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B&H ....what???
Dann Wunderlich, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 2:14 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> So I ordered a variable friction magic arm from B&H (used department) for $69. SWEET DEAL RIGHT!!!
wrong
They sent me a bogen mini tabletop tripod. Apparently they got the orders mixed up and some guy in cali has my magic arm. Note that he bought a $30 product and recieved a $70 product that is worth about $100+ new.
So I called them about it and they were very rude, acting as if I shouldnt be upset and just let it slide as they get it sorted out. FINE! I waited two days for a call back, that they said would come in a matter of hours. They can't get ahold of the guy. I just think that it is nuts.
That is my rant, I have spent a lot of money there and I know they have a great reputation but I just wish I was that I was treated with a bit more respect. Im not trying to stir things up.
What would you guys do if you were in my shoes. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 2:19 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> I think you know what we would do.
I feel your pain, you're upset because you feel as if they were rude to you. You send the other thing back and request a refund. If they have a problem you dispute it with your credit card company. Pretty simple huh?
It was an honest mistake, and of course they have to get it "sorted out"...what did you expect?
Delane |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 2:29 PM on 02.19.09 |
| ->> Just get a refund. Stuff happens. |
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Andrew Sullivan, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Kissimmee | FL | USA | Posted: 4:52 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> They should give you a similar grade used or new equivalent of the item you ordered, since I'm sure they'll never get the original item back. Be very persistent, but not belligerent, and you may get a better deal from this than you thought.
Andrew Sullivan
http://www.picandrew.com |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 5:41 PM on 02.19.09 |
| ->> They're in NYC, so it should come as not surprise that they're rude. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 6:15 PM on 02.19.09 |
| ->> They were rude back in the 70's, 80's and 90's....nothing has changed it's their deal. |
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Robert Seale, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 6:48 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> There are three great guys you can always deal with instead:
Jody Grober at Robert's Distributors in Indianapolis
Jeff Snyder at Adorama in NY
Louis Feldman at Samy's in LA
All three of these guys are class acts, who return calls, take great personal care with their customers, and do their best to give the best prices possible. They are also sponsors of this site.
What that means, is that by supporting them, you help Bert, Brad, Grover, Jason, etc. keep the SS membership fees at a paltry 25 bucks.....we should do business with them whenever we buy photo gear.
Just common courtesy and common sense. |
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Dann Wunderlich, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 7:10 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> Rob - I didnt know that, but i was looking for the lowest price as I am a college kid with low funds. I bought this item for $69 as opposed to about $100
If this falls through I'll look at buying from them. Thanks for letting me know. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 7:37 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> Lesson learned.
This is often what happens when looking for "a deal".
You cannot put a price tag on getting good service.
(Thanks Roberto!) |
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Eric Francis, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | United States | Posted: 8:33 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> B&H...... what did you expect?
and if you didn't know what to expect....... now you now. |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 8:33 PM on 02.19.09 |
| ->> Wow, now I know how Chuck feels. I now know there's at least four people on here who have no sense of humor. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 9:08 PM on 02.19.09 |
->> I've been dealing with B&H for over 25 years and I have never had anyone there, either in person, over the phone or via email, been rude or in any way less than professional. Ay time that I've had a problem (usually me wanting to return something that I didn't like) they've fixed things in a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.
(Jeff Snyder, now at Adorama, rocks BTW) |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 2:45 AM on 02.20.09 |
->> Jim, ditto.
I've spent more money than I will ever be able to count at B&H and never ever had a problem. I hate bad customer service as much as the next guy, but should the day ever come that I do encounter a problem, I will be inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.
And Bradly's comment about not being surprised that they are rude because they're in NYC, is right on and NOT inappropriate. Those inappropriates are inappropriate. (Is that comment inappropriate? GOD how I am starting to hate that word)
I am a southerner, and when I deal with native New Yorkers I have to switch gears and realize that they communicate in a very direct, unambiguous fashion sometimes, and to people not used to that kind of environment it CAN come off as "rude" when they do not mean that at all. They are in Manhattan, the fastest moving place on Earth, at least to me, and they don't waste time with small talk. "Here's the deal, I'll fix it, goodbye." (click) It's a rougher form of communication, don't take it personally. A whole lot different than how people deal with each other in Columbia, MO.
