B&H

[SteveDH]

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight forward.

I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[Baywing]

It still amazes me the number of people who will still deal with Ritz. Seems like you pay more and get more, too (aggrevation, that is) And B&H is not the only one out there selling at good prices. I use Service Photo in Baltimore. Prices are almost what B&H gets, no grey, and they stand behind what they sell.

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[Timothy St. Hilaire]

Ritz Camera can't hear you Steve. They would have to find out what that 'new fangled city-folk' invention known as the INTERNET is first. Then, after starring at hamsterdance.com for a few months, they would finally read your post, and by that time the D2 will be in stock at B&H or CameraWorld.

Ritz is great for some things, but not really high-end friendly. If you need an Olympus Stylus zoom, they will give you a good price. If you need an F5, they will laugh at you and try to sell an N65 with a Quantary lens.

Sites like these help people discover good stores like B&H and Cameraworld, and show people exact specifications so they can decide what is right for them.

it is a good day for the internet

 

[jk]

timothy in case you didnt relize camerawold =ritz
cameraworld was bought out by ritz

Ti

Ritz Camera can't hear you Steve. They would have to find out
what that 'new fangled city-folk' invention known as the INTERNET
is first. Then, after starring at hamsterdance.com for a few
months, they would finally read your post, and by that time the D2
will be in stock at B&H or CameraWorld.

Ritz is great for some things, but not really high-end friendly.
If you need an Olympus Stylus zoom, they will give you a good
price. If you need an F5, they will laugh at you and try to sell
an N65 with a Quantary lens.

Sites like these help people discover good stores like B&H and
Cameraworld, and show people exact specifications so they can
decide what is right for them.

it is a good day for the internet

--
beam me up scotty

im giving it all shes got captain

 

[Gary Franklin]

I guess I got lucky with Ritz. I ordered a D100 from them on July 1 and had it July 5. I normally order from B&H, but this time they were rude and couldn't give me a clear answer on price or how long I would have to wait for a D100. That is the only time I have ever used Ritz and have used B&H for lots of stuff from bodies to film.... in fact I just ordered a 28-105 from them.
Gary

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[Raul]

I had always used B&H but I ordered a battery for the D100 and found to my not pleasant surprise that the courier cost was US$98 (to Chile) and it used to be around $50 a week or so ago. I asked and they said that it was correct and that was that. Of course I did not order.

One would think that they have special agreements with Fedex and special prices. Shame.

Regards
Raul

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[phototalk123]

That is exactly what I did too. I order D100 from Ritz and that is the
only time I have ever use it, becuase I know they will have more
shippments than B&H (been the largest photo retailer in US).
Other than that, I buyg everything else from B&H, and Adorama.
Recently incident with Adorama makes me don't want to deal
with them anymore. Cameraworld.com used to be my other resources,
because with Rangerfinder Magazine subscription, Cameraworld.com
give out a good discount (I have saved more than $120 dollars
over the already good price cameraworld.com give me when
I placed my F100 order back in 1999.)

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[Troy Tripamer]

I ordered mine from Ritz TWO days later and cancelled in August and got one in two days from a dealer in Louisana through a contact on this forum.

Most everything I order now comes from B&H as they have never failed me but they too were having problems delivering the D100 but honest enough to tell you so and just shove your shipping date around as Ritz did. In fact, one Thursday Ritz' web site said they had my camera "in stock and reserved" and late on Friday changed it to backorder an additional two weeks. That is when I cancelled and went to Dee's Photo in Louisana.

Yes, Gary, you were one of the lucky ones and I am glad for you.

Troy

PS I am lucky too to have friends on this forum who helped me get my D100 a couple of weeks ago.

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

--
Love the ocean love the beach come visit Virginia Beach (VA USA)
My galleries: http://www.pbase.com/troysup

 

[Joe Jensen]

Yes, I was bummed. I bought most of my film gear from Cameraworld. I've actually found a great local dealer who charges pretty much what B&H does. The difference is I have to pay 7.4% sales tax, but I don't pay shipping, they guarentee fresh stock, I get to test the equipment are return if not satisfactory, etc. For me, the 7.4% tax is a reasonable price to pay for the local service. Not sure how long they can stay in business with WEB margins at a brick and mortar store. I was there Saturday and they even had the Haikuba and Bogen carbon fibre tripods at the same price as B&H..joe

Ti

Ritz Camera can't hear you Steve. They would have to find out
what that 'new fangled city-folk' invention known as the INTERNET
is first. Then, after starring at hamsterdance.com for a few
months, they would finally read your post, and by that time the D2
will be in stock at B&H or CameraWorld.

