Disappointment to BHPhoto. (1/2)

[bjku]

Disappointment to BHPhoto. (1/2)

Today (Sep. 19) I received a part of my order on Sept. 14th at BHPhoto.com.

I have received 4 emails about this order from them.

The first is about "Confirmation of Your Order #100078* " on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The reason why I ordered at that day is that I received an email of notifying the availability of "Canon - CA550EX (IMP) - 550EX Flash"

Anyway after I ordered I knew its available status was changed to "Out of Stock."
At the same time I am satisfied with my seizing the opportunity.
At that time all parts of my order were available and in stock.

After last weekend, I received the second on Sept. 17.
I couldn't know why they couldn't ship it to me from it.
It said "just call them."

So I called them, but I held the line and it took about 20 minutes to connect to one of their very, very, very kind representatives.
Always he asked for my order number, with no hello.

After the calling with him, I knew they needed the proof of my identification, because my order was expensive and the first time.
But this wasn't first, but second.
But he said it was first as for expensive order.
Anyway he said I had to fax the copy of my dirver license and hung up before me.

Because I didn't have a fax machine home, I faxed it at the office at the day after the day.

I don't understand why they sent stupid and insufficient emails to me.
I think The second email said

I am busy as much they are busy.
They are busy to sell and I am busy to work and make money for buying.

Anyway after I faxed it (twice), they sent the third about the order status.
It said my order had been partially shipped.
I thought partial shipment was from their different warehouse.
Their third email also contained insufficient.
From it, I can't know anything just with knowing that shipment will happen.
If there is required some more informations or questions, I have to call them.
It will be terrible.

 

[bjku]

Disappointment to BHPhoto. (2/2)

Today I have received very light, small box (Sept. 19).
It contained just battery.
And it said some curious point about my speedlite flash.
I thought it meant just back order.

So I wanted more information and called them today.
It took about 5 minutes before connecting one of them.
During waiting time, I just heard "Thank you for patience."

After his asking for my number, he said the reason why I called.
I asked about the status of the Canon 550EX Speedlite.
He said "it is out of stock and your order is back order."
At that time, I became insane and crazy.

He seduced me with fair words that he can send Canon 550EX Speedlite TTL with the USA warranty if just paying more 15 dollars, not 30 dollars.
How much kind is he?
Why do I that?

I can't understand this situation.
When I ordered (Sep. 14) there was the Canon 550EX Speedlite with "in stock".

But when they shipped my order (Sep 18), there was no Canon 550EX Speedlite with "out of stock."

So they just shipped the rest, possible parts of my order and my ordered Canon 550EX Speedlite was the status of "back odrer."

 

[bjku]

They always say the "Professional" way on the order letters and "Thank for your patience" on their telephones.
B* .

The "Professional" way is about charging my money from my Visa card as soon as I order at their website.

And it means my orders CANNOT be changed, cancelled or updated based on E-mail requests or their website.
Giving the order at their website is no problem and always fast.
At the same time, they draw out

"Thank for your patience" means I can wait for thier representative longer.

I alway call them before they call me about my orders, but they suddenly hung up before I hung up.

Today I requested a call of their manager (Mike) to them and a guy (Sam at an one their good departmenst) promised to do that for me because when I call the manager wasn't.

But till now (Sept. 19, 3:00 PM/CT) there has been no response and no call from him or them.

I can't stand it any longer.

I have haven many bad experience during a short time form BHPhoto.

Like as a guy's saying, they don't care about custormer including me, only money.

 

[bjku]

Email (1)

From: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2002 7:01 AM
Subject: Product update from bhphotovideo.com

Dear

Thank you for your inquiry for this item:
Canon - CA550EX (IMP) - 550EX Flash

We would like to inform you that this item is now available from bhphotovideo.com.

Check it out:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/item/IC=CA550EX___BI=15___NI=3E353A628

We look forward to your next visit to our site. Please feel free to let
us know if there's any other way we may assist you.

