watch out for these guys - file under 'CAUTION'

I recently ordered a Canon G9, and not from anyplace I normally order from since they were all out of stock and I was being impatient. So instead I used Broadway Photo in Brooklyn (I bought something I can't recall from them ages ago) anyway, the price was very fair and then you get an email wanting you to call to 'confirm the order'. This turns into sales-pitch number 2, as they try to sell you extended warranties etc.

He tells me that the "battery included only has a 10-20 minute usage time" which I know is crap ( what? do you CRANK it to get it to run?), but i figured a longer useage battery couldn't hurt. He eventually talks me into a $69.00 one ( as opposed to the $175 battery he first started plugging!!)

Then he tells me, "You'll need an external battery charger otherwise you have to plug in the camera like a cell phone to charge it." MORE crap, and I say no, then the warranty speech starts, then this then that.

OK, so it comes today (right when they said it would) but the battery in the box is the one that comes with the camera. So I call and he says something like, "Well we sell different cameras, USA and foreign and you have the Super-Executive Package which includes the extended battery"

I said,"Come on, i've been doing this a long time, you cant tell me Canon packages the same camera in different configurations of battery."

"I can tell by the tone of your voice that you are dissatisfied, and i'd rather keep you as a customer, so i'll send you a second battery." he quickly offers. I think to myself, hmmm---is this not a common call if he's so ready with an answer like that?

I said,"Well OK,but what's the deal with the guy saying I needed a charger to externally charge the battery, you KNOW that's a load of crap."

"Like I said sir," he continues, "You have the upgraded package and i will send you an additional battery." As I'm saying OK, the phone goes dead.

The moral? Be patient and buy from places you know!