D4 order question

[Jim Inverso]

Did any other NPS members preorder the D4 from B&H and had their debit card charged? My bank account was debited for $6k when I placed my order on 1/12 and B&H told me that Nikon was going to drop ship the camera directly to me. If the delivery date of 2/16 is accurate, B&H will have had my $$ for over a month without shipping the product. If I used a credit card, at least I would have 30 day to pay but not so with a debit card. This does not seem right. Positive cash flow is essential to a small business.

 

[reginalddwight]

Looking at the B&H website for pre-ordering the D4, this is what can be found:

"This is a new item with no ship date available, we are accepting orders. An authorization for this product will be processed upon placing the order. Your order will only be charged at time of shipment."

I suggest calling them to clarify your particular order.

 

[William Faulkner]

I'm picking up a D4 from my local camera shop so maybe I didn't pay close attention, but I don't remember anything about Nikon NPS saying they would be drop shipping cameras to people.

The way I interpreted the notice was that NPS was sending the camera to your store with your name on the order at which time the store takes possession of it. The store at that point can sell it to you or sell it to someone else if they want.

Think you should be talking to B&H real soon.

Bill F

 

[diverroy]

The way I interpreted the notice was that NPS was sending the camera to your store with your name on the order at which time the store takes possession of it. The store at that point can sell it to you or sell it to someone else if they want.

Bill F

I don't think that the store will be able to sell your camera to anyone else if you have ordered it through Nikon NPS unless you change your mind and don't want it once it has been delivered or you don't pay for it.
Diverroy

 

[Event_shooter]

Same here. I ordered from Sammy's Camera in L.A. on the NPS form and they wanted payment and I said nope. When I see the camera and hold it in my hand that's when I will pay for it.

Think about this, if they have your money your sale is OVER they already mad e that sale. Now if a guy walks in and wants a 6K camera and is willing to buy it NOW....well then they will sell them YOUR camera and just keep you waiting a little longer. Why not you already paid. This way they make an additional sale on a hot product.

Also if my store jerks me around and I see others have already received the camera and I have a choice of getting one today form another store I will, because no on has my money.

Lastly they collect 6k in interest for a month or two for free. Now times that bu 1000 buyers, that's 600K in free interest for 60 days. Not bad free money I would say...even with interests at near nothing percent.

 

[rmrcu]

I suggest contacting Henry Posner at B&H--his job is to keep customers happy.

 

[Jim Inverso]

Does anyone have a direct phone # or extension for Henry Posner at B&H?

 

[ssmumich00]

B&H always does that with pre-orders.

That's why I pre-order through J&R, Amazon, or Adorama.

Good luck!

 

[jjnik]

B&H always does that with pre-orders.

That's why I pre-order through J&R, Amazon, or Adorama.

Good luck!

That's incorrect. B&H used to do that, but changed their policy some time ago. When you preorder, it indicates a hold will be placed, but the card will not actually be charged until the item ships. That's the same policy as the other stores (Adorama, J&R, etc.). I know this as I made a few preorders (and will cancel as it becomes more clear as to who can deliver first) and my card has not been charged.

 

[Jim Inverso]

Well, you're incorrect jjnik. My bank account was debited by $5,999.95 on the day I pre-ordered (Jan 12, 2012). B&H claims they do so in this case because Nikon is going to drop ship the D4 to me directly. After a little research, I learned that Nikon does not drop ship. I spoke with them today and they advised that what they did is B&H management policy. I cancelled the order.

 

[jenella]

I ordered mine from BH on Jan 9th, 30 min after pre-sale started..they have NOT charged my Credit card. Maybe with "debit cards associated with checking" they might do a hold on the funds???

 

[TOF guy]

I ordered mine from BH on Jan 9th, 30 min after pre-sale started..they have NOT charged my Credit card. Maybe with "debit cards associated with checking" they might do a hold on the funds???

What you write seems very plausible. I think you've found the reason.
--
Thierry

 

[John200973]

Why in heaven would anyone ever preorder something on a debit card? YIKES dumb and dumber. Credit card only because if they are low lifes and precharge before shipping the item at least you have 30 days. Plus it costs them money so they make less on your transaction. Give them a debit card you might as well send them your checking account number and routing number....