Thank you,
The B&H Web Team
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
420 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001, USA
800-606-6969
212-444-6615

 

[bjku]

Email (2)

From: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2002 10:14 AM
Subject: Confirmation of Your Order #100078*

Dear ,

Thank you for your order. Below is a confirmation of the recent order
you placed with us.

PLEASE NOTE: In most instances we begin processing your order shortly
after you submit it on our web site

Please review the information and verify that everything is correct.
If any modifications or deletions are necessary you MUST contact us
via PHONE ONLY, at 800-221-5743 or 212-239-7765. Please refer to
your order number when calling us.
Orders CANNOT be changed, cancelled or updated based on E-mail
requests.

ORDER NUMBER: 100078* Shipping Method: FED EX SAVER

 

[bjku]

Email (3)

From: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 2:43 PM
Subject: B&H Order # 100078*

B&H PHOTO VIDEO, INC.
THE PROFESSIONAL'S SOURCE

Tel: 212 239-7532 Fax: 212 239-7548/49
Toll Free: 800 634-4009 Toll Free Fax: 800 947-2215
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
420 Ninth Avenue * New York, NY 10001

VERIFICATION DEPARTMENT
[email protected]

Date: 09/17/02

Web Order Number: 100078* Reference Number: 8389 Att:

Please be advised that your order cannot be processed due to
the following reason(s):

Please call us at 212 239-7532 or 800 634-4009.

Please contact us at any of the numbers listed above with the
necessary information so that we can complete this transaction.

Please write your REFERENCE NUMBER on ALL correspondance.

Thank you for your patronage.

Mike
B&H Photo-Video

 

[bjku]

Email (4)

From: B&H Photo
Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 7:00 PM
Subject: Order Status

Dear ,

We are pleased to inform you that the following order has been partially shipped.

B&H Order No: 100078* Shipping Date: 09/18/2002
Shipping Method: FED EX SAVER
Tracking No: 75333354 , 75296987

You should be receiving your order shortly.

Please note: the remainder of your order will be shipped as soon as we receive the item(s) in stock.

We hope you enjoy your new purchase and look forward to serving you again.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE NOTE:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the Ship Date is a non-business day (i.e. Sunday or Legal Holiday)
then the shipping carriers are closed and your order was NOT shipped
on this date. It is merely the date that your order was packed by B&H
and will be picked up by their respective carrier on the NEXT business
day. Please be advised that the above Tracking number(s) were created
by the B&H shipping department and they will only be recorded by their
respective carriers late in the evening of the day of pickup.

Air Parcel Post shipments do not have tracking numbers.

The B&H Web Team
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
420 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
800-606-6969
212-444-6615

 

[bjku]

Email (5)

From: B&H Photo
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2002 11:00 AM
Subject: Order Status

Dear ,

We are pleased to inform you that the following order has been partially shipped.

B&H Order No: 100078* Shipping Date: 09/19/2002
Shipping Method: FED EX SAVER
Tracking No: 75333354 , 75296987

You should be receiving your order shortly.

Please note: the remainder of your order will be shipped as soon as we receive the item(s) in stock.

We hope you enjoy your new purchase and look forward to serving you again.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE NOTE:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the Ship Date is a non-business day (i.e. Sunday or Legal Holiday)
then the shipping carriers are closed and your order was NOT shipped
on this date. It is merely the date that your order was packed by B&H
and will be picked up by their respective carrier on the NEXT business
day. Please be advised that the above Tracking number(s) were created
by the B&H shipping department and they will only be recorded by their
respective carriers late in the evening of the day of pickup.

Air Parcel Post shipments do not have tracking numbers.

The B&H Web Team
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
420 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
800-606-6969
212-444-6615

 

[bjku]

Around 5:00 PM/CT on Sept. 19, the manager (Mike) called me about their shipping the speedlite that I ordered.

