Ryther Camera closed down
Nov 25, 2016 16:11:32 #
New Jersey's bait & switch king Ryther Camera is closed, apparently since late 2014. I haven't heard why, but when I made a single Yahoo search inquiry I got a hit for the BBB which rated Ryther an F.
I bought my first DSLR from Ryther in 2013. I knew it sold both domestic and gray market Sonys, and I specifically ordered the non-import. I'd heard some good, but also some bad about Ryther, so I was leary - especially because the price was $109 lower than Amazon, B&H, Adorama... all the reputable places. About an hour after I placed my online order I got a call from a salesman under the guise of trying to sell me some accessories and an extended warranty, but I declined. He then told me the camera/lens kit I ordered was an "import" (carefully avoiding the phrase "gray market"), and I told him it was not. We argued. I told him the exact URL and item number from the listing, still open on my computer -- which did not state it was a USA model, but neither did it disclose it was an "import." Other listings of gray market products on Ryther's Web site disclosed that they were imports without warranty. This, I believe, is how Ryther got away with it for as long as it did: by not explicitly claiming an item was a USA model, convincing the buyer that he mistakenly ordered a gray market, then and up-selling the USA version.
I refused everything the guy offered, including free products such as a memory card, filter, warranty, and even a discount if I were to upgrade to the USA model, and I demanded to speak with a manager, who naturally was not available. I threatened to cancel the order and threatened all sorts of other stuff, so he agreed to have the manager call me. Ten minutes later, I was speaking with an apologetic manager who assured me it was an honest mistake and that he would ship me a USA model for the price I had paid. A week later, I received my kit, and the first thing I did was verify the serial number with Sony to be sure it was a USA model, which it was. And, whether intentional as a token by the manager or as an accident, I did not receive the 18-135mm kit lens I ordered, but instead I received the 16-50mm lens worth about $300 more!
Lesson learned, and even with a happy ending. I understand there are other sellers in the Jersey & NY area that use similar tactics, so caveat emptor.
I bought my first DSLR from Ryther in 2013. I knew it sold both domestic and gray market Sonys, and I specifically ordered the non-import. I'd heard some good, but also some bad about Ryther, so I was leary - especially because the price was $109 lower than Amazon, B&H, Adorama... all the reputable places. About an hour after I placed my online order I got a call from a salesman under the guise of trying to sell me some accessories and an extended warranty, but I declined. He then told me the camera/lens kit I ordered was an "import" (carefully avoiding the phrase "gray market"), and I told him it was not. We argued. I told him the exact URL and item number from the listing, still open on my computer -- which did not state it was a USA model, but neither did it disclose it was an "import." Other listings of gray market products on Ryther's Web site disclosed that they were imports without warranty. This, I believe, is how Ryther got away with it for as long as it did: by not explicitly claiming an item was a USA model, convincing the buyer that he mistakenly ordered a gray market, then and up-selling the USA version.
I refused everything the guy offered, including free products such as a memory card, filter, warranty, and even a discount if I were to upgrade to the USA model, and I demanded to speak with a manager, who naturally was not available. I threatened to cancel the order and threatened all sorts of other stuff, so he agreed to have the manager call me. Ten minutes later, I was speaking with an apologetic manager who assured me it was an honest mistake and that he would ship me a USA model for the price I had paid. A week later, I received my kit, and the first thing I did was verify the serial number with Sony to be sure it was a USA model, which it was. And, whether intentional as a token by the manager or as an accident, I did not receive the 18-135mm kit lens I ordered, but instead I received the 16-50mm lens worth about $300 more!
Lesson learned, and even with a happy ending. I understand there are other sellers in the Jersey & NY area that use similar tactics, so caveat emptor.
Nov 26, 2016 07:53:26 #
I bought a Sony camcorder from them in 2012 - best price around by a few dollars. I just placed the order, and they sent the camera. I guess I was lucky.
Nov 26, 2016 09:17:58 #
It would not surprise me if they simply reopened in a new location and under a different name.
Nov 26, 2016 09:30:16 #
rook2c4 wrote:
It would not surprise me if they simply reopened in a new location and under a different name.
Nov 26, 2016 10:17:30 #
rook2c4 wrote:
It would not surprise me if they simply reopened in a new location and under a different name.
Actually, I read that they changed their eBay name and continue to sell on eBay. As of a few months ago, they have a 99.9% positive feedback score, according to an update in this article: http://www.canonpricewatch.com/blog/2014/08/ebay-seller-deals-all-year-formerly-known-as-ryther-camera/
Nov 26, 2016 10:41:44 #
Desert Gecko wrote:
New Jersey's bait & switch king Ryther Camera ... (show quote)
Had similar experience with 42nd St. Photo. Lying SOBs
Nov 26, 2016 11:56:06 #
Reinaldokool wrote:
Had similar experience with 42nd St. Photo. Lying SOBs
Come on. Don't hold back. How do you really feel about them?
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