JM H.

Deals All Year (brick and mortar) and Global Camera USA (Amazon) share the same physical address. 445 NJ-23, Pompton Plains, NJ *******. My purchase was from their Amazon entity. I also took note of a post on Canon Price Watch that stated this business is the former Ryther Camera in NJ. Ryther Camera was a well know "Bait and Switch" camera retailer according to what my research revealed.

I purchased a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L is II USM Lens - 9524B002 (Renewed) from them going through Amazon for $2,347.57 which included sales tax. The lens is covered by the Amazon 90 return policy. They promptly shipped the lens. I received the lens during the first week of Nov 2021. It was nicely packed. Once received I looked it over for any physical damage. None noted. Placed the lens on the shelf to be used at a later date. Had no rush to check lens, due to the 90 day return policy.

A short time later I ran some focusing test with a commercial lens testing software using a focusing chart. The auto-focus seemed defective. I then photographed some rapidly moving objects at a high shutter speed using 2 different Canon bodies. Confirmed, auto-focus is not quite correct. Also noted an intermittent clicking noise when the lens was attempting to focus. No problem. I'll just return it under the Amazon 90 Day return policy for full refund. Applied for a return shipping label via Amazon. Received. I returned the lens on December 09 2021. Had the lens in my possession for 5 weeks and never used it, outside of the 2 test I performed.

As a rule, especially when returning such an expensive item, I take many photographs of the item being returned prior to being re-packed for return shipment. This case was no different. I took in excess of 15 full resolution photographs of this lens, from multiple angles, from approx 18 inches, just minutes before re-packing. This lens did not have any cosmetic issues of any kind. However it does have an internal auto-focusing issues. Re-packed the lens, and dropped if off at my local UPS Store.

A few days later I received an Amazon notification that I had a refund for the lens. Checked my account and noted that I was being charge a fee of $438.80. I immediately contacted the seller and inquired what was going on. Someone there using the name Fred b, claimed the lens had ‘marks' on it and needed to be repaired. This is when I began to think this was a SCAM in the making. I immediately once again contacted Amazon CS and had them to request a photo of this alleged ‘mark' upon this lens be sent to me. Once I received this photograph, and knowing that this ‘mark' was not on this lens as I recall, I then knew where this was going. In my opinion I was being setup for a SCAM. I was out of town and let the seller know that I too had taken photographs of the lens just minutes before return shipping, and once I was back home I would compare my photographs to theirs.

Once back home I compared the single low resolution photograph that was sent to me by Fred b, to my 15+ high resolution photographs. This ‘mark' was not on this lens when I returned it. I sent Fred b 3 of the 15 photographs I had taken. Fred b had no idea I had more images, and I was going see if Fred b would dig himself into a hole. He did. Fred b replied back that my photographs were from far away, and at a different angle. Once he said this, I had no doubt they were attempting to SCAM me out of $438.00.

I immediately contacted Amazon CS and offered the remaining photographs of this lens that I had taken, that clearly indicated there we NO ‘marks' of any kind upon this lens, anywhere! One of the Amazon CS that I had spoken with verified this fact, and opened a A to Z claim against the seller. Once Amazon looked at the email exchanges between the seller and myself, plus the photographic evidence I provided, I was promptly issued a refund for the $438.80 fee this seller was attempting to charge me. This seller is now falsely claiming I had the lens in my possession for 2 months on the Amazon Seller Feedback site. Again, another false statement by the seller. It would be wise for this seller to cease digging that hole, by posting false information concerning this ordeal. The prudent thing to do when one finds themselves in a hole, is to quit digging. The issue is now between Amazon and Deals All Year / Global Camera USA, as I am finally rid of this unethical seller.

Keep in mind, Amazon was great during this ordeal. HOWEVER, Buyer beware of Deals All Year (brick and mortar) and Global Camera USA (Amazon)