BH Photo sucks

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

Ok, maybe sucks is a bad word to use, but right now I'm at a loss to better explain it. I heard good stuff about them and thought I'd give them a try, as they are supposedly "pro's". So I call to place an order this morning and it rings forever. A recording comes on and says all sales people are busy. Finally a recording comes on that says transferring to a supervisor. It rings and then switches back to ? and then disconnects me. Hmm...so I call back and finally get someone to answer. I explain I want to purchase the whole Pentax setup, but their price is $150 more than Amazon. He looks his item number up, says that's because his is a "kit", which includes a memory card!! I told him to keep the memory card, that would be fine by me. He says he can't break up their "kit". I nicely explain that the mfg number is the same as Amazon and $150 for a memory card seems a bit much. He says but he has free shipping. I explain that Amazon has free super saving shipping too. He says he won't change the price at all, and did I want to order it. (which, of course, I didn't).

Not exactly "pro" in my book, and an experience I might have expected from one of the "lesser" vendors.
Oh well, just venting and thought I'd share.

BrianC · Dec 20, 2009

So, why not just buy it from Amazon?

--
Brian

rmalbers · Dec 20, 2009

Sounds to me like they are closed. I think they post there operating hours online.

Matthew Miller · Dec 20, 2009

Bullwhip said:
I explain I want to purchase the whole Pentax setup, but their price is $150 more than Amazon. He looks his item number up, says that's because his is a "kit", which includes a memory card!! I told him to keep the memory card, that would be fine by me. He says he can't break up their "kit". I nicely explain that the mfg number is the same as Amazon and $150 for a memory card seems a bit much.

Do you mean the K-7 deal they have right now with a free sling bag and sandisk memory card? Looks like they're throwing that stuff in, not actually bundling it as a kit. You argue that you don't want the kit, and the rep is just saying, well, we have a higher price but you do get this. And the price appears to be about $20 more than Amazon right now.

I don't see why your answer shouldn't be "okay, I'll buy from somewhere else" at this point. That's not unprofessional of either of you. "Pro" doesn't mean "will come down on price just on the customer's demand", does it?

He says but he has free shipping. I explain that Amazon has free super saving shipping too. He says he won't change the price at all, and did I want to order it. (which, of course, I didn't).

--
Matthew Miller « http://mattdm.org/ »

Matthew Miller · Dec 20, 2009

Plus the K-x looks to be the same price. *shrug*.
--
Matthew Miller « http://mattdm.org/ »

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

That's now the plan. Like I said, thought I'd try them first.

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

Nope, check their hours of operation and even waited an hour after they opened before calling. They were definately open !

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

Actually, the price is $150 higher than amazon on the kit. Like I said, seems like a lot for a memory card (and bag?).

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

"I don't see why your answer shouldn't be "okay, I'll buy from somewhere else" at this point. That's not unprofessional of either of you. "

As my post read, that was my answer. And, btw, I was very professional. I'm just sharing my experience.

rondeann · Dec 20, 2009

If it's the K-x you're talking about it's the same price in both B&H and Amazon but B&H throws in a bag and memory card.

I've bought from B&H many times and always been very satisfied and when the price is the same or close I will buy from them again.
--
You pay for what you get but you don't necessarily get what you pay for

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

That is not correct. It is in my cart from Amazon for 653.99. They are 799.95. Mind you, I didn't INSIST they meet Amazon's price, but they would not even change the price at all, let alone come close. And I know that's their perogative, as is mine to do business elsewhere.

I figured I'd get some flaming from BH fans, but it is what it is. Like I said, just sharing the facts....and venting a little.

Charlie Self · Dec 20, 2009

Bullwhip said:
That is not correct. It is in my cart from Amazon for 653.99. They are 799.95. Mind you, I didn't INSIST they meet Amazon's price, but they would not even change the price at all, let alone come close. And I know that's their perogative, as is mine to do business elsewhere.

