International Spy Shop — Local services in San Francisco

If International Spy Shop tries to sell you anything, don't walk, but instead run for the hills. I'm now taking action against this rotten apple through Consumer Action and a report of consumer fraud through the Consumer Protection Division of the District Attorney's Office, because I'm entitled to a refund. On Oct. 11, 2021, an employee named Tony sold me a covert keychain camera ("camera") for my nephew for $304.14. Little did I expect either the degree of dishonesty that was present in this transaction or his refusal the next day to refund my money for the defective camera, upon presentation of the sales receipt and contrary to what California commercial law allows. First, the camera was proved defective, not just by yours truly, but by Tony himself the following day. The camera is defective because a non-defective camera is one that the buyer can make work by following the instructions without having to resort to guesswork, is one whose contents are accessible on a computer with the USB cable provided, and is one whose video functions as described in the sales transaction. Thus, the buyer, was entitled under section 2601of California's Commercial Code to "(a) Reject the whole" and to obtain other remedies under section 2711 "in addition to recovering so much of the price as has been paid". On the date of purchase, Tony reassured me that the video was high quality, since he reassured me "this isn't like one of those cameras you buy on Amazon, it's much better quality." He also stated that each camera was pre-tested by the store. But, even in fully lighted conditions, the video appears dark and green and blue at random places. Further, Tony stated that to operate the camera "you just have to follow the instructions". But the videorecording I fortunately took, just in case, shows Tony himself saying he'll check whether the camera operates according to the instruction manual, before he fails completely when he actually tries to follow the instructions. Dishonestly, to boot, because after that failure, he alleges he's following the instructions but then I call him out on that lie, since I've spotted that he's actually ignoring the instructions and has only managed to operate the camera by pressing a combination of buttons that is different from that which the instructions indicate. His dishonest tactic didn't get him too far, however, because my video recording shows him proceeding to link up the camera to the store's computer via the USB cable included with the camera, but to no avail, i.e. the camera's video remained undetected and inaccessible on the computer. So much for pre-testing. Second, California law does not permit the return policy Tony stated on the day I tried to return the camera. On the purchase date, Tony had reassured me I could return the camera in the next seven days and after that they would refer me to the manufacturer. But on the following day, when I tried to return the camera, Tony stated that the return policy was that all sales are final. According to the California Attorney General, "retailers that won't give a full refund or credit within seven days of purchase when goods are returned with a receipt, must clearly display their policy at each cash register and sales counter, or at each public entrance . . . If a store violates this law (California Civil Code section 1723) by not clearly displaying their limited or no return policy, you can return the purchased item with proof of purchase for a full refund within 30 days." None of the above requirements were met for the stated return policy's validity. The sole sign in the store near the cash register does not meet the above requirements, because it cannot "clearly display" the policy when it does not even face the customer as she or he pays, but rather has been carefully angled towards the rear of the store. Also, the requirements are not met because there are no signs with that unusual policy on any of the counters, and the requirement uses the conjunctive "AND". Lastly, there is no sign at...

We were rung up for three items at 10:35 am before we were to head out of the city, that cost $18.99 each. We were presented with a credit card slip to sign for $84.66. Without a calculator, it was easy to spot that we were about to be overcharged. The clerk showed us the computer screen that clearly listed the three items for $18.99 but then they explained that there was sales tax added. We explained that the total was clearly wrong because sales tax on $57.97 could no way be over $25.00! So they called the owner. Then they told us the owner would be in later in the afternoon and to come back! We said we needed to get on the road. Then they did another transaction that reflected the correct price, but we said that first we wanted the original amount cancelled and be given the credit card receipt that reflected that credit. The lady said "we are new hires and do not know how to do that." We told them which buttons to push on the credit card machine. They finally figured it out. Thankfully, we had never signed the first slip but did sign the refund slip. Then they asked if we still wanted the items! We would have bought them, but did not want to risk going through all of that again! It seems very irresponsible for the store owner to have two "new hires" at his store by themselves, especially when they do not know how to fix mistakes, process refunds, etc. The lady did apologize and said that being overcharged was not intentional. I believe it was not intentional on her part, but I do have a feeling that the store owner has something fishy going on because he had his employees tell us he would be in LATER to help us. Why not just walk them through what to do on the phone? I think he knew that we were probably visiting and would not be able to come back later. I will never trust this store again, and I shopped here ten years ago, the last time I...

This is the largest, most well-stocked spy shop with the widest selection of gear of any spy shop I've ever been to. The vast array of different products, gizmos, and gadgets they have is dizzying. Some of the things they have I can't even imagine them existing, and yet these folks have them. They have all the normal stuff, hidden cameras, regular cameras, electronic bugging devices, electronic bug finders, telescopes, binoculars, covert-carry products, secret compartments to stash stuff in, and much more. There is gear (and books on the topic) covering the (very tall) walls, in the display cases, and on virtually every surface visible. Despite this extensive inventory, not everything they have is on open display, so if you have a product you're after, or an application or situation you are trying to navigate, talk to one of their helpful staff. I wouldn't call these folks "spy nerds," more like "spy curators." They aren't unknowledgeable kids fresh out of high school. They are seasoned pros, with decades of experience. This is evident from even the most casual conversation with the staff there. If you've got some spying to do, our some counter-spying to do, or are trying to root out the spies in YOUR life, give these folks a visit. For what it's worth, I have visited less than a dozen shops providing spy equipment, so keep my somewhat limited experience in mind. It is possible there are better spy shops somewhere in the world, but I've...