellerratings up until 2008 (selling computers) and they suddenly reappeared in August 2010 with a positive review about an Apple notebook. Which is weird, since the "Computers" section of their website is completely blank. The only other review, as of today, is from November 2010, and it's negative, indicating that the item sold as new was refurbished. Link.
It would appear that defunct websites are being resurrected for the holiday season.

Emicrox: Legitimate? How are the Reviews?

2010-11-23T22:57:00.000-08:00

Emicrox is now showing up on Google Shopping with unbelievably low prices. Their listing on Resellerratings is entitled "Emicrox (formerly listed as Micro X-Press)". That seems a little strange..why was it "formerly listed" under another name? So I checked out the older reviews. Micro X-Press, a computer parts reseller, had generally positive reviews from 2002 until 2006. Then nothing. Until April, 2010, when the first review in four years suddenly appears, and it's negative. The first four are all negative. Their phone number, 317-334-5640, was disconnected and their website was down. A month later, in June 2010, positive reviews start appearing. But if you read the reviews since then, you'll see some complaints about being sent refurbished equipment that was billed as new. Per a post on 10/21/10, they offer a gift if you post a positive review.
So who runs Emicrox? Here's some information, all publicly available, for you to consider.

The 212-575-5392 on the home page reverses to 530 7th Ave, NY, NY (at 38th St). It's approximately a 19-story building with many offices.
The Volusion logo has behind it:
PO BOX 290584
Brooklyn, New York 11229
There's nothing in the State of New York's entity database.
On this page: http://ratepoint.com/profile/36017
You'll find the following:
2215 homecrest ave
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 210-6103
Note the same zip as the PO Box above.
The 2215 Homecrest Avenue address is mentioned here:
http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/h0042.htm
Which links to the same people who operate Delta/Allstar Cameras.
Read the reviews of BigCameraDeals here.
Read the reviews of Delta Cameras here.
You can see a visual history of the stie from 2002 to 2006 here:
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://Emicrox.com
After 2006 only an error message was archived. Last March their domain registration went private. Before that it was:
Registrant:
Valuable Web Names
14525 SW Millikan Way #13790
Beaverton, OR 97005-2343
Domain Name: EMICROX.COM
Administrative Contact:
isaac mizrahi
PO BOX 290584
brooklyn, NY 11229
(718)339-3419
mail to extrememediausa@aol.com
The original registrant, and the source of the domain name was:
Micro X-press, Inc. which was based in Indiana.
Emicrox shares an IP with another domain,
http://xtremeshoppers.com%3extremeshoppers.com/. Their registration is public:
Registrant:
mike miller
po box 290584
brooklyn, NY 11229
Prior to that, for at least part of 2009 it was:
joey mizrahi
iandj
2215 homecrest ave
brooklyn, NY 11229
Phone: 646-331-7275
Email: joeyoc83@hotmail.com
Some of the other names located at 2215 HomeCrest in Brooklyn: AllPCGenius.com, CamcorderGenius.com, CellularGenius.com, CloseoutGenius.com, NaviGenius.com, PlasmaGenius.com, ProjectorGenius.com, ReceiverGenius.com, SLRGenius.com, WholesaleGenius.com

Here's a review of Closeoutgenius.com.

SCAM ALERT: Thunder Cameras Back on Google Sponsored Links

2010-11-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

Beware of Thunder Cameras. They somehow made it back on Google as a sponsored link. Do a little Googling yourself and you'll see they do the same tricks. Battery not included, etc. Stay away!

Update on Fumfie (fumfie.com)

2010-11-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

Per my prior post (which you can read here), someone in Brooklyn posted a glowing review about Fumfie yesterday. It seemed a bit suspicious. So I did a bit of Googling and it looks as though people are reporting that Fumfie is engaging in some questionable activity. Per reviews on resellerratings, they are pitching "long life" batteries and other items, or simply tacking on "insurance" charges which negate the deal you thought you were getting. A sample of the reviews:
BEWARE!!! DECEITFUL BUSINESS...SLEAZY

1) You must confirm your order by phone which is just an excuse to let a sleazy salesman push you to buy memory cards and "upgraded batteries".
2) I was overcharged $30. After the fact they claim this to be required insurance but the shopping cart checkout makes no mention of this hidden and deceptive adder. This is classic bait an switch false advertising and a trick to show as low price in web searches. It is completely dishonest and likely illegal.
3) They swap the factory supplied battery (Canon) with a cheap knockoff despite the site claiming to sell 100% as shipped from the factory. This is definitely illegal and given that the transaction took place over state lines, it may be a federal offense. False advertising, substituting fake product, etc... I will investigate and pursue this to the full extent.
BEWARE OF THIS SELLER AND THIER DECEITFUL BUSINESS PRACTICES.
My attempts to get remedy resulted in an e-mail asking me to call them for an explanation of the invoice. They never responded to the battery change scam.

I have never written a review before but feel compelled to let others know that this store is all smoke and mirrors. I ordered a HDC-TM700 Panasonic Camcorder from Fumfie on 10/27/10. The price was the best on the web for $729 with free shipping. I too had seen other reviews stating the tacking on of insurance charges. When I completed the order and received my email confirming my order # it did not state a final price. That same morning I received and email stating they were trying to call me to verify my order. I called them at their 866 # and spoke to a customer service agent in regards to my order. They immediately tried to sell me extras I did not want. I explained to them I was already pushing the budget for the camcorder to which he relented. He said "Ok, that comes to $794.61" to which I replied "uh, hold on, no, the camera is $729 with free shipping" he then stated that it has to be shipped with insurance since they send out "1000's" of packages with many returned for damages. I said, well, I also found the camera for $751 with free shipping and if they could match that price I would buy it. I was then transferred to a customer rep. (in the same room I bet) who said he could not match that price as the other store must have gotten a better deal than they did. So I said cancel my order for which they did and by that time I was pissed. I did receive a cancellation email for which I'll keep forever and checked my CC and the camcorder had never been placed for purchase. So as you can see I was going to be charged an additional $65.61 that was never outlined or mentioned until I called the 866 #. Stay away from this company!

