Brooklyn Photographer Don Wiss Threatened if He Doesn't Leave the Country He Will Be Killed
PriceRitePhoto's store, photo by Brooklyn Photographer Don Wiss
I received a troubling email earlier today from Don Wiss saying that he received a phone call today from someone telling him that if he didn't leave the country he would be killed. Wiss also reported another call from an anonymous caller accusing him of running him out of business. Don Wiss is a Brooklyn photographer that I have mentioned previously in my posts about sleazy New York bait and switch camera operators operating out of Brooklyn. Wiss has done an excellent job chronicling the actual storefronts of many of the shady camera dealers in Brooklyn and has provided helpful visual information for consumers that might do business with these operators and in some cases scam artists.
Wiss posted the photo above of the sleazy camera operator PriceRitePhoto that I had been previously threatened by.
Although I suppose after hearing an actual voicemail of a camera dealer threatening to break a customer's neck that it shouldn't surprise me to learn of Don's calls today, it still sickens my stomach. How is it that these criminals can act with impunity right in Spitzer's back yard? How can camera stores get away with death threats here now in the year 2005 in the United States of America.
Printed below is the email Wiss sent me earlier today.
"As you no doubt know, someone posted a link to your Brooklyn camera story on Slashdot on 12/1. One of the comments mentioned my donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores web site. I had the most hits ever.
Yesterday donwiss.com had a DOS attack. 497 simultaneous connections. My host cut me off so not to bring down the other clients on that server. I then switched my dns to a backup host.
Today I received two phone calls at work. First one like blaming me for driving them out of business. Says they have already shut it down. But, of course, he didn't disclose what business, and they had caller id turned off.
I then got a second phone call. He told me to watch my back. He said if I don't leave the country I will be killed. Now nowhere at my site do I pass any judgment on the dealers here. So why blame me? My question is have you been threatened? Of course, living here in Brooklyn makes me a convenient target."
To hear the story directly from Don click here to read his post in the rec.photo.digital newsgroup at Google.
I think Wiss has done us all a favor by showing us the actual storefronts of many of the Brooklyn businesses doing business online, and he's right, he makes no judgement as to the credibility of any of these operators. Recently through Wiss' site I found evidence that might suggest the real owner of PriceRitePhoto is an individual by the name of Chaim Pikarski.
Wiss is taking this threat to his life seriously and said he would be filing a police report today.
posted by Thomas Hawk at 5:21 PM
32 Comments:
All I can say is WOW. Been following the story but never saw it going this way!
That's terrible. I hope this turns out to be more bluster than anything.
Incredible. Call the police and start making a paper trail right away. It's likely it will be easy to track that phone call.
As we all saw, a lot of nuts posted angry responses at the bottom of your original story. I hope that these threats against Don Wiss are investigated and turn out to be all bark and no bite.
Mafia. I'd get the hell out of town.
There is one way to deal with a threat.. and that is to make it clear that the threat will be met with absolute punishment.
This is to say, that those that threaten you must understand that the circle of violence never ends at a single action. They will watch their back's for the rest of their days.
Deperation amounts to desparate actions, so take threats seriously. Arm yourself, alter your paths and behaviour for a while. Be vigilant and suspicious. Don't feel paranoid, just keep your chest in front of you and use sound judgement. Good luck!
in times like these, call the ghost busters
listen to the comments above which give actual advice. In a situation like this... Do file complaints. Do change your typical routes and schedules. Do be alert. Do arm youself (within reason.) And most likely you will be pleasantly relieved when nothing comes of it.
Apply for a concealed carry permit and buy a weapon immediately. I would also go to a reputable shooting instructor in your area and practice.
-Tight 5 shot groups don't shoot back
scary
Wow man, this story is amazing, I've been following it since the start. Thanks for keeping us posted.
thats horrible!
report it to the authorities.. and tape all incoming calls in future..
Quick note for Don... Fuggetaboutit! Though I wouldn't mess with your average brooklyn cop/ construction worker .0001 percent of guys like this, esp. white guys from brooklyn, are all talk. Sure they'll shout, say things like 'Do you know who I am?!' and get in your face, but I certainly wouldn't lose sleep over these cowards.
