Incorrect Kit Lens - Is it worth spending time in exchanging it?

epidaetia · 07-20-2010, 07:48 PM

Hi,

I recently bought K-7 with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR. However, Beach Camera delivered DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II not WR.
They have asked me if I want to return the lens. Now to return it, I'll have to send lens back to US (Am in India) and wait for 2 weeks.
Was wondering if WR is worth all this effort?

VaughnA · 07-20-2010, 07:53 PM

Short Answer, yes. 100.00USD difference in price but the biggy is having a WR body AND WR lens is great in foul weather. And I've heard that it rains occasionally in India;-)

**blackcloudbrew** · 07-20-2010, 09:06 PM

Don't give it a second thought. The WR lens is much more valuable. Just do it.

KxBlaze · 07-20-2010, 09:19 PM

Absolutely. A 2 week wait is nothing for getting a full WR body and lens. If you do not return it, please do not come back to this forum, haha, just kidding, but seriously though, return it now.

stevebrot · 07-20-2010, 09:38 PM

And make sure that Beach Camera pays the shipping both ways...

Steve

imtheguy · 07-20-2010, 09:45 PM

Ask for a "cross shipping" if you need a lens during that 2-3 week time. You can get the WR before sending back the other. They will likely put a charge on your credit card and refund it when they get the returned lens.

mikemike · 07-21-2010, 12:17 PM

That seems to be beach camera/buydig's modus operendi, I ordered the K7 from them and they tried to pull the same trick. I actually ended up returning the whole kit and getting a k-x instead and used the money I saved to buy another lens.

wlachan · 07-21-2010, 12:30 PM

I'd rather pay more than being scammed.

epidaetia · 07-21-2010, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the advice. I finally decided to get lens changed.
As per suggestions here, I had mailed them mentioning Cross-Shipping and to confirm that they'll be paying for both side shipping. They have asked me to call them back.
Considering time difference, I can do that tonight only.. Another day gone by

But a friend of mine is flying to US tonight, So I'll give him lens anywayz.
Worse case, same thing will come back in 15 days.
Best case, They pay for shipping and I get WR in 15 days or more.

Let's see how it goes.

epidaetia · 07-22-2010, 10:36 AM

Update: I spoke to customer service of Beach Camera and they are asking me to send both camera and lens. Which doesn't seem possible to me. Apart from luggage issues, There's also custom to consider.
Agent told me to mail again to the guy I've been in contact with and check if only lens can be returned. Done that and now waiting for them to reply.
Let's see how it goes.
Never knew a normal purchase can lead to so many hassles

mikemike · 07-22-2010, 11:05 AM

I actually wrote a review detailing the bad experience I had and I just went and checked their website. They removed my review.

Also make sure you check your credit card when they issue the refund, initially they didn't refunt the amount I paid for expedited shipping and I had to catch them and push them to get that money back too and if you are in India, you probably paid a lot more for shipping.

I ended up ordering from Adorama, much better.

epidaetia · 07-22-2010, 10:08 PM

No wonder I could see only glowing reviews

Anyways, they've finally agreed to change just the lens. But they refuse to pay for international shipping. Luckily a friend of mine is flying to US tonight, so I'm sending lens with him. He can ship from US itself. Safer, Quicker and Cheaper.
Funnily enough, BC guys have told me, they'll not do cross shipping and will refund only cheapest USPS rates.
Right now, I really don't care. After 10 mails and multiple calls, I just want my lens back.

Anywayz I'm going to stick with Amazon only, no more market places for me :P

tibbitts · 07-27-2010, 03:43 PM

Sorry you have experienced these problems, at least the comments here won't be deleted (hopefully), so they'll benefit others looking to purchase in the future.

Paul

Q Bahorel · 07-29-2010, 01:12 AM

I ordered from Buydig/Beach Camera too and they did the same sleazy trick

I returned the lens itself but they still messed it up the second time.

mikemike · 07-29-2010, 10:56 AM

This seems to be a habit for them. Sent Pentax customer care an email, hopefully they will have some kind of disciplinary action they can take for an authorized retailer operating unethically. I can only imagine that there are lots of buydig customers who have recevied this and not even noticed that they were given the wrong lens only to think that the WR claim is BS at somepoint down the road.