I figured I'd get some flaming from BH fans, but it is what it is. Like I said, just sharing the facts....and venting a little.

I just checked the K-x with 18-55, sling bag and card at B&H: $549.99.

I didn't check Adorama, nor did I check Amazon.

It looks to me as if someone got their prices bollixed up.

--
Charlie Self

http://www.charlieselfonline.com

Voff · Dec 20, 2009

Bullwhip said:
I explain I want to purchase the whole Pentax setup, but their price is $150 more than Amazon.

Why don't you order from Amazon then???

BrianC · Dec 20, 2009

As far a phone systems go, there are glitches at times...and nothing will ship until Monday anyways.

I know you are unhappy that they didn't lower their costs more in line with Amazon....but B&H has a store front that would make their operating costs much higher than Amazon. With that said I find their prices to be pretty good most of the time.

I am not a firm believer in price matching.....if we want the lowest price then we just need to go to the place with the lowest price plain and simple. I never expect other companies to lower their price for me.

My parents owned and operated a small grocery store right across the street from a large local chain grocer. Were their prices in line with the chain? Not usually....but where did the people come for cold beer and pop?

I have always been satisfied with both B&H & Amazon, except for Amazon's lousy, almost non existent packaging.

I'm not sure why you brought this to the forum....you had two choices and in your opinion one was better than the other..........just go with Amazon.

Good luck with your decision as where to buy, and enjoy your camera gear!
--
Brian

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

This was for the k-x with the 55-300 kit. BH 799, Adorama 719, Amazon 654. I explained I would also purchase from them the pentax flash and remote and kit, but that was neither here nor there to him...maybe it was just a bad time for them, being the last weekend before Christmas and all. ? Whatever...it is what it is I guess.

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

Thanks. I'm hoping to get some good advice here on using my K-X , as I'm sure there will be a learning curve to get the most out of it.
Thanks again.

Phixer323 · Dec 20, 2009

I don't know what has been happening at B & H. Recently, My friend and I have both have had negative experiences. The sales staff have been very short and not informed as to product. This has come as a surprise because previously I was a diehard B & H person. I recently purchased several lenses from Adorama and they were more than accomodating, matching a price on a lens from B & H by dropping theirs by $150. They then kept in touch by email when one item was backordered. When I changed the order, again, they couldn't have been nicer! The attitude at B & H has bordered on arrogance. Again, I have been shocked by this.

Bullwhip · Dec 20, 2009

quote: "That's now the plan. Like I said, thought I'd try them first."

wll · Dec 20, 2009

Bullwhip said:
Ok, maybe sucks is a bad word to use, but right now I'm at a loss to better explain it. I heard good stuff about them and thought I'd give them a try, as they are supposedly "pro's". So I call to place an order this morning and it rings forever. A recording comes on and says all sales people are busy. Finally a recording comes on that says transferring to a supervisor. It rings and then switches back to ? and then disconnects me. Hmm...so I call back and finally get someone to answer. I explain I want to purchase the whole Pentax setup, but their price is $150 more than Amazon. He looks his item number up, says that's because his is a "kit", which includes a memory card!! I told him to keep the memory card, that would be fine by me. He says he can't break up their "kit". I nicely explain that the mfg number is the same as Amazon and $150 for a memory card seems a bit much. He says but he has free shipping. I explain that Amazon has free super saving shipping too. He says he won't change the price at all, and did I want to order it. (which, of course, I didn't).

Not exactly "pro" in my book, and an experience I might have expected from one of the "lesser" vendors.
Oh well, just venting and thought I'd share.

B&H is the finest Photo store in the world. Yes they have rules and ?, but they ship promptly, I always get new items, they return with no questions asked. IMHO they are the best. I have bought MANY, MANY thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment and have never had a problem.

wll

Tom Lusk · Dec 20, 2009

To flame a company on a public message board because they will not price-match a product - sad, really sad.

BH Photo sucks

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