Beware B&H new shipping methods!!!

[Shakmatay]

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package, the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

 

[Philip119299]

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always
had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam
peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of
forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all
delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP
of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with
a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in
the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package,
the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my
hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been
completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has
now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but
leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT
problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

Have you told them?

Also tell them that you posted it on the dpreview.

I do not buy from B&H.

Twice I tried and they screwed me both times.

Before I received my money back I had to go to my bank and file a claim.

I also went to the better business bureau.

Philip

 

[Jimm]

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always
had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam
peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of
forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all
delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP
of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with
a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in
the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package,
the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my
hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been
completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has
now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but
leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT
problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

That's shocking as I consider B&H the gold standard for photograhpy companies. I must say that Adorama packs very completely, with peanuts, and very fast.

--
D100, VR 24-120, VR 80-400
Tamron 17-35

 

[Darrick]

Bought the 70-200 2.8 VR, and 24-120 VR, but there was no way in hell i was going to have them ship it. So I took the short 90 mile drive up and picked it up in person.

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always
had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam
peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of
forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all
delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP
of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with
a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in
the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package,
the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my
hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been
completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has
now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but
leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT
problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

That's shocking as I consider B&H the gold standard for
photograhpy companies. I must say that Adorama packs very
completely, with peanuts, and very fast.

--
D100, VR 24-120, VR 80-400
Tamron 17-35

--
Darrick
http://www.EMGStudios.cjb.net

 

[fishguy]

Yeah, me too. I just received an Epson R800 printer. The shipping box was just big enough to get a few of those "pillows" in on one side - and the short side at that!! Everything was fine this time but who knows about next time?

Adorama is completely the opposite. I have to wade through gallons of peanuts, rolls of bubble wrap, and sometimes I almost miss the small items because of the volume of packaging materials. That is a problem I don't mind at all!!

fishguy

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always
had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam
peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of
forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all
delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP
of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with
a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in
the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package,
the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my
hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been
completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has
now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but
leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT
problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

 

[S_Leeper]

While I usually do the 30mile drive in I recently (about 2 weeks ago) had an order shipped & it was well packed with peanuts & large airbubbles, then wrapped lens box once with small bubbles.

 

[Greg Gebhardt]

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always
had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam
peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of
forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all
delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP
of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with
a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in
the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package,
the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my
hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been
completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has
now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but
leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT
problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

--

I have ordered much from B&H and it was always packed very well. I hope this does not continue. I would return the item and ask for new.

Greg Gebhardt in
Jacksonville, Florida

 

[PFR]

The use of peanut back is largely seen as a negative thing in the packing industry. It is very environmentally unfriendly. Personally I hate it when my wife gets a shipment of something full of peanut pack. I am the one that had to dispose of it. Of course, when it is one of my items, of course the peanut pack is a good idea because it protects my stuff!

It could very well be that B&H is running a trial on the airbags. It could also be that the packers were not properly trained on the use of this new method. I suggest you provide some constructive feedback on how you shipment was when it arrived. I am in involved with packing and shipping and if I was introducing a new program I would appreciate, and would take into account comments on the condition of goods at arrival.

Don't get nasty when you respond, just state that you noticed the new trend and you have some comments. If there is any damage at all to your product, including the packaging, provide details. Also include pictures. Packing and shipping people love to see pictures of what condition the box was in. This step is now becoming part of our corporate damage claim procedure. If B&H is smart, and want your continued business, they will pass along the feedback.

I don't work for B&H.

--
Pat

 

[edwin907]

I recently got a shipment from them also, and it was packed as you described.

It is a disturbing trend, fortunately for me nothing fragile was in the shipment I recieved, but I can't imagine ordering a $1200 lens and it being shipped this way.

Edwin

 

[Wingspar]

Don't get nasty when you respond, just state that you noticed the
new trend and you have some comments. If there is any damage at all
to your product, including the packaging, provide details. Also
include pictures. Packing and shipping people love to see pictures
of what condition the box was in. This step is now becoming part of
our corporate damage claim procedure. If B&H is smart, and want
your continued business, they will pass along the feedback.