I am just waiting for the rest part of my order with the diappointment to BHPhoto.

They will be off during 10 days.
If they will not ship before Sept. 20, I have to wait for 10 days.
Because of that reason, I have to be in a hurry.

 

[Kiriakos13437]

Around 5:00 PM/CT on Sept. 19, the manager (Mike) called me about
their shipping the speedlite that I ordered.

I am just waiting for the rest part of my order with the
diappointment to BHPhoto.

They will be off during 10 days.
If they will not ship before Sept. 20, I have to wait for 10 days.
Because of that reason, I have to be in a hurry.

 

[Kiriakos13437]

... B&H who is working for this store and is posting messages here. What he has to say about this?

 

[Alex Permit]

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004THM7/qid=1032575748/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-9230818-0865536?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

 

[Amac]

sounds to me like you should have cancelled and gone elsewhere at about email 3 )

Hope it works out.

--
Regards

Andrew McGregor

Website

http://www.geocities.com/andrewmcgregorphotography

Photo critique site

http://www.photosig.com

 

[bjku]

Thank you for your interest.

Anyway I will send to them about that sooner.
But I don't expect any more from them.

If any response be from them, I will show.

... B&H who is working for this store and is posting messages here.
What he has to say about this?

 

[bjku]

Thanks.

I didn't know Amazon.com sell this.
But the price is higher.

I think the merits of Amazon.com are about books, DVDs and CF memories.
Thanks again.

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004THM7/qid=1032575748/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-9230818-0865536?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

 

[bjku]

On the talk with the representative, I really hoped to cancel off all of them.
But I didn't.
Because I was tired to buy, I just endured.

Anyway I received the rest of it today morning.

Now I am familiar with the website of BHPhoto.com.
I think the online is good, but their offline is terrible.

sounds to me like you should have cancelled and gone elsewhere at
about email 3 )

Hope it works out.

--
Regards

Andrew McGregor

Website

http://www.geocities.com/andrewmcgregorphotography

Photo critique site

http://www.photosig.com

 

[MagicAngel]

Don't feel bad, they didn't treat you special or anything. They treated you just like they treated me. (crappy). I haven't used them again. I will never use them again. When I was done ordering from them I felt like a criminal trying to steal from them instead of a customer trying to spend a large amount of money.

I've ordered thing on the internet that have cost more than $4000.00 and never had a problem. I try to spend $800.00 at B&H and they want a blood & urine sample and a DNA profile before they will complete my order. Plus they don't even BOTHER to send me an email. I got a letter from the in the US MAIL!!! "Please provide identification..." The only reason I didn't tell them to... well cancel my order was because I wanted to save $20.00. Well, $20.00 wasn't worth the trouble and time. Overall it took almost 3 weeks for me to get my order, Amazon would have had it at my house in 5-7 days for only $20.00 more.

Oh, yea, it was "in stock" when I placed my order, but went "Out of Stock" after I placed my order (like a day or two later) and had to be "Back ordered".

You can also try http://www.adorama.com/ they aren't perfect, but they are better than B&H.

Anyway I received the rest of it today morning.

Now I am familiar with the website of BHPhoto.com.
I think the online is good, but their offline is terrible.

sounds to me like you should have cancelled and gone elsewhere at
about email 3 )

Hope it works out.

--
Regards

Andrew McGregor

Website

http://www.geocities.com/andrewmcgregorphotography

Photo critique site

http://www.photosig.com

 

[bjku]

Yes, right.
Your experice is as same as mine.

Everybody recommended and suggested BHPhoto when I bought something about cameras.

In the first time I received the feeling from them like as the one from Amazon.com.
And I really hoped they would do for me as much as Amazon.com.
I have never haven dissatisfaction from Amazon.com.
Nowaday Amazon delays some orders of free shpping.

In some parts, I think Amazon.com is not one of the best online stores, but the best in the world.

