dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I called Ryther Camera this morning (7/11/13) to order the Canon 5D Mk III at their website advertised price of $2314.99 - the rep went through the expected upgrade sales pitch. I said “no” to his upgrade BS. I told him I wanted make the purchase through Paypal’s “Bill Me Later” and he told me to go to the website and place the order there in order to get “Bill Me Later” method. At the Ryther Camera website I selected the camera, selected standard USPS free shipping "7 to 9 days" and selected Paypal. “Bill Me Later” wasn't an available option but I put the order through anyway - they didn't ask for any Paypal info. 5 minutes later I got a call from Ryther to confirm the order and get Paypal payment info.
The rep said the following:
1. the price is so low because the camera is made in Canon's Taiwan plant and didn’t have the quality of the Japanese-made equivalent - I needed upgrade to the Japanese made camera (for an extra $700). I said that I thought all Canon bodies are made in Japan. He denied that.
2. it would take 3 to 4 weeks for shipping. I said the website clearly listed it as "available/in stock" and I had selected free USPS "7 to 9 day shipping". He said that it is not a stocked item and needed to be shipped from Taiwan.
3. because it is an “import” camera (small note in a drop-down when listing what's included), firmware cannot be updated. I asked why and he said that the serial number is not registered and the Canon website won't upgrade firmware without a serial number. I said that the SN must be on record with Canon, Japan and he said it is not.
4. I asked if it was being shipped with the current version firmware. He couldn’t say because of packaging/shipping time delays
5. warranty repairs cannot be made by Canon because it wasn't a U.S. product. I asked about the Ryther warranty. He said it was for 90 days and that if there was a problem the camera would have to be shipped to Taiwan for repair.

I told him to cancel the order.

This has confirmed what others have said about this company - deceptive advertising, deceptive marketing, deceptive personnel.

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Amazingly frustrating! :(

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Sounds like they need to be shut down.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Proves the old sage" if it seems too good to be true it probably is".

fthomas Loc: Philippines

I hate bait and switch scams and particularly the fact that it was made in Canon's Taiwan plants and not Japan. Hmmm? Can we verify that!

Glad you blew them off. They don't deserve the business! Hopefully the market will eventually put them out of business!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unbelievable! I would copy this and send it to Ryther. Tell them they not only lost the order you would have placed, but the 35,000 members of UHH now know what they did.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I did send this posting to them Thursday night as an email - to several departments - no response from them and none expected.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I would never order anything from them. They are not to be trusted. Stick with the big guys like B&H and you don't have to worry about this kind of bait and switch scam. ;)

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I understand and agree but a price of $700 to $800 below regular retail is enticing and I thought, worth the try. I expected the bait and switch but not to this extreme. I'll wait for the 7D Mk II and buy from B&H, Adorama or other reputable retailers as I have done before.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I understand how tempting the offer was. You have to figure though when it's all said and done for this kind of discount it is either a repackaged reconditioned camera or worse or they have to talk you up or talk you out of the order altogether or lose money which they are not about to do. No one can sell a Canon product at that kind of discount and stay in business. I'm glad you kept your eyes wide open and didn't get burned. ;)

Ambrose Loc: North America

What's really disappointing is that Ryther has a strong 9.13 score on Reseller Ratings with over 900 reviews - but mixed amongst them are stories like this one from dugol.
Sounds like the bait and switch practice may be selective and subtle - making it even more menacing.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/view/Ryther_Camera/page/3

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

9.13 when I just checked.... In a free fall?

Ambrose Loc: North America

my error - typo adjusted....

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I actually was wondering if that's a good score.

It's all relative, right? Wonder how some of the "good ones" rate....

KEH 9.65
B&H 9.75

Others I have used and found satisfactory

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

One could only hope. You have to wonder how many of the positive reviews they submitted themselves...