This place runs a scam. The reason I went with them is that they offer cameras at much lower prices than you can find elsewhere. But, they tamper with the contents of the box and I am fairly sure I got a refurbished camera and not a new one despite the claims on the website.

When you order they ask you to call them to complete the order. Once on the phone they tell you about a huge shipping insurance cost and they give you a line about needing to buy a battery (because the one in the box "lasts only twenty minutes"). I said I want the battery that Canon ships with the camera. I didn't get that battery. I got a cheap OEM battery. They claim that everything they sell is "brand new" but they went into the "brand new" box for my camera and replaced the Canon battery with a cheap knock off. I am skeptical if this camera is even new - it most likely is a refurbished camera in the retail box, the box has wear on the seams - not something I've ever seen on a new item.

From Pricegrabber:
BEWARE...SCAMMING MERCHANT! 1) You must call to "confirm" the order which is just a trick to make you speak with a sleazy salesman pushing for memory cards and upgraded batteries. 2) I was overcharged $30 for my $339 purchase. After the fact they claim that the extra charge is for "insurance" but the shopping cart and order process make no mention of any such charge. The final invoice only shows a single charge of $369 for an item that was priced at $339. They have not responded and I am disputing thru my CC company. 3) The site claims 100% as shipped from the manufacturer. They substituted a cheap knock-off battery for the original Canon factory battery. This is completely fraudulent and criminal deceit. FumFie has not responded to my requests for remedy.

DO NOT buy from this company. I went to buy a camcorder there and they sent me a email to call them (4 days later). I called them they told me the battery for the camcorder was only a 30min battery and its $90 for a 4 hour battery. Then they told me its $89 for insurance for the box for shipping. I asked if they can take my UPS number and they said NO. Then I said, I will pick it up and they said NO. That is why its $150 less than everywhere else because they get you later on with batteries and shipping.
Here are some complaints on ripoffreport.com.

A Challenge to Microsoft re: Bait and Switch Websites

2010-11-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

I sent the following email to the executives at Microsoft in charge of Bing:
(Satya Nadella, Harry Shum, Mario Ribera, Ashley Highfield, Jonathan Hochman, Natalie Bow, Scott Prevost and Raju Malhotra)
In searching for a Canon T2i using Bing, I noticed that your "sponsored links" include the following:
Photovad.com, offering the T2i for $469
Saveritephoto.com, offering it for $449,
and an alleged price comparison site called priceclicks.com purportedly listing it for $429.
I challenge you to purchase the T2i from any of these sites for this price. If you truly value the people who use Bing, then you should ensure that your results are accurate. If you are able to purchase the T2i for this amount, then you got an amazing deal, and can immediately turn around and sell it on eBay for $200 more. If, however, you only get the "deal" if you agree to buy "long life" batteries, tripods, and other miscellaneous add ons, then do your users a favor and remove these sites from your search results PRIOR TO THE START OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Can You Trust Photovad?

2010-11-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

A new site appearing as a Google Sponsored Link is PhotoVad.com. They list their address as PO Box 230837 Gravesend, NY 11223. That address is in Brooklyn, right off of McDonald Avenue. No reviews yet, but stay tuned. It would be interesting to see how a brand new site could underprice companies such as Dell and Walmart by such a large margin.

Bait and Switch Scam: saveritephoto.com aka Save Rite Photo

2010-11-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

A new website showing up on Bing and Nextag results is Saveritephoto.com. Their website doesn’t provide an address. This website links them to Supreme Camera. I agree. They were sloppy when they built their website, per this site search done on Google:

These guys monitor my site, so they’ll fix this mistake immediately, but be warned: these guys run a scam. Read the reviews here. They have a six month rating of ZERO OUT OF TEN. You've been warned.

ElectroCloseOut: Beware!

2010-10-25T20:51:00.001-07:00

Beware of ElectroCloseOut. A perfect 0 out of 10 on resellerratings. Read the reviews.

Beware of RubySkyTech.com aka RubySkyTech

2010-10-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

Rubyskytech.com, aka Ruby Sky Tech, is showing up on Google Product searches. They state they’ve been in business for 5 years and are “one of the nation’s largest photo and mobile accessories suppliers.” They have a five star rating from 94 reviews. Take a look at the reviews. The last one is from 2007. I looked up Rubyskytech.com on the Internet Wayback Machine and the company was a reseller for Seagate, HP, Cisco, etc. from 2004 until 2008, when the website disappeared (and they apparently went out of business). They were located in California.

The current Rubyskytech.com is registered anonymously through a strawman in “Funchal, Madeira.” They registered the domain on August 26, 2010. They indicate that they are based in Connecticut. It appears that someone picked up the expired domain name, and is now using the old reviews to legitimize their website. I’d be very, very careful in dealing with these folks.

WARNING!!! DIPLOMAT CAMERAS = SKYPOINT DIGITAL

2010-10-19T22:57:00.001-07:00

The newest camera shop showing up on Yahoo! search is Diplomat Cameras (aka diplomatcameras.com). Don’t be fooled. I have definitively linked them to skypointdigital, the absolute worst bait and switch website on the planet. Read the horror stories here. Do not, ever, give these guys your credit card info.

