From: kent@lightnin.Columbia.NCR.COM (Kent Richardson)
Subject: Mail Order
Originator: kent@lightnin
Organization: NCR Corp, E&M-Columbia, Columbia, SC
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 92 14:13:17 GMT

THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT ME MAIL ORDER INFO!!!!!!

I am posting this because a number of people asked me to forward them copies
and some of the mail bounced back. Also MANY MANY THANKS to Douglas Blondin
for keeping the survey. His address is below if you have had any experiences
to add. I will send MHO as soon as I order/receive my camcorder. 


Here is a copy of a mailorder survey I received this week from rec.video.
It is very informative in showing some dealers to stay away from. I have 
also been advised by several people to order from an authorized dealer for
the particular brand of equipment you are interested in.  I am going to 
order a JVC camcorder very soon, so I found this info very helpful. I had 
a couple of recommendations for Camera World of Oregon. After calling a lot
of places I found that they had the lowest price and the sales people were
very helpful and seemed honest( I asked about Panasonic vs JVC and salesperson
recommended JVC, which costs a lot less. I would'nt think this would make him
more money, so I "assume" it was an honest opinion.). I would buy from someone
who is friendly and helpful even if price was a little higher. Colonel Video
had some recommendations also, and when I spoke to them the were friendly and
told me for the price that Camera World is selling this camcorder at I should
order from Camera World. Colonel Video said they refer people to Camera World
if they are out of stock. IMHO either of these 2 seem to be a decent place to
order from. Camera World of Oregon is authorized to sell Canon, JVC, Sony,
Panasonic, Hitachi, RCA, Nikon, Minolta, Quasar, Magnavox, Olympus, Pentax,
Fuji, Sunpak, Chinon, TDK, Sigma, Tokina, Kodak, SLIK, Mamiya, Richo, Vivitar,
Yashica, Konica, and a couple of others. I called JVC to verify the authorized
dealers because all of the people I called said they were authorized dealers.
To find out if a company has a "800" number call 1-800-555-1212 and ask for 
the company you are interested in.

BELOW IS THE SURVEY. GOOD LUCK.

_____________________________________________________________________________
	Kent Richardson				In-circuit Test Engineer
	Surface Mount Operations Center
	kent@lightnin.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM	NCR MCPD Columbia
	Phone (803) 739-6162			3325 Platt Springs Road
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
!#############################################################################

       Photographic Equipment/Video Mail Order Company Survey 

		     Posting : November 1, 1992

I. Introduction

	POSTING, REQUESTS: I get many requests for a copy of the mailing.
	I try to respond, but usually what happens is that the mailer
	bounces back my mail.  

	TIMELINESS OF ORDERS:  I'm working on revising the survey so
	we can get some sense of how a company might change over time.
	Thus, if your experiences are not recent (past couple months),
	please give a time so I can add it to the survey at the 
	appropriate date.

	CATEGORIZATION:  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE categorize your
	experience as one of no problems, minor hassles, major hassles
	or avoid.  I can make inferences, but some distinctions
	are subtle and need to be made by the person who had the
	experience.  I hate to be hard-nose about this, but I've gotten
	manys inputs lately that are borderline & have had to make a guess.
	If you don't classify it as one of the above, then I may "drop
	your input in ye ole bit bucket".  If you're having trouble
	deciding, at least give me a hint and what might lean you 
	which way.  Thanks, Doug.

	NAMES:  Please be careful when naming a place.  I don't know all 
	places and sometimes may split places up when they are actually one.  
	Try using the name as it appears in ads.

	Here is the latest version of the Photographic Equipment/Video
	Mail Order Survey.  The article consists of 5 sections:

		I.   Introduction - this section
		II.  Explanation of the Chart
		III. Chart summarizing the ordering experiences
		IV.  Tips for shopping from mail order firms
		V.   The experiences received since the last posting

	POSTING: I post this survey around the first of each month
	to rec.photo and rec.video.  I've found that posting the 
	survey is a good stimulus to people to send in their input.
	I believe that once a month is frequent enough.

