I've been planning to get the s95 after reading it from
Saab's blog last year. Problem is, I don't know where to get it at a very affordable price. I'm uneasy when it comes to buying gadgets online. I shopped online before but those were just accessories and it doesn't cost a lot compared to buying a gadget online. My online shopper maven friend, Franco, was supposed to shop my new camera for me via ebay but it still is not as cheap as the online sellers in multiply. I have to admit I'm scared to buy something I've never even seen with my naked eye nor touched with my bare hands. This blog needs to have good photos (plus I need it for work too!) so I googled the camera that I want to get and ended up going for the S100 (upgraded version of s95).
So one day, I consulted my photographer friends and they recommended "
DBGadgets". I texted the number on their facebook page and got a reply and they said that the color silver is available. I wanted to get the silver one because everyone seems to be going for black. The risk about buying online is they only have 7 days replacement policy and 1 year service repair.
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Photo from DBGadgets Page |
Then, one day before the scheduled meet up, my friend asked me if I read forums online. It turned out that the S100 has an on-going
LENS ERROR problem. I read the thread in the forum and DBGadegets did not answer the question that one of their customers asked about lens error. Freaked out, I texted DBgadgets and told them about my concern and they told me that I don't need to worry because those affected are those with serial numbers starting from 29 to 41 and the ones that they have are the versions starting from 44.
I asked them what if I will get a LENS ERROR on the 8th day when I did not do anything with it, and they said if it's a mishandling issue, they will not replace it. When I asked how will they categorize a mishandling issue, they couldn't give me a straight answer. But since I was really too damn excited for a new camera, I still went ahead with my order.
We met up in Glorietta and it's a good thing I was accompanied by my friend who owns a Canon S95 so he checked the basic settings of the camera.
But to my horror:
- The camera had a BLACK screen with menu writings but it won't do its main function which is to take photos. (I was already feeling scared after seeing the first error, so I prayed really hard to God that if it's going to give me a headache, better show the symptoms now than later).
- After inserting the memory card, it still won't work and the delivery guy was clueless about the product. (God answered my prayer that I am not meant to buy the camera).
- I was promised that the serial number of the camera that I will be getting will start at 44, but when I opened the camera, it started with 41 - and YES, THE CAMERA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM! They did not give me what they have promised.
- Plus they already have a reputation about arriving late. We were scheduled to meet up at 5:30 pm. guy showed up a quarter before seven.
So I did not buy it and good thing I haven't withdrawn my money from the ATM (bec you need to pay cash for meet-ups). I also noticed that when I asked the delivery guy about the terms and conditions and warranty replacements, the delivery guy and the point person that I was initially negotiating with via their official contact number are saying different things. The delivery guy said, if it says lens error within 7 days I can return it, the other guy said that it's a mishandling issue. I was so frustrated with dealing with them that I did not buy from them anymore even if they're known to have the cheapest price in the market. Mura nga, mamumura mo naman!!!
After leaving the location, I browsed through my phonebook to ask my friends if they know other online sellers and I came across The Gadget Hub's number. Then I remembered I have
GadgetHub's number that I got from Saab's blog and I've had it for a year now and I decided to ask them if they have it. They only sell the black version and it's Php500 more. I asked them if I can pre-order the silver one then they said their supplier said that they won't be getting the silver one anymore because of the Lens Error problem. They have the same terms and conditions and warranty repair but they assured me of the quality of camera that I will be getting.
In short, I felt very comfortable dealing with The Gadget hub. They were very patient with answering my questions, they also volunteered the information about the issue about of serial numbers and told me that I will be getting the serial number starting with 44. I already have an inexplicably good feeling with who I am dealing with so I decided to take the risk and go for it.
We met up days later 3 days later from my last failed purchase and I was surprised that they arrived from the meeting place 10 minutes before the scheduled time! ( I like people who have high respect for other people's time!)
The lady who met me, Marj, was very nice and even educated me about the package in the camera, making sure that I am getting what was promised.
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Photo from The Gadget Hub;s multiply account |
And I did get what was promised. I am a very satisfied customer and even their customer service and owner was very accommodating even after the transaction.
Every online transaction is always a risk, but sometimes we really have to go with our gut feel. I'm glad I went with mine. :)