Comments

craftech wrote on 1/20/2004, 8:18 PM
Great site as is www.resellerratings.com, but having lived in New York City all my life I learned a long time ago how dishonest most of the camera/electronics shops are there. B&H Photo Video is an enigma in New York City in that they have always been generally honest.
The sleazoids who make up the rest used to rely on phony prices published in photo and electronics magazines and then engage in mail order fraud and never get in trouble for it. Now with the internet, they can spam and/or bribe low price search engines to lead the lambs in the rest of the country to the slaughter.......and they never get in trouble for it. They can also use a bunch of aliases and get away with it as well. Here is some research I did two years ago. Some of the URL's have changed, but the crap still endures:
In Brooklyn:

In order of company name.

888 Digital
http://www.888digital.com/
673 Coney Island Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067208&Sequence=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47212168&Sequence=0&res=high

Abe's Electronic Center
http://www.abesofmaine.com/
http://www.familyphotoandvideo.com/
http://www.abeselectroniccenter.com/ (registered, but not in use)
1957-61 Coney Island Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11223
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067218&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?01050

Aplus Digital
http://www.aplusdigital.com/
6914 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11228
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067212&Sequence=0&res=high
[no newsgroup feedback]
[has price in URL, and entering a different URL will get a different
price!]
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?16670
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?68970

Apple Electronics
http://www.abescamera.com/ (redirects to appleelectronics.com)
http://www.appleelectronics.com/
201 Ditmas Ave.
Store #3
Brooklyn, NY 11218
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737778&Sequence=0&res=high

Broadway Photo, a.k.a. A&M Photo World LLC
http://www.bwayphoto.com/
http://www.amphotoworld.com/
2922 Avenue L
Brooklyn, NY
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47212160&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?68047

BuyRite
http://www.buyritedigital.com/
3908 New Utrecht Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=50518068&Sequence=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=50518069&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?28743
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?35559

CCI Camera City
Royal Camera and Video Inc.
http://www.ccicameracity.com/
http://www.royalcamera.com/
http://www.populardigital.com/
342 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11223
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067217&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?48302 (Royal)
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?12933 (CCI)

Central Dictating Systems
http://www.dbuys.com/
http://www.centraldigital.com/ (registered, but not in use)
http://www.ibuydigital.com
2552 Coney Island Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11223
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067221&Sequence=0&res=high
[good newsgroup feedback]
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?42825

CP Industries
http://www.thecamerazone.com/
http://www.thephotospecialists.com/
http://www.filmshop.com/
also 21st Century Photo? [URL needed]
Brooklyn Army Terminal
140 58 St. Suite 4E
Brooklyn, NY 11220
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=20029748&Sequence=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=20029751&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?67362

Digital Distributors Inc., a.k.a. Digital Etc.
http://www.digitaletc.com/
129 31 St.
Brooklyn, NY
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067204&Sequence=0&res=high
BBB: has address of 150 20th St.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737795&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?46552

Digital E-Tailer
http://www.digitaletailer.com/
http://www.dealsondigital.com/
902 Ave. U
Brooklyn, NY 11223
BBB has 1115 Ave. P for Deals on Digital, but that is a residence
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067219&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?21696
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?01181

Digital Headquarters
http://www.digitalheadquarters.com/
8115 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067205&Sequence=0&res=high

entore, Inc.
http://www.centore.com/
1957 86th Street #186
Brooklyn, NY 11214
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=49276682&Sequence=0&res=high
[only address is this mailbox store. no newsgroup feedback, but web site
has many grossly overpriced accessories.]
1468 86th Street <-- whois address to be investigated
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?13964

Esupersale
http://www.bestbuydigital.com/
7012 20th Ave. (from web site, reverse lookup, and some whois records)
Brooklyn, NY 11204
Old address may have been 7403 18th Avenue, which is the same old address
The Camera Club had.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067211&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?12279
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?66089
whois has: 1365 E 7th St., Brooklyn, NY 11230 <--- check out, but appears
to be home address