	UPDATES/NEW EXPERIENCES/INPUT: If you have new experiences
	to report, and updates to the list (phone #'s) or have other
	input or questions on the survey, please e-mail them to me
	at att!druhi!blondin.  If you have trouble e-mailing me,
	then you can post to rec.photo and, if appropriately marked
	in the subject line, I will pull them off.  Note: that I
	do NOT read rec.video.  [My phone number and US Mail addresses
	are also listed below.]  When sending an experience, please
	make it clear which of the 4 categories it falls into.

	RATINGS BY MAGAZINES:  Some magazines have added ratings and
	disclaimers to assure the reader that ordering from those
	companies will be trouble-free (e.g., Popular Photography's
	"Check Rating").  While the magazines may be honest in their
	concern for the consumer (and I would encourage you to inform
	magazines if you have problems with "certified" companies),
	you should also realize that the magazines depend on the 
	companies for ad revenue.  Some readers of this survey have
	also noted that some "certified" companies have repeatedly
	been low-rated by this survey.  

	SURVEYS IN GENERAL: The consumer must take all input (magazine 
	ratings, this survey, other surveys, friend's advice, ...) and
	put whatever faith in them that they will. Companies may change 
	over time (both for better and worse), and different people/magazines 
	may have different standards.

	DISCLAIMER:  The figures presented here represent neither an 
        endorsement or a condemnation of any particular company.
        Rather, this table is simply a compilation of experiences 
        sent in by various netnews readers.  Your actual ordering
        experience may differ, and companies may change over time.

	KEEPER of the SURVEY:

		Douglas Blondin          11900 N. Pecos St.
		att!druhi!blondin        Denver, Colorado  80234
		(303) 538-4874



		II.  Explanation of the Chart

	Name:            Name of the mail order company.

	Last Info Date:  This is the date that I last received an 
			 "experience" on that particular company.  
			 I hope it helps users of this chart by giving 
			 some timeframe to the experiences.  In addition, 
	Numbers in []'s: After a number for a given column, you may see
			 a number in []'s.  That is the number of responses
			 received in that column for that company since
			 the last posting.  [NOTE: this replaces the 
			 old asterik (*) that just marked the last response]
	Phone Number:    Up to 2 phone numbers are displayed:
			 the 800 number (may not apply to instate orders)
			 and the general toll information/order number.
			 Consult the ads for other phone numbers (I have
			 limited space to list numbers).

	Experiences:     The numerical summary of experiences reported
			 by readers.  They are split into 4 categories:

		No problems:   Got what you ordered, in reasonable time, 
			       at expected price, no unpleasant surprises.

		Minor hassles: Minor delays, unpleasant saleperson, hard to 
			       get through to toll free line; probably not 
			       enough to keep you from ordering from them again.

		Major hassles: Major problems occurred, but you were satisfied 
			       enough with with the way they were resolved that 
			       you might consider ordering from them again when 
			       you cool off.

		Avoid:	       Major problems occurred that either were not 
			       satisfactorily corrected or that you feel were 
			       significant enough to begin with that you 
			       wouldn't consider ordering from them again 
			       under any circumstances.


