SAL85F14Z...bummer, buyer beware, and questions

[alextardif]

I know this is probably a bit melodramatic, but I'm pretty bummed right now so first a quick vent:

Wife bough me SAL84F14Z as an early holiday present from B&H and paid for overnight shipping (we're heading out on a trip tomorrow). Once her order was processed, she noticed that B&H listed the lens as "Temporarily Out Of Stock"... so, unless these things are flying off the shelf, which I highly doubt, mine was the last one they had on hand. Get it this evening, immediately notice the box is in pretty rough shape, packaging has clearly been through numerous wrap/unwrap cycles, etc. Alright, the lens itself looks good so I mount it on the A99. Then I look closer and notice a hairline scratch on the DOF scale glass, strike one... and then the real bummer:


Towards bottom left corner... about 3mm in length


Appears to be stuck to the glass pretty well... check out that gorgeous shadow it's casting on the blades!

So, obviously this one has gone through it's share of other disappointed buyers who noticed the same. I wouldn't sweat it so much if this was a small dust spec, but this is the biggest internal blemish I've seen inside a fancy piece of glass, so clearly not acceptable. Needless to say, it's heading back to B&H. It's obvious they resell returned merchandize. For anyone in the market for this lens, beware - SN is 0195028. I'll give B&H another shot depending on how they handle the exchange.

Anyhow, here's my other concern/question: the darn thing is LOUD, it is my first non-SSM Sony glass, so I was expecting it, but it's making such a plethora of noises that makes me question what's normal, and what's not. Can anyone with hands-on experience confirm if the chirping you hear whenever I half-press the shutter button is normal? I'm not talking about the whirring motor during focusing when the focus is extending, but rather when I press and release the half-press? It chirps 80% of the time and none of my other CZ and Sony glass makes that noise. It's same on A99 and A77. Here's the video.

Thanks!

--
Alex

 

[MediaArchivist]

I have 4 screw drive lenses, 2 (reasonably modern) Sigma lenses, a Minolta 85/1.4G, and a Minolta beercan. All of them sound pretty much the same; a little louder than a powered zoom on a P&S (emphasis on "little"). Nothing like chirping at all.

I would suspect there is a lubrication problem, or something bent or damaged in some other way. Does it make that sound when you manually focus— could it be the camera?

 

[alextardif]

Does it make that sound when you manually focus— could it be the camera?

 

[kpenner]

That chirp sound seems like it's the blades closing up. Same sound as when you use the DOF preview button.

 

[Jim Funston]

Next time you read a person buying to try a item and then sending it back to B&H or Amazon or where ever just remember how this feels to get something someone else used and possibly abused with no intention to keep it. I worry about this more than dealing with companies that have a less liberal return policy when buying on the internet. You can bet Retailers are not going to take the hit on these until they have to. So they give returns a casual look over and assure it is repackaged right and out it goes to fill the next order.

I think it is shameful how some abuse the return policy for certain internet retailers. For this reason and the receipt of deliveries issues is why I would never open a internet business and take the losses these companies absorb.

 

[busch]

Right on, Jim!

Knowing B&H I am sure they will resolve this if given a chance.

--
Busch
Take the scenic route! Life is too short to do otherwise.
My Photos

 

[alextardif]

That chirp sound seems like it's the blades closing up. Same sound as when you use the DOF preview button.

Yup, that was my first thought as well, but I'm not sure since it wasn't consistent.

B&H said they've got a new one shipping from Sony already and it will be sent to me as a replacement with a credit on shipping, so the exchange is going well so far. Looking forward to the new one, aside from the issues I've mentioned, this piece of glass is quite nice.

 

[digitalshooter]

But having said that, all retailers should charge a restock fee and return shipping fee period. Hopefully this will help prevent items being returned like this. No refund until the returned item is completely inspected by the seller. But most certainly may call for inspection of items before they ship, then folks will complain that their item was opened when they got it! Another reason why there needs to be a manufactures seal on products.

I am sure henryp will chime in soon!

--
Thanks,
Digitalshooter
PS: all posts are just my opinion!

 

[henryp]

I am very sorry for the distress and inconvenience this has caused and apologize. I see you've already been in touch with our customer service department which has issued return authorization and a pre-paid return label for your convenience.

The lens is not in stock right now but as soon as we can we will ship another to you which I am confident will fully meet or exceed your expectations.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

 

[henryp]

But having said that, all retailers should charge a restock fee and return shipping fee period.

Until EVERY retailer does this the ones that do will lose business to those who do not.

 

[Cope]

Glad this is being handled the way I know B&H handles problems.

This is just me, but I would not have posted this until the issue was finalized. Many people will remember the bad part of an incident and either forget or not be aware of the resolution.

 

[rickztahone]

Glad this is being handled the way I know B&H handles problems.

This is just me, but I would not have posted this until the issue was finalized. Many people will remember the bad part of an incident and either forget or not be aware of the resolution.

 

[phaedin]

I also think that people feel that they might not get an return if they say the real reason they are returning a lens (drops etc) which means a bad lens can go to a customer before a retailer becomes aware of the real issue.
Other option is for the retailer to perform a full functional check out after receiving a return

 

[Jim Funston]

Personally, I feel sorry for the poster in this situation but actually feel worse for B&H Photo. I have dealt with them for decades and every purchase went exactly as it should of but I read so many comments like "----- camera just arrived and I have till Friday to decide if I want to keep it" or "I'll order it to try it out but I doubt if I will keep it". B&H or for that matter the others are not try before you buy establishments or free equipment rental businesses: They are retailers and darn good ones at that. How would anyone of us feel if our business was abused as much as theirs is? I know I would be hot!

You can't buy a car and do that nor a boat or any number of brick and mortar retailers products why do some think they can abuse these internet retailers as they do?

If I ever was on the receiving end of a try and ship back item as a item I bought in good faith as a NEW item only to find it had been damaged or abused I would be angry but mostly at the AH who bought and returned this item in a attempt to slip one past B&H or the others.

 

[phaedin]

I agree with you for the most part.
However with the rise of on-line selling people don't get a chance to try out something before they buy it, like you would with a car.
You can test drive a car and go to different dealerships to compare, and you will find that even car dealerships give you a period of time to change your mind.
Also people don't seem to insist on getting a car with 0 kms like they seem to do with camera equipment.

It is a tough business and I don't think there is an easy solution that can fix all the issues for all parties involved