B&H says posting/using PMA coupon codes is dishonest

at_broome · Feb 12, 2008

Although buried in quite a bit of hubris, I think the point Michael is trying to make is that B&H knows this happens and lets it happen, but no one is allowed to talk about it. And I, for talking about it demonstrated a complete lack of understanding for how the real world works.

He is entitled to his opinion.

therickman · Feb 12, 2008

Jared Hunter said:
Who are they to judge?!?

http://eeoc.gov/press/10-16-07.html

Interesting...

--
'Obviously, you're not a golfer.' - the Dude (Lebowski)

mfurman · Feb 12, 2008

I have already apologized before that I may have suggested that you are not smart.
--
Michael

'People are crazy and times are strange, I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range, I used to care, but things have changed' - Bob Dylan

mfurman · Feb 12, 2008

at_broome have said it in the most recent post (above). There is something that could be summarized as "don't ask - don't tell" philosophy of life. at_broome by involving Mr. Posner in the discussions (I would have never posted what he did on dpreview) may (!) force B&H to tighten the policy of special rebates (if only to save face)
--
Michael

'People are crazy and times are strange, I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range, I used to care, but things have changed' - Bob Dylan

dtuason · Feb 12, 2008

I agree...therickman!

Right now I am turned off by B&H Photo Video for doing this even if I am not the customer involved. I am boycotting them for life. I am using Adorama from now on.

Now...I don't care if B&H offers the lowest price...they usually don't anyway...everytime I use http://www.bizrate.com or http://www.pricegrabber.com from now on, I will ignore the B&H price...I will not buy from them again. It's okay! They are a big company...they won't get hurt...they have other customers.

Guys...it's only me...my honest opinion only...you don't have to follow me...do whatever you please...if you want to buy from B&H, fine...if not, fine too...

I will be fair to B&H...they are a great company with great products...but I am staying away from them after this incident. There are other great companies besides B&H...I will just buy from those other stores...like Adorama...Beach Camera...Buydig...Abe's of Maine and others...

Danny Tuason

PS The customer is always right! I believe that! Otherwise the customer will walk away!

Mr B Pix · Feb 12, 2008

therickman said:
1 - Does B&H still make a profit when the coupon codes are used?

Why is this any of your concern or business? Any reasonable business has margins set throughout their product line in order to meet their business goals (top line sales and bottom line profits). High margin products and loss-leaders are part of every business marketing model in order to acheive their goals.

therickman said:
2 - Why are you on here conspicuously spying on your store's
customers and antagonizing? Isn't that in and of itself unethical??

I wouldn't say that Henry is "conspicuously spying" or "antagonizing". In the age of the internet, all businesses have someone that frequents message boards to see what is being said about them. I don't post alot, but I am glad that B&H has a face out here (thanks Henry!). Most businesses only read, and do not post.

I hate to say it, but I have actually read most of this thread. I think I will be moving on to other discussions that may help my photography skills.

Robert Sheldon · Feb 12, 2008

therickman said:
henryp said:

therickman said:

For general purposes, after all discounts to the retail ticket price,
profits are still typically a minimum of 15% above cost - and on a
discount-reduced item of $1000, thats still a $150 profit.

Click to expand...

When I laugh this hard, my ribs ache.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Click to expand...

Your avoidance of an articulate response to my statement speaks volumes.

--

Henry's response spoke volumes more than yours did.

--
Bob Sheldon
Photo Gallery at
http://www.bobsheldon.com

Robert Sheldon · Feb 12, 2008

therickman said:
2 - Why are you on here conspicuously spying on your store's
customers and antagonizing? Isn't that in and of itself unethical??

--

Henry is a valued, long time member of this forum. We all wish more stores/companies paid attention and answered concerns on these forums.
--
Bob Sheldon
Photo Gallery at
http://www.bobsheldon.com

mfurman · Feb 12, 2008

You have been here only a few months and have no right to tell other members of this forum (Mr. Posner) what they can say or do. I find your comments and attitude completely out of line.
--
Michael

'People are crazy and times are strange, I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range, I used to care, but things have changed' - Bob Dylan

mfurman · Feb 12, 2008

It is so funny how those 2-4 month dpreview members seem to know and understand everything. The problem is that they voice their opinion without any concerned for others here. I guess it is a "generation thing".

--
Michael

'People are crazy and times are strange, I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range, I used to care, but things have changed' - Bob Dylan

henryp · Feb 12, 2008

therickman said:
Your avoidance of an articulate response to my statement speaks volumes.