		III. Chart summarizing the ordering experiences


               |  Last  |              |           Experience was:             |
Name of Mail   |  Info  |   Phone      |    NO    | Minor   |   Major |        |
Order Company  |  Date  |   Number     | problems | hassles | hassles | Avoid  |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-221-7774 |          |         |         |        |
47th Street    |10/20/92| 212-398-1410 |   28 [1] |   10 [1]|    6    |   3    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
6th Ave        |        | 800-394-6283 |          |         |         |        |
Electronic City| 8/21/92|              |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-221-9521 |          |         |         |        |
AAA            |12/12/91| 212-242-5800 |    2     |    1    |    2    |   4    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-227-0400 |          |         |         |        |
Abe's (Maine)  |10/18/92| 718-645-0900 |    2     |    5 [1]|    2    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-223-2500 |          |         |         |        |
Adorama        |10/31/92| 212-741-0052 |   74 [1] |   25    |    5    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Aero-Comm      |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Photo Supply   | 4/ 2/91|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
American Audio | 8/13/92|              |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
A/V            |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Distributors   | 4/ 3/91| 713-486-8866 |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-221-5662 |          |         |         |        |
B&H            |10/17/92| 212-807-7474 |  152 [1] |   28    |   13 [1]|   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Battery Park   | 8/ 4/88|              |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1*   |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Beache's       |        |              |          |         |         |        |
of Maine       | 7/ 7/92|              |    3     |    1    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-223-1970 |          |         |         |        |
Bi-Rite        | 9/18/92| 212-685-2130 |   11     |    2    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Brooklyn Camera|        |              |          |         |         |        |
Exchange       | 8/12/92|              |   11     |    1    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-847-4039 |          |         |         |        |
Brothers       | 5/ 2/89| 212-695-4158 |    1     |    1    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Calumet        | 7/10/92| 800-CAL-UMET |   28     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-221-2253 |          |         |         |        |
Cambridge      | 1/ 8/92| 212-675-8600 |    2     |    1    |    4    |  11    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camcorder      |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Land (Okla.)   |10/18/90|              |    0     |    1 [1]|    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camcorder      |        | 800-338-4290 |          |         |         |        |
Land (Texas)   |11/ 8/90|              |    0     |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camera One     |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Sarasota, FL   | 5/ 2/91|              |    5     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camera Sound of|        | 800-477-0022 |          |         |         |        |
Pennsylvania   | 3/25/91| 800-477-1003 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camera World of|        |              |          |         |         |        |
Charlotte, NC  | 7/24/89|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camera World   |        | 800-222-1557 |          |         |         |        |
of Oregon      |10/18/92| 503-227-6008 |  127 [1] |   19    |    3    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Cameta's       | 3/14/92|              |    2     |    0    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Central Camera |        |              |          |         |         |        |
(Chicago)      | 4/ 2/91|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Chambless      |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Productions    |        |              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Charlotte      |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Camera Brokers |11/ 1/90|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Colonel Video &|        | 800-423-8277 |          |         |         |        |
Audio - Houston| 6/24/92| 713-486-8866 |    2     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Columbus       |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Camera Group   |11/ 3/90| 614-267-0686 |    7     |    2    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Competitive    |        | 800-544-5442 |       Phone Disconnected     |        |
Camera         | 2/ 6/88| 212-868-9175 |    5*    |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-558-0003 |          |         |         |        |
Computability  | 9/14/92| 414-357-8181 |   16     |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Crutchfield    | 8/21/92|              |    3     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
DBS Satellite  |        | 800-327-4728 |          |         |         |        |
Television     |11/ 1/90|CA:800-3272345|    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Del's Camera   | 3/14/92| 805-962-7557 |   12     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Direct Camera  |        | 800-526-6633 |          |         |         |        |
Warehouse      | 1/17/90| 212-719-3174 |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-766-6710 |          |         |         |        |
Ecca           | 9/17/90|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
The Electronic |        | 800-323-2325 |          |         |         |        |
Mailbox        | 7/30/92| 516-759-1611 |    3     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Electronic     |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Wholesalers    | 3/ 6/91|              |    3     |    0    |    0    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-662-8559 |          |         |         |        |
ElectroWorks   | 8/21/92|              |    0     |    0    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-223-7323 |          |         |         |        |
Executive      | 6/17/92| 212-947-5290 |   10     |    6    |    3    |   4    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Focus          |        | 800-221-0828 |          |         |         |        |
(Honest Abe's) | 9/16/92| 718-436-6262 |   19     |   10    |    3    |   7    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-847-4092 |          |         |         |        |
Foto-cell      |10/16/92| 212-924-7474 |    9     |    6 [1]|    2    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Frank's        |        | 800-421-8230 |          |         |         |        |
Highland Park  |        | 213-255-0123 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-292-6137 |          |         |         |        |
Freestyle      | 4/13/88| 213-660-3460 |    5*    |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
800 # is wrong!|        | 800-223-5830 |          |         |         |        |
Garden         |        | 212-868-1420 |   13     |    0    |    0    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Gil Ghitelman  | 3/19/92|              |    3     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-GIFTIME  |          |         |         |        |
Giftime        | 6/ 4/90| 201-869-8180 |    3     |    1    |    2    |   4    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
G&S Photo &    |        | 800-551-2363 |          |         |         |        |
Electronics Inc|12/12/91|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-367-4854 |          |         |         |        |
Gould Trading  | 3/14/92| 212-243-2306 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-551-2363 |          |         |         |        |
Great Prices   |10/18/92|              |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1 [1]|