Ritz is great for some things, but not really high-end friendly.
If you need an Olympus Stylus zoom, they will give you a good
price. If you need an F5, they will laugh at you and try to sell
an N65 with a Quantary lens.

Sites like these help people discover good stores like B&H and
Cameraworld, and show people exact specifications so they can
decide what is right for them.

it is a good day for the internet

--
beam me up scotty

im giving it all shes got captain

 

[Timothy St. Hilaire]

Ritz bought Cameraworld?

Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Standard Oil are names that pop in to mind when I heard this

that's pretty sneaky.....

 

[Moon]

B&H is the exception, not the rule, but they have a B&M store in NYC that is 1/2 a city block (that means GIGANTIC!!!). I go to NYC on business frequently and I always stop in. Great place.

They have the model correct. That is, they have learned to survive as a B&M and a mail/Internet order store. Locals could follow suit. There is only one B&H, like most local stores. I think the locals could learn A LOT from B&H!

Ti

Ritz Camera can't hear you Steve. They would have to find out
what that 'new fangled city-folk' invention known as the INTERNET
is first. Then, after starring at hamsterdance.com for a few
months, they would finally read your post, and by that time the D2
will be in stock at B&H or CameraWorld.

Ritz is great for some things, but not really high-end friendly.
If you need an Olympus Stylus zoom, they will give you a good
price. If you need an F5, they will laugh at you and try to sell
an N65 with a Quantary lens.

Sites like these help people discover good stores like B&H and
Cameraworld, and show people exact specifications so they can
decide what is right for them.

it is a good day for the internet

--
beam me up scotty

im giving it all shes got captain

 

[DennisASA]

I guess I got lucky with Ritz. I ordered a D100 from them on July
1 and had it July 5.> Gary

So YOU'RE the one who won the eBay auction!! )

Dennis
--
http://www.pbase.com/jokasmophia/galleries/inbox

 

[Jim Paton]

I won't deal with Adorama either after a bag experience either.
When I placed my order, I specifically asked if I had to be there
to sign for the package and was told no. When I got home from
work, I had the little note on the door saying a signature was
required. (It's a long way to the UPS office so having them hold
the package wasn't an option.) When I called Adorama about it,
they straight out called me a thief on the phone! I was a long
time customer too. I let UPS return the package and cancelled
the credit card charge when they tried to charge me for shipping.
I use B&H for just about everything now. I'm sure glad I don't
have any Ritz experience after all the problems I've been reading
about here.

Jim

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[Dan Desjardins]

When I called Adorama about it,
they straight out called me a thief on the phone!

Why - did they give you a reason for thinking you were not legit?
B & H usually ships by fedex, and they probably have different rules.

I know that UPS has marked some neighborhoods and areas as: "must have signature for delivery on all packages over $xxx" regardless of how it was shipped. Adorama, while they probably could have handled it with a great deal more tact, probably was pointing out that UPS considers your address in a "risky" area.

Des

 

[Mike Flood]

and by that time the D2
will be in stock at B&H or CameraWorld.

Sadly, Cameraworld was sold to Ritz a few months back.

I buy 99% of my stuff at B&H. Good prices, good service, propmpt shipping, prompt tracking numbers. Zero problems.
--
Mike Flood

 

[GMD]

Shipping charges is a weak side of B&H...
this probably does not apply to US destinations ...
I have ordered from B&H and on both occasions
their shipping charges where not correct in the
shopping cart .. they wanted more after the order
was placed, because "THE PACKAGE IS TOO BIG"
well .. bad luck they should know this in the first place
if they can ship it parcel post or not ...
I posted this experience here and Henry Posner
tried to play it down ... my second order with
B&H went ok .. but this time I realised that the
shipping charges were higher .. I am not 100% sure
just a feeling though ... Although they shipped again
in 3 over size parcels with lots of air they did not want
more freight charges this time ...
Don't get me wrong I am not saying they are bad ...
I have received everything I ordered ok .. the website
does not update shipping status properly ... but that
doesnt bother me really ... what bothers me is that
shipping charges are too high and that they obviously
charge for shipping out of different places instead
of consolidating an order and send it together....
a bit more efficient outside US ... andyway this is typical
for most US based companies .. they just don't know what
the rest of the world is ... only US ...
I also have ordered many 1000$ worth of stuff from ADORAMA
and it worked ok .. their shopping cart always shows the
actual charges and although they are also a bit on the higher side
you can rely on the figures ...
I was on the phone with ADORAMA a couple of times and
I was not really impressed ... for me as an Australian New Yorkers
seem to be rude, arrogant and totally bored by their job ..
It's not that they didn't do what they are supposed to do,
and after a few attempts we finally sorted out everything ... but
you get this sour taste in your mouth to have dealt with
someone who doesnt even know that the rest of the world
has a time difference to their place ...
well... all in all I can live with it ... well I have to because some
of the stuff I buy in the US we don't get or at much higher
prices ... so one swallows the pride to save a few bucks ...
if there were an alternative with similar selection on the web
I wouldnt go to NY. But all others don't have the selection
and soime good Canadian sites are more expensive ...

