Ritzcamera.com??

[Marty Moose]

Does anyone have any experience with them? I just pre-ordered the Sony A300 from them. Their listed price was $699 with free shipping and no sales tax which seemed like a pretty good deal. I figured they were a safe bet as they are a national chain but after doing some research I've read quite a bit negative feedback!

Now I see that Amazon has it on sale for the same price (also no shipping & no sales tax) and I'm thinking I should just cancel my other order and go with them.

Or should I just wait until they are released in stores?? But I'm guessing they will run the msrp price of $799? Amazon plans to ship 5/29 (Ritz didn't give a date) and that just seems pretty late as Sony is supposedly releasing them in late April...

Any comments or suggestions??

TIA!

 

[lilyv]

I did a ton of research before ordering my camera, and decided to order from
B&H Photo. I was very impressed with their service. I would highly recommend them, and from my reading, many, many customers feel the same way.

 

[Code]

Ritz owns the Inkleys chain around here, and I can't stand them. I would cancel out of principal.. but that's just me.

 

[MICKEY88]

I worked for Ritz camera years ago and I would buy from them in a heartbeat if they had what I wanted at a decent price,, they offer a very good extended service policy that covers just about everything except fire ,theft and nuclear war..I think they may have added terrorist attack to things they don't cover..

I had a customer who ran over his brand new slr with his pick up truck, since he had purchased the warranty he was able to bring his camera/pieces into the store in a bag, and walk out with a brand new camera..

Ritz also owns wolf camera..

 

[Marty Moose]

Thanks for the responses!

BH doesn't have the A300 available for pre-order yet, but I'm going to keep my eye out!

Mickey88 - did you have any experience with their internet sales/customer service? I know some stores have their website totally separate (for example, if you buy online they won't assist you and/or exchange items for you in the store)...is this the case with Ritz?

Now that I've seen the A200 drop to $599...I'm wondering if the A300 will settle at or near $699 upon release?

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

I purchased a D70s from Ritzcamera.com and had a very positive experience. The items arrived carefully packaged and in perfect shape. All warranties and accessories were included and when I had questions they were quick to respond. I would have purchased my D300 from them but at the time they did not have it in stock. If I am looking for new equipment and am going to purchase online I will only deal with Ritzcamera.com, B&HPhotoVideo.com or Adorama.com. I've had good experiences with each of them.

 

[MICKEY88]

Thanks for the responses!

BH doesn't have the A300 available for pre-order yet, but I'm going to keep my eye out!

Mickey88 - did you have any experience with their internet sales/customer service? I know some stores have their website totally separate (for example, if you buy online they won't assist you and/or exchange items for you in the store)...is this the case with Ritz?

Now that I've seen the A200 drop to $599...I'm wondering if the A300 will settle at or near $699 upon release?

I worked for Ritz before their internet sales existed, so I really don't know

 

[Abby's Dad]

Thanks for the responses!

BH doesn't have the A300 available for pre-order yet, but I'm going to keep my eye out!

Mickey88 - did you have any experience with their internet sales/customer service? I know some stores have their website totally separate (for example, if you buy online they won't assist you and/or exchange items for you in the store)...is this the case with Ritz?

Now that I've seen the A200 drop to $599...I'm wondering if the A300 will settle at or near $699 upon release?

I believe that Ritz on-line is completely and totally separate from their retail, even though both are owned by the same company - they are separate entities, which is why Ritz on-line doesn't charge state sales tax, even when shipping to states where there are Ritz stores - sleazy, but legal.

 

[oogieboogieman]

I prefer to stay out of that store, my wallet can't handle it! It's difficult for me because they don't carry a lot of acessories for Olympus cameras. It's pretty much kit camera and maybe a flash. No additional lenses etc... I would like to see what I'm getting before I buy it. I've found that it's cheaper to purchase over the internet and sometimes no sales tax. Thanks

 

[manning]

I believe that Ritz on-line is completely and totally separate from their retail, even though both are owned by the same company - they are separate entities, which is why Ritz on-line doesn't charge state sales tax, even when shipping to states where there are Ritz stores - sleazy, but legal.

