The following message is about my experience with a) Egghead.com b) Best Stop Digital c) Harmony Computers

I ordered a coolpix 950 from Egghead.com on April 2nd, and I am still waiting for it. I have called them numerous times and they can only tell me that I will be getting it some time in June/July. When I found out that someone had ordered it later than I did and had already received the camera, I called them and asked them what their company policy on order priority. The first representative gave me the following reasioning:

"we receive our cameras from different providers. Your order was probably placed on a different provider list from the person who has already received the camera"

The second representative told me

"although I placed my order on April 2nd, my order did not go through until April 6th because Egghead was not able to process my credit card until then"

I have also sent in 2 emial messages, but never received a reply from them.

I finally started looking at other vendors for the past 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I came across Best Stop Digital who claimed that they have the camera in stock but would charge over $50 for UPS ground shipping. I guess the guy is trying to ship it to Asia... When I call back 2 hrs later, the representative told me they don't have it in stock. From then on, I gave up on them.

Then, I checked out Harmony Computers, who claimed that they have much better service than Best Stop. This representative, named Scott Something, told me they are selling the camera at $849. Once again, the shipping cost is over $30 dollars. In any case, I decided that I no longer want to wait and would pay the extra. Then Mr. Something told me that they would not sell the camera unless I buy 3 additional accessories for the camera. So I just said forget it.

If any of you know where I would be able to get the camera at a reasonable price, please please let me know.

-- Derrick Pang (yatbond@alum.mit.edu), June 18, 1999

Answers

here is a web site I have used in choosing where to buy online.

I have been using IC-Direct and have been very happy with there service. They have real time inventory. If they are out of stock on a particular item you can leave you e-mail address and they will contact you when it is back in stock. I have found it only take about a week to get a reply back. That is how I got my Epson Photo 750 printer. Don't wait around after you get the e-mail. It only took 6 hours for there inventory to run out on for Photo 750 printer the day I got it. They list the Nikon 950 as $844 plus $8 shipping. The real time inventory will also give you the location of their inventory and let you enter your state so you will know how long it will take to ship. There estimates were to the day when I ordered my Epson 750 digital camera and Photo 750 printer.

-- Bob G. (rgreg88721@hotmail.com), June 18, 1999.

oops lets try this again. The web site below is the one I use to determine which vendors I can trust.

http://www.resellerratings.com/

-- Bob G. (rgreg88721@hotmail.com), June 18, 1999.

I had a BAD experience with Best Stop Digital and ended up filing a complaint with the BBB. Sounds like you are having a similar experience with Egghead. FILE A CLAIM ON THEM! You'll be surprised at how fast you receive your camera! Good luck......

-- Jody Kind (jody@3rdm.net), June 21, 1999.

My sister bought a Nikon Coolpix 950 this week from PC Wonders. She got the camera within a week and the extra memory card arrived days later (2 weeks ahead of when it was promised!) She paid $843 for the camera.

-- Kevin (beachprices@erols.com), July 17, 1999.