No one to my knowledge is selling these that cheaply. I called them and ask how they were able to sell them at such a reduced cost, and he just said it's because they deal is wholesale?
Seams kinda shady.... Thoughts on the USA vs import models and just the whole deal
p.1 #7 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
They are very unpleasant people, I called them a while back because I was seeing some compelling prices for 5d3 that were about to make me purchase one. I almost did, until I found out the camera didn't include a battery, etc...
So in short they are absolutely not going to tell you everything, they will try to upsell, they will take items out of the box and claim it is blah blah extra etc...Roberts camera is the same way, about 2% more honest, and about 1000% more RUDE.
p.1 #8 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
I ordered Canon 5D Mark iii body recently from Ryther Camera online for $2929. Later they, customer service, called me and said $2929 is imported version and talked me into buying USA version for $3080, down from their listed $3199. Sound like a bail and switch scheme. The Customer service said you need to search [5d Mark III USA] in order to see the US version, otherwise you see imported products. But anyway I settled with $3080 deal. I wish they simply offer this and clearly indicate US vs Imported and sell them side by side.
p.1 #10 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
Dancer wrote:
I ordered Canon 5D Mark iii body recently from Ryther Camera online for $2929. Later they, customer service, called me and said $2929 is imported version and talked me into buying USA version for $3080, down from their listed $3199. Sound like a bail and switch scheme. The Customer service said you need to search [5d Mark III USA] in order to see the US version, otherwise you see imported products. But anyway I settled with $3080 deal. I wish they simply offer this and clearly indicate US vs Imported and sell them side by side.
OK, so, you bought the USA version. They didn't push you to get anything else with it? Like worthless extra warranty, filter, or generic battery, or what not? Did you get the camera already then?
p.1 #12 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
AGeoJO, Between the rep and his manager, they did push first on switching to USA version saying all bad things about the imported one like poor QA process, copied manual and DVD, 30 day only warranty etc. I insisted that I do want USA version but with $2929 since they did not say it is an Imported. They push to buy other things, I guess so they could sell me a few junk to give me a better deal on their USA 5D mark III body. I turned all down but offered to buy 17-40mm Canon L-series lens for $750 so we finally agreed on $3080 + $750 for a total of $3830. By the way the 17-40mm lens was on my wish list anyway and was my idea to give them incentive to close the deal. I would not recommend to agree on any added on unless you have studied the products and know the best price on the web. They did test me on the lens price and they know I did my homework. They also offered to upgrade mt free shipping from 20 some days to 10 days, no big deal. It will arrive in 10 days.
p.1 #13 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
I know nothing at all about this particular firm. However, some general principles to note regarding unbelievably low prices on camera gear and other products:
"When in doubt, doubt."
"When something seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Characteristics that have been observed in certain unscrupulous online (supposed) camera vendors - things that should set off alarm bells for any potential buyer:
- A price on supposed new gear that is substantially lower than that at legitimate online resellers like B&H, Adorama, and others. (You may occasionally find slightly lower prices at certain other legitimate vendors, but they are generally just a few dollars - not hundreds or thousands.)
- A price on a non-USA version that is a lot less than the supposed USA version. (There are legitimate "gray" market prices - see the differences among them at the B&H site for examples.)
- An attempt to upsell the buyer from the way cheaper "non-USA" version (though other terms are used here besides non-USA) to the "USA" version.
- Claims that only the more expensive version is available.
- Claims that you need to pay more for a real manual, the battery, the charger, etc.
- Claims about the build and other deficiencies of the non-USA version. (Legitimate dealers understand that the products are identical apart from some warranty details and perhaps some elements of the packaging. There is no physically different non-USA version.)
- Attempts to add on "accessories" (battery, charger, etc.) that are included with the product from the manufacturer, and charge more to include them.
- A refusal to sell the camera alone without the add ons. This can come in the form of an outright refusal, or it can come in the form of the camera suddenly becoming "out of stock" or "unavailable" if you insist on the camera alone.
In general, it is not worth spending a single moment trying to deal with operations that work in these ways. The odds are that they are not legitimate. You are taking a big chance that you'll get screwed if you do make a purchase. The odds that you'll get any follow-up support from a company that acts this way are essentially nil. Even if you could get the deal that sucked you into this in the first place - and you almost certainly cannot - it would not have been worth the aggravation and the worry.
There are plenty of companies offering decent prices, good service, and legitimate and high quality products.
p.1 #14 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
Thanks gdanmitchell for great tips. I hope I will get my delivery as promised. Yes I do worry at this minute. I did a few queries and found this rating site but not sure the reputation of it. But here it is, http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Ryther_Camera
p.1 #15 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
Dancer, I hope that your order turns out to be OK. I am all for getting the best price but sometimes it is better to pay a little more to get that warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing that my order from a reputable store/seller will be delivered as promised.
BTW, I do not know of any courier in the US that would have a 20-day delivery. The "upgrade" shipping is a 10-day delivery . Wow!
p.1 #16 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
Thanks AGeoJO. I went to http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Ryther_Camera and read many "one star, out of 5" customer responses. (It has over 600 total customer posting.) I did a sort by star rating, but it listed 5 stars fist. So I had to forward to page 60 or so to see [1 star] complains. To my surprise, Ryther Camera replied to most of them on how they resolved issues. I post it here just for my peace of mind and also be fare to this young company.
p.1 #19 · 5D Mark III From Ryther Camera?? USA vs Import?
I would expect yet another phone call in the next few days telling you that that "body only" is out of stock and "we have this bundle available, however" --- of course, for significantly more money. Bottom line: You will never see that camera for that price from these people.
Did PayPal say you were covered under "buyer protection" when you paid? Hope so.
This tactic is as old as the mailorder photo business itself. I used to read warnings about places using this exact came schpeel in Modern Photography three decades ago.... amazing this is still going on in the internet age.
Here's the advice I give anyone that asks: If its significantly cheaper than Adorama, B&H, and Amazon -- run for the hills.
. Wow!