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Haven          |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Electronics    | 3/ 6/89|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-621-6471 |          |         |         |        |
HELIX (Chicago)| 3/14/92| 312-421-6000 |    4     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
W.B. Hunt's    |10/28/92| 617-662-6685 |   11 [1] |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
International  |        | 800-638-3920 |          |         |         |        |
Elect. World   | 4/10/90| 301-488-9600 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
J&R's Music    |        |              |          |         |         |        |
World in NYC   | 8/13/92|              |   14     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
KEH            |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Camera Brokers | 9/16/92| 404-892-5522 |   14     |    3    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
KOH            |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Camera Sales   | 7/12/90| 516-933-9790 |    3     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Labelle        |        |              |          |         |         |        |
(= La-Mere ?)  |        |              |    3     |    2    |    0    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
LeBaron        | 7/ 8/88|              |    0     |    0    |    0    |   2*   |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Le Camera      | 3/14/92| 609-588-9090 |    0     |    0    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Lens & Repro   |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Equipment Corp | 9/ 5/92|              |    0     |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Lewis & Clark  |10/18/92|              |    0     |    1 [1]|    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Light          |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Impressions    | 5/14/91|              |    2     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Mibro          |11/18/91|              |    0     |    0    |    1    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Micro-Tek Inc  |10/28/92| 619-272-8820 |    1 [1] |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Midwest Photo  |10/19/92|              |    1 [1] |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Minox          |11/ 2/90| 516-437-5750 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Mystic Color   |11/14/90|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
National Camera|        | 800-624-8107 |          |         |         |        |
Exchange (Minn)| 8/24/89| 612-546-6831 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-488-8877 |          |         |         |        |
New West       | 7/ 8/92|              |    7     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-223-6119 |          |         |         |        |
New York Camera| 3/15/89| 212-564-4398 |    0     |    2*   |    1    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
North American |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Video          | 5/14/91|              |    0     |    1    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-456-9890 |          |         |         |        |
Not Just Video | 7/18/91|              |    2     |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-223-1444 |          |         |         |        |
Olden          | 3/ 6/89| 212-725-1234 |    5     |    3    |    0    |   2*   |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-525-5014 |          |         |         |        |
Palace         | 1/ 9/90| 718-692-0829 |    4     |    2    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Peach State    | 7/16/92|              |    2     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Planet Video   |        | 800-542-8811 |          |         |         |        |
(Electronics)  | 6/ 6/90|              |    2     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-444-SAVE |          |         |         |        |
Photron        |12/ 1/88| 212-868-9455 |    0     |    2*   |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Porter's       |10/12/92| 800-553-2001 |   12     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Power          |        | 800-877-2900 |          |         |         |        |
Video (Texas)  | 3/ 5/92| 713-240-3202 |    5     |    3    |    1    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Pro Video      |        | 800-541-4055 |          |         |         |        |
Distributors   | 1/10/89| 516-741-5440 |    1*    |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Professional   |        | 800-736-6677 |          |         |         |        |
Video Warehouse|12/ 4/91|              |    2     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
		Phone reported as disconnected on 9/15/92
Russell's      |        | 800-292-0202 |          |         |         |        |
Camera West    | 3/ 3/90| 408-649-0232 |    7     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Seattle        |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Filmworks      | 1/20/91| 206-281-1390 |    2     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
                        | 800-366-6993 |          |         |         |        |
Smile Photo    | 7/ 8/92| 212-967-5900 |    8     |    2    |    1    |   6    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-543-3025 |          |         |         |        |
Skyvision (MN) |10/10/90| 218-739-5231 |    0     |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Special Effects|        |              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Spiratone      | 4/ 6/91|              |    8     |    2*   |    1    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Stephen        |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Stuart(Shuart?)| 6/ 6/91|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Stereo         |        | HAS GONE OUT |          |         |         |        |
Discounters    | 3/16/88| OF BUSINESS  |    1*    |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Sunshine       |        |              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-332-2661 |          |         |         |        |
Supreme Camera | 1/23/92| 718-692-4110 |    2     |    2    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-289-5342 |          |         |         |        |
Stan Tamarkin  | 2/24/92| 203-789-0350 |    2     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Tape City/G&G  |11/20/90|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-221-1926 |          |         |         |        |
Tri-State      |11/18/90| 212-349-2555 |    1     |    1    |    2    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
United         |        | 800-448-3738 |          |         |         |        |
Video & Camera | 8/10/92| 212-397-1081 |    1     |    0    |    1    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
George Ury     |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Fine Photo Eq. | 5/30/90| 708-420-2951 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
	       The following has been reported as being out of business
               |        | 800-222-5590 |          |         |         |        |
USS Photo      |        | 718-646-3633 |    1     |    0    |    1    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Video          |        | 800-843-3687 |          |         |         |        |
Depot Inc.     | 2/ 7/90| OUT OF BUSI? |    5     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Video Direct   |11/ 1/91|              |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Vienna Camera  | 4/30/92| 703-938-1534 |   19     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-221-4090 |          |         |         |        |
Wall Street    | 7/ 8/91| 212-344-0011 |    4     |    1    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
WDS - Wisconsin|        | 800-356-9514 |          |         |         |        |
Discount Stereo| 3/14/92| 608-271-6889 |    3     |    1    |    1    |   0    |
8/21/92 -- reported to be out of business; phone disconnected
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Woodmere Camera| 3/14/92| 516-599-6013 |    7     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Zone VI        | 7/14/91| 802-257-5161 |   12     |    3    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+

