Stan's Cam Scam Challenge

stanb17

stanb17

Member
Stan's Cam Scam Challenge

I found out about this DVX user's group out of frustration and research after discovering the absurd amount of scams surrounding this and other high-end camcorders. I have even sent a list of offenders to a local (Boston) consumer advocate (Hank Philippi Ryan) requesting she take-on these scammers and expose them.

I guess I'm in a long line on that one.

Here is my proposal.... I think it would be a great service for someone with a hidden DVX or other (perhaps more stealthy) camera, to set-up various stings at the shops in Brooklyn exposing their scams. Edit the video, then offer it up to Dateline NBC or simply post it to this forum via Google Video or other.

Remember... you can not be sued for liable or defamation of character if the material is true. There may be some legal issues with taping people without their knowledge... so stealth/anonymity is probably the best posting method. If Dateline NBC does pick it up, their high-faloot'n layers will crush any attempt from the scammers to sue.

Here's a sample scenario... Buyer walks into "CamScamUSA" with a printed page from ScamCamUSA.com and wants that DVX for $1500. Most of you know already where that camera is. Then the grand Bait and Switch Ballet begins. :Drogar-Dum(DBG):

The ScamCam Challenge is it's own reward. I wish I could offer up one myself.... but I am also trying to raise funds for a DVX. If someone were to offer up a reward for producing this expose'.... like a shiny new DVX100b... I would most certainly take on the challenge.

Bottom line is... I think everyone agrees this practice should stop. I also think everyone realizes it won't, but just like Dateline's work with Perverted Justice, watching scammers get caught provides some level of entertainment.

Here's hoping everyone finds a shiny new DVX under the tree.

Peace

Stan
 
stanb17 said:
Remember... you can not be sued for liable or defamation of character if the material is true.
Click to expand...
That's not true. You can be sued, at any time, by anyone who wants to, for any reason they might feel they ought to. Whether or not their suit has merit, and whether or not they can realistically win, is something else again. But defending yourself against a spurious lawsuit, is no more fun than and can be just as expensive as defending yourself against a solid one.

Sure, I'd love to see these guys exposed (or killed, whatever) but don't go gunning for them like that, unless you're prepared for the possibility that you'll have to defend it in court.
 
A few things -- first, look up Don Wiss' excellent photo catalog of the storefronts of these places:
(http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/)

Second, one of the ZDNet magazines, maybe PC magazine, did exactly this type of article on the scam shops a year or two ago.

Third, about being sued -- Sad Max is absolutely accurate, of course they can sue you. Whether they'd win or not is another question, but anyone can sue anyone for anything. But a lawsuit may not be the only thing to worry about; apparently Don Wiss has received death threats for publishing these photos.

And finally, your plan wouldn't work anyway -- most if not all of the scam shops clearly show that those are "internet prices only", so walking into the store won't accomplish anything, as they don't "have" to honor their prices since it's internet-only. And, further, more and more the scam shops aren't even listing a physical address anymore, or at least they'll list only a P.O. Box.
 
Death threats and such

Death threats and such

I'm honored with BG's reply.

I have seen Don's collection of images. The death threats are the actions of people with something to hide. They know they are guilty. I'm not sure if Don's choice of domain names for posting those images was well advised.

Law suits? I agree. Anonymity by thy shield. Hidden camera be thy sword. Justice be thy motive.

Internet only prices? Well, we all know how valid those are. It's what brought me to this site in the first place. I've told the story so many times it leaves a bad taste in my metaphorical mouth.

It's obvious there's something dirty going on in Brooklyn and exposing it would make a whole lotta people on this site very happy.

I still think that there is enough evil material available in these Brooklyn shops to edit together a pretty entertaining expose'.

SB
 
stanb17 said:
It's obvious there's something dirty going on in Brooklyn and exposing it would make a whole lotta people on this site very happy.

I still think that there is enough evil material available in these Brooklyn shops to edit together a pretty entertaining expose'.

SB
Click to expand...
I absolutely, totally agree. I'm just saying that the idea of going into the stores isn't going to work, as they've already done an end-run around your strategy by declaring "internet-only pricing."

What I don't get is why the NY Attorney General hasn't done something about it. Or why magazines still accept advertising from these places. Or why PriceGrabber and other services still accept advertising. I mean, it's not exactly a hidden story, everyone knows exactly what's going on, and one of the magazines published a big article about the whole scam, so... why is it tolerated?
 
Ain't That America?

Ain't That America?

BG,

Perhaps the AG got some death threats of his own. I guess the "land of opportunity" is open to interpretation. What are we teaching the next generation? It's OK to rip people off as long as you don't get caught? No wonder our once respected country is getting *****-slapped by the rest of the world.

“This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it”, Al Capone.

I'm now looking at my HD fall foliage shots. Awesome.. but still wish I had a DVX. Hopefully my current work for a US Senator running for Prez in '08 will bring in enough for one.

I guess we can just wait and see if anyone has the maracas to take up the challenge.

Peace

SB
 
One thing that I've noticed about retail scammers/welfare cheats/etc of foreign extraction, is that in the 'we caught you' footage, they are indignant, aggressive, self-righteous, and obviously feel that they have every right to cheat/steal/rip off, and that anyone who suggests otherwise, is fair target for threats and/or actual battery.

For some reason, 1st, 2nd, etc-generation Americans seem to have a little more tendency to at least look sheepish, or embarrassed, when caught.

YMMV.
 
Imdb

Imdb

SadMax,

At the risk of getting entirely off subject....
I checked out your IMDB info. Your work as a set designer is phenominal. Real top-notch.

Being in LA you may know an old high school buddy of mine, Wally Pfister. He's the guy who gave Memento, Batman Begins and a ton of other movies their cinimagraphic style. I haven't seen him in 25 years, but we do keep in touch.

Back to the challange... I still think there are enough PO'd people out there with cameras that can anonymously post their mini-expose' footage without fear of getting fitted for cement boots.

S
 
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stanb17 said:
SadMax,

At the risk of getting entirely off subject....
I checked out your IMDB info. Your work as a set designer is phenominal. Real top-notch.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

stanb17 said:
Being in LA you may know an old high school buddy of mine, Wally Pfister. He's the guy who gave Memento, Batman Begins and a ton of other movies their cinimagraphic style.
Click to expand...

Haven't worked with him yet, but I sure hope to.
 
There is one easy way to solve this problem and put these people out of business for good.... Do your research. Don't buy a 6k product from some company you don't know anything about. Don't buy a candy bar from some strange looking dude on the street, etc. etc.

Of course that will never happen. Really if you wanna go real bts, style exposing. You need to do some ordering of products online, etc. The whole nine. Order 10 things from each company. Then you take that footage to somebody like an AG (or more likely- a media outlet who can take that footage to an AG) and ask them why nobody is doing anything about it. Going in the store isn't going to solve the problem anyways. The problem is online. That's where you have to go.

The only way to really get results is to stick it in somebody's face, who is aware, has the power to do something, but has been sitting on his hands. But, if you can't do it in a big way, it won't matter. Nobody will care about a magazine article. Most people won't ever hear about it. It has to be picked up by the mainstream media. For that, you have to find a good marketing schtick.
Jason
 
Sad Max said:
For some reason, 1st, 2nd, etc-generation Americans seem to have a little more tendency to at least look sheepish, or embarrassed, when caught.

YMMV.
Click to expand...

Hey max no offence but that is off topic and stereotyping.
 
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