42nd Street PhotoReviews of 42photo.com

I had a similar issue with these guys - their website clearly says one price (as well as indexed by Google) and then I got called that the camera ordered was an international version. No where on the site does it say anything close to this info. The agent claimed that the language of "new fresh import" buried on the description tab was very clear that this was an international only version. He then proceeded to tell me that the price of the US version was ~$700 more. This was crazy. He said he could sell me a display counter version for only $400 more than the price that their website lists. Be careful purchasing from this company.

My experience was similar to another review I read below, which reaffirms my belief that this place is run by a con artist. If you don’t know better you might unknowingly end up a victim. I ordered a Sony FX3. The advertised price was $200 less than anywhere else, which is why I decided to order from them instead of Amazon. The next day I received a telephone call from this guy who used, as someone else stated below, a bait and switch technique to increase the price. He asked if I wanted the U.S. version of this camera. Claiming that Amazon’s and anyone else’s was the “European” version, which makes no sense. He said that they had to be the European versions because they were selling less than MSRP and that “Sony doesn’t allow anyone to sell their products for less.” He claimed that the language wouldn’t be in English and that’s why it’s cheaper. Somehow, I started to believe it. He said he could sell me the “last U.S. version” for $4,400 ($500 above the Amazon price). He said to help me he’d give me an extended warranty valued at $499; they all carry the warranty he was claiming to give. Since I had no time to research I agreed. Luckily for me, my credit card company would not approve the transaction because of the high cost of the camera; fraud protection became suspicious. Even after I spoke with them it still got declined; he said he needed to speak with his supervisor. I told the guy to just hold off and said I’d just call back if I decide to buy from them. I didn’t want to hassle with long wait times with customer service so I decided to go ahead and make the purchase through Amazon, with no credit card issues. The next day I got a call from the guy and I told him I was no longer interested and didn’t want to try and run the card again; he didn’t need to know that I made the purchase already. The following day I started getting charges in the amount of $900 to $990 from 42nd Photo. WITHOUT MY PERMISSION…he took it upon himself to start charging my card. When I called to ask why, he essentially tried cussing me out and saying he was going to charge me a “cancellation fee.” I said, “Cancellation fee for what? We never ordered it because the card didn’t work.” He then tried saying “Fine, I’ll match the Amazon price.” Didn’t he say Sony wouldn’t allow that? I asked to speak to a supervisor and he said he was the supervisor; yet another blatant lie and tactic to get an extra $500 off of an unsuspecting customer. After yelling and cursing he got mad and hung up on me. I spoke to Sony and learned that what he said about the U.S. versus European versions was a complete fabrication made up to cheat me. I also spoke to my credit card company and had them block his business. If he tries again it’ll be considered a fraudulent charge. If you’re reading this, DO NOT fall for this con artist. I can only imagine how many people have fallen for this and have no idea. He did this to me and to someone else who has a review below; there has to be more. As a business owner myself, I refuse to deal with a company that’s dishonest. It makes me sick to think of how many have already been taken advantage of by this con artist. Be careful and do your research.

Terrible experience with this less than reputable retailer. Ordered a Tamron 18-400mm lens on 3/31/22. Advertised price was $599, and that was the only lens choice available for that make and model on their site. Shortly thereafter received a telephone call from a store rep who used bait and switch technique to increase the price. Said that I had ordered "International" version of this lens and that it had plastic mount (which is untrue) and that it had NO warranty (which is also untrue since they all carry 6 year limited warranty for new lens). Since I had no time to research I reluctantly agreed to what appears to be out and out lies regarding their product and price. They added an in-store extended warranty to the product and increased the price to $699! Also indicated they would send revised customer order prior to shipping, which was never received. Plus, they asked if I would desire customer signature required for UPS delivery, which I did, but that was never on the shipping order and the lens was left on the front porch. I tried several times to reach them via email with no response, attempting to cancel order prior to shipping. They went ahead and shipped anyway and I received the lens on 4/3/22. Box has NOT been opened since it is a birthday gift for household member, so unsure of condition of lens or what was included in box. Reached back out after receipt to request return and was provided a return authorization but that carried a 20% restocking fee which would ultimately negate any original savings. Due to the poor customer service and less than transparent sales tactic I was just seeking to have the extended warranty charge removed and let the matter go, even though I will never purchase from them again and strongly recommend others heed this warning! They have not responded to my requests.

Buyer Beware - I ordered a "brand new" Nikon camera and lens from their online store. I also called them to make sure the items were in stock and was told they would ship in one to two day. After a week and no notification the items had shipped I called back. I spoke to a clerk who said they were still inspecting the item. An unusual response, so after asking more questions I determined they were actually selling me an old display model. He said they did not have any new stock and said their online add must be a mistake. The clerk was unprofessional and confrontational. I immediately cancelled my order an wrote their management, describing the incident, in the hope they would correct the problems. To date they have never replied to my letter or corrected their false advertisement.

42n St Photo operate like scammers or cons. I always use my credit card just in case. Most will open a fraud case and snatch the money back until a seller can prove their case. I paid $1,900 for a Sony camera. I got an email the next day saying call them, they needed more info to process my order. I called and got someone saying that the camera I ordered was a European model and wouldn’t work in the US. Then proceeded to try to sell me the US model for $2,300. Then asked if I would buy it w/o the lens promised for a $150 decrease in price. I could get it from a reputable company for the same. Then he asked why I don’t get A7II instead. My question is why don’t you state in your advertisement what you REALLY have? Stated he would be charging me a $94 cancellation fee. I told him he'd have to fight it out with my CC company. I mean it was such a scam. I say STAY AWAY! Wish I had room to tell the entire conversation.

42nd Street Photo is a bait & switch scam for grey market cameras and accessories. You place the order for a slightly reduced price (mine was the Fuji X-T4--they are not an authorized Fuji seller so I am assuming that all of their Fuji products are grey market) and within 20 minutes I get fast talking sales person on the phone upcharging me by 20% because I had ordered "the European model" which apparently does not have wifi or a warranty. Stupidly I say "OK" after he throws in "Fuji" batteries and a bunch of other off brand accessories "for my trouble". It arrives and rather than coming in a Fuji Kit Box, everything is packaged separately, which is the classic moniker of grey market parts. The lens was not even in a fuji box. I called and said I had put a stop on my credit card payment and was able to return the product without a 20% restocking fee but had to pay $92 to ship it back and I'm still waiting on about $80 of my refund. RUN AWAY.

Scam, ordered camera for fair price was called by rep and told to pay another 20% (USD$500) couldn't cancel my order or had to pay a restock fee of 20% such a terrible experience. would not recommend one bit. Worth spending more with a reputable business. Still mad about this.

I ordered a new Sony camera through Newegg website from 42nd Street Photo. It was advertised for a great price, and I authorized paying for it by PayPal. Three days later, I received a phone call from a representative from 42nd Street Photo, claiming that they could not sell the camera at that price, and the camera I ordered was a "European Import". When I asked them what was available, he quoted me a price of $300 more for a U.S. warranty model, or additional $260 for the "European Import" I ordered. Although they told me that they would cancel the order as requested, and promised not to charge me on PayPal, I strongly felt the whole deal was typical bait and switch!!