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F11: Prestige appears to have turned over a new leaf ...
- Thread starter Kim Letkeman
- Start date
Who cares about any of this. I have my camera (F11), it's great and I use it all the time. Oh yes, unless I forget, I got it at Preferred. Is that first hand enough for you. As for ratings, well my transaction was very satisfactory, I needed it in two days for a trip I was taking and I got it right on time. Everyone I dealt with was either friendly or at least responsive. For a company that probably does a hundred transactions a month, 15 or whatever negatives don't seem that many. And people who are upset tend to be more vocal about it. I am a good example because I did not post a positive (or any) rating for Preferred anywhere.
I have been in sales for over 15 years and there is one thing I do know, there are some people who can never be pleased - that's why a I don't give ratings that much credence - anybody can post to them including competitors or people who may be exagerating (lying) about what really happened.
At any rate, who cares. If you are adventurous and want to save mony then take a chance otherwise go with the safer and more expensive purchase. At any rate, all that matters is you get your camera and use it.
JJJRRR768
Forum Pro
I spoke with Michael today and I think he will make a post. I don't need to discuss our conversation as I think he will address concerns that were raised. He was very candid with me.
No not so clear, sorry……….lets see how many addresses these companies are purportedly in ; This link shows: http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/
A&M Photo World LLC (amphotoworld.com), a.k.a. Broadway Photo (bwayphoto.com), and Digital Liquidators (digitalliquidators.com)
2922 Avenue L A&M Photo World is now claiming to be at 2920 Ave L
A&M Photo World LLC, d.b.a. amphotoworld.com, PreferredPhoto.com
337 E 89th St., Remsen Village
PriceRunner has this address for amphotoworld. Web site no longer has an address. This report has PreferredPhoto at this address. This is next door to Prestige Camera, which is most likely owned by A&M. [Picture taken on a Jewish holiday.]
A&M Photo World LLC, a.k.a. Preferred Photo LLC, d.b.a. preferredphoto.com and preferedphoto.com 5014 16th Ave, Suite 233 This address from NY State corporate entity database for Preferred Photo. No address at whois. No reverse lookup. Google on phone numbers finds no other usage. ShopCartUSA has: 1 Preferred Photo Way, Brooklyn, New York 11207, but address is phony. Strong circumstantial evidence is this is another name for A&M Photo
It appears these guys have three locations, which are they in? Maybe all three, I don’t know, a physical inspection is required to know…….what I do know...................and...........
The point is you cannot assign faulty sales on time2envy because of his address, you must use actual transactions; because that’s all that counts in the real world and you cannot fake eBay ratings, you go try it, if you have not been part of a specific transaction, it wont let you report feedback, end of story on the eBay feedback BS above.
I tried to explain earlier how small business may team up or use an address with other retail operations for a large purchase or to use a retail address in order to gain access to a wholesaler or manufacturer that will not do business with you unless you have a retail store front, this could also be the case and if it is, this does not make time2envy responsible for whoever else does business at this address. Time2envy is after all an E business, his storefront is EBay. Also, its common knowledge that over 50% of small businesses fail within the first year or two, so how many camera shops have been in this address, again I cant tell you form here, but I can tell you that 5,219 people on Ebay .......... 99.4 % of the people that dealt with time2envy say your dead wrong about time2envy..........and I will accept those 5,219 people over you one unclear voice! (5,219 people are not wrong, this guy does a good business)
He could be a crook for all I know but time2envy is doing one fine imitation of a darn good business man.
He has contacted me, I will not say anything further about that at this time.
Paul has stated that his friend was ripped off by time2envy never got her warranty, we shall see about that, I will wager its been resolved, Paul has never come right out and said either way, if you will notice. Some people like brick and mortar business, I love eBay and the rating systems works very very very well. I know this from experience not conjecture.
For some reason all three address did not post in my reply above, if you go to the link I provided you will see three different address for at least this A&M one of which is 337 but is that E or W or neither, I showed you how there is a 315 E and another that is not E for where Prestige is supposed to be working out of, from posting the county records of those properties.
An onsite inspection is required to solve who is where.......we can argue all day and onsite inspection will solve it.
An onsite inspection is required to solve who is where.......we can argue all day and onsite inspection will solve it.
Paul De Bra
Forum Pro
I did not say my friend was ripped off by time2envy. I did not say she never got her warranty. I said that when she tried to return the wrong warranty to time2envy, using the address given to her by time2envy, the post office could not deliver it to that address, during business hours. But it could be claimed at the post office. A notice was left by the post office. (It was sent by certified mail so it should either get there or be returned, but not get lost in any case.) And time2envy promised to send the correct warranty without waiting for the return of the wrong warranty.