I don't work for B&H.

--
Pat

It’s been a few months since I’ve ordered a lens from B&H, but the last lens was packed fine. Last year, I did receive a small box from them that contained a small package with a Lexar 40x WA CF card in it, and the outer box was so badly damaged, that the package the CF card was in was severely damaged, but the CF card was fine. I’ve shot thousands of images with it. I took photos of the packaging, and emailed them to B&H. I was pleasant about it. It appeared more UPS handling rather than B&H poor packing, even tho there was nothing inside the outer box but the CF card and the packing it was in, but I just felt like letting them know how UPS handled their package. I haven’t received a package shipped via UPS like that since...or before for that matter. I would Not want a $1,200 lens packed in the manner described in this thread. If not used properly, those air bag things don’t do much. Fortunately, I’ve not received a lens packed like that. My last lens purchase was thru KEH, and it was Well packed with peanuts.

--
Gary
Will Fly for Food

 

[Matt48645]

I recently got a shipment from them also, and it was packed as you
described.
It is a disturbing trend, fortunately for me nothing fragile was in
the shipment I recieved, but I can't imagine ordering a $1200 lens
and it being shipped this way.

Edwin

I'm receiving a shipment today. It contains a lens, some super clamps, etc. I've ordered from them for years and have never received damaged goods. I'll let you know if today's shipment is a problem.

Matt

 

[PFR]

Just a claification here. I am suggesting that if people do not like the way their shipment from B&H was packaged, they should send feedback to B&H. I was not implying they should provide feedback to me via this forum.

Sorry for any confusion.

The use of peanut back is largely seen as a negative thing in the
packing industry. It is very environmentally unfriendly. Personally
I hate it when my wife gets a shipment of something full of peanut
pack. I am the one that had to dispose of it. Of course, when it is
one of my items, of course the peanut pack is a good idea because
it protects my stuff!

It could very well be that B&H is running a trial on the airbags.
It could also be that the packers were not properly trained on the
use of this new method. I suggest you provide some constructive
feedback on how you shipment was when it arrived. I am in involved
with packing and shipping and if I was introducing a new program I
would appreciate, and would take into account comments on the
condition of goods at arrival.

Don't get nasty when you respond, just state that you noticed the
new trend and you have some comments. If there is any damage at all
to your product, including the packaging, provide details. Also
include pictures. Packing and shipping people love to see pictures
of what condition the box was in. This step is now becoming part of
our corporate damage claim procedure. If B&H is smart, and want
your continued business, they will pass along the feedback.

I don't work for B&H.

--
Pat

--
Pat

 

[Chad Gladstone]

New shipping peanuts are not only environmentally friendly, but also edible. They are made out of puffed wheat and other cereals. I found this out when I saw my two year old chomping on one and after the shock had subsided, I tasted one and it was...not bad at all!

The use of peanut back is largely seen as a negative thing in the
packing industry. It is very environmentally unfriendly. Personally
I hate it when my wife gets a shipment of something full of peanut
pack. I am the one that had to dispose of it. Of course, when it is
one of my items, of course the peanut pack is a good idea because
it protects my stuff!

 

[Andy133989]

I have been a customer of this store also. I did not have problems so far. But I have noticed that other stores start using the air bubble plastic sheets, and leave air space badly. If the content is books, it is ok, but if the content is electronic/glasss prodcuts such as lens, it is impotant to pack air tight all spaces in the box, so that delivery guys throws the box to the truck, the content is still ok.

If new emplyees start packing badly, customers willl have big problems.

They should pack air-tight, and fill all spaces in the box completely.

Small peanuts tend to be packed tightly, but these air bubble plastic sheets are not good for good packing, because the careless packers will pack only 70-90 % of volume, then the eletronic/glass products will have damage, if delvery guys throw the boxes to the trucks and floor. My small lens was recently dented inside my luggage in the recent air plane travel, because it was not pack inside of a metal case! Luckily I easily fixed a small dent.

