prestigecamera.com online store rips me off with different online price than actual price, is this legal?

Question

I purchased a camcorder yesterday for $1066 according to their website. This morning they told me on the phone they are going to charge me 1299 for the camera. they didn't tell me if it was a website error they are just saying this is how much this camera cost in the us. I gave them premission to charge my card first but after I check the site again I was right in the beginning, I purchased the exact model for the exact region I wanted for $1066 on the site. Basically, they are ripping me off by not following their price on the website. I called them again they gave me the worst customer service ever, put me on hold, pretend my phone is breaking up can't hear me.. and just put me on hold when I KNOW they did that on purpose.

and now my credit card is charged almost 1400 including shipping.. how do I fight this? if this is illegal can I find a lawyer for this wrong practice?

Please advice.

www.prestigecamera.com

and their office is located in Brooklyn, NY

don't worry about shipping or tax.

look at it this way:

Original price on website : $1066

New original price on phone: $1299

for the exact same camcorder.

Answer 1

These fly by night Brooklyn camera dealers do this... do a Google search for this type of scam. Here's one great Blog entry.
http://thomashawk.com/2005/11/priceritephoto-abusive-bait-and-switch.html

yes it's illegal. Yes, it's a scam. yes, you shoudl report it to the attorney general and should cancel your order immediately (as they may charge you even more), yes you can contact an attorney. But they operate by so many different names, they'll probably close up shop by the time you get around to finding them.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,107855-page,1/article.html
http://www.leeholmes.com/blog/NewYorkTimesFollowupOnBrooklynCameraDealers.aspx

See also:

http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/fraudreports/topic1941.html#sep26

"Matt Neuburg

Camera retailers are notorious for being fraudulant. This now extends to digital cameras. Before buying from an unknown source (which is most likely in Brooklyn), search around and see what others say about them. I got a good laugh out of this.

Well, don't laugh. Your credit card information will likely be stolen if you give it to one of these Brooklyn-based false digital camera sales rackets. This superb Web site will show you what's really at the address that some "camera store" claims to be at:

http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/
"



Get this fixed soon -- and see a lawyer! Consumer justice lawyers may be willing to take your case as part of a "class action," or legal aid lawyers may be wililng to help you for free, or you may be able to get information for a small claims court action (although you may have to bring it in New York.)

Answer 2

did you factor in shipping charges and tax (where applicable)?

Assuming its this one:
http://www.prestigecamera.com/product~id~snhdrsr1.htm

where are you in relation to them? Shipping on expensive items can be quite expensive. Are they using FedEx or UPS, or DHL? or usps?

need more information.