Is anyone really surprised that Ritz/Wolf camera is going "bye-bye"?

[Marv800]

Now really.

I really don't understand their business model.

They go into expensive Class A-/B+ retail centers, their product offerings are almost entirely consumer level. Of those products, their pricing is not competitive with big boxes like Best Buy, much less BH. Their staff are poorly educated and trained.


They will order pro equipment special order, but the pricing is stupid (a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS is over $2,000!)
So consumers will go to Best Buy, Pros and enthusiasts go to BH or their local camera store... So what part of the marketplace does that leave for Ritz/Wolf?

[Mark Kaplan]

Originally Posted by Marv800

So what part of the marketplace does that leave for Ritz/Wolf?

People who think that buying a camera from a "camera store" makes it better than one from Best Buy?

[venchka]

We went over this ages ago when they entered Chapter 11. Their business model was built on making 4x6 prints. GOOGLE knows.

[kenw]

They cater to better-heeled consumers who want better equipment (or the appearances thereof) close to home. They are ok with paying for convenience. To them, it's worth it.

[Cajungaltx]

I think - in all seriousness - that if they had hired people who knew what the heck they were talking about - they could have even sold things at a higher price.

If they offered better customer service.

I'll go to a place with higher prices - if the customer service is better - even KNOWING they have higher prices, because of the customer service.

[newtune3]

Many trips. Never had what I needed or wanted. No help from staff. This one is a no brainer.

[sandy_ruotolo]

Even when it comes to printing out photos they seem to have a problem. One time was told the developer would not be in until 4:00 pm, to come back, and maybe they would get to me. Trouble was I was out of state, and was catching a plane back home at 5:00, no brainer to me, wanted to go home. Home location said their machines were down. Bought a printer and print them myself, easier. Just what the we need more job losses. Wonder what the CEO's make annually.?

[indyspeedbird]

The sad part is how much thye owe NIkon, over 20 mil, which is about twenty percent of the operating capital for Nikon in North America. The people from that part of the world take not paying bills rather serious, more price increases will probably come from all the suppliers and I wonder if their execs will get the bonus checks?

[ADP Photography]

I hate to say this, but them going out of business will actually help my business... everyone wants to buy digital files... but no one wants to go to Sam's or Walmart - which is just fine with me, b/c I refuse too. I had to have a pic in an hour so I went to Wolf Camera... 3 hours later, standing there going over what was wrong with the pic asking that they clean the machine, because it had REALLY horrible roller marks all over the pic, I finally got what I needed after the 5th print. To top it off it was for just a quick one print job for a senior... the shoot only lasted 10 mins. So it's no wonder they're going out of business!!!!

[brad]

Makes me long for Barry's Camera. They were an awesome shop... similar to Arlington Camera (and my favorite haunt back in the mid to late 80s because they were easier to get to than Arlington Camera).

That's what it was.. before the Wolf gobbled them up... They were all "Barry's Wolf Camera" for a while.. then Ritz bought them... and it was downhill ever since.

[Stifled_1]

No, I am not surprised. I was just wondering the other day why haven't they gone under for reasons you guys have already pointed out. One of their locations is right around the corner from me. When I'm interest in purchasing equipment, I would stop by and see if they have it. I would then play with the equipment. By that time I have done all my research so, I am an informed customer ready to pull the trigger. I walk out the door empty handed because their pricing is no where in the ball park to compete with B&H. Plus, I knew more about the product than the sales person. However, there is one sales person that didn’t give you a lot of bull on the products. He would take the time to pull out the manual on the product to answer the question. I had a roll of film process by them once and I was very disappointed.

In today’s economy the client base they are marketing are looking for bargains.

[ZONE]

Loved Barry's, I spent alll my extra money there on dark room equipment!

[alamoshutterbug]

Originally Posted by Stifled_1

No, I am not surprised. I was just wondering the other day why haven't they gone under for reasons you guys have already pointed out. One of their locations is right around the corner from me. When I'm interest in purchasing equipment, I would stop by and see if they have it. I would then play with the equipment. By that time I have done all my research so, I am an informed customer ready to pull the trigger. I walk out the door empty handed because their pricing is no where in the ball park to compete with B&H. Plus, I knew more about the product than the sales person. However, there is one sales person that didn’t give you a lot of bull on the products. He would take the time to pull out the manual on the product to answer the question. I had a roll of film process by them once and I was very disappointed.

In today’s economy the client base they are marketing are looking for bargains.

Well, one reason they are going under then is you. If you use their services (which costs them money) and don't spend there, you just hammered a nail in the coffin.

[brad]

Originally Posted by ZONE

Loved Barry's, I spent alll my extra money there on dark room equipment!

Ya.. I spent a fortune there on B&W film, chemicals, an enlarger and darkroom set... I think even a camera or two.. ahhh.. those were the days.

[ggeen]

Sorry to bust bubbles but Wolf/Ritz is not going out of business...yet. They are closing 400 stores leaving 300 stores open. I thought there were too many stores for the area. In the DFW area, they are closing...I think... four stores. Including the clearance house store on Harry Hines.

I like my local Wolf. They used to have a guy there that actually knew something about photography for a while.