Terrible. There warehouse seems to have closed down now. No camera and $4000 out of pocket 4 weeks later. Contacting the department of fair trading and police now. Scam.
Hello I ordered a Nikon D5200 for 7-8 weeks ago, and untill now I got nothing from them. What happened with them? I hope they will refund all my payment or I'll lodge a complain to that local police.
If anyone wants to contact me re forming a group so we can organise a coordinated effort against 'Import Stock' (ITAP Australia Pty Limited), then, send me an email (genevieveburnett[at]yahoo.com.au) and I will send you more details.
Do not use Import Stock, its a scam and you will be robbed. They have retreated to Hong Kong. Police and other authorities in Australia are not taking any action although it is very well documented and many complaints lodged. Many, many Australians have been duped by these thieves, do not become another one. There are various legal efforts out there if you have been robbed. A liquidator has also been appointed in Hong Kong.
The Nigerian scam victim experience – except you get your money back after approximately 7 weeks.
Import Stock Pty Ltd in a nutshell: The Nigerian scam victim experience – except you get your money back after approximately 7 weeks.
I read some good reviews of Import Stock and even called their local number to sus them out before taking the plunge and purchasing a Canon C300 which retails here for $15K - call me crazy for spending so much online but they were selling it for $11K.
Over the 7 weeks I exchanged over 70 emails with Tommy, their Hong Kong dispatch guy/ salesman, to chase up the camera’s whereabouts, that I was told at the time of sale, was meant to take 7 - 10 working days to reach me.
I never realized the process of procurement could be so dramatic. The plots and subplots presented to me by Tommy over the 7 week period narrated the camera’s journey across air and stormy seas (I kid you not) - to get from a Canon factory to the Import Stock warehouse – had a story arch that would make Herman Melville turn in his grave and me turn in my bed, for many, many nights.
So why stick out for 7 weeks?
Well, after you commit 2 to 3 weeks to one shady company who’s to say the other overseas online companies are any better. So what’s another week or two? I thought that if I chose another company, maybe this long arduous process would start over again.
But 7 weeks is a long time. It cost me a month of shooting. In retrospect, I believe my loyalty to Import Stock Pty Ltd (despite the obvious signs) was born out of a mild attachment to the guy who took my money hostage – probably somewhat similar to what Stockholm syndrome sufferers go through.
Tommy, seemed to me to do whatever he could to get me the camera despite the immense shortcomings of Import Stock Pty Ltd. From coming in to work sick, to trying to source my camera from Taiwan to accepting a diverted call from his bed at 4am / 5am HK time to speak to me (without me realizing I was being diverted to him, I must add).
His perseverance despite the insurmountable challenged he faced – with his company promising to sell something they could not realistically obtain.
Tommy’s honesty challenged my customer-is-always-right values and transformed my feeling from anger and frustration to guilt, shame, patience and understanding. So much so, that when Tommy asked me whether I could read any other language, because they couldn't configure the camera menu to English, I contemplated learning another language.
After 6 weeks, when my wife pointed out to me that I was duped, that my money was gone and never to return but that it was ok (she is very understanding) I found myself not defending my ego (which was crushed at this point) but instead defending Tommy – arguing that I knew him and believed in him and that it would be out of character for him to do something like that (and quietly conceding that if he did steal my money, he truly deserved it anyway).
Eventually, Tommy conceded that he could not give me the camera I wanted as I had expected it (with an English menu and proper firmware). I asked for a full refund and it took nearly two weeks to receive it in full!!! (This I felt, added real insult to injury)
Import Stock Pty Ltd. stock took my money, promised to get me something they never could get and after 5.5 weeks of waiting It took nearly 2 weeks receive my full refund.
I think Tommy is wasted talent in Import Stock. Despite all the issues, and lost sleep, he still sends me the occasional email to ask about the Camera I now had ordered from ebay (and received within 2 days in perfect condition).
Maybe others have had good experiences but I wouldn't recommend buying from Import Stock Pty Ltd to my worst enemies.
I should have known better.... I used a price search engine for Cordless Headsets (Sony RF4000F) and then Import Stock came out the winner many times. I decided to go with them but 4 weeks later when nothing had arrived (and no emails) I called their 1300 number to find out it is an IT solutions company that sells consumer items part time. Short summary…lots of promises on dates…eventually the two sets arrived but with UK plugs (which are integrated into the power converter so we have to use plug adapters with the very heavy UK plugs). What a complete waste of time and effort by me. I hope their IT business gets more focus and accuracy around what Customer Service is ! Avoid.
Ordered the 5d Mark III - promised it would be delivered in 1 week...after 6 weeks still did not come in.
In the process of getting a refund, which has been going on for almost 2 weeks now.
Nice people when speaking to on the phone, but as an organisation - horrific, inept and either don't know what they are doing or just blatantly lie (I've assumed the former).
DO NOT USE THEM unless you go to their warehouse in Alexandria and literally see what you want.
How did you solve your problem with Import Stock. Henry (also victim Import Stock)
Import Stock Scammers, Liars, Cheats and Rip Off Merchants.
Import Stock, ITAP are Scammers and Ming is a Liar, Cheat and Rip Off Merchant.
I ordered a Canon XF300 and accessories from Import Stock to the value of $5,245.45 with a promise of a two week delivery, this sounded good as all of the contacted Canon outlets were 4 weeks delivery approx and they did not keep stock. before I placed my order a friend received delivery from import stock of his camera, I was not so fortunate. Fair trading was a waste of time as they phoned me back and said they could not successfully contact Import stock and for me to try www.cttt.nsw.gov.au/ and this Dept is a waste of time as Import Stock no longer has an address and they recommended take it up with your lawyer. My bank said they could transfer funds back to my account on the approval of import stock the account holder. Hopeless!! What's next? A fruitless joint legal effort? Ming, you need to go to jail for trading insolvent!!!
Some hope from the CTTT, as I was successful in obtaining a court order today for ITAP to pay me immediately. KC
Hi, We direct debited more than $1000 for a SLR Camera and I have emailed and called many time but no response. I have also reported them to the Australian govt- Scamwatch website. If anyone has any luck getting goods or money back, please post it!
He's back in Hong Kong now. His mobile is 92782626 in Hong Kong. His full name is Hung Ka Ming. He has a HK ID so if u search public records here u may locate him
Thank you so much for this useful information. I will contact him and harass him until I get my money back- what a total dodgy dealer!!! Do you know if anyone has got money back or goods sent? Do you know if there is anything I can do to retrieve the funds?
I ordered a Nikon D5200 for 7-8 weeks ago, and untill now I got nothing from them. What happened with them? I hope they will refund all my payment or I'll lodge a complain to that local police.
Cheers