Irritated with B&H Photo

CharlesB58 · Apr 6, 2015

Nedley said:
I have always liked B&H, for their prices and service. Have used them for years. I could even overlook the order blackout on Saturdays (Apparently the owners are Orthodox Jews). But I just sent an email to ask about a possible return, and this is the response I got:

Nedley said:

Dear Customer,

B&H Photo will be closed for Holiday/Vacation from Friday, April 3rd, 9:00am until Sunday, April 12th.

All e-mail departments are now closed in preparation for our closing.

Please re-submit your e-mail on or after Sunday, April 12th.

Click to expand...

Pretty ridiculous, I think. Your religion is your religion: Fine. But if it is going to impact the way you do business to this extent, I really will have to look elsewhere. Am I overreacting or what?

tYes you are overreacting. The world does not revolve around you. If having to wait an extra day or so for an email reply bothers you so much you have some issues that are not related to camera gear.
--
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Garry Winogrand

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Greetings to all, and thank you for visiting my gallery site. You'll notice there are a lot of photos of concerts and other performances. For over a decade I have been the house photographer CSPS Hall. The main purpose of this site is to present photos from my years at CSPS Hall, as well as...

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scrup · Apr 6, 2015

Dukhat said:
B&H has never done any business during Jewish holidays.

You are wrong. Just checked on their website and you can order products right now. It won't be shipped but they are probably happy to take your money now.

cpharm86 · Apr 6, 2015

I don't visit the Open Talk Forum that often but thought I would check to see if there was a long thread on someone complaining about B&H during their days off for religious beliefs. It didn't let me down

Go ahead and shop elsewhere. It appears that would be in your best interest.

Oh, by the way, the AT&T store was closed on Easter Sunday, I waited until today to take care of business.

Spotted Cow · Apr 6, 2015

Nedley said:
Wow, pretty strong opinions here. It seems I am outnumbered, but I will still drop B&H. There are many alternatives, and being unavailable for ten straight days seems like bad business practice to me.

And I think that's a perfectly fine decision for you to come to, without having to bring it up in a forum. Everyone can speak loudly with where they choose to spend their money and that's the loudest voice you have, to be honest. There are many other fine reputable stores that sell photography "stuff" that are open much more frequently than B&H. I, for one, have given B&H more money than other stores. But if I ever felt that it wasn't working for me for one reason or another, I'd happily switch to another store as my go to store for my photography needs. Simple as that. No one forces me or you to shop at any one specific store. On side note, not sure how old you are, but I'm going to guess you are a by product of this generations "microwave" society. Just an observation.

FrancoD · Apr 6, 2015

I am totally with you.

Stupid B&H also refuse to take my calls during the day with the excuse that it is nighttime over there.

So is it my fault that I am In Australia ?

What kind of discrimination is that ?

BTW, getting up really early (before lunchtime here) I do get through but can never tell if I am talking to B or H.

And what's up with the funny accent anyway ?

Not the way of doing business if you ask me.

sshoihet · Apr 6, 2015

FrancoD said:
I am totally with you.

Stupid B&H also refuse to take my calls during the day with the excuse that it is nighttime over there.

So is it my fault that I am In Australia ?

What kind of discrimination is that ?

BTW, getting up really early (before lunchtime here) I do get through but can never tell if I am talking to B or H.

And what's up with the funny accent anyway ?

Not the way of doing business if you ask me.

Yes, imagine what it would be like if a large number of Christian businesses shut down for an extended period of time!!! Luckily, Christmas is in the middle of winter right??? ;-)

sterretje · Apr 6, 2015

Nedley said:
I have always liked B&H, for their prices and service. Have used them for years. I could even overlook the order blackout on Saturdays (Apparently the owners are Orthodox Jews). But I just sent an email to ask about a possible return, and this is the response I got:

Nedley said:

Dear Customer,

B&H Photo will be closed for Holiday/Vacation from Friday, April 3rd, 9:00am until Sunday, April 12th.

All e-mail departments are now closed in preparation for our closing.

Please re-submit your e-mail on or after Sunday, April 12th.

Click to expand...

Pretty ridiculous, I think. Your religion is your religion: Fine. But if it is going to impact the way you do business to this extent, I really will have to look elsewhere. Am I overreacting or what?

One thing is a bit ridiculous and that is that they ask to re-submit. Their systems should easily be able to store the emails (it's the usual way) till people get back at work and process them.

Further I do indeed think you're indeed overreacting; just be patient, what's a couple of days.

DuaneJ · Apr 6, 2015

I also have a return that is pending this week but I am ok with it. B&H is always honest and upfront about their closing periods. For me honesty and reliability trump their closures. I trust them and that is theist important thing.

hikerdoc · Apr 7, 2015

scrup said:
scrup said:

B&H has never done any business during Jewish holidays.

Click to expand...

You are wrong. Just checked on their website and you can order products right now. It won't be shipped but they are probably happy to take your money now.

