Recent 5D buying experience

[southriver]

Well, after all the resaerch and the dust has settled, I have to give a plug to B&H. I've bought from them for years, but this one time, I first tried to support my local brick and mortar shop – a store in New England with several branches. I told them I would buy a 5D and three lenses if they could come within a couple hundred dollars of B&H

They met the price + $200.00 by shipping from out of state. Four days after the rebate the equipment arrived - packed loose in much used, pre-crushed and ripped box that was barely big enough for the body and three lenses. I had the UPS driver witness my opening and photographing this package with 5k plus in equipment, not enough insurance (the driver said with proper insurance it would have a code saying it was a "high value" package) or a signature requirement. In addition to the obvious damage, one warranty card was missing and the body and an expensive L lens were demos. The box the body was in was also crushed.

I brought it over to the outlet I was dealing with an hour later and got a full refund. I called B&H an hour later, got friendly, fast, helpful service and two days later had a fully insured signature package with new, fresh, unopened equipment in a large, new uncrushed shipping carton complete with detailed (serial no's ) invoice and rebate paperwork. A buying experience the way it should be.

I try to deal locally when ever I hear the whining about buying by mail order, but I have to say that more often than not when I buy locally– this experience is the rule rather than the exception. I don't like to publicly flame so I won't name the shop. The manager and the others who run the local branch are good guys who know their stuff. Unfortunately the rest of the organization does not back them up, which seem to have nothing but contempt for their customers.

 

[Margelatu]

You don't post names, you just do a hidden publicity to B&H. I really don't see your point in this posting. Another royal waste of time and bandwidth...

 

[southriver]

Gee, what did I do? I think the mail-order vs brick and mortar things an issue worth discussing. Like most of my friends, I like going into camera stores , trying the equipment, talking to people who know their trade and supporting them if they return something of greater value than the bedst price.

Marglatu, you have entirely misread the intent of my post and/or don't care about what anyone else thinks but yourself. I won't publicly flame a company that still has people I like working for it. If you don't like that -"so what?" I think too many "Camera Snobs" troll these forums dropping snotty & arrogant remarks like so much stinking excrement because dumping on people somehow makes them feel better. Get a life....

I can understand publicly flaming if a istore is dishonest/refusing a legitimate return, etc. In that case , forum member can help. But since nothing was stolen from me, I don't see the point. Anyone who wants to know the name of the company that provided such bad service can contact me off-line.

 

[JXander]

Haha i find total relevance to this post. Thanks!!!! I am actually in the same situation (sure enough also in New England) I have been tempted by the better prices of the online websites, but feared the possability of recieving damaged or used merchandise.

Thanks for the positive story.

Josh

 

[tjframe]

Just ignore Margelatu's comments - The funny thing is that he insults you for wasting his time, yet his own comments are a total waste of MY time. If he doesnt want to participate in your thread then he can just move along - no need to be a jackass.

After checking his other posts it looks like they are all a bit harsh/rude/obnoxious.

Don't let people with crappy attitudes deter you from posting what you want.

 

[megapixeldave]

hey southriver, ignore the stupid response from Margelatu. its hard to figure out what some people problems are. anyway i thought your post wast legit and worth reading and i agree about not needing to name the company in this instance.

thanks,
david
http://www.davidprobst.com

 

[Daniel Saredi]

Southriver. Thanks for posting! I would also rather support a local camera store then to buy my equipment online or even from an oversea store (I live in Europe). But as long as I get bad service overhere and the price differences are about 1/3 less in the USA (incl. shipping), I will go on ordering from your country. I know you will enjoy your 5d. Cheers, Daniel
--
http://www.pbase.com/daniel_saredi

 

[southriver]

Thanks folks, I checked his other posts and they were of the same caliber. That chip on his shoulder must be an enourmous burden!

I guess what also really frosted me about my attempted retail experience is that I am a small business owner. It seems to be such a no- brainer to do a few simple things to get a customer for life. The shop is 18 miles away. In the 2 weeks prior to the rebate, I made 3 trips to talk to the manager, test the equipment and negotiate the deal. He had indicated that he was miffed when I bought a Digital Rebel by mail order 2 years ago-that's why, in the interval, I bought 2 lenses from him to "show the faith". I thought, why not try for an outfit?. After this, debacle we are still friends. I didn't storm out, but had a serious talk with him about some obvious fundametal problems with the parent organization.

My business philosphy is very simple and did not require an MBA to learn: "the customer is always right" and I always under promise and try to over deliver. That way, I'm covered. In recent years, as I am sure yoiu are all well aware, most consumer items have first moved to the big box retailers and then to mail order. Brick and mortar shops have, for the most part, refused to or do not have the tools to meet that new challenge. Many are just wrapped up in a fog of complacency. I believe you could call B&H a mail order and a Brick and Mortar operation - one that has adapted, and is being rewarded. The other one I hear good things about is Canoga. I was going to try them, but they don't take Amex. Maybe next time, cause' I think my pounding the pavement shopping days are coming to a close.

 

[old_dog]

Another interesting point about buying from the web based stores vs brick and mortar stores is, at least in the US, state and local sales tax. Actually it even affects different web sites depending on where they are based. Since I live in New York, the sales tax on a high price item can represent a significant part of the price. It affects some web sites like B&H (for me) since they are based in NY and must charge me sales tax.

As much as I hate to say it, I think that the sales tax issue (in the US) is going to have to be addressed eventaully as it has a definite negative impact on the local stores vs web sites. The small business owners have enough things stacked against them as it is without having to face this added cost from a customer's perspective. Of course forcing a small web based business to deal with the multitude of state, county and city sales tax rules would be a hugh burden.