OK: This post was meant for all non US people here contemplating
to order from B&H or ADORAMA and should encourage you to
deal with them ... but stay cool when they come accross a bit
strange ... its like having a fishbone in the throat ... don't panic
)
gmd

One would think that they have special agreements with Fedex and
special prices. Shame.

Regards
Raul

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

 

[James Haskell]

My experience was reverse (even though I like both of them). Adorama uses UPS and would always just leave the package at the door. B&H using Fedex for a while would demand signature, I would end up going down to their place to pick it up. That ended when I signed the form for them to leave stuff at my door.

Both are fine.

Except Adorama you cannot be assured of inventory via their website. I have some other small problem with B&H not worth mentioning here (again).

James

I won't deal with Adorama either after a bag experience either.
When I placed my order, I specifically asked if I had to be there
to sign for the package and was told no. When I got home from
work, I had the little note on the door saying a signature was
required. (It's a long way to the UPS office so having them hold
the package wasn't an option.) When I called Adorama about it,
they straight out called me a thief on the phone! I was a long
time customer too. I let UPS return the package and cancelled
the credit card charge when they tried to charge me for shipping.
I use B&H for just about everything now. I'm sure glad I don't
have any Ritz experience after all the problems I've been reading
about here.

Jim

 

[Jim Paton]

He didn't call me a thief right away. I think he got
suspicious because he thought I was complaining about
a signature being required, but what I was really
compaining about was being misinformed on their policy.

I imagine mailorder places lose a lot of money because of
mail fraud. I don't really have a problem with a company's
shipping policy on such things, but when I specifically asked
about their policy in advance and are misinformed then
I expected them to assume some responsibility, but this guy
really had an attitude. He just couldn't see any reason why
I wouldn't sign for a package so he assume I was a thief and
eventually said so as the conversation got more heated.

My home is actually in a good neighborhood and I'd be
surprised if it was considered risky by anyone. I buy a lot of
things mailorder, and I've never had any delivery problems.
I do like how FedEx gives you an option if you want to take
the risk. I'm glad that B&H uses them as their main carrier.

I thought about complaining to someone at Adorama, but I
decided why bother? There are plenty of other mailorder
places. I'm amazed how long people have continued to wait
on Ritz. I guess it must be name recognition.

Jim

When I called Adorama about it,
they straight out called me a thief on the phone!

Why - did they give you a reason for thinking you were not legit?
B & H usually ships by fedex, and they probably have different rules.
I know that UPS has marked some neighborhoods and areas as: "must
have signature for delivery on all packages over $xxx" regardless
of how it was shipped. Adorama, while they probably could have
handled it with a great deal more tact, probably was pointing out
that UPS considers your address in a "risky" area.

Des

 

[Michael Harkavy]

I prefer to order on their website. Works pretty much like clockwork for me. I'm in Boston so standard shipping get's here in two days. (knock wood, don't want to jynx it)

After vowing never to deal with Ritz again I ordered my SB80DX from
B & H. The price was $60 lower. The web ordering was straight
forward.
I called to add on to the order and the person I dealt with was
polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Today (two days later) I have
the SB-80DX. You order/they deliver...what a concept...are you
listening, Ritz?
Steve

--
http://www.harkavy.com

 

[J.L.63357]

James,

To deal with Fedex, you simply stick a note on your door authorizing them to leave the box. They'll do so and take that note as a proof. But this applies to safe neighborhood.

JL

Both are fine.

Except Adorama you cannot be assured of inventory via their
website. I have some other small problem with B&H not worth
mentioning here (again).

James

I won't deal with Adorama either after a bag experience either.
When I placed my order, I specifically asked if I had to be there
to sign for the package and was told no. When I got home from
work, I had the little note on the door saying a signature was
required. (It's a long way to the UPS office so having them hold
the package wasn't an option.) When I called Adorama about it,
they straight out called me a thief on the phone! I was a long
time customer too. I let UPS return the package and cancelled
the credit card charge when they tried to charge me for shipping.
I use B&H for just about everything now. I'm sure glad I don't
have any Ritz experience after all the problems I've been reading
about here.

Jim