ExpressCameras.com, a.k.a. Jack's Express Photo, a.k.a. Photo King
http://www.expresscameras.com/
259 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11223
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47988611&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?16019

Focus Camera & Video
http://www.focuscamera.com/
4419-21 13th Ave
Brooklin, NY 11219
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737783&Sequence=0&res=high
also located at 905 McDonald Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11219
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737781&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?02754

Harmony Video & Electronics, Inc.
Harmony Computer
http://www.harmonycomputers.com/
1801 Flatbush Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47212164&Sequence=0&res=high
[only newsgroup report was positive]
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?02694

A. Heffco Technologies, a.k.a. Let's Go Digital
http://www.lgdsuperstore.com/
http://www.pricesrite.com/ (not currently active)
1643 McDonald Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Storefront:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737789&Sequence=0&res=high
Sign on front door:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737790&Sequence=0&res=high
whois has 936 Kings Highway <--- missed and didn't check out!! probably
residence

Marine Park Camera & Video
http://www.mpsuperstore.com/
http://www.marineparkcamera.com/
3126 Avenue U.
Brooklyn, NY
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47067223&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?32447

Popular Digital
http://www.populardigital.com/
1339-41 Prospect Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11218
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?37864
Old address: 1605 McDonald Avenue
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?23232
write to BBB after checking out addresses
Current address at: http://www.populardigital.com/contact.html
Note sign in store window has a 1605 on it.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737777&Sequence=0&res=high

Regency Camera
Regency Photo & Video, Inc.
http://www.regencycamera.com/
http://www.regencyphotovideo.com/ (registered, but not in use)
196 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11223
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=47212156&Sequence=0&res=high
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?12668

The Camera Club
http://www.thecameraclub.com/
http://www.cameraclub.com/
2203 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11229
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737792&Sequence=0&res=high
Old address: 7403 18th Avenue
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?64263

The Digital Buyer (formerly did business as The Digital Dog)
http://www.thedigitalbuyer.com/
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?68471
http://38.149.37.128/xreport.xcgi?67546
Old:
1950 Utica Ave. <--- need picture !!!
Brooklyn, NY 11234
25 Chapel St., Suite 605
[have pics of 25 Chapel St. need to check tenant listing]
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=33805982&Sequence=0&res=high
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=33805983&Sequence=0&res=high

World Photo Video & Imaging Corp.
http://www.worldphotoonline.com/
http://www.pickacamera.com/
http://www.worldphotovideo.com/ (registered, but not in use)
Sunset Industrial Park (address from phone directory)
40 20th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11232
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51406387&Sequence=0&res=high
1303 53th St. Suite 275 (is mailbox store)
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=118126&a=1322618&p=51737785&Sequence=0&res=high
But the worldphotoonline.com whois uses: 1222 60th Street (is residence)

------------------------
Isn't cyberspace wonderful?

John
RafalK wrote on 1/21/2004, 7:31 AM
Unbelievable }:-(
David_Kuznicki wrote on 1/21/2004, 8:04 AM
And THAT'S why I only go thru B&H and Markertek!

David.
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/21/2004, 8:10 AM
Craftech,
Funny you'd have Abes of Maine in there, we got into a whole legal thing with them, as we thought they were a solid company with their ads in DV, Videomaker, etc. Glad to hear we're not the only ones. These sorts of businesses need to be made "gone" through buyer awareness. Caveat Emptor doesn't apply as much any more, that's for certain, because the seller can adopt any number of postures, all false.
berenberen wrote on 1/21/2004, 8:26 AM
Wow! I'm from that neighborhood originally; I don't recognize any of those names, but it's been some years.