(I’ve saved screenshots of how I’ve linked the two, should law enforcement need the information. I will not post it here, as these scumbags monitor my site and immediately make changes).

Per the BBB, Bingo Cameras and Highpoint Cameras are located at 14A 53rd St in Brooklyn, the same address currently listed on Diplomatcameras.com. Bingo and Highpoint have a BIG FAT F RATING. These guys are the worst of the worst. Reviews of Bingo Cameras.

Just a note to the bait and switchers…if you are planning on ramping up for the holidays, rest assured that I will too. I’ll immediately find and expose each and every site that you put up. Merry Christmas!

Steve Jobs' Favorite Restaurant in Palo Alto

2010-10-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Just read an article that in his final days Steve Jobs went to his favorite restaurant, Jin Sho in Palo Alto. No particular reason for posting this; I'm just burying this factoid on my blog (hence it's backdated to 2010) so that I'll be able to find the name next time in Palo Alto. I like sushi and something tells me this place is good.
http://www.jinshorestaurant.com/menu/dinner.html

Scanning Old Photographs

2010-09-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

I inherited my grandfather's photo albums dating from 1916-1932, which I've begun scanning into my computer. They begin with his first year at the US Naval Academy, and show his progression through the Navy. He was an early Naval aviator, beginning at Pensacola in 1924. He eventually was an Admiral during WW II. A lot of the photos have descriptions on the back, but this one is a complete mystery. What the heck is going on here?

MegatronicsUSA (Megatronics USA): BEWARE!!!

2010-08-25T15:29:00.001-07:00

Somehow MegatronicsUSA.com was approved by Google as a sponsored link. Check their sloppy “privacy policy” page out…they forgot to remove the name elitecamcorders.

(The bait and switchers monitor this site, so the above "typo" will be fixed immediately. However, I've saved screenshots of the complete webpage, showing the link between megatronicsusa and elitecamcorders, should you wish to forward it to your State AG or to your bank/credit card processor)

MegatronicsUSA = Elitecamcorders = Allstar

Summary of ownership.

Reviews

More Reviews.

Summary of what you can expect when dealing with Elite Camcorders, aka MegatronicsUSA.

That Would Be a Big Affirmative, Microsoft

2010-08-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Thunder Cameras aka Thundercameras.com: Bait and Switch

2010-08-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thunder Cameras has numerous negative reviews on reselleratings which you CAN READ HERE. Please post your experiences below.
Here's a shot of their world headquarters and here's another location.
They are operated by the guys that operated stopnshopdigital, per the Better Business Bureau (LINK). They have an F rating from the BBB.
Here are the reviews of stop and shop digital. Here are some others. These guys operated Sonic Cameras (complete scam) and Delta Camera.
Check out this thread on Facebook.
Ripoff Report on Thunder Cameras.
Here's a discussion thread.
When they launched their site last year, their website has numerous positive reviews, all of which were copied from the reviews of B&H on resellerratings. While they've since removed them, here's what they looked like:

B&H Review on Resellerratings:
Purchased a digital camera online on 12/28/02. Camera arrived 1/3/03. Vendor sent e-mail when camera shipped and gave me the tracking number. No hassles
ThunderCameras Testimonial:
Purchased a digital camera online on 08/28/09. Camera arrived 8/30/09. Vendor sent e-mail when camera shipped and gave me the tracking number. No hassles
B&H Review on Resellerratings:
11/6/2002: fair prices, reasonable delivery costs and no nonsence.
ThunderCameras Testimonial:
fair prices, reasonable delivery costs and no nonsence
(Note exact same typo)
B&H Review on Resellerratings:
11/25/2003:
Highly recommended. I have nothing but praise for B&H Photo. They are fast to respond to orders, and fast to ship.
ThunderCameras Testimonial:
"they are fast to respond to orders, and fast to ship"
B&H Review on Resellerratings:
3/12/2002:
Order a lens and filter via the internet online ordering system...worked great. Got an email with tracking # when it was shipped. Shipping costs are reasonable.
ThunderCameras Testimonial:
Order a lens and filter via the internet online ordering system...worked great. Got an email with tracking # when it was shipped. Shipping costs are really reasonable. Thanks.

Best Price Electronics aka BP Electronics, bestpriceelectronics.com: BAIT AND SWITCH ALERT

2010-08-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Per resellerratings, Best Price Electronics is the latest incarnation of US1Photo, an infamous bait and switch operation. Here's a photo of their world headquarters and a detailed history. Fancy diggs!
US1Photo apparently has been abandoned (their phone number no longer works) and their current focus is Best Price Electronics. Here's a number of reasons to be concerned:
Consumerist article on US1Photo.
Resellerratings reviews on US1Camera.
More Reviews.
Complaint.
Please post your experiences below.

Yes, Microsoft, Skypointdigital is a SCAM

2010-07-16T14:23:00.001-07:00

Per my email messages to various Microsoft execs in 12/09, skypointdigital is a bait and switch website that needs to be removed from Bing search results. At least Microsoft is looking into it. They clearly are on notice.

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

2010-07-09T22:35:00.001-07:00

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:

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.

Low Country Lemonade Recipe

2010-07-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

While on a recent trip to Washington D.C., I had dinner at Eric Ripert's West End Bistro. While at the bar, I had one of the best cocktails that I can remember tasting. It's called Low Country Lemonade (aka a John Daly). It was so good I had the bartender write down the recipe, as follows:

1 1/2 ounces Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
2 ounces lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup

Mix them together in a glass of ice and enjoy. You can make simple syrup yourself, but I bought a bottle at Safeway for $5. It's just sugar water. In California, you can find Firefly vodka at Safeway or Beverages 'n More.

