In November 2006, I called Fotocharlie, Batu Pahat to ask about Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 digital camera. A male sales representative confirmed with me that Fotocharlie had stock of silver and black FZ7 selling at RM1599 (USD455) with a free 512MB SD card.

A few days later, I went to Fotocharlie, The Summit Batu Pahat at 5.45pm to buy that camera. I was standing there for more than half an hour and nobody attended me. The male representatives were busy teasing the female representatives. The female representatives were giggling away. At last I asked one of the man about Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7. He then called out for a girl. The girl (wearing yellow Fotocharlie t-shirt) knew nothing about camera. She said there was no such model as Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 (she couldn't even pronounce "FZ7"). When I insisted, she said she never came across such model of all the "years" she worked there.

Then I asked her to call the headquarter. She called and replied that the HQ confirmed Panasonic has no such model.

I called the HQ myself and another girl picked up the phone. She was giggling away. I asked for the manager, she said the manager was on leave. She ganged up with the salesgirl to make fun of me.

I got frustrated by the unprofessional ethic of Fotocharlie. I hope Fotocharlie will properly train its staff in order not to trash its reputation as an established company.

I canceled my plan to have any deal with Fotocharlie. I am going to Kuala Lumpur to get the camera.