Wolf Camera - Ripoff Alert!
Written: Feb 19 '08 (Updated Feb 20 '08)
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I have already written a review on Wolf Camera's sister website, Ritz Camera. Both are owned by the same company, and if you look closely at the websites, minus the background color, they are identical and sell the same exact goods. Therefore, I feel that I am not doing justice for consumers unless I write about both of the websites to expose the truth. I would like to take a slightly different approach with this review, and I hope you enjoy this.
-BRICK & MORTAR VS. ONLINE-
*As I have written before in my review on Ritz Camera, the stores are technically brick & mortar. Therefore, when you are driving around town, you are likely to run into either a Ritz Camera or Wolf Camera. Like any other brick & mortar stores, the prices are considerably higher than with online retailers. However, if you are the type of consumer that likes to look and feel the expensive goods they are about to buy, the price premium is worth it. I am not one of those consumers. I purchase my goods exclusively online from reputable retailers. My entire camera collection has been constructed with bits and pieces from online retailers, and I could not be happier. I am biased from this perspective, and have no right to criticize someone who either prefers to walk into a Best Buy and pay extra to have the good right there and then, and the other consumer who wants to save money by going to Amazon.com. It's all personal preference...
Okay, so wouldn't Wolf Camera be the best of both worlds since I can buy the good online, and then return it to a local Wolf Camera retailer in case the item is defective?
That's a good question! But the problem is that you can't! Both the brick & mortar and online retailer work as two separate entities. I have called both Ritz and Wolf to verify this with multiple stores, and have received the same answers. If you buy from the Wolf Camera website, and your item is defective, you will have to go through the online return process. You unfortunately won't have the convenience of returning it into the physical store. Sorry. No can do.
But... What do the online and physical stores have in common?
Wow! We're on a roll! That is another great question. The one thing that they both have in common is the BRICK & MORTAR prices! That means that the camera you are buying online at Wolf Camera will cost the same as in the store. It can cost you hundreds of dollars extra. Sure, the hundreds of dollars extra would be worth it if you can return the item to the store, but if you are unable to, then Wolf Camera unfortunately offers no advantages over purchasing a product from:
*Adorama
*Amazon
*B&H Photo Video
*Beach Camera
*And many more!...
What do those have in common? They all have significantly lower online prices!
Therefore, when you chose to buy from Wolf Camera, you will be paying hundreds of dollars extra, and will not gain any benefits whatsoever. You will not be able to return it to the store, which is a premium that some people would pay when shopping at Costco.com, Best Buy, or at Circuit City with their online stores. This completely eliminates any possible advantages, and therefore makes Wolf Camera nothing more than a complete ripoff.
-SOME BACKGROUND-
*As you may or may not know, both Ritz Camera and Wolf Camera are the same company. If you walk into a store, you will not be able to tell the difference between the two. When you go online to shop, you will see that Ritz has a white background, while Wolf has a black background. Besides this, the websites look identical with identical goods. I have heard that Wolf Camera used to be more of an upscale store while Ritz Camera was geared for more consumer-level photographers.
So, let's just pretend that I am someone that has been a photographer for a long time, and I have been purchasing much of my equipment from a local Wolf Camera store. Let's pretend that since I know the store is a reputable retailer, I would like to purchase further online items. Since it was considered "upscale" before the takeover, I would like to see how much it would cost me to create my dream setup of photography equipment. Also, has anyone heard of B&H Photo Video? I have had the pleasure of purchasing my flash from them, and could not be happier with the prices. In New York and around the world, they have a solid reputation of being an excellent dealer, for many decades!
So, let's compare how much my dream collection would cost by purchasing it from either retailer. Remember, this truly is a side-by-side comparison since Wolf Camera will not allow you to return items to the store!
-MY DREAM COLLECTION-
Let's start with the camera body... I'd like to get a Canon EOS 5D. I mean, who could resist this full-frame beast? Now, let's see how much it would cost to purchase a body-only camera from both retailers.
*Wolf Camera - $2,499.99
*B&H Photo Video - $2,099.95
*YOU SAVE - $400.40
Alright, I could really use a good walk around lens. Hmmm... Now what would make a good one? I know! The Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM lens! This is a great short zoom with a big aperture and sensational image quality. This is the perfect way to get great photos on the 5D!