In the end my friend did get what she ordered (I haven't heard the last word on the warranty thing, but I assume it worked out since I didn't hear otherwise). She was not ripped off. But it was not a smooth and pleasant experience, and this means both the process and the "tone of voice" in their email conversation.
I would politely like to ask you to claim that I stated things that I never stated or even implied.
Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 20.000 shots) and now also the Fuji F11.
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/
In the end my friend did get what she ordered (I haven't heard the last word on the warranty thing, but I assume it worked out since I didn't hear otherwise). She was not ripped off. But it was not a smooth and pleasant experience, and this means both the process and the "tone of voice" in their email conversation.
I would politely like to ask you to claim that I stated things that I never stated or even implied.
--
Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 20.000 shots) and now also the Fuji F11.
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/
Paul De Bra
Forum Pro
Last sentence should read:
I would politely like to ask you not to claim that I stated things that I never stated or even implied.
--
Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 20.000 shots) and now also the Fuji F11.
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/
I would politely like to ask you not to claim that I stated things that I never stated or even implied.
--
Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 20.000 shots) and now also the Fuji F11.
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/
Paul De Bra
Forum Pro
She was not ripped off. I never said she was. Time2envy just sent her the wrong warranty. She complained, and that communication was not friendly at all (to put it mildly). She sent the wrong warranty back, which turned out to be difficult to deliver (and for which time2envy blamed the post office). They promised to send her the correct warranty. I don't know whether that was finally resolved because she left on an extended trip hopefully just after receiving the warranty (but that I don't know).
As I said. I never suggested she got ripped off. She just did not have a pleasant experience. She literally wrote me:
"dealing with time2envy seems like dealing with other places in brooklyn. they are not helpful and nasty to boot."
Again, her words, not mine, and they in the end probably found it more important to resolve the issue rather than get a nasty ebay review.
Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 20.000 shots) and now also the Fuji F11.
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/
As I said. I never suggested she got ripped off. She just did not have a pleasant experience. She literally wrote me:
"dealing with time2envy seems like dealing with other places in brooklyn. they are not helpful and nasty to boot."
Again, her words, not mine, and they in the end probably found it more important to resolve the issue rather than get a nasty ebay review.
--
Slowly learning to use the DRebel (only around 20.000 shots) and now also the Fuji F11.
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/
A Word of Thanks from the owner of Time2envy
I would like to start out by saying that first and foremost, the business and support that I’ve received from the entire Fuji forum has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated! Without all your kind words and trust, I could not have been as successful with selling this camera – thank you all!
It was brought to my attention by a fellow customer (who said it would be ok to mention him by name) Joel Stern, that there are rumors circulating that Time2envy and Prestige Camera are one in the same.
I would like to take a moment to clarify this. Many of you know me and have spoken to me directly on the phone or with Ben. I started Time2envy on ebay since 12/04/01. What started out as a hobby turned into a part-time business and later into a full-time business.
I originally started off in the “Watch Business” as that’s where my background is from (hence the name “Time”2 envy). As my business switched from smaller items to larger items, I was forced to rent office and warehouse space and move my business out of my home.
The space I rent is in a building that shares the same roof as prestige Camera. As many of you know, most Brooklyn camera shops are within minutes away from the other. Therefore, our return address (as someone pointed out) is the same as Prestige Camera.
To all of you that have spoken to me in length directly or through emails or just made purchases without communications, each and every one of you can attest that we’ve conducted ourselves honestly, fairly and without incident. Never did we attempt to upsell you with anything. We’ve only sold you what you’ve asked us for and our prices were always the fair market value if not better.
Lastly, the beauty with ebay is that there’s no hiding behind false advertisements and shady practices. If you don’t provide customers with the items they ordered, you simply don’t survive. Please take a look at my feedbacks and 99.4% positive ratings. They speak for themselves (we’re not always perfect but always go the mile to resolve an issue).
Again, hope I didn’t bore you with my history but I felt the need to say thanks and clarify the issue.
Thank you and sincerely,
Michael Beylus – Owner, Time2envy
1-888-477-1712
I would like to start out by saying that first and foremost, the business and support that I’ve received from the entire Fuji forum has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated! Without all your kind words and trust, I could not have been as successful with selling this camera – thank you all!
It was brought to my attention by a fellow customer (who said it would be ok to mention him by name) Joel Stern, that there are rumors circulating that Time2envy and Prestige Camera are one in the same.
I would like to take a moment to clarify this. Many of you know me and have spoken to me directly on the phone or with Ben. I started Time2envy on ebay since 12/04/01. What started out as a hobby turned into a part-time business and later into a full-time business.
I originally started off in the “Watch Business” as that’s where my background is from (hence the name “Time”2 envy). As my business switched from smaller items to larger items, I was forced to rent office and warehouse space and move my business out of my home.