		IV.  Tips for shopping from mail order firms

1.  ORDER BY CREDIT CARD ONLY.  Don't pay the credit card bill until you have
    received the goods in satisfactory condition.  To avoid interest charges,
    when you pay the rest of the credit card bill, include a note explaining 
    the contested charge.

2.  ASK WHAT THE SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES WILL BE.  Most stores no longer
    just charge you the freight, but also include a sizable handling charge.

3.  ASK IF THE ITEM CARRIES A U.S. WARRANTY.  New York stores (but not others)
    now have to tell you whether what they are selling you carries a U.S. 
    warranty.  Grey market material does not carry a U.S. warranty and is 
    sold at a significantly lower price.  International warranties may be
    worthless, but you may not feel you need the warranty protection.  Some
    stores do not allow returns of grey market material.  If the material 
    arrives damaged you must file an insurance claim.  The price advertized 
    in photography magazines is frequently the grey market price.  And they
    may not have the grey market item in stock, but only the higher priced
    U.S. warranty item.  NOTE: May want to ask if it's a Manufactur's U.S.
    Warranty.

4.  DON'T AGREE TO BUY ANYTHING YOU HADN'T PLANNED TO BUY WHEN YOU CALLED.  
    For example, often when buying a lens, the salesperson may try to 
    get you to buy a filter.  Be sure you know what you're getting : there
    many different filters available, of varying quality and price.  You
    likely spent time determining the right lens, your filter is just as 
    important.  Filters may be as cheap, or just a little more, at
    your local camera store.  As a general rule, don't buy anything solely
    on the phone salesman's recommendations.  Though there may be exceptions,
    most are not there to help you. 

5.  WHEN ORDERING, ASK FOR THE NAME OF THE SALESPERSON.  Record this piece
    of information along with the time, date, and agreed upon sales price and
    merchandise.

6.  WHEN YOU GET YOUR EQUIPMENT, TEST IT IMMEDIATELY.  If it is defective, call
    the mail order company immediately and arrange for returning it.  See #1
    above.  Ask for a return authorization number and get the name of the
    person you talk to.  Most stores give you rather short period for 
    returning defective equipment, so waste a roll of film and get it 
    developed at a one day service place.

7.  ASK IF THE ITEM IS IN STOCK.  There appears, however, to be no reason to 
    believe their answer.

8.  Call around and get the best price with the desired warranty, including 
    shipping and handling.  Add 10 or 15 per cent for nuisance.  Then call 
    around to your local stores and see if they can come close.  Very 
    frequently they will.  

9.  Low end items, like small autofocus cameras, are frequently just as cheap,
    if not cheaper when you consider the shipping and handling, in the local 
    discount department stores.

10. IF YOU PAID FOR SHIPPING ALREADY, YOUR SHIPPING COMPANY SHOULDN'T CHARGE 
    YOU ANYTHING FOR "EXTRA" SERVICE.  If you paid for shipping to your 
    mail-order company, that mail order company should mail your goods to your
    house.  If you get a phone call from the local shipping company saying they
    need an extra "service fee", refuse to pay.  You can give the shipping
    company the phone number of the mail-order company so they can hash it out,
    or call the mail-order company directly and complain.  You already paid
    shipping.  Don't give any extra money to the shippers.

		V.   The experiences received since the last posting

==============================================================================
>From att!gnu.ai.mit.edu!bson Fri Oct 16 19:19:48 0400 1992
Received: from att by att.att.com; Fri, 16 Oct 1992 19:21 EDT
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 92 19:19:48 -0400
From: bson@gnu.ai.mit.edu (Jan Brittenson)
Message-Id: <9210162319.AA08032@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu>

Chalk down another no-hassle experience with B&H.

===========================================================================

>From att!us.oracle.com!jgong Fri Oct 16 14:39:28 BST 1992
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 92 14:39:28 BST
From: John Gong <jgong@us.oracle.com>

HI Doug,

Your latest post did in fact prompt me to write about my latest purchase.

Dealer:  Foto Cell

Date:  10/10/92

Experience:   Minor Hassle

Explanation:  Bought a car alarm (!) and a Nikon filter from them.  The 
salesperson was courteous.  Shipment was about 4 days later than I expected.
Also, I asked for two filters but was shipped only one.  Fortunately, I was 
not billed for two.

  Thanks,

John Gong

===========================================================================

>From cbnewsd!scd Sat Oct 17 15:48 EDT 1992
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 92 15:48:06 EDT
From: scd@ixhawk.att.com (Steven C Dittmann)
To: blondin@druhi.ATT.COM
Subject: Re: Photographic Mail Order Survey

Hi Doug:

"Major Hassle" for B+H Photo in New York.
On Sept 6th, I ordered a Pentax camera body (only)
from a salesman (named Leon), who could not
answer my technical questions about the camera.
He repeatedly asked me "is that _all_ that I wanted,
_just_ a camera body ?"  Yes, I repeatedly told him.

He was very condescending, and kept muttering "as shipped from the
factory."  He would not give me his name, until I "committed" to
buy something, and then he tried to sell me an extended service
warranty which I did not want.

I did not call their 800 number.  I dialed the toll number instead,
since I needed some information about the focusing screen before purchase.

Shipment was promised, from Leon, in 5 to 7 working days.
I received the package 2 full weeks after ordering it.

I'm not sure that I would order from them again.

Steve Dittmann
scd@ixhawk.att.com

===========================================================================

>From att!heartland.bradley.edu!tquinn Sun Oct 18 22:10:24 CDT 1992
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 92 22:10:24 CDT
Message-Id: <9210190310.AA04431@heartland.bradley.edu >
From: tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu (Terry Quinn)

Doug,
 
This is the first I have seen of your survey, and I would like to 
thank you for maintaining it.

>> EDITOR: you're welcome
 
I have a few experiences to report, from about 4 months ago.
 
I bought a Nikon VN-750 from CWO, and while there was a slight 
glitch, I would call it a NO PROBLEM purchase.  They originally 
told me that my order would be back-ordered because they were out 
of stock.  But then I checked back the next day, and it had 
shipped anyway, and arrived within 5 days.  The minor glitch was 
that an extra tape was supposed to be included, but that was not 
there.  The 5 year extended warranty was included, as advertised.
After a phone call, they shipped me the tape separately.
 