Regardless of the status of the order (out of stock or back order), BHPhoto didn't care about it and just charged money for it from the customer's card as soon as he ordered.

They think only of money, not of customers.

I've ordered thing on the internet that have cost more than
$4000.00 and never had a problem. I try to spend $800.00 at B&H
and they want a blood & urine sample and a DNA profile before they
will complete my order. Plus they don't even BOTHER to send me an
email. I got a letter from the in the US MAIL!!! "Please provide
identification..." The only reason I didn't tell them to... well
cancel my order was because I wanted to save $20.00. Well, $20.00
wasn't worth the trouble and time. Overall it took almost 3 weeks
for me to get my order, Amazon would have had it at my house in 5-7
days for only $20.00 more.

Oh, yea, it was "in stock" when I placed my order, but went "Out of
Stock" after I placed my order (like a day or two later) and had
to be "Back ordered".

You can also try http://www.adorama.com/ they aren't perfect, but
they are better than B&H.

Anyway I received the rest of it today morning.

Now I am familiar with the website of BHPhoto.com.
I think the online is good, but their offline is terrible.

sounds to me like you should have cancelled and gone elsewhere at
about email 3 )

Hope it works out.

--
Regards

Andrew McGregor

Website

http://www.geocities.com/andrewmcgregorphotography

Photo critique site

http://www.photosig.com

 

[Alex Permit]

You are right, Amazon's price is typically higher for cameras and photo equipment. But I've never had problems with amazon like you have had.

Sure, they've lost shipments, but they have always replaced them.

Most important to me, any customer service issue is handled reasonably promptly through email conversation. I have no time or patience for dealing with such issues over the phone.

Buy.com is also reliable in this fashion, and usually will have better prices, but unfortunately they don't carry this particular item.

I live in New York. B&H photo is a very good store and has a huge inventory. When I need photo equipment right away and am willing to pick it up at a store, I alwasy use B&H. However, I don't think their catalog department is as professionally set up as amazon or buy.com

I didn't know Amazon.com sell this.
But the price is higher.

I think the merits of Amazon.com are about books, DVDs and CF
memories.
Thanks again.

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004THM7/qid=1032575748/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-9230818-0865536?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

 

[Alex Permit]

B&H and Adorama have been in business for a very long time. They have large store sales. And they have been selling by mailorder way before Al Gore inveneted the internet.

Back in the days before the internet, people would order photo supplices after looking at ads in a magazine. You would order an item by calling a person, checking its inventory status, and placing an order. If there were problems like providing ID, the sales person would tell you, and you would fax a copy of your drivers license to them. You would continue to correspond by telephone or (gasp!) us mail if there were problems.

B&H's online sales effort is really just a web front for their mailorder department. They don't have the process and workflow of a true internet sales store like amazon or buy.com.

I've ordered thing on the internet that have cost more than
$4000.00 and never had a problem. I try to spend $800.00 at B&H
and they want a blood & urine sample and a DNA profile before they
will complete my order. Plus they don't even BOTHER to send me an
email. I got a letter from the in the US MAIL!!! "Please provide
identification..." The only reason I didn't tell them to... well
cancel my order was because I wanted to save $20.00. Well, $20.00
wasn't worth the trouble and time. Overall it took almost 3 weeks
for me to get my order, Amazon would have had it at my house in 5-7
days for only $20.00 more.

Oh, yea, it was "in stock" when I placed my order, but went "Out of
Stock" after I placed my order (like a day or two later) and had
to be "Back ordered".

You can also try http://www.adorama.com/ they aren't perfect, but
they are better than B&H.

Anyway I received the rest of it today morning.

Now I am familiar with the website of BHPhoto.com.
I think the online is good, but their offline is terrible.

sounds to me like you should have cancelled and gone elsewhere at
about email 3 )

Hope it works out.

--
Regards

Andrew McGregor

Website

http://www.geocities.com/andrewmcgregorphotography

Photo critique site

http://www.photosig.com