Jennifer Aniston's Cobb Salad Recipe

2010-06-09T09:08:00.001-07:00

The LA Times had an interview with Courteney Cox in which she mentioned that Jennifer Aniston ate a Cobb Salad on the set of Friends every day. Here’s an excerpt of the article:

"Jennifer and Lisa [Kudrow] and I ate lunch together every single day for 10 years. And we always had the same thing -- a Cobb salad. But it wasn't really a Cobb salad. It was a Cobb salad that Jennifer doctored up with turkey bacon and garbanzo beans and I don't know what. She just has a way with food, which really helps. Because if you're going to eat the same salad every day for 10 years, it'd better be a good salad, right?"

So I did a little digging to see if I could find anything else on how she doctored it up. A traditional Cobb Salad (first introduced at the Brown Derby in LA) has the following:

Lettuce (head lettuce, watercress, chicory, and romaine)

Tomatoes

Crisp bacon

Chicken breast

Hard-cooked eggs

Avocado

Roquefort cheese

Chives

Special Cobb salad vinaigrette

Although there are many variations on the dressing used for a Cobb salad, this one is purported to be the one originally used at the Brown Derby:

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon dry English mustard

1 small clove garlic, finely minced

1/4 cup full-flavored olive oil

3/4 cup salad oil

Obviously, if she ate a traditional Cobb Salad every day, she’d look like Fat Monica. I found these two references to her salad:

“Jennifer Aniston, who acted in the popular TV sitcom Friends as the character "Rachel" from 1994 to 2004, said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that she ate a Cobb salad for lunch every day for the whole duration of the show, "mixing it up a little" by adding onions on Thursdays and Fridays.”

“She particularly favors a healthier version of a Cobb salad - switching out red meat and eggs in favor of beans, grilled chicken or turkey and just a touch of Swiss cheese.”

So I’m guessing that her salad has:

Tomatoes

Red Onion

Turkey Bacon

Grilled Chicken

Swiss Cheese

Avocado

Cottage Cheese

Chives

Taking a look at the dressing, she definitely wasn’t using the one with ¼ cup of olive oil and ¾ cup of salad oil. I’d have to say she switched this out with a low fat bottled version.

Stellar Management Strategically Defaults on Park Merced

2010-05-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Commercial real estate owners continue to strategically default on their underwater properties. The latest is Stellar Management, which owns and manages 24,000 apartments and offices in major US cities. It’s owned by three real winners, Laurence Gluck, Paula Katz and Robert Rosania.

According to this article:

“In what amounts to a preemptive move to work out a deal with its lenders, Stellar has engaged a service that specializes in handling loans in default to support the loan payments on the property, Seth Mallen, an executive vice president of Stellar Management, said in a statement to be released Wednesday.”

The article continues:

“Mallen said $150 billion of commercial real estate loans have been transferred to special servicing and called it “part of the overall de-leveraging of our nation’s economy.” “The engagement of the special servicer ensures that the property’s bills will be paid in their normal course and allows for the capital to be restructured to the benefit and long-term good of Parkmerced and the lender,” said Mallen.”

If you are underwater on your home, you need to do exactly what these pigs are doing to “de-leverage” yourself for your own “long-term good.” Park Merced residents: Perhaps you should de-leverage yourselves as well, and stop paying your rent. Tell them it’ll be in your own “long-term good” to pay a lot less. Seems to be okay when they do it. When you do it, shed no tears for Laurence Gluck. Back in February 2009 Crain’s New York wrote:

“Laurence Gluck is a tenant's nightmare, a man who has scooped up thousands of units of affordable housing and turned them into market-rate properties, unleashing an army of lawyers on any who oppose him.”

Now he’s using that same army of lawyers do get his company out of a legally enforceable contract. You should do the same.

SF Chronicle: Nadia Lockyer Not Really a District Attorney

2010-05-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

The Chronicle today had a front page article about how Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker look-a-like Nadia Lockyer, wife of career politician Bill Lockyer, incorrectly listed on her website that she is an attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. Here's the article.
Here's her website, http://www.nadiaforsupervisor.com/ and a screen shot:

Apparently she married Rush Limbaugh-look-a-like Bill Lockyer in 2006, right when he was getting termed out of his last job suckling off the taxpayer's teet. He then had a buddy put his new bride in charge of the Alameda County Family Justice Center at $95,000 a year. Most of her campaign money has come from Bill. Judging by the picture on her website, I'm guessing the Family Justice Center owns a licensed copy of Photoshop.

LousCamera (Lous Camera): Legit?

2010-05-24T12:35:00.001-07:00

Another new reseller showing up on Google search results is LousCamera.com. According to their website, their address is 1590 West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204.

Google streetview photo (looks like an apartment building):

They list a phone number of 877-770-3131, which is the same number for:

Thefotosource.com (aka jerseyphotostore.com aka jerseyphoto.com aka Fumfie) (read the resellerratings reviews here)

and

Sunsetelectronics.net, aka Sunset Electronics, which apparently is an Amazon affiliate. There’s a yelp review indicating that their address is 3919 5^th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232, and their phone number is 718-369-2403. The yelp review alleges they sell gray market goods.

I just cannot figure out why a company would use so many different names. Please post your experiences with Lous Camera below.

Warning: Vivit Photo aka vivitphoto.com

2010-05-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

Looks like some suspicious sites are popping up on Google search results again. One is Vivitphoto.com, purportedly selling a Nikon d300 body for $1,299 (Amazon sells it for $1,799.99).

Putting some of the language from their website in Google returns only one hit….Sharpestbuys.com

Here’s the horrible reviews of Sharpestbuys.com on resellerratings.com, indicating bait and switch. When the sharpestbuys.com website was still up, they gave an address of 705 Greens Ave Long Branch, New Jersey, 07740 (an apartment building).

Here’s the Vivit Photo “About Us” Page:

It's the same as buynowdigital, another new website. Vivit's volusion certificate contains an address that I don't think exists.

Vornado Realty Trust Strategically Defaults on The Cannery

2010-05-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

Just one week after reporting a 59% gain in revenue for Q1, the Wall Street Journal reported today that the Vornado Realty Trust, one of the largest owners of commerical real estate in the country, decided to stop making payments on their $18 million mortgage for The Cannery in San Francisco. The Journal article states:
"Vornado wants to keep the property, the person said. But, like many owners of distressed property, the company has defaulted as a strategy to restructure the debt, he said. "It was a calculated move," the person said."
The article goes on to state:
"Vornado, which owns property, office buildings and stores valued at more than $20 billion, is involved in several default situations and is in negotiations with other special servicers. The company said in SEC filings that it has defaulted on $217.8 million in nonrecourse debt on a showroom complex in High Point, N.C., and a mortgage loan with a principal balance of $164.25 million on Springfield Mall in Washington, D.C."
While it's perfectly fine for companies with billions of dollars of assets to strategically default, the ass clowns that caused this mess continue to state that homeowners have a "moral obligation" to stay in their underwater homes. Just last week, Freddie Mac's Donald Bisenius posted on the Freddie Mac website the following:
We know from experience that foreclosures and vacancies drive down the property values of everyone else in the neighborhood. Thus, strategic defaulters, in effect, deplete the personal wealth of their neighbors. Get a critical mass of strategic defaults, and broader communities and regions become affected. Indeed, Economy.com, the analytic firm, recently said that more strategic defaults could tip a fragile housing market back into one of further price declines. Even more families harmed.

What a complete load of steaming, hot BULL SHIT. If a homeowner is underwater by more than 10% they should short sale the home immediately. They owe it to themselves and their families. In two years they'll qualify for a Fannie Mae loan again, and in just three years they'll be able to get an FHA loan. Until then, rent. The market is going to continue to drop. They'll be in a much better position, with a chance of getting some equity in their home, than they would sticking it out in their underwater weight around their neck.
Don't worry about the effect on the market as a whole, or the neighborhood. Vornado Realty Trust sure doesn't give a shit. I bet if you talked to Michael D. Fascitelli, their president and CEO about what to do, he'd tell you to walk as well. While he went to a crappy college (University of Rhode Island) he somehow got into Harvard for an MBA. He then cut his teeth at Goldman Sachs (the same company that is now being investigated for selling steaming piles of shit to their customers while they bet against it).

A Warning to Bait and Switch Customers

2010-04-02T11:06:00.001-07:00

Many of the bait and switch websites require you to register prior to completing your purchase. If you have done so, make sure that you did not use the same password that you use for your email account. If you did, change your password immediately.

Even if you didn’t, be careful that you didn’t accidentally enter your email password when attempting to log in to one of these sites. While your password obviously would not work, there would be a log of your attempt.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, allegedly used this technique to access email accounts:

“He allegedly told the friend that he used TheFacebook.com to search for members who said they were Crimson staff. Then, he allegedly examined a report of failed logins to see if any of the Crimson members had ever entered an incorrect password into TheFacebook.com. In the instances where they had, Business Insider claimed that Zuckerberg said he tried using those incorrect passwords to access the Crimson members' Harvard email accounts. In two instances, the magazine claimed, he succeeded - and was able to read emails between Crimson staff discussing the possibility of writing an article on the accusations surrounding him.”

The bottom line is that these people are conducting Internet fraud, so it would not surprise me if they would attempt to hack into your email account.

FRAUD ALERT: ROCKET CAMERA aka ROCKETCAMERA.COM

2010-04-02T10:30:00.001-07:00

While Google no longer has direct sponsored links for bait and switch websites, they still operate as a conduit for other services which serve up the fraudulent sites. When you search for a camera using Google, you’ll see links for Nextag and Yahoo! Shopping.

Nextag still shows Primo Cameras and Electrobrands, both bait and switch websites. Yahoo still serves up totalprodigital, which is a bait and switch website, as confirmed by resellerratings. But more alarming is the link for priceclicks.com, which purportedly has a merchant selling the Canon T1I for $249. Clicking on that link serves up fraudster websites SLRIsland.com, Save Here Digital, and the horrifically bad SkyPointDigital. They also show a new site called Rocket Camera, which has the same logo (just a different color) as Skypointdigital.

It appears that Rocket Camera is completely fraudulent, rather than just a bait and switch website. Check out the reviews here. You’ve been warned.

Joe Trader aka JoeTrader.com: Buyer Beware

2010-03-26T01:02:00.001-07:00

JoeTrader.com is a new website appearing on Nextag. JoeTrader.com is operated by ANTOnline, aka Atlanta Network Technologies. They have a 4.29/10 score on Resellerratings, which you can read here. Go ahead and read the negative reviews to see what you’ll be in store for.

You may also want to read the following:

Ripoffreport

Complaintsboard

Here’s another. Excerpt:

If you make the mistake (as I did) of ordering from ANTonline (Atlanta Network Technologies) you will be rewarded with a box-load of defective, expired, and/or unusable 'merchandise'. Any attempt to rectify ANTonline's blatant act of interstate fraud will be compounded by return shipping costs (resulting in a diminished overall refund) - not to mention the intractable, unapologetic position of their customer service and CFO/Secretary Nancy Comerford. She will flatly deny any request for a full refund with a one-liner similar to the following: "You have been issued an RMA, please utilize it", and then ignore any additional correspondence.
Oh, and by clicking ANTonline's "Complete Transaction" button you will surrender all normal consumer protections and hold these deceptive, bottom-feeding bastards faultless under any and all circumstances. The "Complete Transaction" button should actually be labeled "Screw Me!" to more accurately describe its intended function. Paying with a credit card may be your only recourse, as PayPal is completely impotent in such matters (they only protect 'shipping').