Since I'd addressed the topic earlier, I didn't see the need to be redundant, but here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=26751377

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Redteg94 · Feb 12, 2008

I don't know if the profit on lenses is good in the states, but I can tell you in Canada its cut throat, to compete with other retailers around, we sell lenses at 7-10% profit. No more than that, there is very little money to be made by salespeople from lenses. As a salesman, I can make more money selling a $250 sony p&s than I would selling a 70-200mm 2.8 IS right now. I don't know if the B&H salesmen lose commisions when a discount code is applied, but if so, I can see why they're reluctant.

therickman said:
From a guy who worked retail management for a third of his life,
stores are to always take valid coupons, no matter how or where they
got them. Also, the markup is so incredibly high, that even with a
5%, 10% or even 15% coupon discount, they are still making profits
hand over fist. In the world of business, you take the sale no matter
how you get it. Always keep the customer happy, and never, NEVER
offend. Sounds like B&H has a rogue rep on their hands.
'Obviously, you're not a golfer.' - the Dude (Lebowski)

--
-Scott
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redteg94/

henryp · Feb 12, 2008

therickman said:
2 - Why are you on here conspicuously spying on your store's customers

I thought spying was by its nature clandestine. I was unaware one could spy conspicuously.

We do seem to have pummeled this topic to death and then kicked the corpse quite a bit though. In closing, I'll say this:

The person who initiated this thread has been presented with the opportunity to buy the product he wanted as he wanted.
The sales associate with whom he spoke has had an instructive conversation with his sales manager after that sales manager and I reviewed the situation and listened to recordings of the call which triggered this.

I cannot imagine there is much more to say on this topic.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Tbedna1 · Feb 12, 2008

FYI

Redteg94 said:
....... I don't know if the B&H salesmen
lose commisions when a discount code is applied, but if so, I can see
why they're reluctant.

Tbedna1 said:
Do the CSR's get commission?

Nope. We prefer they make suggestions and offer advise based on what they believe is in your best interest after fact-finding rather than make suggestions based on what will best pad their weekly pay envelopes.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Redteg94 said:
therickman said:

From a guy who worked retail management for a third of his life,
stores are to always take valid coupons, no matter how or where they
got them. Also, the markup is so incredibly high, that even with a
5%, 10% or even 15% coupon discount, they are still making profits
hand over fist. In the world of business, you take the sale no matter
how you get it. Always keep the customer happy, and never, NEVER
offend. Sounds like B&H has a rogue rep on their hands.
'Obviously, you're not a golfer.' - the Dude (Lebowski)

Click to expand...

--
-Scott
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redteg94/

Steve48 · Feb 12, 2008

Well having dealt with both B&H and Adorama extensively 5K+ monthly. You be wishing you didnt deal with Adorama, They ship slowww and several times used was sent when I was paying full tilt new price . Also just act like you were at the show. They push it because the show coupons lose them money as in negative profits.

Vernon D Rainwater · Feb 12, 2008

Henry, You are "one of a kind" and I am referring to the GOOD kind.
My Regards,
--
Vernon...

henryp · Feb 12, 2008

Redteg94 said:
I don't know if the B&H salesmen
lose commisions when a discount code is applied, but if so, I can see
why they're reluctant.

No commissions at B&H -- nothing to lose.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

timpa42 · Feb 12, 2008

And there lays the problem, if B&H calls him dishonest then they are calling many more people dishonest as well. I do not even buy from them, but if they told me that, I would not buy from them ever because of it.

First off they are being dishonest, they can easy limit coupons to make sure that don't happen. I got a program that does just that, this is about B&H being cheap plan and simple as that. Other wise they could of easy limited them, I will not buy from them that is for sure.

I got turned off from B&H early, because of people saying what does B&H care, they sell so much stuff a few $1000 sales mean nothing to them. Well in my thinking good then, because I'll take my smaller sales to a place, that it does mean some thing then.

From the way people talked about them on here, B&H should go into the whole sale biz instead of retailing. That way they will not have to be bothered, by us small time buyers and our small orders. I got cheaper prices else where, and the places I got from. Was happy to take my order, I'll let B&H's fan boys and girls buy there stuff from them instead.
--
My psig photos
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=169695
Free Fun Arcade Games
http://www.arcadegamester.net

Redteg94 · Feb 12, 2008

I guess that's a good thing, although I've always subscribed to the notion that commissions make the salesperson more involved in keeping the customer happy. Why would I misinform a customer to make a couple more bucks if they'll never come back. I'd rather lose a bit of commission on a single sale, but make a lifetime customer. If I was only in it for the $, I'd be pushing Olympus like crazy, lol (they like spiffing and they're lenses cost a fortune), but where I work, I'd say Canon and Nikon equipment outsells Oly at least 5:1.

I digress, the point of my post was to defend B&H and other retailers from people who say the profit margins on photo equipment is sky high, which is far from the truth, and those of us on commission know this fact quite well.

henryp said:
Redteg94 said:

I don't know if the B&H salesmen
lose commisions when a discount code is applied, but if so, I can see
why they're reluctant.

Click to expand...

No commissions at B&H -- nothing to lose.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

--
-Scott
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redteg94/

macshark · Feb 12, 2008

How many people found out about B&H coupon codes from this thread and purchased equipment from B&H?

B&H says posting/using PMA coupon codes is dishonest

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Active member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Member

Active member

Forum Pro

Veteran Member

Forum Enthusiast

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts