** WARNING** Getting Screwed by Staples on the Kodak Digital Camera Deal

[MroD]

When I saw the Kodak DC3200 deal a few weeks back, I had to jump on it. Ill admit with a little research and luck I got a better deal than I expected. This is what I did, and what the invoice showed.

1. Called to order camera Kodak DC3200 for $199
2. Added MSN Disk for $.01 to ake me over $200
3. Used $40 off $200 to bring me to $160 shipped. $50 rebate will get me camera for $110 (Im Happy)
4. Went back to Gotapex and saw that Best buy has it for $149 So.....
5. Called Staples to PM with best buy. Now its $150 but the $40 coupon doesnt apply. So I used $30 off $150 now I have the camera for $120 shipped and $50 rebate gets me the camera for $70.
6. Asked for the free scanner with Cam purchase and they gave it to me. So Microtek scanner $80 - $80 instant coupon and I get the camera AND scanner for $120 shipped ($70 after rebate) Im DAMN Happy.

I know this is long but it gets better THEN worse.

I receive the camera and scanner two days later and my invoice says the following

Kodak camera with Pricematch $149.99
2 MSN Disks $0.02
Microtek Scanner $79.99
Total $230.00
Coupons and Discounts -$150.00
Shipping $0.00

Total charge of $80.00

I was in Love with Staples cause now I am just waiting on the $50 rebate chack and I got thecamera and scanner for $30. Best deal I have ever made. I think the fluke was that they applied both the $40 AND the $30 coupon plus the $80 for the Scanner (total $150 discount). All in print on my invoice so I was SET!!

Now I look at my amex bill and I see two charges from Staples. One charge on the 10th for $80 and another on the 15th for $86. I called to complain and the CSR and her manager said everything looked fine on my invoice and they would have the credit department call me back. The CSR in Credit tells me that the original CSR should NOT have price matched me because Staples had the camera for $149 already (199-50 rebate) and thus I was given the PM incorrectly so she just charged me the difference due.

Is it just me or is this a load of cr*p.

Isnt it illegal for them to charge my credit card without my authorization? I have an invoice for the $80 price and thus this is all I SHOULD be charged. If the CSR made a mistake in the policy I wasnt informed of this and I should not have to pay. The Credit CSR had a difference of opinion and just said 'Too Bad, but we arent going to sell it to you for such a cheap price.'. She offered to take a return but I already sent in for the rebate so I cant.

I called Amex and put the charge into a dispute and sent them a copy of my invoice. Amex says that I am correct in getting only charged the invoice no matter how good a deal I was getting. Im just afraid Ill keep getting billed by Staples and someday find this on my Credit report.

Any suggestions or idas on who is right.?!?!

I trust all you GotApex-ers for some good advice.
Thanks for any help!

[Joshua]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm NOT a lawyer but I DO have a lot of experience dealing with CC companies and have have a *few* charge disputes myself.

The bottom line is this: You and staples agreed on a price and you authorized them to charge your credit card for THAT price. You are now legally bound to pay THAT price for the merchandise as long as you keep it.

You basically have a quasi contract in the bill of sale. They then sent you the merchandise WITH documentation confirming the price you both agreed on.

After the fact, they realized a mistake on their part and tried to bill you an unauthorized amount. This is wrong.

They may not change your agreement in whole or part without your express permission. This is a form of false advertising and a fraudulent business practice. Their statement that it was a mistake and you were charged too little would never hold up in court.

If they don't give up on this one, contact your state attorney general's office. They handle cases like these and are generally on the consumer's side.

I know it's long, but hope it helps.

[sl001]

I'd say you're fine too.. They may keep charging your credit card here and there.. just call the CC company up and re-dispute it. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to stop them from billing it. If it doesn't go away easily see if one of the CC people wants to call the staples people with you on the line. Businesses seem to be afraid of the Credit Card People...

--Good luck

[Jeffbx]

Also, this won't show up on any credit report UNLESS Amex agrees with Staples and removes the dispute. You're lucky you used Amex on this one - they're much better than other companies in standing up for their customers. Amex will eventually tell Staples to eat the cost, and that'll be the end of it.

[giambona]

Yeah, just let American Express handle this. Staples always tries to screw people like us!

[twiggyop]

If it becomes a problem with them constantly charging you money, just call AMEX and tell them your card was stolen/lost and you need a new one. The old number will be dead like that, and usually you get a new one within 3 days.

[shaggymatt]

Speaking of dispute resolutions, I find it kind of disappointing that based on your credit level, you get a higher level of service. They even openly advertise this. I have a Platinum Visa card, and recently had a merchant dispute (over a 8 disc CD changer). After a very long ugly battle the credit card company finally decided to refund in full my purchase price, and told me to keep the product. The company in dispute (Autotoys.com) would not talk to them or me on the phone, it all had to be done via email, and even finding a phone number was next to impossible on their site. They told me that they would not process charges from anyone to this company any longer! Don't know if there was any truth in that or not.

Bottom line is that there are differences in credit card companies and within there, even membership levels.

[MroD]

Thanks for the info guys.
I know Amex will take care of me. Thats why I always use Amex for my online purchases. As for the charge, I know that Amex wont accept the charge if I dispute it. What Im worried is that they will kept sending me a bill to my address and put it in collection if I dont pay it.

Maybe they will give up on Amex and just invoice me directly!

That would suck Royaly.

[jng]

With your receipt and AMEX, no need to worry.
DAMN missed that deal

[joe221]

I'm really glad you used your AmEx too. Remember with AmEx you're a member, it says that right on the card. In my dealings with disputed charges no one is on your side more than American Express. They even one time split the difference with me when an ISP that I charged a years subscription to went belly-up. I tried to cancell the charge, but there wasn't a company any longer. AmEx gave me back half of the money do me from their own funds. They didn't have to do that, and VISA/MC would never do that. You have your receipt from staples, THAT is all you need to pay. Staples can't go after you personally they took the charge and if they can't do anything more. How dare they charge you for something they couldn't prove. They're hoping you won'r dispute it. Yeah, right. I always let stores charge my CC after I've made a different purchase. Joe

[shank]

The Staples Headquarters complaint telephone # is...1 800 338 0252 Ext: 2531022

This is clearly illegal, and I can't believe they like this bad press.