The space I rent is in a building that shares the same roof as prestige Camera. As many of you know, most Brooklyn camera shops are within minutes away from the other. Therefore, our return address (as someone pointed out) is the same as Prestige Camera.
To all of you that have spoken to me in length directly or through emails or just made purchases without communications, each and every one of you can attest that we’ve conducted ourselves honestly, fairly and without incident. Never did we attempt to upsell you with anything. We’ve only sold you what you’ve asked us for and our prices were always the fair market value if not better.
Lastly, the beauty with ebay is that there’s no hiding behind false advertisements and shady practices. If you don’t provide customers with the items they ordered, you simply don’t survive. Please take a look at my feedbacks and 99.4% positive ratings. They speak for themselves (we’re not always perfect but always go the mile to resolve an issue).
Again, hope I didn’t bore you with my history but I felt the need to say thanks and clarify the issue.
Thank you and sincerely,
Michael Beylus – Owner, Time2envy
1-888-477-1712
I myself have purchased a product from prestigecamera.com. The F11 to be exact. The transaction and delivery was smooth and easy. My product was delivered ahead of schedule.
My cousin also wanted to get the F11 after he saw me playing around with my camera. I told him about prestigecamera.com. I later went to his house, and placed the order for him. He received the same quality of service and product as I did.
There is no doubt in my mind that some of you may not have had the same experiences as myself and my cousin have had. However, it must be noted that some of you who put down prestige camera do so based on resellerratings.com and information passed on through internet forums. Well here I am telling you that the service I personally received from prestige camera was EXCELLENT. If I was in the market for another digital camera, prestigecamera.com would be among the first sites that I would look to buy.
My cousin also wanted to get the F11 after he saw me playing around with my camera. I told him about prestigecamera.com. I later went to his house, and placed the order for him. He received the same quality of service and product as I did.
There is no doubt in my mind that some of you may not have had the same experiences as myself and my cousin have had. However, it must be noted that some of you who put down prestige camera do so based on resellerratings.com and information passed on through internet forums. Well here I am telling you that the service I personally received from prestige camera was EXCELLENT. If I was in the market for another digital camera, prestigecamera.com would be among the first sites that I would look to buy.
I just ordered an F11 from Prestige/Broadway -- I decided to preempt the inevitable call by just calling them voice first. Interestingly, the salesperson told me to just place the order online and that he had them in stock new.
If I were cynical, I'd say that was in order to waste less time taking my information over the phone (makes sense). I placed it -- $287 + $15 shipping brought it to barely over $300. I love my Citibank card -- not only does it let me generate a one-time use CC #, it also lets me set an expiration date and more importantly, a max limit on the charge. So I set it for a $310 limit, having heard the horror stories about extra unauthorized charges.
I did so, and got the email shortly after telling me to call them to "verify my address." Called them back, got transferred a bunch -- no big deal when you've got them on speakerphone in the background.
Finally got through to someone who asked me rather politely but still full of BS about the "20 min battery". I declined both that and the memory card and almost did buy the extended warranty, which was actually decently priced for $39 for 3 yrs. Yes, I know that you can get it for $17, but I wanted to give them some margin. Unfortunately, I had already set the card limit and couldn't be bothered to change it. The salesperson took it in stride, was not rude or brusque and said the unit would be shipped out promptly.
We'll see if the camera comes through, but this order process has been less painful than I've read (and experienced). A big benefit we all have on our side is the credit card as adjudicator.
Just my experience...
Louie
If I were cynical, I'd say that was in order to waste less time taking my information over the phone (makes sense). I placed it -- $287 + $15 shipping brought it to barely over $300. I love my Citibank card -- not only does it let me generate a one-time use CC #, it also lets me set an expiration date and more importantly, a max limit on the charge. So I set it for a $310 limit, having heard the horror stories about extra unauthorized charges.
I did so, and got the email shortly after telling me to call them to "verify my address." Called them back, got transferred a bunch -- no big deal when you've got them on speakerphone in the background.
Finally got through to someone who asked me rather politely but still full of BS about the "20 min battery". I declined both that and the memory card and almost did buy the extended warranty, which was actually decently priced for $39 for 3 yrs. Yes, I know that you can get it for $17, but I wanted to give them some margin. Unfortunately, I had already set the card limit and couldn't be bothered to change it. The salesperson took it in stride, was not rude or brusque and said the unit would be shipped out promptly.
We'll see if the camera comes through, but this order process has been less painful than I've read (and experienced). A big benefit we all have on our side is the credit card as adjudicator.
Just my experience...
Louie
Mind Expansi0n
Leading Member
Hillarious you made such a big deal out of contacting him... I assume he either didn't want to talk about it or didn't want to talk to you.
Mind Expansi0n
Leading Member
"Therefore, our return address (as someone pointed out) is the same as Prestige Camera."