*Wolf Camera - $1,599.99
*B&H Photo Video - $1,409.95
*YOU SAVE - $190.04
Nice, now I've got that range covered. Now you know what I really like, a wide-aperture medium zoom telephoto. I hear Canon makes a great one... Oh wait what is it? Oh yes! The legendary Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM lens. This is a spectacular piece of glass, but has a spectacular price tag too!
*Wolf Camera - $1,874.95
*B&H Photo Video - $1,699.00
*YOU SAVE - $175.95
Nice, I've got that area covered! You know, I really like taking photos of things very far away. So you know what I can use, a really long zoom telephoto lens! How about the Canon EF 100-400mm f4-5.6L IS USM. That is a very nice piece of equipment!
*Wolf Camera - $1,599.99
*B&H Photo Video - $1,410.00
*YOU SAVE - $189.99
Great, now to top off my awesome lens collection, I will need a great prime! I think that the Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM will make the perfect centerpiece.
*Wolf Camera - $1,599.99
*B&H Photo Video - $1,359.00
YOU SAVE - $240.99
Now I just need a flash... Hmmm, I really like my Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 that I currently have.
*Wolf Camera - DOESN'T CARRY METZ FLASHES!
*B&H Photo Video - $359.95
YOU SAVE - PROBABLY A LOT IF WOLF CAMERA CARRIED IT!
Alright, let's make this a little bit easier. Let's just pretend that I want the Canon Speedlite 580EX II, which both stores carry.
*Wolf Camera - $499.99
*B&H Photo Video - $409.95
YOU SAVE - $90.04
And to finish this up...
So, let's assume I were to make these purchases both at once... How much would I be paying at either retailer?
Wolf Camera - $9,674.90
B&H Photo Video - $8,387.85
So let's get this straight, by purchasing at B&H Photo Video instead of Wolf Camera, you are saving a grand total of $1,288.05!!! That is a substantial amount of money! And you can't cry, "no fair!" Since Wolf Camera does not allow returns into stores, it offers absolutely no advantages over buying the same equipment from other reputable retailers. Yeah, I know there are plenty of Ritz and Wolf stores everywhere, and unlike Best Price Cameras, they won't rip you off. But believe me, B&H Photo Video and the other retailers I listed earlier won't rip you off either. There are countless of people that have had great experiences with these retailers, and have saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars versus purchasing from Ritz or Wolf online stores.
-PRODUCT SELECTION-
*When I looked at the selection at Wolf Camera, it was tiny compared to other retailers. There were only 48 EF/-S mount lenses available (Third party included) at the website. On the contrary, with B&H Photo Video, you can type in just about anything you want, and find it there. I also see that Wolf Camera fails to carry other popular manufacturers, namely Tokina. Compared to other retailers, Wolf Camera's selection is considerably smaller, which yet puts the retailer at another disadvantage.
-SHIPPING-
*Like I would ever purchase a product here?
-CUSTOMER SERVICE-
*Did your product break? Too bad! You can't bring it to the store!
-THE VERDICT-
*Wolf Camera offers identical prices online as the brick & mortar store. Unfortunately, you are unable to actually return the item to the store in case something breaks. This is one important aspect where people are willing to pay more money for a good. But with this aspect gone, why would you be paying extra? Also, one of the advantages with buying a good in a brick & mortar store is being able to see, feel, and get the good that very same day. This premium is once again removed since you are purchasing the product online.
Therefore, Wolf Camera, like it's sister-site, Ritz Camera, offer no advantages over reputable online retailers. Sure there are stores everywhere and you know you won't be getting scammed (Except by the astronomically high prices), stores such as B&H Photo Video have been around for decades and are also very reputable, and here you will also not get scammed. So yes, it's a level playing field, and Wolf Camera fails miserably.
Also, if you read my review of Ritz Camera where I viewed the prices on prosumer goods, you will see that Ritz will also charge you hundreds more.
Have you shopped at these stores for years and want to be loyal? Sure, go for it. It's your money, not mine. These are not charities, they are businesses. If they want to stay competitive with retailers such as B&H or Amazon, they need to get with times. It would start by allowing returns of online products in the physical stores. Since they do not offer it, Wolf Camera can be most effectively summarized by a famous quote...
"I never thought it was humanly possible, but this both sucks and blows."
-Bart Simpson
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Everything
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soupcraze
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Member: Soup Enthusiast
Location: Chicago, Illinois
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I enjoy many of life's passions... Music, medicine, people, and life itself.
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