That's true. The test is if you have a location in a state you have to charge tax. By making it a separate company they don't have to.

They also own Wolf camera.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I bought mine(a Nikon though) in store after looking up prices and decided to the they extended warranty since it covers accidental, dust(a big NEED here) and water damage. I just hope they hold up to there "warranty" and from others sounds like they do.

 

[alloyd1170]

Another vote for B& H Video. I have bought several cameras and lenses from them. I found their prices to be lower (way lower than Ritz), and my items arrived very fast.

The only thing I do with Ritz (the store) is to physically see and item or buy small accessories. Their prices are way too high and our store employees aren't very friendly or helpful.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Does anyone have any experience with them? I just pre-ordered the Sony A300 from them. Their listed price was $699 with free shipping and no sales tax which seemed like a pretty good deal. I figured they were a safe bet as they are a national chain but after doing some research I've read quite a bit negative feedback!

Now I see that Amazon has it on sale for the same price (also no shipping & no sales tax) and I'm thinking I should just cancel my other order and go with them.

Or should I just wait until they are released in stores?? But I'm guessing they will run the msrp price of $799? Amazon plans to ship 5/29 (Ritz didn't give a date) and that just seems pretty late as Sony is supposedly releasing them in late April...

Any comments or suggestions??

TIA!

Even though you don't have to pay a sales tax when you order from many companies online, New Jersy tax laws require that you file a Form ST-18 and pay a 7% Use Tax. You can read more here. There really isn't a tax savings for buying online, just more paperwork for you.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

And don't forget, the shipping charges are subject to the Use Tax as well (assuming that the purchased item itself is not exempt.

 

[mom2mykids]

I was trying to decide about Ritz or Amazon. Amazon's ship date is May and Sony.com is April. And I think Ritz still doesn't say. Amazon's price was higher a few days ago but now is inline with the sony site and a few other places. The 2 lense kit came down in price that I might just buy that instead of the one lense. Amazon also has a 4 year extended service plan that is way cheaper than Ritz and sony but I wonder about it, you know - you get what you pay for type of thing.

 

[MICKEY88]

I was trying to decide about Ritz or Amazon. Amazon's ship date is May and Sony.com is April. And I think Ritz still doesn't say. Amazon's price was higher a few days ago but now is inline with the sony site and a few other places. The 2 lense kit came down in price that I might just buy that instead of the one lense. Amazon also has a 4 year extended service plan that is way cheaper than Ritz and sony but I wonder about it, you know - you get what you pay for type of thing.

check to see what is covered by the service plans...

Ritz covers accidental damage , most plans don't

 

[mom2mykids]

Does anyone have any experience with them? I just pre-ordered the Sony A300 from them. Their listed price was $699 with free shipping and no sales tax which seemed like a pretty good deal. I figured they were a safe bet as they are a national chain but after doing some research I've read quite a bit negative feedback!

Now I see that Amazon has it on sale for the same price (also no shipping & no sales tax) and I'm thinking I should just cancel my other order and go with them.

Or should I just wait until they are released in stores?? But I'm guessing they will run the msrp price of $799? Amazon plans to ship 5/29 (Ritz didn't give a date) and that just seems pretty late as Sony is supposedly releasing them in late April...

Any comments or suggestions??

TIA!

Hey i was just on the sony website and they are shipping the alpha 300 April 9th! I was going to order from amazon, since I have a few gift cards there but they say a ship date of May 25th! I think I'll wait until next week to see if amazon changes their date, otherwise I'll probably order from Sony.

 

[cmwade77]

Ok, Ritz Camera is one of the best, their return policy and extended warranty are among the creme of the crop and the online and physical stores do work together, in states where they are required to charge tax, they actually adjust the price of the camera so that you pay the price on the website and they pay the sales tax for you, nothing sleezy or illegal about it, they even tell you this on their website here.

