TL;DR (Brutally Honest)
BuyDirectNY.com is a scam operation. They ignored six of my emails, sent me a $10 filter kit instead of the $1,729 Canon lens I ordered, and then tried to trick my bank with false shipping documents. They are dishonest, unresponsive, and intentionally deceptive. Do not shop there. If you see their prices and think “this seems too good to be true,” you’re right — it is.
The Backstory
On June 1, 2025, I purchased a Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L lens — a professional-grade lens retailing for over $2,000 at most vendors. The price listed at BuyDirectNY.com was enticingly low. I took the bait.
Immediately after the order, red flags appeared:
- I sent six separate emails to the company with no response.
- Weeks passed with no shipment.
- Only after I filed a dispute with Citi did a package finally arrive.
When it did, it was obvious fraud. The shipping label claimed “3 lbs,” but the package weighed less than 1 lb. Inside? Not the lens I paid for, but a Zeikos 72mm filter kit worth about $9.99.
The Scam Tactic
This is a textbook scam move:
- Ignore the buyer until a dispute is filed.
- Ship a worthless product that looks like “proof” of delivery.
- Hope the bank sides with them.
They weren’t just ignoring me — they were trying to actively deceive CitiBank into thinking I got what I paid for.
The Battle With Citi
Dealing with CitiBank was almost as frustrating as the scammer.
- Communication was only through letters in the portal — no real conversation with a person.
- They initially closed my dispute in the merchant’s favor without ever asking me for input or letting me see what the merchant submitted.
- One of the attachments submitted by the merchant (dated August 11th) couldn’t even be opened in Citi’s own app or website. The app crashed every time I tried. Yet Citi relied on it.
- They told me not to send photos (because their system doesn’t support them), then later asked me to provide proof of what I ordered versus what I received.
It felt like I was being silenced and forced to jump through hoops, all while the scammer was rewarded for their fraud.
After sending multiple rebuttals and resubmitting documents (because Citi once said my files were “illegible” ), they finally reversed their decision. On September 9, 2025, I got confirmation that the $1,729.61 credit is permanent .
What I Learned
Banks aren’t flawless. Citi eventually did the right thing, but their process is confusing, outdated, and heavily favors the vendor at first. As a cardholder, I was excluded from critical steps of the review.
If it looks too good to be true, it is. Don’t trust online retailers you can’t verify.
Scammers prey on trust. This vendor knowingly tried to steal and deceive not just me, but my bank.
Final Word
BuyDirectNY.com is not a trustworthy business — it’s a scam. They cost me months of stress, attempted theft of nearly $2,000, and a mountain of paperwork.
To anyone reading: don’t give them your money. If you see their ads or deals, run the other way.
And to Citi: protecting your customers means listening to them, not rewarding fraudsters. Update your dispute process so people like me don’t have to fight this hard to prove the obvious.
What to look at next on MichaelWoolheater.com
An Open Letter to DJI: From One Creator to Another
A heartfelt open letter from Michael Woolheater — a Sioux Falls–based photo, video, and digital marketing professional — thanking DJI for empowering creators across the U.S. and urging them not to give up their fight to keep creative tools and drones in American hands.
Keep reading
Embracing AI: A Sioux Falls Photographer’s Approach
As a Sioux Falls photographer, I embrace AI to expand my studio space and enhance digital marketing. AI enables virtual environments, accelerates editing, and optimizes content management. It amplifies marketing by targeting audiences and automating tasks. AI empowers photographers to thrive by enhancing creativity and staying ahead in a competitive market without replacing human touch.
Keep reading
A Journey Back in Time: My Experience Aboard “That’s All, Brother”
Amidst the vibrant Sioux Falls Air Show, I had the honor of boarding “That’s All, Brother,” an iconic aircraft pivotal in the Normandy campaign of 1944. This experience, connecting me to the courage of those who fought for freedom, was profoundly moving. It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made for our today, urging us to…
Keep readingSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Thank you!
Thank you for visiting! Photography is not nearly as much fun without people to share it with.
