Great Site, Free shipping on cameras and accessories!
Written: Jan 01 '02 (Updated Jan 01 '02)
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I had a hard time in my search for a digital camera. Please see my reviews on Best Buy and Broadway Photo. If you read them, you'll understand why I ended up at Ritz.
I previously wrote a review about this site, that was thrown together in a few minutes and deservedly received mostly "SH" ratings. So, I deleted it and decided to write a better review.
I'll start by introducing the www.ritzinteractive.com site...
www.ritzinteractive.com serves as the portal for a number of sites that I will describe briefly.
RitzCamera.com is the companion site to the Ritz camera stores around the country. This site features cameras, digital cameras, video cameras and accessories.
WolfCamera.com has been added since Ritz Camera bought out Wolf Camera. The site is similar to ritzcamera.com in what it offers.
ritzPIX.com is a site that Ritz has dedicated for managing your photos. This site offers ways for users to share photos with others, order prints or enlargements from digital photos, store photos online, and purchase photo gifts (i.e. mugs, mouse pads, etc.).
RitzCamera Auctions at Ebay is the "about me" page for Ritz Cameras at eBay. This is where they auction off some of their stock.
Photography.com is a site that offers photo galleries, reviews of camera equipment, photography tips and lessons. It seems like a good place for amateur photographers to learn.
RitzCameraGSA.com is the Ritz site for government agencies to purchase equipment. From what I can tell it is exactly like the RitzCamera.com site.
BoatersWorld.com is a site run by Ritz where they sell boating accessories and clothing.
FishingOnly.com offers fishing supplies, tips, guided tours, and many other things for the fishing enthusiast.
BoatersWorld Auctions at Ebay is the auction site for fishing and boating items being sold on eBay.
BoatingOnly.com tips, articles, reviews, weather, and more information for boating enthusiasts.
InsanitySauce.com sells hot sauces, salsas, etc. under the name "Insanity Sauce." They claim to be "the hottest sauces in the universe."
The rest of my review will be of the RitzCamera.com site as this is where I have the most experience.
I went to the Ritz Camera web site after visiting my local store. The local store didn't have the camera I was looking for in stock. The site has a large variety of cameras for sale by most of the major manufacturers. In addition they sell accessories (i.e. lenses, film, camera cases, flashes, photo albums, batteries, tripods, printers, scanners, etc.)
I think the site is easy to navigate and offers average prices. Their prices compare to most places I look. (Of note, you can find cameras on line much cheaper, but most are so-called "gray market" cameras - see my review of Broadway Photo to learn more about these). I didn't think the prices were spectacular, but at least they have items in stock!
I was able to purchase it over the toll free phone number (I still don't like using my credit card online). The sales person was very courteous. I got the camera for the average market price, no big savings, but I did get free shipping and no sales tax (since shipped out of state). I was impressed with the sales person on the phone as there was not a lot of annoying upselling, like I have learned to expect. ("Would you like fries with that?")
The site also has specific areas for clearance items, a tool to compare cameras that you choose, side-by side, glossaries of both digital and still photography terms, a section for FAQ about their site, and of course links to all their other sites.
Overall, I had a great experience with Ritz Photo and would recommend them to anyone! I think their site is a great tool, although I think many of the separate photography sites could be combined to one page and would avoid clicking around a lot.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
scottcolson
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Member: Scott Colson, MD
Location: OH to NV, to IA, finally in MN!
Reviews written: 106
Trusted by: 93 members
About Me:
Family Physician practicing in the Twin Cities, MN
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