I just wanted to show my support for you, and this Don Wiss guy. I really hate seeing people getting pushed around by crappy business's like some of the ones you guys have encountered. I think its even more upsurd that, because some business owners don't want to participate in a fair society, they go around threatening their customers.
Whats even more annoying is seeing this kind of crap happening, when I see my dad work his ass off trying to run a legitiment small business. Sometimes, I just don't understand why people like the "PriceRitePhoto" can't do the same! Its damn insane!
However, I do believe that you might encounter this more where you live, just because of the area. I live out in Iowa, and I've never seen anything like this happen to anybody. Ever.
I feel for you Thomas, and Mr. Don Wiss. I hope you guys, and others who are fighting the same battle as you guys, can perservere over business like PriceRitePhoto.
following this story off of digg.com
good luck and hope that justice prevails. these scam artists are UN-FREAKIN' believable!
I used to live in NYC, the threat is just that, a threat, an empty one at that. Those types of places don't emply "muscle" for lack of a better term. I hate to say it, but the very worst that will happen is that Price Rite will close down and then simply reopen under a different name. There are loads of those grey market stores in NY. Generally their worst offence is trying to talk you into buying something else along with what you originally wanted, but the prices are so good you still come out ahead. I think you just got a bad salesguy fired and pissed off, he's probably the one making the calls.
"Apply for a concealed carry permit and buy a weapon immediately. I would also go to a reputable shooting instructor in your area and practice."
Too bad it's New York and they don't want you protecting yourself. Shame on you for thinking self defense is a right you still have!
At this point it is time to call the cops or FBI. Threats against ones life should result in at least a some sort of investigation.
http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
It's obvious that these guys are scared to death of you and your comments on their blatantly criminal behavior. I'd say it's time to call the DA's office and start pressing charges against them.
Mike
http://www.quicktrivia.com
The first credible death threat is always the most exciting.
That's when you know you've made an impact.
The first credible death threat is always the most exciting.
That's when you know you've really made an impact.
Sounds like Russians to me what with DDoS attacks. Mafia would just bust yer jaw or kill ya outright. A Russians likes a game of chess first...
It's got nothing to do with "russians" or "mafia".
They're orthodox jews in brooklyn, and that is what they do: rip people off, then threaten them when they are identified.
Notice how this scumbag tries to give non-jewish names like "steve phillips" or "ed lopez".
What a dirt bag. Anything happens to Thomas or Don, there's gonna be big trouble for the scumbags who did this. The only way to deal with scum like this is to BE RELENTLESS in exposing them. THe only language these dirtbags understand is ruthless force.
I am honored to have been part of removing these criminals from victimizing camera enthusiast. After being burned by a $700 spite stone from Price Rite Photo I hooked up with Don Wiss. I gave Don the alternative business name of C&A Marketing and the unpublished address of 254 36th Street, Suite 202. I truly thank Don Wiss for his outstanding efforts and for the age of the Internet which inpowers the little guy. My story, I received a spite stone after threatening Price Rite Photo to honor their price or I would post bad reviews. After receiving the stone, I called them to speak to the owner. I though the sales person acted on his own in mailing the $700 spite stone, but after speaking to the lead thug it was crystal clear the spite was all his. He wanted me to receive sign and fax back a document which would prevent me from speaking out. I understood he was capable of terrible things. My credit card reversed all charges and I reported in detail to BBB. samwalton@adelphia.net
I actually own a small electronics shop that appears on don wiss's website, and I don't deal with digital cameras for the most part because of all of the scams out there. I am trying to just make an honest living. Yes, my company operates out of a house, but with so much competition and keeping it honest, it is hard to simply pay the bills. So Don Wiss is negatitvely impacting my business, but he could care less!
Same thing here...
Oh wow! Something like this happened to me just the other night. I also work for a software company, and I was asked my a relative to find a particular digital camera online at no more than a particular price.
Knowing this camera, I told her that there was probably no way I could get the camera at that price, but that I would try. I did a search and found a "price comparison" site that had several cheap prices listed within the amount she gave me. It was very surprising.
