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Hi

Before I start I would like to thank you for any info you can provide.
I have recently purchased a Sony DCR-PC350 from a seller via eBay.
After researching the camcorder I discovered that it was retailing from
£700-£1000 and was delighted when I won the auction at £345.

However the camcorder I have received does claim to be a Sony DCR-PC350 but it just can't be! The picture quality is poor, it's even worse when using the zoom and the sound is appalling. Check out this photo of what I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....bayphotohosting


There are other auctions for the same type of camcorder. When I search on Google for a Sony DCR-PC350 I see a totally different camcorder (see photo):




I cannot find images of my camcorder on Google or Sony.co.uk. I have a few burning questions:


Q1. Have you ever seen the camcorder I have?
Q2. Is it really a Sony DCR-PC350?
Q3. If it is a real Sony why is it called such a similar name to another
style of camcorder?
Q4. Do you think it is a fake?

Any help would be really great...1st time on here so sorry if the photo's don't work. Infact if they don't you can see an identical camcorder on an ebay auction at Ebay UK


Another point which might assist you guys is that on the flip out screen it states "DV7000"...is this an old or foreign model?


Pete

it looks like you got duped big time. i did some googling and found this:

http://www.ebay.pl/viItem?ItemId=7531975084

http://www.ztradingpost.com/product...8C/2077474.aspx

i don't know if this is some sort of early model that became the pc350 in the next version or year model, but you certainly have reason to be upset in my opinion.

Well, I could relate my own eBay horror stories, but regarding this camcorder, it does not look a PC350, even though PC350 comes in both a silver and a black models. First of all sensor on PC350 is a CCD not a CMOS. Secondly, the battery is a Li FF battery not AA alkaline batteries. Thirdly, the LCD is 2.5" not 1.5". Finally, Sony uses Memory Stick not SD and image sizes do not correspond.

I don't know which country DV7000 is sold; I don't even recognize the linked language.

TS

I did some Googling too and this site shows what the "camcorder" really is: http://shopper.howstuffworks.com/pr...-1/PID-23772920

It's a Nikai DV7000 flash memory card camcorder; very similar to the cheap nontape Musteks that are out there. Apparently, the seller badged it as a Sony and sold it for more than the camera is worth. If you noticed, the DV7000 doesn't even take DV tapes. Also, it doesn't look like a Sony camera; although it looks more like a Canon camera, but still it's fake. I've seen this camera around eBay being sold under different well-known brand names. The model number of the camera itself would alert those who are familiar with Sony model number conventions as it lacks a "DCR-TRV/PC/HC###" model number. Apparently eBay is full of scums and sadly you got caught in one of their scams.

OUCH!! and you already left the seller a positive feedback too. that's really too bad. you learned a hard lesson and i'm sure it will be the last time you let that happen.

There is an eBay procedure that you could follow to try to recover the money. I've done that with a couple of unscrupulous merchants; however, I'm going to say flat out that it's not going to be easy. I maybe reaching to a conclusion too soon, but I believe you are dealing with a scammer or an irresponsible merchant, who cared less about what he was selling. I don't think you're dealing with a merchant, who made an honest mistake of confusing Sony models.

I don't know the UK version of the FBI, the Scotland Yard? There's a FBI site called IFCC (Internet Fraud Complaint Center) or NW3C ( National White Collar Crime Center). But these sites are mostly, in my dealings, were for collecting data, not an investigative division setup to deal with each fraudulent crime. If I recall correctly I think I filed close to 8 pages of crime report for one incident. You are mostly on your own to investigate, contact offending party, to cantact the local law enforcement agency, to recover monetary transactions etc. In another case it took me 9 months just to repeal a false fabricated negative feedback; it'll take lot's of time and moreover, many many layers of bureaucracy to go through in order to get a single thing done in eBay system. I hope you don't have a heart problem or a high blood pressure condition. If you need any help with information from a guy with an experience, let me know.

TS

You guys are great, I can't believe how many people have not only responded but have replied with really helpful advice and research.

I took the camcorder into a Sony shop in Manchester, England and they confirmed it was a fake but wouldn't provide me with any written confirmation. I then rang the seller, a girl in Glasgow, Scotland but her sister explained she was on holiday for a week...I wonder where she got the money from for that!?

My plan is to wait until she returns, there is still a slim chance she didn't realise it's a fake. Therefore it is only right that she has the opportunity to put things right. If she doesn't agree to pay I'll have to sort things out another way. I certainly don't plan to put this piece of crap back on eBay and leave someone else out of pocket.

I'll let you all know what happens.

Thank you once again.

Pete

P.S How big was my camcorder photo on the original post??!

Today I have come across a link to a similar model
costing just $69 with the same advertisement pattern.
I fell such camcorder has been rebranded as fake sony dcrpc350
and sold to you for a whopping price...

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...uct_code=317202

Ya..U could take it up with ebay...so that the seller
doesnt hoodwink others...

Gautam

Hello nice Camcorder people!

Thought it would be courteous to provide you all with an update.

I spoke to the seller of the fake camcorder and after some gentle persuasion she's repaid all the money! So all's well that ends well!

Thank you for all the advice that you guys provided, so I guess I'm back in the market again for a camcorder.

If you can help again that would be great:

Budget: £350
+x10 Optical zoom
Good in low light
Good picture quality
Good sound quality

What do you think I should go for?

Pete!

i just recently made a trip to LA... and while i was there i saw
a bunch of camcorders being sold in the fashion district of downtown
LA... i was esactic about it being SONY, and not being skeptical about
it i purchased it for $200... and so i fell for the same trap that Pete
did... i thought it was SOny and when i came home to research this
model on ebay it display a Nikai Dv 7000.. i knew it was too good to be
true... argh... what can i do about this??? the emblem says sony and
everything down to the name on the bag... = (

Pete, glad to hear you got the situation resolved and thanks for telling us the outcome.

By one of the new posts in this thread seems there is a scam going on...


Rich

Nahe1109

Your situation is slightly different to mine pal...I don't think you'll be able to get your money back on that camera. Avoid the temptation to sell it on eBay, you'll only sting another innocent person.

It's easy for my to say because I got my money back but $200 is £111.46 according to Xe.com, so in the grand scheme of things it's not that big a loss, although the principle of the thing is what sticks in the throat.

How about an inventive way of recouping some money, like writing an article to a travel or consumer magazine/newspaper/website warning other would be bargain hunters of your experience, you never know you might get paid for it...just an idea pal!

Hope that helps

Pete

P.S Poncho..can you offer some advice on a camcorder for me, my budget/spec details are in my last post...cheers

Pete, I don't like to recommend specific camcorders as different people have various expectations. I have a Sony HC40 which has worked out well for me. In your approximate price range you might want to consider Panasonic PV-GS150, Panasonic PV-GS65, Canon Elura 90 or Canon Optura 50, but "Good in low light" is a much debated issue, consider an external light.


Rich

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FireWire Survey

Hey all, I'm the dude responsible for the CamcorderInfo.com blog. I posted about this on there earlier today , but I'd like to keep chasing this up. Has anybody got a specific location that they have seen these camcorders for sale?

Thanks,

Richard Baguley

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Visit the CamcorderInfo Blog!
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About a week after I wrote the reply in this thread, I actually came across the Nikai DV7000 "dressed" up as a Sony at the Northrop Grumman (formerly TRW) swapmeet. I took a look at it, and it feels just as heavy as a real DV camcorder, but it lacks real DV camcorder features, especially a tape transport and CCDs. For seasoned Sony products followers, it's easy to spot a fake, but unfortunately some don't, especially our friend Pete here. I'm surprised the word has gotten out fast.