The smartshoppers.in appears to be full of nincompoops. Recently, a close friend of mine ordered a Nikon D5000+ 18-55 VR Kit from them on my guidance. After a couple of days he got a mail asking him to send scanned copies of his Credit Card and Address Proof. This, after the card-holder's Bank (Citibank) had confirmed having credited the smartshoppers.in's account instantaneously. Needless to say, both of us were p****d no ends, what with both of us being discerning bankers. I wrote them a mail which I'm sure would have made them want to wet their pants. My friend received the goods immediately afterwards without further query.
I have to make following observations about them based on a couple of dealings with them:
1. The first, second or the third person who picks up the phone is incapable of conversing either in English or Hindi. All you can make out is some incomprehensible gibberish.
2. They have this strong subverted notion of administrative control: They
approve and they
authorise the orders that we place with them! Wish someone could explain to them that it is because of
our approval of their offer and
our authorising an advance payment through a credit/debit card that they are in business!!
3. Even after personally advising certain supposedly 'senior' people there, they have not stopped selling "
Nikon 60mm 2.8 VR G Lens" for Rs.27,045/-. The trouble is, the said lens doesn't have VR!
Nikon would surely be very proud of smartshoppers.in.
Do check it out:
http://www.smartshoppers.in/product/nikon-60mm-28-vr-g-lens/ Do you see a VR lens there? O, the picture pertains to Nikkor 105mm 2.8 ED VR!
That's right. They don't understand much about photography stuff.
Unfortunately, however, there aren't many other reliable sources. Mouthshut.com has a rather horrendous review of JJ Mehta chaps: the tale appears to be true and scary. If you import from bhphoto the customs will get you if the shipping doesn't.
What sayest thou?