I do prefer to buy local but when you start looking at $300 plus in sales tax, that can make one have second thoughts. Yes, for those of you not in the US, I know that your tax burdens can be a lot higher.

Rollin

 

[T.D.]

In my state and perhaps many more, an individual is expected to claim that tax as "due" to be represented when filing their state income tax. At least the state is aware of "lost" revenues though out of state purchases. Its up to the individual to follow that course, but it is written as law, not an optional observation.

 

[EOSMan]

You say that you're supporting your local branch but they shipped it to you from out of state (mail order). Is this to avoid paying taxes?

They met the price + $200.00 by shipping from out of state. Four

--
EOSMan (got print button?)
http://www.pbase.com/eosman

 

[bullet1]

Sending packages out instead of handing the retain boxes to the customers over the counter can be a different kind of business. It is not fair to blame the improper packing or insurance. They may not have shipped anything that expensive before. Do they have a web site that can take orders?
--
Nelson Chen
http://pbase.com/nelsonc
100% RAW shooter with Capture One Pro



Photos of Italy: http://www.pbase.com/nelsonc/italy

 

[southriver]

They have an extensive website for mail order business in the U.S. and Canada. Mail order is a regular part of their business and with six stores in three states. To me, they have identified B&H as their primary, direct competitor.

 

[Joseph Ieong]

A few days ago, i bought a 5D in B&H, 24~105L, 580EX, filter, bag, and 2nd battery. All of them are brand new even the boxes have no any seal. I feel happy about this on my trip. I just use my airmiles to reward my flight ticket from Toronto to New York. This is my 1st time to go to B&H and find out many Jews to work there. I guess that the stores' owner should be a Jew as well. Futhermore, i realize that i need to purchase many stuff there and the price is very expensive. Although it makes my credit card empty, i still feel happy to go there to pick it up rather than ship it to me becasue the trip is not far from Toronto to New York. Probably, i will go there again in the future if i need to purchase a big toys with a big saving.

Cheers

 

[dave gaines]

A few days ago, i bought a 5D in B&H, 24~105L, 580EX, filter, bag,
and 2nd battery. All of them are brand new even the boxes have no
any seal. I feel happy about this on my trip. I just use my
airmiles to reward my flight ticket from Toronto to New York. This
is my 1st time to go to B&H and find out many Jews to work there. I
guess that the stores' owner should be a Jew as well. Futhermore, i
realize that i need to purchase many stuff there and the price is
very expensive. Although it makes my credit card empty, i still
feel happy to go there to pick it up rather than ship it to me
becasue the trip is not far from Toronto to New York. Probably, i
will go there again in the future if i need to purchase a big toys
with a big saving.

Cheers

Joseph,

Yea, they're Jewish. That's why they don't take orders on Saturdays. Check out their holiday schedule on line. It's not hard to figure out. So they had good prices. You flew in from Toronto to shop there but everything was very expensive. Not sure I know what you're trying to say here. The 5D is not cheap, right? You also saved on the Canadian import taxes by bringing it home in your luggage.
Dave

 

[JB Faulconer]

Well, after all the resaerch and the dust has settled, I have to
give a plug to B&H. I've bought from them for years, but this one
time, I first tried to support my local brick and mortar shop – a
store in New England with several branches. I told them I would buy
a 5D and three lenses if they could come within a couple hundred
dollars of B&H

They met the price + $200.00 by shipping from out of state. Four
days after the rebate the equipment arrived - packed loose in much
used, pre-crushed and ripped box that was barely big enough for the
body and three lenses. I had the UPS driver witness my opening and
photographing this package with 5k plus in equipment, not enough
insurance (the driver said with proper insurance it would have a
code saying it was a "high value" package) or a signature
requirement. In addition to the obvious damage, one warranty card
was missing and the body and an expensive L lens were demos. The
box the body was in was also crushed.

I brought it over to the outlet I was dealing with an hour later
and got a full refund. I called B&H an hour later, got friendly,
fast, helpful service and two days later had a fully insured
signature package with new, fresh, unopened equipment in a large,
new uncrushed shipping carton complete with detailed (serial no's )
invoice and rebate paperwork. A buying experience the way it should
be.

I try to deal locally when ever I hear the whining about buying by
mail order, but I have to say that more often than not when I buy
locally– this experience is the rule rather than the exception. I
don't like to publicly flame so I won't name the shop. The manager
and the others who run the local branch are good guys who know
their stuff. Unfortunately the rest of the organization does not
back them up, which seem to have nothing but contempt for their
customers.

I also have a local store here in KY which I would love to support. I can go in, take my camera, put on a new lens and take some shots. However, when I ask for a good price, they are always 25% higher than B&H. I have bought all my bodies from B & H. I have bought most of my lens from the local store......er at least half of them. After them telling me their price for these products, I can understand why they won't match B&H's price.......they would go out of business. B&H makes money because they sell in huge quantities. My local store might have sold 20 5D's since they came out. That is not enough to discount like the online retailers do. I will continue to purchase items from my local camera store, but it will be things like CF cards, Swabs, Cleaning solution, filters, bags, etc........B&H and Canoga (which I have used on several occasions) are the best for buying your high end items, I hate to say it, but they just are. Mom and Pop can't compete anymore.

--
JB Faulconer

 

[southriver]

Actually, to be fair - the small one-outlet shops get really screwed by the manufacturers. Even some of the multi - outlet stores might not get the preferential treatment that a single, visible large retailer might. Who knows what the criteria are. Why, for example, can't a six outlet chain match the price from Canogo in CA? The manager of a chain tells me the competitions selling price is their cost. Come rebate time and the "formulas" change again. Canon and other companies cut different deals for different stores. It's an industry wide practive not only in the camera biz, but just about all consumer goods. Well, I guess no one said the free market economy had anything to do about being fair.....