The other experience was with 47th street photo.  I've dealt with 
them before, and consider them to be fairly reputable, but as I 
was searching for a TR-101 originally, (before I realized that 
they were unavailable by mail order).  They kept telling me that 
they were going to get it in 2 weeks and to call back then, and 
after I found out that they were unavailable mail order, it struck 
me that they were just stringing me on.  I consider that a minor 
hassle.
 
Several of the companies that I called said that the TR101 was 
unavailable mailorder and that a clone would have to be purchased.  
A few (Lewis and Clark, Great Prices, Camcorder Land of Oklahoma, 
and Abes), claimed to have TR101s, but were "out."  I would call 
these MINOR HASSLES, just because they were misrepesenting the 
true situation.  The one exception was Great Prices.  When I spoke 
to the guy at Great Prices and pressed him if he was just trying 
to get me to switch to a model, he immediately spoke an expletive 
at me and hung up.  I think that qualifies for an AVOID.  (Great 
Prices is 800-551-2363). 
 

--
                                    Terry Quinn
                                     Germantown Hills, IL
                                      tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu
                                       aq456@cleveland.freenet.edu 

===========================================================================

>From att!att!ISI.EDU!finn Mon Oct 19 11:46:54 PDT 1992
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 92 11:46:54 PDT

Howdy,

	Midwest Photo  (Stu Applebaum) quality used camera broker

	Fine experience with this firm.  Typically, they put a two
page ad in Shutterbug.  Bought a Super Speed Graphic 4x5 in excellent
condition for a good price.  It arrived in a timely fashion and was in
fine shape except the ground glass got broken during shipment.  They
reduced the price as a result.

	By the way, your Steven Stuart entry might actually be Steven
Shuart, who is a used large format camera broker.  Several people I
have passed your survey to were very thankful.  You are appreciated.

>> EDITOR:  Thanks.

===========================================================================

>From att!slc10.INS.CWRU.Edu!ak873 Tue Oct 20 21:20:59 0400 1992
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 92 21:20:59 -0400
From: ak873@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Sapienza)

I would like to add an entry of "no problem" with 47st. Photo to your
survey.

Mike

--
+---------------------+-----------------------------+-------------------------
| Michael A. Sapienza | ak873@cleveland.freenet.edu | AmericaOnline: Sapienza 
|                     | ac860@yfn.ysu.edu           | sapienza@aol.com        
+---------------------+-----------------------------+-------------------------

===========================================================================

>From att!guess.enet.dec.com!yerazunis Wed Oct 28 13:03:25 PST 1992
Received: from guess.enet; by decwrl.enet; Wed, 28 Oct 92 13:03:15 PST
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 13:03:25 PST
Subject: Mailorder survey result

Ordered Minox film loads of Tech Pan 2415 from Micro-Tek Inc [619-272-8820]

Order arrived 3 days later, no problem.  Micro-Tek specifies this as a 
"respool", as neither Kodak nor Minox packages TP 2415 in the Minox format; 
workmanship is excellent (no dust or scratches).  The techs are glad to
talk to you and are very knowledgeable about Minox and Acmel subminature
camera films.  Rate it NO PROBLEM!

Ordered Minox film load of slide film from WB Hunts.  Arrived two days later
(but they're only 30 miles away).  Film is 3-month-dated, but includes mailers
for 'chrome development.  Rate it NO Problem.

	-Bill (and thanks for doing this service for the Internet)
                                                                
>> EDITOR:  You're welcome

===========================================================================

>From att!uunet.UU.NET!blkcat!p852.f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org!Ron.Raley Sat Oct 31 09:31:37 0500 1992
From: Ron.Raley@p852.f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Ron Raley)
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1992 09:31:37 -0500
To: Charles Blondin   

>> EDITOR: "Charles", no my first name is "Douglas"

Company:    Adorama
Rating:     No Problem
Order Date: 10/25/92
Delivery:   On-time as promised via 2nd Day Air
Charges:    As agreed
Purchase:   Benbo tripod and head

Thanks for keeping and posting this list!  I was very pleased to find it during
my initial visit to the Fidonet PHOTO echo, and as you can see I've already used
it with good results.
 
===========================================================================



I'm planning on buying a VCR mail order, and am concerned about getting burned
by an unreputable firm.

