From: blondin@druhi.ATT.COM (BlondinDJ)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Photographic Mail Order Survey -- repost
Date: 15 Dec 92 15:37:35 GMT
Distribution: rec


       Photographic Equipment/Video Mail Order Company Survey 

		     Posting : December 13, 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.   Your best bet is to look for the 
	monthly posting.

	MAILING LIST:  There is NOT a mailing list for this survey.
	It is posted (roughly monthly) to rec.photo and rec.video.

	CATEGORIZATION:  You MUST categorize your experiences according
	to the survey:  No Problems, minor hassles, major hassles or
	avoid.  I'm sorry, but I can't read minds.  If you don't
	categorize as above, your input will be ignored.

	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.

	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     |   10    |    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    |    2    |   2    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-223-2500 |          |         |         |        |
Adorama        |11/ 8/92| 212-741-0052 |   77 [1] |   26 [1]|    6 [1]|   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            |11/ 2/92| 212-807-7474 |  153 [1] |   28    |   13    |   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       |11/ 2/92|              |   12 [1] |    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    |  12    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Camcorder      |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Land (Okla.)   |10/18/90|              |    0     |    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      |12/ 3/92| 503-227-6008 |  129 [2] |   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  |11/ 3/92| 414-357-8181 |   17 [1] |    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      |11/ 2/92| 212-947-5290 |   10     |    6    |    3    |   5 [1]|
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
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    |    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    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
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     |    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    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Light          |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Impressions    | 5/14/91|              |    3     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Manhattan      |        | 800-331-5423 |          |         |         |        |
Video Wholsaler|11/25/92| 212-247-7468 |    0     |    0    |    0    |   1 [1]|
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Mibro          |11/18/91|              |    0     |    0    |    1    |   1    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Micro-Tek Inc  |10/28/92| 619-272-8820 |    1     |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Midwest Photo  |10/19/92|              |    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)  |11/10/92|              |    3 [1] |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        | 800-444-SAVE |          |         |         |        |
Photron        |12/ 1/88| 212-868-9455 |    0     |    2*   |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
               |        |              |          |         |         |        |
Porter's       |11/ 2/92| 800-553-2001 |   16 [1] |    0    |    0    |   0    |
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
Power          |        | 800-877-2900 |          |         |         |        |
Video (Texas)  |12/13/92| 713-240-3202 |    6 [1] |    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|11/10/92|              |    2     |    0    |    0    |   1 [1]|
------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
		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    |11/ 2/92| 212-967-5900 |    8     |    3 [1]|    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/ 4/92| 212-349-2555 |    1     |    2 [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!MAINE.maine.edu!IO92112 Mon Nov 02 08:25:39 EST 1992
Received: by att.att.com; Mon Nov  2 08:21:52 EST 1992
Received: from MAINE.MAINE.EDU by MAINE.maine.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2)
   with BSMTP id 0741; Mon, 02 Nov 92 08:30:31 EST
Received: by MAINE (Mailer R2.08 PTF008) id 4828; Mon, 02 Nov 92 08:30:30 EST
From:    IO92112@MAINE.maine.edu
To:      blondin@druhi.ATT.COM
Date:    Mon, 02 Nov 92 08:25:39 EST


In the past several months, I have dealt with the following mail-order
houses.

B&H          No Problem
ADORAMA      Major Hassele
Porter's     No Problem
Smile Photo  Minor Hassele


 G a r r y -
 io92112@maine.maine.ed
 io92112@maine.bitnet
===============================================================================

From att!happy-man.com!josh Mon Nov  2 10:08:22 0800 1992
Message-Id: <9211021808.AA22752@reddog.happy-man.com>
Received: by beauty.happy-man.com (NX5.67c/mailhost-060792)
	id AA09529; Mon, 2 Nov 92 10:08:22 -0800
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 92 10:08:22 -0800
From: Joshua_Putnam <Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com>
To: blondin@druhi.att.com
Reply-To: Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com

In rec.photo you write:

>       Photographic Equipment/Video Mail Order Company Survey 


>               |  Last  |              |           Experience was:             |
>Name of Mail   |  Info  |   Phone      |    NO    | Minor   |   Major |        |
>Order Company  |  Date  |   Number     | problems | hassles | hassles | Avoid  |
....
>------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+
>Brooklyn Camera|        |              |          |         |         |        |
>Exchange       | 8/12/92|              |   11     |    1    |    0    |   1    |
>------------------------+--------------+----------+---------+---------+--------+

Count me as another No Problems.  I called about a used
Olympus Winder 2.  They had one in good condition (a little
wear visible on one spot of paint, no dents, scratches,
etc.) for less than the price they advertised, sent it out
the same day, packed it well, got it to me sooner than
promised.