Dead DotComs

2010-03-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

Here’s a list I compiled of software companies that either went belly-up or were acquired in the last few years (post-dotcom meltdown). It's a work in progress, and I just added more on 4/12/2010. Email me if there are any mistakes, or if you have additional suggestions.
6th Sense Analytics: Acquired by Rally Software
Above All Software
Acopia Networks: Acquired by F5
Aduvo (Acquired by Sun)
Agami Systems: Dead
AimNet Solutions: Acquired by Cognizant.
Airflow Networks (Website replaced by clickfraud website)
Alerilabs: Replaced with strange free nailpolish website
Alignent: Acquired by Sopheon
Amarium (Formerly Cirond): Website replaced by placeholder site.
Ambeo: Acquired by Embarcadero Technologies
Andiamo Systems: Acquired by Cisco
Antartica Systems: Appears dead. Last Press release was 2005.
Anthology Solutions
Anthology Solutions: Website is dead.
Applix (Acquired by Cognos)
AptSoft (Acquired by IBM)
Aradyme (Website replaced by fake site)
Ardence (Acquired by IntervalZero)
Arsenal Digital Solutions: Acquired by IBM
Attune Systems: Website is dead.
Availigent (Website dead)
BEA: Acquired by Oracle.
BitLeap: Acquired by Barracuda Networks
Black Spider: Acquired by Websense
Bluefire Security: Dead
BlueLane Technologies: Acquired by VMWare
BlueNote Networks (Acquired by Aspect)
BlueSoft: Gone
BlueStar Solutions: Gone
BNX Systems: Gone
Borderware: Acquired by Watchguard
BowStreet: Acquired by IBM
BridgeStream: Acquired by Oracle
Bridgewerx: Gone
Cantata: Acquired by Dialogic
Celequest: Acquired by Cognos
Centeris: Acquired by Likewise
Certicom: Acquired by RIM
Cittio: Winding down
Clear Technologies: Acquired by Versata
Clearapp: Acquired by Oracle
Codespear: Acquired by Federal Signal
Colubris Networks: Acquired by HP
Converged Access: Dead.
Converged Access: placeholder website
Cornice: Website is fake website.
Cotelligent
Covelight Systems: Acquired by Radware
Covi Technologies: Assets Acquired by GE Security.
Crosswalk: Fake web portal
Data Domain: Acquired by EMC
db4Objects (aka Servo Software): Acquired by Versant
Decru: Acquired by NetApp
Digital Harbor: Acquired by Norkom
Dyad Security: Acquired by Outpost24
Emotion: Acquired by Corbis, which was acquired by Artesia
Envox: Acquired by Syntellect
Equant
Eurekify: Acquired by CA
Eurekify: Acquired by CA
eVault: Acquired by Seagate
Exabyte
Filesx: Acquired by IBM
Flashline
FrontGate Systems: website gone.
Gold Wire: Acquired by Intelliden
Golden Gate: Acquired by Oracle
Goldwire Technologies: Fake web portal
Gupta: Acquired by Unify
Hummingbird: Acquired by Open Text
Hyperion: Acquired by Oracle
iBRIX: Acquired by HP
iConclude: Website is now a click fraud farm.
Idiom Technologies: Acquired by SDL Enterprise Technology
iManage: Acquired by Interwoven
Imperative Networks: Gone.
Impress Software: Assets acquired by Trinovis
InfoWave: Website is dead.
Infravio: Acquired by Webmethods
Infraworks: Bankrupt
Intellipath Solutions: Website is dead.
Interlace Systems: Acquired by Oracle
Inxight: Acquired by Business Objects
ION Networks: Assets acquired by Cryptek.
IPLocks: Assets acquired by Fortinet
Ironport: Acquired by Cisco
iSpheres
Jaluna: Gone.
Jasomi Networks: Now DiTech Networks
Jounree: Now Initiate
Karta: Gone.
Kenamea: Now Scivantage
Kidaro: Acquired by Microsoft
Kinitos: Now NeoEdge Networks
Kinzan: Gone
Kiyon: Gone, replaced by fake web portal
Klir Technologies: Website is still there, but no management names or recent press releases
Knowmadic: Gone.
KnowNow: Gone.
Kubi Software: Replaced with fake website.
LeCayla Technologies: Acquired by Opsource
Left Hand Networks: Acquired by HP
Linux Networx: Acquired by SGI
Lockdown Networks: Out of business
LogicalApps: Acquired by Oracle
LVL7 Systems: Acquired by Broadcom in 2007
MaXware: Acquired by SAP
Meetinghouse: Acquired by Cisco
Meiosys: Acquired by IBM
MessageOne: Acquired by Dell
MetaInfo: Acquired by NeuStar
Metamatrix: Acquired by Redhat
Mirage Networks: Acquired by Trustwave
MX Logic: Acquired by McAfee
NetContinuum: Acquired by Barracuda Networks
NetDevices: Acquired by Alcatel Lucent
Netegrity: Acquired by CA
NetManage: Acquired by MicroFocus
Network Associates: Acquired by McAfee
NetZentry: Out of Business
NextHop: Acquired by U4EA
Nextpoint: Acquired by GenBand
NFR: Acquired by CheckPoint
Number Six Software: Acquired by ATS
Onaro: Acquired by NetApp
OpsWare: Acquired by HP
Orative: Acquired by Cisco
Ounce Labs: Acquired by IBM
PacketHop: Acquired by SRI International
PanGo: Acquired by Innerwireless
Parlano: Acquired by Microsoft
Peak Stream Systems: Website gone, replaced by fake website.
Peakstone: Website is dead.
Peakstream: Acquired by Google.
Performaworks: Acquired by Workscape
Pilot Software: Acquired by SAP
Pinion Software (aka Infraworks): Assets acquired by GigaTrust
PlateSpin: Acquired by Novell
Plumtree: Acquired by BEA
PointSec: Acquired by Check Point
Popkin, acquired by telelogic, acquired by IBM
Portal Software: Acquired by Oracle
Postini: Acquired by Google.
Prisa Networks: Gone
Proactivenet: Acquired by BMC
Progeny: Gone.
Protego Networks: Acquired by Cisco
QLusters: Gone
Qovia: Danger! Do NOT go the website; it attempts to download trojans.
Quarry Technologies: Gone
Questerra: Gone.
Qumranet: Acauired by Red Hat
Reactivity: Acquired by Cisco.
RealOps: Acquired by BMC
Reconnex: Acquired by McAfee
RedCannon: No management names listed on website; last press release is from 2007.
Remedy: Acquired by BMC
Revivio: Acquired by Symantec
RippleTech: Acquired by Nitro Security
Sanera: Acquired by McData
Sapias: Acquired by Wireless Matrix
ScanAlert: Acquired by McAfee
Scentric: Out of Business.
Seague: Acquired by Borland.
Seaway Networks: Assets acquired by Freescale Semiconductor.
Secure Computing: Acquired by McAfee
Secuware: No management names listed on site, and last press release is from October 2007.
Senforce: Acquired by Novell.
Sentryware: Dead site.
Service Integrity: Website replaced by fake web portal
Sierra Logic: Acquired by Emulex.
Simulalabs.com: Dead site.
sOFTEK: Acquired by IBM.
Solidcore: Acquired by McAfee
SolSoft: Acquired by Exaprotect
Solstice: Acquired by Greenhat
SpectraLink: Acquired by PolyCom.
SPI Dynamics: Acquired by HP.
SPSS: Acquired by IBM
SSA Global: Acquired by Infor
Storability: Acquired by Storagetek, which was acquired by Sun
SurfControl: Acquired by Websense
Tangosol: Acquired by Oracle.
Tasman Networks: Acquired by Nortel.
Telelogic: Acquired by IBM.
TeleSym: Out of business
Terrascale: Acquired by Rackable
Thinstall: Acquired by VMware
Third Brigade: Acquired by Trend Micro
Tidal Software: Acquired by Cisco
TopSpin: Acquired by Cisco
Transitive: Acquired by IBM.
Transparency Software: Website is dead.
Vaau: Acquired by Sun
Vernier Networks aka Autonomic Networks: Shut Down.
VirtualFabrix: Acquired by Vizioncore (Quest Software)
Virtugo: Out of business.
Warp Solutions: Website appears abandoned.
Webify: Acquired by IBM
Xen Source: Acquired by Citrix
XO Soft: Acquired by CA
Zantaz: Acquired by Autonomy
Zimbra: Acquired by Yahoo!