Andy

I recently got a shipment from them also, and it was packed as you
described.
It is a disturbing trend, fortunately for me nothing fragile was in
the shipment I recieved, but I can't imagine ordering a $1200 lens
and it being shipped this way.

Edwin

I'm receiving a shipment today. It contains a lens, some super
clamps, etc. I've ordered from them for years and have never
received damaged goods. I'll let you know if today's shipment is a
problem.

Matt

--
Andy Riew

 

[Tweedle Dee]

I haven't had any problems with B&H airbag shipments . . . yet. But why are they using these bags? Are they cheaper? Looks as though the success of air bag packing is heavily dependent on the skill of the packer, much more so than peanuts. I also don't see why the bags are any more environmentally friendly than peanuts, particularly the ones made from biodegradeable stuff. Peanut packing can be saved in jumbo trash bags and dropped off at the UPS store (or wherever) for recyling. The UPS people here seem to be appreciative when I show up with a couple big bags of this stuff. Air bags seem like a solution in search of a problem to me . . .

Hi all,

FYI...

I've ordered equipment from B&H in New York for 3 years now. Always
had great service. Packages were always packaged with styrofoam
peanuts "surrounding" the product so as to cushion the impact of
forces on the box.

EXCEPT in the last three weeks, I've had 3 separate orders all
delivered in totally PATHETIC condition...

All of my recent shipments used some plastic air bags placed on TOP
of the product, BUT on the BOTTOM of the box it was ONLY lined with
a measly quarter inch of that skinny little air bubble strip!!!

Consequently, my $800 Nikon 80-200 lens was literally shaking in
the box as I held it in my hands. And when I opened the package,
the Nikon box was so battered that it literally FELL APART in my
hands! The glued flaps that keep the Nikon box together had been
completely come undone.

If this were a one-time occurance, I might understand, but this has
now happened 3 times on 3 shipments of expensive lens.

They're simply throwing some air bags on top of the box, but
leaving the SIDES and BOTTOM virtually exposed to impact.

I'm very disgusted with this. Has anyone experienced RECENT
problems of this nature?

--Shakmatay

 

[bethrouns]

Agreed...packages within the last few months have come ripped and torn from B&H. Items inside are loosely packed....maybe with air bags on top....but not snugly.

Adorama packs their stuff quite well...never have got a poorly packaged item.

So...basically service is slightly better with B&H, packaging is better with Adorama.

-Beth
(gear listed in profile)



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[chester bigs]

Interesting. I just received a TCIIE for my 70-200vr and was shocked when I opened the box to find two little air bags. The lens box was totally mangled and the TC was rattling but it seemed to work fine. This is a total change from my other orders. I will not be so quick to order from them again.

 

[tennessee mike]

I was just about to order a $175 teleconverter from them. Glad I came here first. Even if it didn't appear to be damaged out of the box, if it arrived with the packaging described here, I would be worried about problems down the road.

Mike

Interesting. I just received a TCIIE for my 70-200vr and was
shocked when I opened the box to find two little air bags. The lens
box was totally mangled and the TC was rattling but it seemed to
work fine. This is a total change from my other orders. I will not
be so quick to order from them again.

 

[Paul T. Klein]

My recent experience with B&H goes like this. Ordered 70-200vr and had it shipped to my parents house. UPS delivered the box, rang the doorbell and just left. The Nikon box was packed in another box with packing as mentioned. The contents seems OK but I would have preferred more padding. What do you think of UPS just dropping off the parcel? Are they supposed to get a signature?

 

[Wingspar]

Just a claification here. I am suggesting that if people do not
like the way their shipment from B&H was packaged, they should send
feedback to B&H. I was not implying they should provide feedback to
me via this forum.

Sorry for any confusion.

The feedback is for Everybody reading this thread, not just you. I agreed with what you were saying, and that’s why I quoted you, but my reply was for All reading this thread.

--
Gary
Will Fly for Food