Thanks for maintaining the survey!
>> EDITOR: You're welcome.
-- 
 Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com    Happy Man Corp.  206/463-9399 x102
 4410 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Vashon Island, WA  98070-7399  fax x108
 We publish SOLID VALUE for the intelligent investor.  NextMail OK
Info free; sample $20: Send POSTAL addr: Solid-Value@happy-man.com
===============================================================================

From att!Eng.Sun.COM!tsreddy Tue Nov  3 00:52:11 GMT 1992
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 00:52:11 GMT
From: tsreddy@Eng.Sun.COM (T.S.Reddy)
Message-Id: <9211030052.AA09433@skitime.Eng.Sun.COM>
To: blondin@druhi.ATT.COM
Subject: Photographic Survey
Content-Length: 1296


Doug,
    Here is an emphatic AVOID vote for Executive Photo Supply. This is what 
    transpired.

    I placed an order for a pair of Minolta standard binoculars with them 
    about 3 weeks ago. When it hadn't arrived 10 days later, I called back 
    only to be told that the binoculars were out of stock. So I cancelled my 
    order and checked a few days later with my credit card company to make 
    sure that the charges were removed. However they hadn't done so.

    I then called their 800 number to find out why and the salesman rudely 
    told me to call their non-800 customer service number since the former 
    was for orders only, which I did.  After being put on hold indefinitely 
    numerous times, I managed to reach a salesdroid who said that it would 
    take 30 days to credit my account. This delay and their general attitude, 
    in my opinion, is unacceptable. I will be talking to my credit card 
    company to get the charges removed earlier.

    The only reason that I placed an order with them was that they had 
    delivered what they had promised on an earlier order. I guess it is also 
    important to find out if a mail-order outfit will come through when things
    don't work out for legitimate reasons. Executive Photo Supply did not.

    Thanks for keeping the survey.

>> EDITOR: You're welcome

T.S.Reddy
(e-mail: tsreddy@Eng.Sun.COM)
===============================================================================

From att!ipd.hitachi.com!cshen Tue Nov  3 14:55:29 PST 1992
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 14:55:29 PST
From: cshen@ipd.hitachi.com (Charles Shen)
Message-Id: <9211032255.AA04334@ipd.hitachi.com>

Hi Doug,

I made two purchases by mail from Adorama in Octorber. The first one was
two Nikkor lenses, and neither Nikon USA or international wanrranties were 
included. I don't feel too bad since those lense are manual focusing ones,
but I would rate it as "Minor Hassel."  The other one was Bogen 3016 Monopod 
with head, and again was stripped off wanrranty document. Since Bogen products 
are literal unbreakable,I would rate this experience as "no problem."

In 1990, I order a Pentax 50/f1.7 from Cambridge. They send me a 50/f2 
at their advertised price for 50/1.7. When I called, I was told that the 
advertised prices were for whole sale. After sending them extra money to cover
the "price difference" and another S&H, I got the lens exchanged. If my past
experience is valid for this mail order survey, I would rate the Cambridge as
"avoid."

Thanks for your excellent job in maintaining this survey.

>> EDITOR: You're welcome.  I'll add the Cambridge data in, noting it's old.

Regards,

- Charles Shen
===============================================================================
  

From att!amex-trs.com!darylg Tue Nov  3 15:24:48 MST 1992
From: darylg@amex-trs.com
Message-Id: <9211032224.AA08049@gilbert.csv-tgsc.amex-trs.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 15:24:48 MST
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]


Douglas,

  I recently used your survey to select a mail order company when purchasing
a VCR.  I was able to move up a model and still save money over local retail
prices (~$420 vs. $600 + tax).  I purchased a Sony SLV-696 from Computability
and would like to register a "no problems" vote for them.  They were very
helpful and knowledgable.  I called several of the companies listed whose
ratings were good but no one had a better price.  I would recommend them.