So I put an order in for the lowest price. The website looked realistic enough, but when I submitted the order, it said I had to call in to complete it.
I called in expecting just to verify a credit card number, but what I ended up getting was something else altogether. The guy who answered had a thick Brooklyn accent, and kept insisting on more and more accessories for the camera I had picked.
"The battery only lasts 15 minutes" he said, and thus I needed an upgrade. "The memory card is prorietary sir, and they are out of print, but we have them". Things like that kept coming out of his mouth.
Now, I knew the camera but not well enough to know if these particular details of his were true or not. But then he said "I am surprised you ordered the Japanese version of the camera sir, and not the American one. The American camera is $100 more." Now that I knew was BS. Why? Because his site had no other version of the camera, and the listing made no indication of it being a Japanese model. So I called him out on it...
Now, the response I got was basically along the lines of "You callin' me a liar? I don't like being called a liar! @#$% you buddy! You forget, I know where you live!"
Now that frightened me a good bit. I basically told him the call was being made from my corporate office, and that it was automatically recorded. I said I'd call the police and wanted to cancel the order. So he "transfers" me to another department for cancellation.
I kid you not -- when the other department anwered, it was the exact same guy. He was trying to disguise his voice by sounding more gruff, but it was him. He said immediately, "Your order ships out tomorrow! Thank you for the order!"
I interrupted him and said "No -- cancel the order. I am no longer interested!" He had the nerve to tell me there was a 30% restocking fee. WHAT?!? So I said "For a five to ten minute call, you've already taken things out of stock and packaged them. If you charge me a restocking fee, I'll be disputing it on my card!" His reply to this isn't possible to post without dirtying your ears, but suffice it to say it included a threat.
To make a long story short, after going at it a few moments, he eventually said "Hey if you don't like the order, there's nothing I can do about that, it's your opinion! You can cancel the order, but I ain't makin a million dollars off this!" So I said, "It's not because you are not charging a million dollars." So he said "OK I'll cancel the order!" and hung up.