However, I'm surprised to see Focus on your list. That store's been at that address for at least 30 years. It's a legitimate business; I've bought there myself.
craftech wrote on 1/21/2004, 9:56 AM
However, I'm surprised to see Focus on your list. That store's been at that address for at least 30 years. It's a legitimate business; I've bought there myself.
--------------------------------------
Lots of them have been in business for a long time under one name or another.
When you walk into some of those places and you are a saavy New Yorker you know what to look out for and you can see what you are getting (usually). When they can hide behind mail order scams and false names as many have done even before the internet, and stick it to more trusting people (ie: most of the rest of the country), it's another story.
In the magazines they used to infect and still do there is often very very tiny print which says "in-store prices may be different". Sure, because the people who ordered from them weren't going to end up paying the advertised price anyway. One way or the other they were going to be victimized. Just because you can haggle with them in person and stay a step ahead of them to keep from getting screwed when you buy over the counter doesn't make them any less disgusting as human beings. And they all comfort each other with their dirty deeds by calling it "business".
Abe's of Maine is a classic example or deception as I described above. The logic is sound........use a store name which implies that you are from Maine (a more trusting place) when you are really from New York City.
berenberen wrote on 1/21/2004, 10:19 AM
True enough about Abe's of Maine. When I saw their advertisements, it conjured up visions of LL Bean, honest countrymen ...
busterkeaton wrote on 1/21/2004, 10:43 AM
Does anyone remember that skit on Saturday Night Live where Tom Hanks was the host of the Sabra Shopping Network? The joke was that it was a home shopping show on TV that used the same high-pressure tactics that the camera stores in NYC use to hook naive tourists. He was selling VCRs with names like Sone or Sonly. Every time someone asked about it, he would "Sony guts, Sony guts, inside same as Sony, same as Sony. Whaddya you crazy, you crazy, same as Sony."

If that didn't work, he would bring out Dana Carvey who would just say the same things ever louder. "You crazy, you crazy, same as Sony."
If that didn't work, they would bring out Adam Sandler, etc.


craftech wrote on 1/21/2004, 11:57 AM
True enough about Abe's of Maine. When I saw their advertisements, it conjured up visions of LL Bean, honest countrymen
=====================================================

I think it is meant to conjure up images of this painting by Grant Wood:

http://www.artic.edu/artaccess/AA_Modern/pages/MOD_5.shtml

Never seen anyone like that in Brooklyn except on Halloween.

John
busterkeaton wrote on 1/21/2004, 2:15 PM
Um, I don't think i would buy a camera from the guy in American Gothic either.
craftech wrote on 1/21/2004, 3:35 PM
Um, I don't think i would buy a camera from the guy in American Gothic either.
------------------------------
Aw C'Mon it's only a pitchfork he's holding.
BD wrote on 1/22/2004, 5:22 PM
I bought a Nikon from Abe's of Maine, and then I had to nag 'em for a month to mail me a rebate certificate. Then Nikon rejected my rebate, saying that the serial number was already registered!

So I photographed the camera's engraved serial number, mailed that pic to Nikon along with Abe's invoice, and finally got the rebate. Never again will I buy from a NYC dealer other than B&H (and occasionally Adorama, which hasn't pulled any crap on me).

"Honest Abe" has been dead for 140 years.

(The camera works OK, although its 24-120mm zoom lens doesn't stay in position when tilted. I bought it when our son started walking, because I couldn't keep up with him when using my old manual-focus gear!)

Brandon's Dad
BD wrote on 1/22/2004, 5:32 PM
Armato's (in Glendale NY) is another fine store in the greater NYC area, with excellent maintenance service. We bought our last camcorder there.

Brandon's Dad
craftech wrote on 1/22/2004, 6:41 PM
You're right. I almost forgot about Armato's.

John
tadpole wrote on 1/22/2004, 9:29 PM
guess the best advice is use a Credit Card - from a card company that will protects against fraud.

NEVER send them a copy of your drivers license.. I had ordered with a company last month that asked me for that after i made the order, needless to say, i backed out of the deal before that and ordered though B&H... they never asked for photo ID copy or charged any 'shipping insurance'.. every thing arrived as promised and hopefully my rebate arrive soon.