I went to the library, and composed a list of mail order houses, and checked
to see how many of them listed in the Aug-92 issue of Video were advertising
4, 2 and 1 years ago.  I'm considering the Mitsubishi HSU-57 VCR, so I called
Mitsubishi to find out which ones are officially listed with them.

It greatly speeded up calling and recording prices to have this list on-line,
so I thought it would help others if I posted it.

Have you had good or bad experiences with any of these mail-order firms?

Dave Barrett (barrett@asgard.cs.colorado.edu)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All listings appeared in Aug-92 Video Magazine

* = advertized in Jan 88 Video Magazine + Jan 90 + Aug 91
+ = advertized in Jan 90 Video Magazine + Aug 91
- = advertized in Aug 91 Video Magazine

@ = Mitsubishi lists this as a dealer

  Name, address					phone,hours		where
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*@ElectronicWholesalers 			(800)444-6300		page46
     1166 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne NJ 07470 (	M-F9-9Sa9-6
     Same as: Sam Man's Electorinics 1166 Hamburg Tpke (201) 838-8353
* TriState					(800)221-4441		page85
     160 Broadway, New York, NY 10038   	M-R9-6F9-23Su10-4
* Video Direct					(800)368-5020		page79
     116 Production Drive, Yorktown VA 23693 	line is always busy
* SmilePhoto					(800)366-6993,488-8400 	page69
     29 W 35th, New York, NY 10001		M-R9-6F9-13Su10-4
* Electronic Mailbox 				(800)323-2325		page71
     10-12 Charles St, Glen Cove, NY 11542	no hours listed
+ ProVideo 					(800)541-4055		page60
     142-B Jericho Tpke, Mineola NY 11501	M9-7T-F99-5Sa10-5
+@Power Video					(800)877-2900		page93
     4413 Bluebonnet Dr. Stafford, Texas 77477  no hours listed
-@SoundCity					(800)542-7283		page64
     Meadtown Shopping Center Route23 Kinnelton, NJ 07405
* Planet Electronics 				(800)222-5650,247-4663	page93
     8418 Lilley, Canton, MI 48187   		no hours posted
- Camera&Sound					(800)477-0330		page70	
     3 addresses given
+ VidiComp					(800)622-6599		page92
     232 W 38th St, Houston TX 77018		M-F83-7
* ComputAbility					(800)558-0003		page65
     PO Box 17882, Milwaukee, WI 53217		M-F9-9Sa11-5
* CameraWorld					(800)222-1557		page56
     5000 SW 5th Ave, Portland OR 97204		M-Sa6-6Su8-5
  Universal Video				(800)477-0330		page74
- Abe's						(800)535-2237		page83
     1957-61 Coney Island Ave,Brooklyn NY 11223 M-R93-8F93-6Su10-7
- Manhattan Video Wholesalers 			(800)331-5423		page76
     1600 Broadway, NY,NY 10019			daily9-10
- Colonial Video (AV Distributors) 		(800)423-8277 		page63
     Space Center Blvd, Houston, TX 77058	M-Sa8-9Su10-6
- Lewis&Clark					(800)331-4516		page78
     I34-I36W 32nd St, Suite 2R, N.Y.C. 10001	daily9-8
  ElectroWorks					(800)662-8559		page66
     Plaza 34, 100G Hwy 34, Matawan NJ 07747	9-8Sun10-7
     Sam add format as KB video and Electronics (hmm...)
  Beach Camera					(800)634-1811		page75
     203 Route 22 East, Greenbrook, NJ 08812	M-R93-73F93-5
  Factory Direct				(800)695-3535		page77
     36 West 35 St, NY,NY 10001			M-F9-6SaSu10-5
  NewWest					(800)488-8877		page65
     4120 Meridian, Bellingham WA 98226		M-F63-63SaSu7-5
  United Video & Camera Express			(800)448-3738		page48
     724 7th Av, New York, NY 10019		daily9-10
  UniversalVideo				(800)477-0330		page74
     no address given				no hours listed
  Willoughbys					(800)221-5020		page64
     110 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001		MTWFSa9-7R9-8Su10-6




Newsgroups: rec.video