I'm DONE with B&H!

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and 8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the heat!

What are you buying now lee ?!

Any more nice pictures of the olympics ?

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

Lee, perhaps you've been blacklisted at B&H and the packers have been told you ship you substandard goods?

I think I can understand your frustration, though. While I don't expect unopened boxes, I do expect that the items are in new condition; after all, B&H's requirements for returns include that the item be in new re-sellable condition. But if the item you received really has taken a beating, well, I don't fault you for giving up on B&H for good.

I for one have had both good and bad experiences with them, but probably nothing as bad as you've had. Sorry to hear it ended that way.--jason: http://www.jcwphoto.net

Lee,

You deserve better!

It's a fact that B&H takes returns back "In as new" condition. I have ourchased a 16-35L, 28-135IS, 70-200L f4 from them. All pristene, all like new.

At least if I get something from them thats a repack, It should look, feel and work as new.

If a customer returns something because it is not working right it should not go back in new stock.

If a customer returns something, it should be repackaged correctly by the customer. Then, it should be checked out by sales staff and repackaged as new. If the packaging is not acceptable, then B&H should not accept it back. Of the three lenses I purchased from B&H I sent back the 28-135 fotr the 16-35. I sent my 28-135 back in perfect condition and packaging.

I did receive a filter from them. It was a Tiffiin P.O.C.! Threads were scored, retaining ring in front of filter was marked up and the anodized outer ring had a 1/5 inch rub on it. Plus it creaked and groaned when I pick it up. Your thread will prompt me to return it today.

If B & H does not take better care of their customers they will loose their business to Canoga (Where I bought my D-30) and to Delta. I got my 100-400 from Sam'y, very nice people.

Pr. Posner if you read this you should pay attention!--Jeff MorrisAdams, Gutmann, Steichen, Stigletz, Weston. they lead by example.

Hi.

I agree with you in principal, but the problem is, who do you buy from now? By industry standards, B&H has a good reputation (slightly sad, but true) and a huge selection, and decent prices. Not too many other places have those 3 things going for them. You might try calling in your orders and explicitly asking for unopened product.

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

i have never had this problem with them but i have probably just been lucky, and if I did have this problem, I would probably stop ordering from them as well. . Mark

Jeff Morris said:

Lee,

You deserve better!

It's a fact that B&H takes returns back "In as new" condition. I
have ourchased a 16-35L, 28-135IS, 70-200L f4 from them. All
pristene, all like new.

At least if I get something from them thats a repack, It should
look, feel and work as new.

If a customer returns something because it is not working right it
should not go back in new stock.

If a customer returns something, it should be repackaged correctly
by the customer. Then, it should be checked out by sales staff and
repackaged as new. If the packaging is not acceptable, then B&H
should not accept it back. Of the three lenses I purchased from
B&H I sent back the 28-135 fotr the 16-35. I sent my 28-135 back
in perfect condition and packaging.

I did receive a filter from them. It was a Tiffiin P.O.C.!
Threads were scored, retaining ring in front of filter was marked
up and the anodized outer ring had a 1/5 inch rub on it. Plus it
creaked and groaned when I pick it up. Your thread will prompt me
to return it today.

If B & H does not take better care of their customers they will
loose their business to Canoga (Where I bought my D-30) and to
Delta. I got my 100-400 from Sam'y, very nice people.

Pr. Posner if you read this you should pay attention!
--
Jeff Morris

Adams, Gutmann, Steichen, Stigletz, Weston. they lead by example.

Click to expand...

Where he always buys them....

Delta International (www.deltainternational.com)

Lee is their official spokesperson.

Joo

Forbidden Fruit said:

Any more nice pictures of the olympics ?

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--Canon D-30 & PowerShot S100Maybe one day I'll take a decent picture.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=2191938

Saswat Misra said:

I agree with you in principal, but the problem is, who do you buy
from now? By industry standards, B&H has a good reputation
(slightly sad, but true) and a huge selection, and decent prices.
Not too many other places have those 3 things going for them. You
might try calling in your orders and explicitly asking for unopened
product.

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--Canon D-30 & PowerShot S100Maybe one day I'll take a decent picture.

After reading your praises of Delta and your dislike for B&H, I'm surprised you ordered from B&H at all.

My experience with B&H in numerous orders over two years has always been good. Everything I have ordered has been new in the box merchandise. While its possible a customer may have been shown that merchandise, it was repacked so well I could not tell.

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

--Bill

It was 1/2 inch where the black was off on the filter and it's Mr. Henry Posner you should speak to. His E- Mail address is:

[email protected] or [email protected]

I think B&H is one of the more reputable companies. The fact that we can return items is very important to me. No stores in my section of the state carry any quality Canon products or glass. (Well Ritz has a dozen lenses, but when you buy retail from Ritz you get their demo floor sample which is 15-20% higher in price than the regular dealers we work with. Plus god knows how many times they went out, how old they are etc. B&H is a monster company, only G-D knows how they handle the customer service problems.

I would give them a 7 out of 10!
--Jeff MorrisAdams, Gutmann, Steichen, Stigletz, Weston. they lead by example.

It was stated that B&H has a good reputation. I'd like to ask, what happens to the stuff that they so easly take back in returns?

When I buy,and pay a decent price, I want new stuff. If it has to go through a demonstration at peoples houses first - unchaproned too - I think I will pass. Every time I think of buying something at B&H my mind thinks, I wonder if what I buy has been to Canoga California and back first.