Actually your return addy is the old addy of A&M Photo, an alias of Prestige Photo and essentially the same company... that has been operating out of the buiilding for years... the building you are now in. You've never upsold on eBay BECAUSE of ratings, but I suspect that the folks @ Prestige know Michael Beylus... either as an employee or someone they supply cameras to.
Actually your return addy is the old addy of A&M Photo, an alias of Prestige Photo and essentially the same company... that has been operating out of the buiilding for years... the building you are now in. You've never upsold on eBay BECAUSE of ratings, but I suspect that the folks @ Prestige know Michael Beylus... either as an employee or someone they supply cameras to.
You make this a big deal by separating from the post it was in, it was not a separate post, it was an aside within another post and it was because he wanted to deal with it sooooooooooooooo as usual your wrong again!
I look forward to the day when I look up and read one of your posts and find some real expansion going on, find you have a positive contribution to make and not your typical nagging, nit pick nit pick, where can I create dissention, never anything uplifting to say about anybody or anything. Perhaps you can find this in your love of photography and glow in it and share that with us, frankly you current drill bores me to pieces.
Mind Expansi0n
Leading Member
Nope, still not impressed with the personal attacks, sorry lil Poochy. ;-]
tdkd13
Veteran Member
My guess is Prestige knows Michael well aslo, but that does not change the fact that Michael has been providing good service to his eBay clientelle as is reflected in his feedback. I have painted him in with a broad brush as I was painting Prestige, perhaps that is not fair.
Two points now appear to be facts, Prestige and time2envy operate from the same address, something Poochdp was unwilling to admit. And that time2envy has a excellant record as an eBay seller with a 99.4% positive feedback rating. So for my part, Michael (time2envy) you deserve the benefit of the doubt and I was unfair in coupling you too closely with Prestige, I am sorry, you have my apologies.
My whole point in all this is that Kim said he felt that Prestige was turning over a new leaf, its possible, and some here have attested to that fact, I wanted to point out though, that many others were disagreeing with that opinion as is eveident by 3 other ratings sites.
I also would like to apologize to Kim, albeit halfheartedly as I still feel I have proven my point. That said, Kim was offering anecdotal evidence that in his opinion Prestige was OK, I was offering additional evidence that they were not doing all that well. I had no need to jump on him/her as his/her post was simply a statement of personal experience. I also feel he had no need to jump on me as mine was simply evidence from ratings sites commonly used.
To poochdp, well, as I see it I dont owe you anything, so that's what I'm offering, nothing.
Take care, Ted
Two points now appear to be facts, Prestige and time2envy operate from the same address, something Poochdp was unwilling to admit. And that time2envy has a excellant record as an eBay seller with a 99.4% positive feedback rating. So for my part, Michael (time2envy) you deserve the benefit of the doubt and I was unfair in coupling you too closely with Prestige, I am sorry, you have my apologies.
My whole point in all this is that Kim said he felt that Prestige was turning over a new leaf, its possible, and some here have attested to that fact, I wanted to point out though, that many others were disagreeing with that opinion as is eveident by 3 other ratings sites.
I also would like to apologize to Kim, albeit halfheartedly as I still feel I have proven my point. That said, Kim was offering anecdotal evidence that in his opinion Prestige was OK, I was offering additional evidence that they were not doing all that well. I had no need to jump on him/her as his/her post was simply a statement of personal experience. I also feel he had no need to jump on me as mine was simply evidence from ratings sites commonly used.
To poochdp, well, as I see it I dont owe you anything, so that's what I'm offering, nothing.
Take care, Ted
Well Ted, let me the first to say, that it takes character to stand up and say you painted with too wide a brush, well done!
Now to defend my name; I never said where Prestige was, someone said they were at 315, all I pointed out was 315 & 337 were not the same numbers, I never said either or the other wasnt operating out of the same space, because I didnt know. If Michel says so, I accept it!
What I did know, was time2envy's feedback on ebay was good and that is solid and means more then an address and I was consistent in saying that (in 2 seperate threads) and lastly that I had a great experience with time2envy and no matter what address he operated out of IMHO, his ratings trump his address.
Now to defend my name; I never said where Prestige was, someone said they were at 315, all I pointed out was 315 & 337 were not the same numbers, I never said either or the other wasnt operating out of the same space, because I didnt know. If Michel says so, I accept it!
What I did know, was time2envy's feedback on ebay was good and that is solid and means more then an address and I was consistent in saying that (in 2 seperate threads) and lastly that I had a great experience with time2envy and no matter what address he operated out of IMHO, his ratings trump his address.
tdkd13
Veteran Member
Fair enough, no hard feelings then and enjoy the camera. I'm hoping to get one (F11) as a nice lil pocket cam for carrying around. I'm assuming Fuji will begin importing them as the F10 stock dries up, hopefully by summer.
Take care, Ted
Take care, Ted
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