Daryl Green

===============================================================================
From att!teak.cray.com!dtj Wed Nov  4 13:16:29 CST 1992
From: dtj@teak.cray.com (Dean Johnson)
Message-Id: <9211041916.AA13414@teak.cray.com>
Subject: Mailorder Experiences
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 13:16:29 CST

Company:	Adorama
Rating:		No Problem
Order Date:	a while back
Delivery:	within acceptable time frame
Charges:	As agreed
Purchase:	Slik 322AF Tripod

Company:	Adorama
Rating:		No Problem
Order Date:	a while back
Delivery:	within acceptable time frame
Charges:	As agreed
Purchase:	30 rolls of Fuji Reala film
Comments:	All the film received was fresh. 

Company:	Light Impressions
Rating:		No Problem
Order Date:	a while back
Delivery:	within acceptable time frame
Charges:	As agreed
Purchase:	Negative archival holders.

-- 
	-Dean Johnson
	 Software Berserker/Rabid-Prototyping Specialist/CyberHippie
	 Tools, Libraries, and Commands Group
	 Cray Research Inc.	  Eagan,MN	(612) 683-5880
===============================================================================

From att!husc.harvard.edu!kim39 Wed Nov  4 23:40:02 0500 1992
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 23:40:02 -0500

	Thanks for providing this service!  I purchased some
stuff recently without its benefit, but it will be used next time
I have to order stuff.
>> EDITOR: You're welcome.
	Three and four years ago I used to order various
things from Porter's.  I believe I placed about 3 orders and there 
was never any problem.  They always shipped within a reasonable
amount of time, but I don't know if this counts for your survey
since it was years ago.
>> EDITOR:  Will add in, with old date.
	Two weeks ago I purchased a Bogen 3000 tripod (3001 legs plus
3025 head) from Tri-State.  Salesperson was courteous on teh phone.
Order was on a Sunday, and he promised it would be sent
Monday to arfive Thursday.  On thursday, there was no tripod, so
I phoned their 212 number (no toll-free customer service).  They
kept bouncing me around and kept me waiting 8 minutes, but everyone
I spoke to was very courteous and tried to be helpful.  After 5
minutes I had an invoice number and after 8 minutes they were able to
say that my tripod was shipped on Tuesday instead of Monday.  Tripod
arrived on Friday as scheduled, well packed in foam pellets, with
individual parts wrapped in plastic or boxed (or both) and with
a Bogen catalog, Tri-state invoice, and a Bogen warranty card.

So a "no problems" vote for Porters and a "very minor hassle"
vote for Tri-State.    I would use both again.
-J. Case Kim
kim39@husc.harvard.edu
===============================================================================

From att!research!kautz Thu Nov  5 23:43:39 1992
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 92 23:43 EST
To: att!druhi!blondin
Subject: for your video survey

Camera World of Oregon:  no problem.
Price for Sony 696HF VCR was actually $20 than their advertised price,
and >$100 less than local retailers.
===============================================================================

From att!velara.sim.es.com!RSIMISTE Tue Nov 10 10:43:08 0700 1992
Date:    Tue, 10 Nov 1992 10:43:08 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Mail order survey input
To: blondin@druhi.att.com
X-Vmsmail-To: SMTP%"blondin@druhi.att.com"

More input for your great survey!

Profesional Video Warehouse      *****AVOID******

I was in desperate need of a wireless mike. They said, over the phone,
yes we have it, we'll ship it out this evening overnight express.

Three weeks later and after repeated phone calls, and more promises, I
still didn't have my mike. 

After two letters of request they did not credit my charge account. I had
to write to the Bank to have the charge credited, this took about two
months.  I don't know why places like this can intentionally harass
their customers and stay in business.

PLANET ELECTRONICS                    NO PROBLEM

They had what they said they had (a wirless mike), they shipped it 
when they said they would and I was happy.