I agree with you Lee. At least you would think they make it look like it is new! Road tested goods is not for me. Otherwise I would buy my cars from Budget and Dollar-Rent-A-Car.

Pete

That stinks, but I have spend thousands upon thousands at B&H with no problems at all. Everything always comes amazingly packaged and in perfect condition. I'm actually supposed to recieve a package from them tomorrow...

You must be on the blacklist.

-Jamil

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

Guess what! The last 2 times I DID specifically request that the products they send me be in "Unopened" boxes. You can see where it got me. The previous shippment came with a product whose box was torn in no less than 6 pieces and taped back together for shipment. A REAL disgrace if you ask me......If I were in business a box like that would NEVER make it through shipping. Man their standards must be unbelievably low....

You

photo25DMV said:

might try calling in your orders and explicitly asking for unopened
product.

Click to expand...

That's so funny you would mention that. I even said to the customer service representative (who gave me the distinct impression she couldn't wait for me to be done and hang up) that I wouldn't be surprised if they had my name on a list to "send all opened merchandise to this guy".

Jamil Abbasy said:

You must be on the blacklist.

-Jamil

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I have ordered almost all my photo equip from B&H. No problems at all. Boxes the equip came in perfect condition, unopened. But maybe, it could be Fedex that is the problem, and not B & H.

Jamil Abbasy said:

You must be on the blacklist.

-Jamil

Lee Rothman said:

Well, I fully realize that toes will be stepped on and a renewed
flame war will begin, but I have had it for good with B&H. I have
been patient and understanding long enough. I received the 7th and
8th order from them since November of which only ONE was in an
unopened box. The product I got last week and today looked like
they had been in a war, obviously opened and for all I know road
tested. This is NOT what I pay for and I have really had it. All
you B&H lovers out there can flame away. As many of you already
know me and know I AM fussy about getting new product as unopened
product and they have abused this ONE too many times. Thankfully I
do NOT buy my major products from them or I would have given up on
them a long time ago. I DID call and leave a complaint with their
customer service department whose response was and I quote "I am
sorry you feel that way". Well indeed they should be. So let them
get everyone else's money......I'm DONE with them. They had more
than enough chances to get it right! Okay....Fine...bring on the
heat!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I believe you'll find the following to be standard practice at camera stores that accept returns (usually within 14 days):

1) the item must be returned in "As new" condition with all the packaging
2) the item must not be "defective", ie it has to work.

3) the item gets inspected by the store upon return . . if it meets the above requirements, it is repackaged and sold again "as new".

Peter Gregg said:

It was stated that B&H has a good reputation. I'd like to ask, what
happens to the stuff that they so easly take back in returns?

When I buy,and pay a decent price, I want new stuff. If it has to
go through a demonstration at peoples houses first - unchaproned
too - I think I will pass. Every time I think of buying something
at B&H my mind thinks, I wonder if what I buy has been to Canoga
California and back first.

I agree with you Lee. At least you would think they make it look
like it is new! Road tested goods is not for me. Otherwise I would
buy my cars from Budget and Dollar-Rent-A-Car.

Click to expand...

--The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net

DavidP said:

I believe you'll find the following to be standard practice at
camera stores that accept returns (usually within 14 days):

1) the item must be returned in "As new" condition with all the
packaging
2) the item must not be "defective", ie it has to work.
3) the item gets inspected by the store upon return . . if it meets
the above requirements, it is repackaged and sold again "as new".

Click to expand...

I usually see items like this listed as open box items with great discounts. Some camera stores may be different, but that doesn't mean we have to like the policy of selling open box items as new or purchase from companies who's policies we dislike. You're free to purchase from who you like, just like everybody else.

How many "open box" specials do you see offered at B&H, Cameraworld, Canoga, BestPriceAudioVideo, etc ?

dgrogers said:

I usually see items like this listed as open box items with great
discounts. Some camera stores may be different, but that doesn't
mean we have to like the policy of selling open box items as new or
purchase from companies who's policies we dislike. You're free to
purchase from who you like, just like everybody else.

Click to expand...

--The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net

I'm not arguing with anyone but in the last four years or so I have made well over a hundred orders (everything from film, chemicals to lenses and cameras) from B&H and NEVER had one problem at all. Just wanted to insert something from the other side of the coin.

I've been dealing with B&H for I think at least 15 years and have never had a problem with the many dozens of purchases I have had from them that wasn't resolved to my satisfaction. I have never received anything that looked like it had been opened or used. I would think that with the retail volume that B&H does---if you've ever been in their retail store they have hundreds of people waiting to served---that they just sell their opened but working returns at the retail store as demos. I'm sure the returns with problems are sent to the makers. I find it hard to believe that someone who seems to be so unhappy with a company keeps buying from them and writing complaining posts about it. If I were unhappy with B&H I would just stop buying from them. They are one of the most reputable outfits in the mail order business and they do the volume which shows most people are very happy with the way they are treated. I've never had them to try to sell me another item rather than what I've wanted. And very important to me is that when they say it will arrive on Tuesday it does. They never say something is in stock when it isn't. If I do have a problem with an item they have always handled it to my satisfaction with just one phone call. I don't think you could ask more of a dealer. My one problem was a camera that malfunctioned the second day I had it. They sent me a new one overnight at their expense...who could ask for more. I guess the old addage you can't make everyone happy applies here.