TheDigitalNerds.com Review

I had it in my head to buy my husband a digital camcorder with a hard drive for Christmas this year.  I'm not a last minute shopper, so I began my online search in October.  I finally decided on a model that was in my price range and received good ratings from other consumers.  After much comparing, I found the camcorder I wished to purchase on TheDigitalNerds.com.  It was selling for quite a bit less than on other websites . . . approximately $80 less.  I had to double-check to make sure the items were not refurbished.  They were not.  Prior to making my purchase, I also read reviews about TheDigitalNerds.com website.  I was satisfied enough to place my order.

The next morning, I received a phone call from a representative from TheDigitalNerds.com.  He said he wanted to verify my information.  After reviewing my name, shipping information, and what product I had ordered, he tried to sell me the extra battery.  I told him that my husband can make his own decision about that and their 7-day return policy is too short for me to be stuck with a $100 mistake at Christmas time.  Then the representative tried to tell me that the battery that came with the camcorder will only last for 10 minutes!  Would he have tried to pull this on a man?  I actually read many reviews about the battery and how much charge it actually would hold.

The rest of the conversation on my end went like this.  I told him that I did not need a case for the camcorder because I already had a nice leather one.  And I told him that I did not wish to purchase a service plan from an online only company (as opposed to stores like Best Buy and Circuit City who operate locally as well as online).  Eventually, the representative thanked me and told me that my camcorder will ship out later that day.

Two days later, I received this email:

"Dear:____________,

We thank you for your order and appreciate you shopping with us .

Due to the product you ordered being out of stock for 6-8 weeks from today's date. We have cancelled the order . when or if we get the product again in stock soon will send you an email to place an order please do not resubmit your order again . sorry again and thanks for your understanding ."

I can't help but wonder if I would have received this email if I had purchased one or more add-ons over the phone?  I am familiar with the low mark-up of most electronics.  Companies make their money on the service plans and accessories, not the actual items themselves.

To summarize:

1)  They were taking orders on items that were supposedly out of stock.

2)  They call online customers to pressure them into purchasing add-ons.

3)  They have an unprofessional "used car salesman" approach (my apologies to all the used car salesmen out there)

4)  They had one shot to win my future business and they failed by not delivering the item I ordered and by wasting my time.