Here is where I will buy cameras from now (In order of preference):

1. Ritz Camera
2. Staples
3. Office Depot
4. Best Buy (Only when buying a waterproof camera as if it is not their extended warranties do not cover water damage, their new warranties offer gift cards in the amount of the original purchase and if you buy the higher end one it covers accidental damage)
5. Costco
6. Taget (only if you are not going to give the camera as a gift as their extended warranties are nontransferable)

Do not buy from:

• Fry's Electrionics (they do not honor their extended warranties)
• Circuit City (no one seems to want to help you there any more)
• Amazon.com (unless they now offer extended warranties that covers everything listed below)
• CompUSA (too many financial difficulties, who knows if they will be around to honor their warranty)
• Direct from the manufacturer, unless the offer an extended warranty that covers all of what is listed below.

If you visit theme parks often a GOOD extended warranty is well worth the money and piece of mind (note that for most people an extended warranty is a bad investment), be sure it covers ALL of the following items:

• Accidental Drops (from any height)
• Water Damage
• Battery Failure (if your camera comes with a rechargeable battery)
• Your Battery charger
• Damage to the lens(es)
• Sensor Damage
• Damage to the LCD Screen
• Power Surges
• Power Spikes
• Power Drops
• Vehicles runnng over the camera
• People stepping on the camera
• Other accidents
• Functional damage from dust and/or dirt (Cosmetic damage is never covered under warranties)
• Buttons coming off
• Knobs wearing out

I have needed to use the extended warranties several times in the past due to visiting theme parks and all of this is based on personal experience with the extended warranties as far as who to buy from and who not to buy from.

 

[mom2mykids]

I'm in Maryland sothat tax part applies to me. Thats good to know. Thanks for posting that link

 

[AndrewWG]

Ok, Ritz Camera is one of the best, their return policy and extended warranty are among the creme of the crop and the online and physical stores do work together, in states where they are required to charge tax, they actually adjust the price of the camera so that you pay the price on the website and they pay the sales tax for you, nothing sleezy or illegal about it, they even tell you this on their website here.

Here is where I will buy cameras from now (In order of preference):

1. Ritz Camera
2. Staples
3. Office Depot
4. Best Buy (Only when buying a waterproof camera as if it is not their extended warranties do not cover water damage, their new warranties offer gift cards in the amount of the original purchase and if you buy the higher end one it covers accidental damage)
5. Costco
6. Taget (only if you are not going to give the camera as a gift as their extended warranties are nontransferable)

Do not buy from:

• Fry's Electrionics (they do not honor their extended warranties)
• Circuit City (no one seems to want to help you there any more)
• Amazon.com (unless they now offer extended warranties that covers everything listed below)
• CompUSA (too many financial difficulties, who knows if they will be around to honor their warranty)
• Direct from the manufacturer, unless the offer an extended warranty that covers all of what is listed below.

If you visit theme parks often a GOOD extended warranty is well worth the money and piece of mind (note that for most people an extended warranty is a bad investment), be sure it covers ALL of the following items:

• Accidental Drops (from any height)
• Water Damage
• Battery Failure (if your camera comes with a rechargeable battery)
• Your Battery charger
• Damage to the lens(es)
• Sensor Damage
• Damage to the LCD Screen
• Power Surges
• Power Spikes
• Power Drops
• Vehicles runnng over the camera
• People stepping on the camera
• Other accidents
• Functional damage from dust and/or dirt (Cosmetic damage is never covered under warranties)
• Buttons coming off
• Knobs wearing out

I have needed to use the extended warranties several times in the past due to visiting theme parks and all of this is based on personal experience with the extended warranties as far as who to buy from and who not to buy from.

I would agree with this if you are looking to get an extended warranty only, but a quick search shows that the price you pay for a camera at Ritz is significantly more than at Amazon for example. I looked at the Canon 5D body only and at Ritz it is $2500, but at Amazon it is $2145. That is a $355 difference! I'd probably deal with Ritz more if this wasn't the case with most of their pricing. They are a major player in the market, I think, and they really need to fall in line with their pricing a bit more.