07-20-2010, 07:48 PM	#1
epidaetia New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 12	Incorrect Kit Lens - Is it worth spending time in exchanging it? Hi, I recently bought K-7 with DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR. However, Beach Camera delivered DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II not WR. They have asked me if I want to return the lens. Now to return it, I'll have to send lens back to US (Am in India) and wait for 2 weeks. Was wondering if WR is worth all this effort?

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07-20-2010, 07:53 PM	#2
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	Short Answer, yes. 100.00USD difference in price but the biggy is having a WR body AND WR lens is great in foul weather. And I've heard that it rains occasionally in India;-)

07-20-2010, 09:06 PM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Don't give it a second thought. The WR lens is much more valuable. Just do it.

07-20-2010, 09:19 PM	#4
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	Absolutely. A 2 week wait is nothing for getting a full WR body and lens. If you do not return it, please do not come back to this forum, haha, just kidding, but seriously though, return it now.

07-20-2010, 09:38 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	And make sure that Beach Camera pays the shipping both ways... Steve

07-20-2010, 09:45 PM	#6
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Ask for a "cross shipping" if you need a lens during that 2-3 week time. You can get the WR before sending back the other. They will likely put a charge on your credit card and refund it when they get the returned lens.

07-21-2010, 12:17 PM	#7
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	That seems to be beach camera/buydig's modus operendi, I ordered the K7 from them and they tried to pull the same trick. I actually ended up returning the whole kit and getting a k-x instead and used the money I saved to buy another lens.

07-21-2010, 12:30 PM	#8
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	I'd rather pay more than being scammed.

07-21-2010, 10:26 PM	#9
epidaetia New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice. I finally decided to get lens changed. As per suggestions here, I had mailed them mentioning Cross-Shipping and to confirm that they'll be paying for both side shipping. They have asked me to call them back. Considering time difference, I can do that tonight only.. Another day gone by But a friend of mine is flying to US tonight, So I'll give him lens anywayz. Worse case, same thing will come back in 15 days. Best case, They pay for shipping and I get WR in 15 days or more. Let's see how it goes.

07-22-2010, 10:36 AM	#10
epidaetia New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Update: I spoke to customer service of Beach Camera and they are asking me to send both camera and lens. Which doesn't seem possible to me. Apart from luggage issues, There's also custom to consider. Agent told me to mail again to the guy I've been in contact with and check if only lens can be returned. Done that and now waiting for them to reply. Let's see how it goes. Never knew a normal purchase can lead to so many hassles

07-22-2010, 11:05 AM	#11
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	I actually wrote a review detailing the bad experience I had and I just went and checked their website. They removed my review. Also make sure you check your credit card when they issue the refund, initially they didn't refunt the amount I paid for expedited shipping and I had to catch them and push them to get that money back too and if you are in India, you probably paid a lot more for shipping. I ended up ordering from Adorama, much better.

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07-22-2010, 10:08 PM	#12
epidaetia New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 12 Original Poster	No wonder I could see only glowing reviews Anyways, they've finally agreed to change just the lens. But they refuse to pay for international shipping. Luckily a friend of mine is flying to US tonight, so I'm sending lens with him. He can ship from US itself. Safer, Quicker and Cheaper. Funnily enough, BC guys have told me, they'll not do cross shipping and will refund only cheapest USPS rates. Right now, I really don't care. After 10 mails and multiple calls, I just want my lens back. Anywayz I'm going to stick with Amazon only, no more market places for me :P

07-27-2010, 03:43 PM	#13
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	Sorry you have experienced these problems, at least the comments here won't be deleted (hopefully), so they'll benefit others looking to purchase in the future. Paul

07-29-2010, 01:12 AM	#14
Q Bahorel Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Nuevo Musico Posts: 31	I ordered from Buydig/Beach Camera too and they did the same sleazy trick I returned the lens itself but they still messed it up the second time.

07-29-2010, 10:56 AM	#15
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	This seems to be a habit for them. Sent Pentax customer care an email, hopefully they will have some kind of disciplinary action they can take for an authorized retailer operating unethically. I can only imagine that there are lots of buydig customers who have recevied this and not even noticed that they were given the wrong lens only to think that the WR claim is BS at somepoint down the road.