DigitalMegaStore (digital megastore): WARNING!

2010-03-07T21:28:00.001-08:00

Digital Mega Store is now showing up on Nextag. They are run by the same guys that run dbuys.com, ibuydigital.com, centraldigital.com, ibuyplasma.com, realdealship.com, and AMDV. They are owned by Broadway Digital, which has been settled with the State of New York for deceptive business practices. You would be well advised to avoid dealing with these people.

Resellerratings.com Link.

Sheddingsomelight link.

One Buyer’s Miserable Experience.

Complaints Board.

Photo of headquarters

Need more convincing? Here’s the BBB report. Run far away from these guys.

Save Here Digital (saveheredigital.com): BAIT AND SWITCH ALERT

2010-02-21T16:39:00.001-08:00

Save Here Digital is the latest incarnation of Stopandshopdigital.com, Sonic Cameras, and Delta Camera. If you want to get ripped off by a bait and switch operation, then look no further than Save Here Digital. You’ve been warned.

They are so sloppy they forgot to change "stopandshipdigital.com" from their shipping policy page. There are numerous other issues that I won't mention, since these criminals monitor this site (that is, when they aren't posting fake positive reviews on reselleratings.com).
I've saved screen shots of these pages (here that, NY State AG???). It's time to shut these scum bags down.

Microsoft's Bing: Knowingly Serving Up Bait and Switch Sponsored Links

2010-02-15T21:34:00.001-08:00

So back in December 2009 I called and left Dave Wascha, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Bing Shopping, a voicemail message alerting him that several of Bing’s sponsored links were bait and switch websites. I also sent him an email. I just did a Bing search for a Canon HFS100 and look who showed up:

Way to go, Dave! The only legitimate sponsored link is BHphotovideo.com.

I've got a suggestion, Dave...why don't you try to buy a Canon HF-S100 from Supremecamera.com, deltacamera.com, or skypointdigital.com? Since you knowlingly allow these fine etailers to inhabit Bing, I'm sure you're confident that they actually sell the item for the advertised price. On the other hand, you're probably a huge tool that doesn't give a shit.

RESELLERATINGS REVIEW OF DELTA CAMERA (.36/10)

RESELLERATINGS REVIEW OF SKYPOINT DIGITAL (.31/10)

RESELLERATINGS REVIEW OF SUPREME CAMERA (3.67/10)

As a fledgling search service with a miniscule market share, perhaps it's not a good idea to throw your users to the wolves. These three websites are the worst of the worst. Read the reviews, Dave. Their money is not worth it.