Thank you for your service Doug!
>> EDITOR: You're welcome

Roger Simister

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

From att!koufax.cv.hp.com!paula Wed Nov 25 09:33:56 0800 1992
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 09:33:56 -0800
From: Paul Andresen <paula@koufax.cv.hp.com>
Full-Name: Paul Andresen
Message-Id: <9211251733.AA08939@koufax.cv.hp.com>
To: blondin@druhi.att.com
Subject: Mailorder Experience

Hi Doug....

I recently purchased an Sony TR-71 Camcorder, and wanted to add a mail order
experience to your survey. Thanks for provided a terrific public service.

>> EDITOR: You're welcome.

Anyway:

Place: Manhattan Video Wholesalers (800-331-5423) or (212-247-7468)
       1600 Broadway, NYC

Classification: AVOID

In spite of not seeing this outfit listed in your survey, I gave them a call
because they had the camera I wanted at a very good price.  The first thing
out of the box, they attempted the old bait and switch, trying to get me
interested in an inferior camera at a price that was no bargain at all. They
did back off when I insisted on what I wanted. Everything sounded fine; new
equipment, US warranty, in stock-would be shipped that day... 5 to 10 days
to the West Coast via UPS. I waited the requisite 10 days, and when I had
received nothing, called them up. I was told I was on back order, and they 
then tried to bait & switch me again. When I pointed out that they had lied
to me, they only said "sorry". 

The bottom line: They tried to bait & switch me twice, and lied to me. I'll
never do business with them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              If you're really hip, the passing years will show.
                                           ......Tower Of Power

  paula@koufax.cv.hp.com   Paul Andresen  Hewlett-Packard  (503)-750-3511

    home: 3006 NW McKinley    Corvallis, OR 97330       (503)-752-8424
                            A SABR member since 1979
===============================================================================

From att!utdallas.edu!venky Thu Dec  3 12:08:25 0600 1992
From: "S. Venkatesan" <venky@utdallas.edu>
To: blondin@druhi.ATT.COM
Subject: My addition to the Photo equip/Video mail order survey
Cc: venky@utdallas.edu
Message-Id: <92Dec3.120834cst.15567@utdallas.edu>
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1992 12:08:25 -0600

Dear Mr. Blondin,
  I ordered a SONY TR-81 from the Camera World of Oregon for $859+20 (S&H)
on Nov 22.
It was shipped the next day as the salesman told me and arrived 1 week later.

  I got ripped off in the soft bag I bought from them ($35 vs. 20 locally),
but that was my fault. I asked for it along with the camera.

  Please put in a ``No problems'' for C. World of Oregon for me.
S. Venkatesan

p.s. Thanks for maintaining the survey. We all benefit from it.

>> EDITOR:  good, you're welcome.

===============================================================================
From att!att!hannah.enet.dec.com!schullman Sat Dec 12 22:46:51 PST 1992
Message-Id: <9212130646.AA22066@enet-gw.pa.dec.com>
Received: from hannah.enet; by decwrl.enet; Sat, 12 Dec 92 22:46:51 PST
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 92 22:46:51 PST
From: 13-Dec-1992 0139 <schullman@hannah.enet.dec.com>
To: blondin@druhi.att.com
Cc: schullman@hannah.enet.dec.com
Apparently-To: blondin@druhi.att.com
Subject: data point for your photo/video mail order survey

Doug,

Another data point (and THANK YOU!) for your photo/video mail order survey...

Please let me know if you get this... I had previously requested a recent
copy of your survey, but suspect the mailers bounced them back as you had
mentioned.

						--Dan Schullman

COMPANY:	Power Video		800.877.2900
RATING:		no problems

I recently purchased a Sony CCD-TR101 camcorder.  I had found a number
of places listed in Popular Photography with LOW prices, but subsequently
found that their prices did not include Sony's U.S. warranty.

I dealt with Roy Kimbrell at Power Video... very pleasant, low pressure.
My order arrived in the 4-5 days he had estimated, at the agreed upon
price, by UPS Ground.

By the way, the invoice doesn't mention Power Video, but rather:
    VIDEOLAND
    4413 Bluebonnet Drive, Suite #7
    Stafford, Texas   77477
    713.240.3202

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