Resolved...

[Shane]

EDITED: I finally had someone call me that "took charge" of the situation and resolved everything. So, I should not be out any dollars on shipping and am simply going to return the package they did send to UPS for return. I will let everyone know how the credit card credits turn out.
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Arghhhhhh!!!

Last week, I finally decided to buy a Canon 50D to replace my 30D that I have been shooting with for the past few years . . . so I went online to see who had it "In Stock" and proceeded to purchase it from Adorama since they had received many favorable comments on TPF.

Since Yom Kippur began the following day, I CAREFULLY read their site and it said that all orders placed before 11:00 am the following day that chose next-day or two-day shipping would be processed before the store closed for the two day holiday . . . so I bought the camera, a new CF card, a flash and a filter . . .

The next day, I go to the site to make sure my order has processed and see that it had not.

When they re-open two days later I get a notice saying that - OOPS, the camera and the CF card (that showed were In-Stock on their website) were actually back-ordered and would not be available for about two weeks.

So, I sent them a note telling them to cancel my entire order.

Later that day, I get another email saying that they cancelled the camera and the CF card, but they were going to go ahead and send the flash and filter via 2-day shipping (at $42).

So, to sum it up:

Oct 7th - Place Order
Oct 14th - Package with two (previously cancelled) items should arrive via 2-day shipping

Needless to say, I will not be accepting the package and I will be contesting any credit card charges since I have email backups showing I cancelled my order and that they received the emails because they cancelled the camera and the CF card on their site, but sent the other items anyways.

Real simple -

CANCEL THE ORDER!
DON'T LIE ON YOUR SITE ABOUT AVAILABILITY!
DON'T LIE ON YOUR SITE ABOUT SHIPPING TIMES!
TRY CONTACTING THE CUSTOMER BEFORE YOU SEND HALF AN ORDER VIA 2-DAY SHIPPING!

[Angelo]

Interesting. I've been using them for years and never had a problem.
They've been very cooperative, always.

[AndrewCCM]

Ugh. Sorry to hear that.

The one and only thing I have purchased from Adorama was a Pocket Wizard Transmitter. The site showed a modern hotshoe version in the product description images... I ordered and got what looked like a 1970's version (I am exaggerating)... but everything about it was old. It was the very 1st generation square brick, no hot shoe mount, and the package was faded like it was REALLY OLD, or had been wet and dried off. The battery that was included expired in 1997.

Anyway...It was dirt cheap, so I kept it as a backup...works fine.

Not buying anything there again. I know many that like them. I am not one of those.

[lhdvies]

Geez-Sorry to hear that Shane. I've spent a lot of money with them with no problems, but I always accepted normal delivery, so they never had a chance to screw up delivery, but I never had any "out of stock" problems. And they sure shouldn't have shipped any items when you cancelled the order before they shipped. Not good.

[LoungeLizard]

Adorama is one of the better places up in NYC. They're typically my 2nd or 3rd choice when doing internet purchases (after B&H and Amazon).

[jeffkohn]

Adorama's website is not nearly as accurate with up-to-the-minute inventory information, that's the biggest reason why I prefer B&H. And really, if B&H doesn't have a popular item in stock chances are Adorama doesn't either regardless of what their website says. I would never order something from Adorama if I were in a hurry to get it, because even if they do have it in stock in my experience they're not as fast at shipping as B&H.

I'm kind of surprised you heard nothing but good things about Adorama here or elsewhere, because general consensus seems to be that they used to be good but have gone downhill in the last few years.

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Adorama is one of the better places up in NYC. They're typically my 2nd or 3rd choice when doing internet purchases (after B&H and Amazon).

It's almost always B&H or Amazon for me. B&H carries far more stuff, but if Amazon does have it (and I mean Amazon, not one of their affiliated retailers), they're usually about the same price and since I have Prime 2-day shipping is free (or 3 bucks for overnight if I'm being impatient). Prime rules.

[lightsnshadows62]

I have bought a few things from them too with no problem whatsoever of any kind.

[yubbie2]

I've only bought a few CF cards from them, but I understand your frustration - their shipping can be ridiculously slow (they do some weird USPS --> UPS --> middleman --> USPS thing that adds days to the process).

However, in terms of availability, I've had pretty good luck looking on their website for an item, then calling the store and having them physically put their hands on it before reading off my credit card number :-)

[Riff Raff]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

And really, if B&H doesn't have a popular item in stock chances are Adorama doesn't either regardless of what their website says.

When I made my initial plunge into DSLRs, I had to order the 85mm f/1.8 lens from Adorama because it had been out of stock for a couple of weeks at B&H. No issues there, or any other time I've ordered from Adorama since (and there have been several).

Originally Posted by yubbie2

I've only bought a few CF cards from them, but I understand your frustration - their shipping can be ridiculously slow (they do some weird USPS --> UPS --> middleman --> USPS thing that adds days to the process).

That's the only real annoyance I've had from them. That happened on one of my orders, and I don't really know what triggered the switch over to that obnoxious UPS/USPS combo method. I used the same shipping method as I had on all my previous (UPS only) orders.

[JohnT]

I've ordered from them twice, one of which was Friday (a battery grip). I got notice that it's supposed to ship tomorrow. Hopefully, all will go well.

[johnastovall]

Just another reason, I don't use Adorama. I order a B+W 77mm IR cut filter only place in the country showing it even available through them as an Amazon Merchant. They showed it in stock and charged my Amazon Card. After a Week nothing no order confirmation, no shipping, nada. Call their customer service, they would call me back, nada. I finally called Amazon and got my filter after 3 weeks shipped first class mail but charged shipping for piority.

Never Again....

[warlord48]

I have never used them, mainly because I have to have things shipped USPS Priority mail to my APO in Kuwait. They charge double of B&H, therefore I dont use them. Another place I have good luck with is BUYDIG.com, a part of BEECHCAMERA.com, all of them out of NY.

[CobyPhoto]

I shop local...

Screw all the mailing, odd schedules and hoping it is in stock. HCE does a fantastic job and I have never had any reason to deal with any of the NYC firms. The only online retailer I will usse is Samy's out of California.

CJ

[Flash Burns]

I've never had an issue with Adorama but prefer BH Photo.