SaveSonic.com aka SaveSonic: The Newest Incarnation of RefurbDepot...BUYER BEWARE

2010-02-10T11:50:00.001-08:00

I just noticed that savesonic.com now pops up on some price comparison sites. No physical address, private domain name registration. But they have many, many similarities to refurbdepot.com, which has a really bad 3.01 out of 10 on resellerratings.

Note that the Sonic Site forgot to remove "About Refurbs":

Also note the similarities between their “payment Methods” pages. Note the errant underscore sign left above “The following information must also be included with your PO:” on both pages. Also note the sentence “Payment on your account may be remitted to the following address.” RefurbDepot includes a Brooklyn address, while savesonic has simply included their URL. Not exactly helpful.

Looks pretty suspicious to me.

GCP aka Grandcentralphoto.com (Grand Central Photo): BAIT AND SWITCH ALERT

2010-02-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

Grandcentralphoto.com is now appearing as a sponsored link on Google searches. They appear to be a bait and switch site.
Their "About Us" page states that they were founded in 2005.

They were not. The URL was created in September 2009.

They deliberately hide where they are located. In their frequently asked questions section, instead of answering the question as to whether sales tax is charged, they write “You only have to pay sales tax if you are located in the same state as our warehouse,” without bothering to mention where their warehouse is. Good luck finding where they are located. The address on their “volusion” certificate has been deleted.

As of 2/8/2010 there are no reviews on reselleratings.com, but I'd avoid these guys.
9/26/2010: Update: Read the reviews here, and be careful in dealing with them.

Yahoo! Shopping: 100% Fraudulent Sponsored Links

2010-01-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

Hats off to Yahoo! Shopping for returning 100% fraudulent results. None, I repeat none, of the following websites will actually sell the Canon XSi for the advertised price. After notifying Yahoo! executives several times, I can reach the only logical conclusion: Yahoo! could not care less about its users. I really hope that Yahoo! employees use their crappy shopping site to purchase electronics...they deserve it.

Fraud Alert: Crazycameradeals.com aka Crazy Camera Deals

2010-01-06T17:22:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking from purchasing from crazycameradeals.com, don't. The contact page of CrazyCameraDeals.com lists an address of 1223 Mcdonald Avenue in Brooklyn, and a phone number of 877-244-1302.

Google the phone number.

It's the same number as need4digital, a bait and switch website. Read the reviews here. You can go ahead and ignore the fake positive ones. You can also read the 66 comments to my post about need4digital here. Here's a description of how you'll be treated by these guys. Here's a photo of their real location. If you've been ripped off, call the State of New York AG's office.

Article About Bait and Switch Websites

2009-12-30T18:01:00.000-08:00

Just came across this article. Pretty interesting read!

Dave's Reviews of Internet Price Comparison Sites: Best Deal on Canon T1i

2009-12-30T13:56:00.001-08:00

I thought I’d run a test to see which website provides the most accurate prices for cameras. I only took websites with product search functionality that are among the top 50 most visited websites in the US, according to Alexa. I’ve also included Bing and Nextag as well.

Google
Google returned 44 results, all of which appear to be legitimate retailers. The lowest price was from TriStateCamera.com. 7.89/10 on resellerratings, but the complaints were more customer service issues, with no bait and switch problems. The problem with the Google results is that they mingle body only prices with kits that include the lens, so you have to click through to see what the price reflects. The lowest price, with the lens, was $718 from Sam’s Club. Tax and shipping apply. Dell has it for $719, but tax is $59.32.
Amazon normally has it for $719 with no tax and free shipping, but they are out of stock. Before Christmas it was $699. This deal will come back, so just wait.
Dave’s Rating: A

Yahoo!
Yikes. Yahoo! Shopping is a disaster. The four “sponsored links” are from absolute bait and switch websites that will never, ever sell the camera for the price listed. However, if you ignore the sponsored links, Yahoo! returns three results: Crutchfield, B&H and Amazon, all legitimate.
Dave’s Rating: F

Bing Shopping/MSN

Just like Yahoo!, Bing Shopping and MSN have sponsored links from bait and switch websites. These include skypointdigital, stopandshopdigital and totalprodigital. No, you won’t be able to buy the T1i for $289. If you click on the shopping link, most of the companies that participate in the Bing cashback program are legitimate, but I would strongly suggest checking each on resellerratings. You should also Google the name to see if there is any other information. Personally, I won’t buy from a website that does not provide a physical address. If you find one, check the local BBB website to see if they have any complaints.
Dave’s Rating: D

AOL

Searching in AOL turns up “AOL Shopping.” I clicked on it and most of the sellers were legitimate, although I’ve never heard of electronicsplus. However, the prices were higher than the other sites.
Dave’s Rating: C

Go.com turns up sponsored links skypointdigital.com, deltacamera.com, and need4digital.com, all bait and switch websites. It also shows some price comparison site links which purportedly have the Canon T1i for $289 (priceclicks) and $299 (pricenshop). Don’t bother going to these sites, as the lowest prices are from bait and switch sites. Other than sponsored links, Go.com’s shopping portal takes you to Yahoo!.
Dave’s Rating: F

CNET

CNET had all legitimate retailers, and none of their sponsored links were from bait and switch websites.
Dave’s Rating: A

While not a top 50 site, I also checked out nextag.com.

Their “best value” was from digitalhawks.com. Primo Cameras also appeared. The search also yielded MZLCamera and RedTagSavings. I personally would not buy from any of these sites.
Dave’s Rating: D