Not to belabor the point, but my roommate in college was from the Jersey shore, and it drove him crazy the slow, careful way people spoke to each other in the South. Different strokes, my friend. |
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Andy Mead, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 9:02 AM on 02.20.09 |
->> Personally, I've received nothing but top notch service from B&H. I have been treated rudely by Penn Camera (in the past) but not since they had a change in personnel. Samys has also done me solid.
All of these are relatively-speaking large companies, and anyone that's worked retail will tell you, it's a numbers game. There is going to be a perfect storm with some customer at some point.
While B&H is not one of the apparently sacred SportsShooter sponsors, it is a very well respected and established company. Like Fry's Electronics, customer service can be brusque or rude.
I've tried to learn not to hold a single bad experience against any established company - otherwise I wouldn't have a good relationship with Penn Camera, and I do!
But yeah, "internet deals" and the Camera industry are a dangerous game to play. |
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Michael Kirk, Photographer
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Kennett Square | Pa | USA | Posted: 3:18 PM on 02.20.09 |
->> Go figure - I just ordered a mini tabletop tripod and received a Magic Arm. Think I'll just keep it :)
Seriously I ordered a "used" magic arcom from B&H a few months ago for around teh same price. No problems - thank goodness.
Good luck getting yours,
Michael |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 5:20 PM on 02.20.09 |
->> " They're in NYC, so it should come as not surprise that they're rude."
They're not "rude". Thing in NYC just move a little faster than in, say, Wyoming.
It's like the difference between go-carts (Wyoming) and NASCAR (New York)... |
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Ronnie Montgomery, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 5:24 PM on 02.20.09 |
| ->> B&H is a fine and reputable dealer. Additionally, their website sets the standard for the industry. No dealer is immune from occasional disappointing service. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 8:23 PM on 02.20.09 |
| ->> come on folks. this thread was pretty funny until everyone had to spoil it by getting serious....... |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 6:06 PM on 02.23.09 |
->> @ Jim C. -
People in Wyoming have a better sense of humor than people in, say, Texas. |
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Primoz Jeroncic, Photographer
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Kranj | SI | Slovenia | Posted: 7:07 AM on 02.24.09 |
->> I didn't buy all that much from them, only had one problem which they solved without any questions, and I really never had feeling they would be anything but nice and correct.
So obviously here in Europe, we have different "standards" what is rude or not rude :) |
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Jack McCoy, Photographer
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Baldwin | NY | USA | Posted: 7:23 AM on 02.24.09 |
->> "They're in NYC, so it should come as not surprise that they're rude"
That's some comment coming from the associate director of an NPPA region.
Never a problem with B&H, even replaced something for me when they really didn't have to (no receipt and past certain time period). |
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Neil Wade, Photographer
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Taipei | __ | Taiwan | Posted: 8:46 AM on 02.24.09 |
->> I've ordered from B&H for many years and have only ever had one problem:
I once made a medium-sized order of this-and-that's and included 4 4-packs of AA lithium batteries. Unfortunately, the guy picking the order saw it as 4 single AA lithium batteries. So he only sent 4 batteries and I paid for 16. Not a big deal, but I called customer service and they were quick to send out some new batteries. They ordered 3 4-packs and... you guessed it, I got 3 single AA lithium batteries in a rubber band, in a box, with lots of packing peanuts. So I called again laughing, told them I still needed more, and the next box had 2 AA lithium batteries... AND ONE ON BACK ORDER!!! I kid you not!
I don't think I ever received that whole order, but I never held it against them... I actually thought it was really funny! And eventually I did receive that single AA lithium battery, all by its lonesome, in a box. |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 9:45 AM on 02.24.09 |
->> @ Jack M. Jim C. and the 10 other "inappropriates" (so far):
Wow, this is getting funny. My last name might be Boner, but I'm certainly not a dick.
I was kidding. Lighten up. |
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Daniel Putz, Photographer
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Jefferson | MD | USA | Posted: 10:00 AM on 02.24.09 |
->> But I am.
*groan* |
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Mike Last, Student/Intern, Photographer
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London | Ontario | Canada | Posted: 11:47 AM on 02.24.09 |
->> I was in the actual store one time on a visit to NYC with my girlfriend. When I asked a sales guy in the lighting department where I could find some safety cables, he asked me if I was going to tie my girlfriend to the bed with them.