 

[jjnik]

Well, you're incorrect jjnik. My bank account was debited by $5,999.95 on the day I pre-ordered (Jan 12, 2012). B&H claims they do so in this case because Nikon is going to drop ship the D4 to me directly. After a little research, I learned that Nikon does not drop ship. I spoke with them today and they advised that what they did is B&H management policy. I cancelled the order.

I missed the debit card thing so that is likely your issue as they can't put a credit hold on a debit account like they do on a credit card. But I can tell you that if you use a credit card and are not an NPS member (like me) they do NOT charge your card. I pre-ordered with B&H as soon as they opened it up and they have not charged my Amex to date. In fact, if you pre-order with B&H, you get the following message at the check out screen:

 

[Bill Fagan]

If you had used a credit card, they would not have charged you until shipment.

 

[George Payne Jr]

The way I interpreted the notice was that NPS was sending the camera to your store with your name on the order at which time the store takes possession of it. The store at that point can sell it to you or sell it to someone else if they want.

Bill F

I don't think that the store will be able to sell your camera to anyone else if you have ordered it through Nikon NPS unless you change your mind and don't want it once it has been delivered or you don't pay for it.

Actually that isn't the case. NPS specifically states that once the camera is shipped, it belongs to the store where it was purchased from. It's up to the owner to honor the preorder list.

--
D3s, D3, D700, D7000
Nikon 17-35 2.8, 18-200 VR, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8 VRII
Nikon 85 1.4G, 50mm 1.8, 105 2.8 VR
3-SB900, 1-SB800, SB400, Quantum Trio
Quantum Q Flash

Point...aim...shoot and have fun!

 

[henryp]

Does anyone have a direct phone # or extension for Henry Posner at B&H?

My email address is in my forum profile under "plan."

If you had used a credit card, they would not have charged you until shipment.

For US customers paying by credit card we don't charge your card until we ship. For other payment methods, and for all non-USA customers, we charge when the order is submitted.

FWIW Nikon USA has told us they're drop-shipping the D4 for NPS members only.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

 

[William Faulkner]

Here is the NPS order that was sent out. You can read it for yourself and interpret it the way you want:

"We ship all NPS Priority Orders based on the date we received the Priority request.

The Packing Slip to the dealer will note the NPS member's name who the equipment was ordered for, but once delivered the dealer owns the equipment and we have no control over final delivery. However, we find that most dealers honor the NPS Priority Purchase Program. Dealers will receive regular allocations, so please check with your Dealer for product availability."

Sounds to me as if your dealer want to not play by the rules there's nothing Nikon or NPS can do to stop them.

Helps if you have a 25-year relationship with your local store. Pretty sure I'll have mine on the 16th (if the NPS email meant deliveries to the store as opposed to deliveries leaving the warehouse).

Now if NPS would only do this with the D800 too.

Bill F

https://picasaweb.google.com/faulknerstudios

 

[Brewse]

Think about this, if they have your money your sale is OVER they already mad e that sale. Now if a guy walks in and wants a 6K camera and is willing to buy it NOW....well then they will sell them YOUR camera and just keep you waiting a little longer. Why not you already paid. This way they make an additional sale on a hot product.

Also if my store jerks me around and I see others have already received the camera and I have a choice of getting one today form another store I will, because no on has my money.

Lastly they collect 6k in interest for a month or two for free. Now times that bu 1000 buyers, that's 600K in free interest for 60 days. Not bad free money I would say...even with interests at near nothing percent.

I'm pretty sure this is only happening for orders placed with a debit card (which should be avoided. you are better off using a credit card, if you have one.).

A "hold" is placed on your credit card for something like this (when you rent a car, book a hotel room, etc.), but a "hold" isn't a transaction (just a way to make it apparent to other vendors that you are nearer your credit limit).

There is no credit involved with the typical debit card, so a "hold" can't be used. There must be a debit.

As for the value of the interest, I think you have over-estimated. If they have 1,000 debit card using pre-orders (seems high, doesn't it?), that is 1,000 x $6,000.00 or $6 million they hold for an average of 90 days (using your estimates).

The interest rates on business working capital accounts (would have to be swept to something interest bearing) are pretty tiny. On $6 million, they might yield $10,000. Not enough to do it for the money, if doing so angered more than one or two customers.