Military Discounts at RitzCameraGov.com...

Okay, I've been receiving emails and PMs asking for more details about getting discounts on camera equipment. If you're a Military Star Card holder, you can access the RitzCameraGov.com through AAFES on-line at http://www.aafes.com/ From there just go to "Shop by Retailer" and the drop down menu will display a list of stores. From there just find Ritz Camera and go to the web site. The prices for gear will be displayed at full price. The discount won't be applied until you go to check out and if you use the Military Star Card. The transaction is also tax free in most states, save for a select few. Those states are listed on the web site. Everything I've ordered from them has been shipped extremely fast and delivery tracking has been exceptional. They've also got live customer service support. Even with the discount you won't always get the best deals on some items, but it is good for new items such as the 40D. Plus, they'll price match any on-line retailer that is an authorized Canon dealer so their web site claims. I haven't tried this yet, but it's worth a look. Anyway, have fun!

EDIT: To clarify, this is beneficial if you're considering the new 40D or 40D + kit lens. For everything else, you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

Youre in the military?? What branch?

The theory of them matching prices seems solid as long as it's a reputable dealer such as Adorama, B&H, Beach Camera, etc...

They had a list and I'm not sure if it's a list of places that they'll only match with or places that have been approved. But don't go on like Abe's or something.

thanks for sharing this info.

Lord_Malone wrote in post #3865426
Okay, I've been receiving emails and PMs asking for more details about getting discounts on camera equipment. If you're a Military Star Card holder, you can access the RitzCameraGov.com through AAFES on-line at http://www.aafes.com/ From there just go to "Shop by Retailer" and the drop down menu will display a list of stores. From there just find Ritz Camera and go to the web site. The prices for gear will be displayed at full price. The discount won't be applied until you go to check out and if you use the Military Star Card. The transaction is also tax free in most states, save for a select few. Those states are listed on the web site. Everything I've ordered from them has been shipped extremely fast and delivery tracking has been exceptional. They've also got live customer service support. Even with the discount you won't always get the best deals on some items, but it is good for new items such as the 40D. Plus, they'll price match any on-line retailer that is an authorized Canon dealer so their web site claims. I haven't tried this yet, but it's worth a look. Anyway, have fun!

Ritz Camera sucks LM. They want $1900 for 70-200 2.8 IS. That's just un-fu***ng-believable. And that's with the "military 5% discount". It's not worth it to even try to deal with these fu***ng idiots. Once, I asked them "why do you feel you should charge so much?" and their answer was not a straight one: "we're sorry you're dissatisfied with our customer service" F*** You Ritz Camera

Yeah, and they want a little over $1100 for the 40D. Idiots! Not everything is a deal, but it doesn't hurt to look. Heck, I could say the same about B&H compared to Beach Camera. Almost everytime I check out BC they're way cheaper than B&H (and they're open...seems like such a hard thing to do) whether it's a couple hundred or even just a hundred or free shipping which is on a lot of products.

_aravena wrote in post #3866031
Yeah, and they want a little over $1100 for the 40D. Idiots!

I'm glad you're a satisfied customer! I'm sorry you're keeping them in business though. Don't get pissy or make smart remarks, I'm just presenting an opinion from what I've seen.

Which military installation is in Lakeland, FL?

Military brat. Dad just retired and I'm in college.

Yes, I worked there and they are way overpriced at somethings, but it happens. LM and even I were trying to help some people not int he know on this. Not everything is great but with discount, free shipping, and use of the star card somethings are great deals.

Congrats to your dad. And good luck to you

I wonder what that would make the 1D3 cost? Maybe I should get my grandson (Army) to buy it for me.

jr_senator wrote in post #3866153
I wonder what that would make the 1D3 cost? Maybe I should get my grandson (Army) to buy it for me.

I just checked and it's $4499.
40D is $1299

some more info

Note the bold item.

Ritz=Garbage on the side of the street

No, but really, I have nothing against them.

Hi, Scot. For the record I more often than not only usually deal with B&H, Adorama, Newegg, etc. However, you can get the new 40D well under $1299, which is what most places are charging now right now anyway. When the 50 1.2L came out, I got mine for significantly less than what B&H, etc. was selling it for at the time. Of course, those companies eventually reduce their price once the initial dust settles, and Ritz prices seem to remain stagnant, which would explain why they still charge so much for lenses such as the 70-200 2.8L IS. You really should do more homework before you bash the company. It's really not a bad deal when you consider it.

The final price would've been even less, except the fact I live in one of the taxable states...

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JAcosta wrote in post #3865857
Youre in the military?? What branch?

Whatever branch G.I. Joe was!

congrats on your 40D LM. It's the customer service that has me a tad upset with Ritz. If i ask a company rep why I should buy from them, I would at least like a straight answer. When someone asks me "why should I buy portraits from you?" I say because I'm rather inexperienced and cheaper than everyone else!

24-70 L @ Ritz is $1788.79

24-70L @ B&H is $1139.00

It's out of stock @ Ritz so I can't add it to my cart and try to get the STAR card price, but surely it wouldn't lower the final cost by $600. You won't change my mind LM, I won't ever buy from Ritz on GP. I've contacted AAFES to see if we can get a partnership w/ B&H or Adorama, etc. No response yet. But I don't expect them to care because they charge $1219 for a gray market 24-105. I like B&H's prices so I buy from them, never let me down.