You can place the order. They do not process it until they return. They do not charge your card until your order is processed. I believe they also accept PayPal, which is a separate entity with it's own policies.

The policy may even be more liberal than in past where during the Sabbath hours one could place items in the "cart", but not actually place the order until after sundown on Saturday.

It is a sign that spring is finally here in the northeastern US when the intolerance toward B&H threads appear!

Hope1943 · Apr 7, 2015

FrancoD - Are you serious? Do you really think B&H - or any other business in the US should have 24 hour phone customer service so you can call anytime from Australia? Have you ever heard of time zones? The world is big and round. The sun can't cover it all at the same time. How many businesses in Australia have 24 hour phone customer service? Order from the internet. Problem solved. Peace. John

Mark B. · Apr 7, 2015

kcdogger said:
FrancoD - Are you serious? Do you really think B&H - or any other business in the US should have 24 hour phone customer service so you can call anytime from Australia? Have you ever heard of time zones? The world is big and round. The sun can't cover it all at the same time. How many businesses in Australia have 24 hour phone customer service? Order from the internet. Problem solved. Peace. John

Are you serious? Maybe this will help

jdshaw · Apr 7, 2015

What a shocker - B&H closed for Jewish holidays.

greenmanphoto · Apr 7, 2015

Nedley,

It's NOT ridiculous. In fact, B&H has done this regularly for years, and they ALWAYS post about it in advance. They're not refusing to serve anyone due to their own religious beliefs (or lack thereof), so they're not breaking secular laws. However, since they're Orthodox Jews, they WOULD be breaking Jewish law to be open. Therefore, they let everyone interested know if advance.

If you don't like it, you have several options, including planning ahead a bit and working around the closures. As others have said, there are other vendors, as well, but Adorama is another well-known Internet store that also regularly closes for certain holidays.

I say plan ahead and get over it, or go elsewhere.

Sam

greenmanphoto · Apr 7, 2015

scrup said:
scrup said:

B&H has never done any business during Jewish holidays.

Click to expand...

You are wrong. Just checked on their website and you can order products right now. It won't be shipped but they are probably happy to take your money now.

scrup,

No, the statement isn't really wrong. There is no actual person to talk with to place an order, but an order CAN be placed via the Web site. As they state, however, it won't be processed and shipped until they ARE open for business.

Sam

greenmanphoto · Apr 7, 2015

christom said:
Nedley said:

I have always liked B&H, for their prices and service. Have used them for years. I could even overlook the order blackout on Saturdays (Apparently the owners are Orthodox Jews). But I just sent an email to ask about a possible return, and this is the response I got:

christom said:

Dear Customer,

B&H Photo will be closed for Holiday/Vacation from Friday, April 3rd, 9:00am until Sunday, April 12th.

All e-mail departments are now closed in preparation for our closing.

Please re-submit your e-mail on or after Sunday, April 12th.

Click to expand...

Pretty ridiculous, I think. Your religion is your religion: Fine. But if it is going to impact the way you do business to this extent, I really will have to look elsewhere. Am I overreacting or what?

Click to expand...

Yes, you are overreacting, and you are spoiled. I remember the time when private businesses would shut down for weeks, or longer, so the owners could go on vacation.

--

I remember when most stores were closed on Sundays, except for many gas stations and convenience-type stores! And many were closed on Thanksgiving, and only open for a limited number of hours, if at all, on Christmas Eve! You almost NEVER see that these days!

Sam

--

Sam B.
D200, 16-85mm, 35-135mm, Sigma 10-20 f3.5 N8008s, Gitzo 2531, Induro DM-01 ballhead
Certified Texas Master Naturalist
Proud WSSA Member #260!
www.flickr.com/photos/sibeardjr
www.doormouse-editions.com

Aaron801 · Apr 7, 2015

I happen to be jewish, but I don't practice at all... and would support them being closed for a week or two a year even for completely secular reasons. I feel that we in the US have a culture that's far too much about convenience. I place much more importance on places of work giving their employees a week (or more) of vacation than I than I do the existence of places that are open 365 days a year. I think that we place far too much importance on being able to get any produce or service at any time than we do about the actual quality of our lives.

henryp · Apr 7, 2015

We regret this inconvenience and apologize for having caused this irritation. It's not much help, but we've maintained the same Passover closing schedule since we opened in 1973.
--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

henryp · Apr 7, 2015

scrup said:
scrup said:

B&H has never done any business during Jewish holidays.

Click to expand...

You are wrong. Just checked on their website and you can order products right now. It won't be shipped but they are probably happy to take your money now.

For US customers paying by credit card we don't charge the card until we actually ship, so for many customers we're not actually taking their money now.
--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

borno · Apr 7, 2015

Why do the heathen rage

hikerdoc · Apr 7, 2015

We've got your back Henry! You may celebrate in peace with your family.

D

Irritated with B&H Photo

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