digital camera nightmare

[cowboydoc]

I bought a new digital camcorder with the digital camera built into it. Problem is the software to download the pictures from the camera to the computer was missing. It was a sealed box. It's a Sony and I bought it at Best Buy. I went back to Best Buy and they said I had to call Sony to get the software. Called Sony and they said that I had to get it from Best Buy. Problem is it seems the software is $120 and neither side wants to pay for it. I could just return the camera but unless it's broken Best Buy charges you a 15% restocking fee to return camcorders. Is there any other software that will work with this unit?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[TonyC]

If you're sure the software was supposed to come with the camera I would march right down to Best Buy and get the store manager. I recently had an issue with a freezer and Best Buy bent over backwards to make sure I was happy. At the very least I'm sure he will take it back with no restocking fee.

To answer your question there is a lot of software out there to manipulate images but I am not aware of one that will allow you to download from a camera other than what came with the camera. I'd be very surprised if Best Buy didn't make it right.

 

[cowboydoc]

Tony,
Yes I was pretty surprised as well. I talked to the manager and they said there was nothing they could do when it was sold in a closed box. I was not happy at all. If you guys knew a quick fix I was just going to do that. If not I'm going to call their corporate office today.

 

[RoyJackson]

Go directly BACK to Bestbuy, insist on a replacement IMMEDIATELY! No restocking fees...zip...new box, new camera. Accept NO excuse or redirection. If need be, talk to the store manager, and if that doesn't work...the regional manager.

I've returned items for replacement at Bestbuy with no hassles.I think you were getting the run-around.
By the way, Bestbuy sold you an incomplete product. It's their responsibility.

I do suggest when you get your replacement, you insist on opening the box at the store to ensure everything is present and accounted for.

 

[BobT]

I'm with Roy on this one. No question, you are entitled to a complete and NEW product, or complete refund.

It is great that all these stores have no-questions-asked returns policies. The other side of this coin, is too much used junk resold as new.

I do not shop at BestBuy, but I can tell you from repeated personal experience that our local OfficeMax and CircuitCity, among many others, simply RE-SHRINKWRAP returned merchandise and put it right back out on the shelf. I once even bought a cassette recorder, which had someone's USED tape in it, with a handwritten label! Also, the registration card was missing. This was an OfficeMax deal. They TRIED to tell me they couldn't take it back, because it was used. Yes, I explained, because they SOLD it used.

Don't put up with this nonesense. Next time, demand that the box be opened at the store, and make sure you are really getting a new and COMPLETE product. Why should you have to go back and beg for components that are missing???

Check the cords, if any, to see if they have been unwound and then repacked loosely, missing registration cards, other evidence of missing parts or prior use. If it is USED, then get a USED price, which to me means at least 50% off.

 

[Michael_S]

Cowboydoc,I also have a Sony mini DV camera. It came with a cd-rom labeled Sony Pictute Gear Lite, v, 4.1. Windows 98/95/NT4.0.Never opened the package because I work on a Mac.If it is what you are looking for, and you want it, I will mail it to you.

 

[cowboydoc]

Yes I believe that is it hayseed. If you really don't mind sending it to me that would sure be appreciated. You can email me at mesasage@machlink.com. Thanks much,
Richard

 

[looch]

Man, Richard - you're not having much luck with your purchases lately are you?

Paul

 

[cowboydoc]

Paul,
No not the best of luck for sure!! That seems to be my last couple months though. You name it it has gone wrong. My problem is I don't have time to go in and fight with them on these things. The store is 45 minutes from my house. You know you can't get anything done on the phone.

 

[Golfgar4]

Let's see /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif. You bought a sealed package that claimed to have X number of items/products inside. When you open it, the package is missing item(s). Might that not constitute false advertising on the part of BestBuy and/or the manufacturer? After all, they charged you full price and advertised the item as having the various items included.

Now I realize that this argument in all likelihood wouldn't hold up legally, but it could be a little more ammunition in your "discussions" with BestBuy and/or Sony.

It's an unfortunate statement about our retail businesses, but I have gotten in the habit of opening all boxes/packages to check to see if everything is there before I leave the store.

 

[rmorgan]

Richard--

What a pain. You certainly should have the disc, and it sounds like the Best Buy folks must be in cahoots with your used-car dealer /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. But there may also be some hope. I lost the disc for my Sony digital a while back and after a bunch of calling, tracked down a Sony website with a lot of drivers on it. I'm just giving the link for my driver, but I think if you click around there you might find others. Try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/service/usb5.2.shtml>http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/service/usb5.2.shtml</A> This site won't have any image-editing or other stuff, but at least having the driver will get you on the right track while you wrestle with Sony/BB.

Good luck.

 

[cowboydoc]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Problem is you have to have the software supposedly to make it work. Stupid Sony has some propietary deal with the software mfg. that the camera will only work if you load that cd or anyway that's what they told me.

 

[MikePA]

Richard, a better (IMHO) method to get the still pictures from the video camera to the PC is to remove the memory stick from the video camera and put it in a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allusb.com/products/P11272.html>Memory Stick Reader</A>.

This makes the Memory Stick look just like another drive to your PC. You can then use Windows Explorer to copy the files to your hard drive.

They also make a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mpsuperstore.com/digital/indexMy.htm?discr6077.htm>PCMCIA</A> card that will hold a Memory Stick for use with a laptop.

 

[cowboydoc]

Hi Mike,
Where can you buy those? That would certainly be much better than the downloading.

Thanks,
Richard

 

[MikePA]

Richard,

Click on this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.us.buy.com/retail/searchresults.asp?search_store=1&querytype=comp&qu=memory+stick&loc=101>link</A> and you'll see what buy.com has. I've purchased a lot from them and have been very pleased.

Mike

 

[TerryinMD]

CBD,

Either way, you would still be downloading the images. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

I can't remember if you have XP or not. If you do, XP has the capability of just plugging in the camera via your USB connection and you'll be off and running. At least, that is the way it worked with my Kodak Digital camera.

Terry

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>Either way, you would still be downloading the images. </font color=blue>
True, but with a reader, there's no need to have the video camera powered up and sitting within cable distance to the PC. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[s1120]

What camera did you get? I am also looking for a camcorder that takes digital stills.

 

[rf33]

Getting the images from a memory stick should be easy enough with a USB memory stick reader, but some cameras do not store the images seperately, but just use a digital frame capture from a standard video stream. If the camera stores the image on a memory stick, I think that you are in luck, but if it is one of the later type, you just might have to have that proprietary program after all.

 

[MikePA]

I have a Sony video camera that uses the Memory Stick. Assuming Richard's is similar, there's a still picture shutter release on the top, back of the camera that you trigger with your right index finger, just like a standard digital camera. The image is stored as a JPEG file on the Memory Stick. The only 'problem' is, at least on mine, it's only a 640x480 image.