Now, the story doesn't end there. My credit card wasn't charged, I checked online and the available balance never decreased. So I decided to check with the next store on the list. Different shop name. Different phone number. Different price. Same deal -- call in to complete the order. And who is on the other end? SAME GUY! He didn't even know I was calling in about a separate order.
I ended up ordering it from Amazon.com at the regular price and just paid the difference myself for her. But the experience has really shaken me up a bit. You have to be really careful.
Great Service, Thank you so much.....
hy
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心中一阵不安升降机，因为我忽然又想起了那道剑光升降平台，可怕的剑光升降台，美丽的剑光登车桥。为什么那一剑是那么的美丽货架，却又那么的可怕呢集装袋？在我倒下之前我说地磅，好美的剑塑料托盘，好恨的剑塑料托盘。我倒下了仓储笼。在我失去知觉之前仓储笼，我听到他说北京货架，这叫艺术超市货架，剑的艺术北京货架。
我并没有死广州货架，原来我的心是在右边仓储货架，而是不是左边货架厂。所以在那穿胸一剑之下我并没有死南京货架。
是一阵暴雨把我冲醒了货架公司。听说雨是上天的眼泪深圳货架，也许这天又有人死在那美丽的剑光之下吧服装货架！我张开嘴巴托盘，任雨水打进我的嘴托盘，直冲我的胃塑料托盘。我的伤口又开始流血塑料托盘，但已经不痛了木托盘。试问：仓储笼一个心已经死了的人仓储笼，肉体上的疼痛又算得了什么呢仓储笼？我知道我的刀再练一百年也无法那么美丽仓储笼，那么恨托盘，而且永远别想杀了他托盘。
我退出江湖了手推车，我没有通知江湖上的朋友们静音手推车，并来一个什么金盆洗手静音手推车，因为我的朋友们差不多都被他杀了置物架。我悄悄的走了置物架，隐进了山林之中堆垛架。俨然一个世外高人的样子堆垛架，每天一壶绿茶登高车，放在身边的几上登高车，然后或盯着一朵白云超市手推车，或盯着一片树叶物流手推车，或双目紧闭物流台车。我的刀在玉盆中泡了七七四十九天角钢货架，已经没有血腥味了角钢货架。然后我把它放在我的屋顶轻型货架，任它风吹雨打轻型货架。
十年就这年过去了中型货架。为何今天天忽然想起那柄剑中型货架，那道剑光重型货架？而且内心为什么如此不安重型货架？不应该是这样的仓库货架，对于一个喝了十年绿茶的人来说服装货架，面对死上海货架，也已不再惧怕精品货架，不再不安苏州货架，但今天又为何如此呢托盘货架？
莫非是他青岛货架，和他的剑库房货架，加上他的剑光沈阳货架。我已不问江湖之事天津货架，想他十年前也应该坐上武林盟主的位子了杭州货架，一个武林中人做了武林盟主山东货架，这一生还有什么要求的呢文件柜？
我不停的喝着绿茶工具柜。绿茶静心工具柜。但此时怎么也静不下来零件柜。茶已尽工作台。平时茶尽之时工作台，正也是日落之时工作桌。
一定快有什么事情发生了工作桌。
剑还是那美丽的剑Google左侧排名，如果再加上一道剑光吹塑机，就会形成剑的艺术色带，武学的艺术电源插座。
我问反光背心：为何还来找我滚针轴承，我已在十年之前就退出江湖了夜光粉。
他说文化石：因为你没死缎带，因为我没有对手风火轮。
我说激光打标机：十年前已不是你的对手平衡机，何况现在十年未动刀大功率led。
他说磁力泵：放眼天下梯子，只有你一个人是我的对手网眼袋，也只你一个人对我的威胁无尘布。
我不再说话手摇手电筒，因为我不知道说什么手板，我知道我十年前就开始找我毛巾布，发现我没有死就开始找我磁钢。我不死促销台，他心不安模具钢材。
他说时尚配饰：拿出你的刀筛网。
我说齿轮泵：我已无刀天使花房，命托辊，亦可有可无色丁。
他盯着我广告衫，握剑的手越来越紧钢坯，我知道那道美丽的剑光可能随时发出过滤网。在那美丽过后疏水阀，我的生命将画上句号胸章。
阳光照在了刀上发热管，反射到他的脸上手机耳机。他发现了那把刀螺杆，我的刀插销，宝刀蝴蝶，没有鞘的刀工具包。
刀已在我手中点钞机，刀还是那把刀配电箱，人却已不是那个人流苏，因为心不是那颗心沙滩巾。
他为了杀我竟找了我十年氯化镁，而为了和我比武竟帮我从屋顶拿下我的刀来双面胶带，并放在我的手中碳纤维。我忽然发现排线，他也变了汽车座垫，他在后悔十年前将所有高手都杀绝珍珠奶茶。
高手的悲哀太阳伞。
我握紧了刀桥架，我看着他的眼tpr，已经不再像十年前那样明亮了钢丝。
他的剑划出柴油发电机组，划出一道美丽的剑光护栏。我想围栏，这十年他大概在不停地使自己的剑光更美围栏。
我的刀也出了隔离网。简单的动作隔离网，一刀刺进了他的胸网片。那道美丽的光忽然停止网片，停在我的衣服上南京货架。
他说北京货架：这也是艺术北京货架，杀人的艺术北京货架，想不到你十年不动刀还懂这个艺术仓储货架。
我说仓储货架：因为我不想再让你痛苦了广州货架。
他说广州货架：谢谢货架厂。
我走了货架公司。我头也不回的走了塑料托盘。没有取回我的刀塑料托盘，因为我觉得它在我身边已经没用塑料托盘，我后悔我十年前为什么不扔了它塑料托盘？我听到了尸体倒下的声音塑料托盘。我流泪了塑料托盘，我真的不想杀他仓储笼，十年前不想仓储笼，十年后也不想仓储笼，因为我下山时答应过师父仓储笼，一切让着他仓储笼。
我叹了一口气仓储笼。远去仓储笼。
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