Certainly the most awkward experience I've had there. |
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Dann Wunderlich, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 10:34 PM on 03.05.09 |
| ->> And just so everyone knows, almost 2 weeks later and still no call back. I do not care what business you are running... that is unprofessional. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 10:57 PM on 03.05.09 |
->> Dude. Seriously.
Why not call them up and explain the situation and don't get off the phone until your issue is resolved. It's really not as difficult as you're making it.
If you need help, call me up tomorrow and we can do a 3-way call with them.
Delane |
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Dominic Hanna, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Bear | DE | United States | Posted: 12:18 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> if you paid with a credit card, you can protest the charge for non-delivery. Call up the CC company and tell them you need to do a "chargeback" (that's the technical term).
Keep in mind it all has to be done in writing too, so make have all you have everything documented. You also have a small time frame to do it(usually 60 days) to protest any charges. |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 3:11 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> Dann, have you really waited 2 weeks for them to call you back without you following up with them ?
Like it or not, you've got to get proactive, and posting on SS about this situation is not going to do you any good. Its time that could be better spent calling B&H, emailing B&H and/or contacting your credit card company and filling a dispute.
Try emailing Henry Posner at B&H, I recall seeing him personally respond to most complaint threads I've seen on other forum where someone posted with a problem.
Call and keep calling until your issue is resolved. If they say a manager will call you back shortly, and you haven't heard by them in a few hours, call back again and ask to speak to that manager.
You can't just sit around and wait 2 weeks no matter if your in the right or not. If you try and try and still can't get your sitatution resolved then contact your CC company and file a dispute.
Your going to run into plenty of unprofessional people and businesses in your life and this issue with B&H is just the tip of the iceberg.
Consider this a good practice for the fun of trying to deal non paying clients, months of run around from accts payable dept that say they don't have anything on file from you and all the other BS we as photographers have to deal with everyday.
Doesn't make it right, and yes its an imperfect world, but you've got to get proactive and take action on this situation because no one else is going to.
Or well maybe Delane will make a 3 way call with you I suppose lol |
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Mark Peters, Photographer
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Highland | IL | USA | Posted: 7:17 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> Dann,
Henry Posner of B&H is an active Fred Miranda forum participant - username henryp on the Canon Gear Forum. His email is linked in each of his posts. Try emailing or PM'ing him there.http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/viewprofile.php?Action=viewprofile&usernam...
Anytime there is a thread on Miranda talking about B&H service, Henry responds - so he is accessible. |
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Paul Nelson, Photographer
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Temperance | MI | USA | Posted: 8:23 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> Henry also actively monitors the Reseller Ratings website:
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/B_H_Photo_Video_Pro_Audio
I'd say if you're not sure if you want to do business with a company, run though this site to see if a listing exists and what others are thinking. It's been pretty darn accurate for me. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 11:32 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> "People in Wyoming have a better sense of humor than people in, say, Texas."
Perhaps because there are more cow pats to slip on, Wyoming being the current hub of slap-stick humor... |
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Patrick Fallon, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | USA | Posted: 11:44 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> Everyone - Chill Out!
Dann didn't come here to get flamed to death about this, he just wanted to get some advice.[like emailing Henry P.]
Dann has been working, on the road a lot, and in school, he has not had the time to, nor should he have to, call them back every day!
I'm pretty sure he knows that what he will have to do now, mistakes happen, yes, but a business not making right on it after two weeks is absurd. Yes we all know about the sponsors, but guess what? I ordered from one of the sponsors - it took a MONTH to get an Aquatech, all because "my email replies were going to his spam folder" then "the eyepiece was backordered" [holding up the rest of my shipment?] - so it happens to EVERYONE!
The point is, don't flame the guy for trying to get some useful advice when he really has not done anything wrong. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 11:53 AM on 03.06.09 |
->> Patrick, my point is that if you have enough time to post here you have enough time to make a call to B&H.
No flames.
dbr |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 12:00 AM on 03.07.09 |
| ->> I use to order supplies form B&H for NYC in the 80's . I never had a problem. Generally I order from Jody for my canon gear and for my used leica gear Ken Hansen. But when In New York I will stop by and check out gear at B&h as you can look at anything without a hassle. As an ex New Yorker yes it is alot of crap to say They're in NYC, so it should come as not surprise that they're rude. All I can say to anyone in Wyoming a state that citizens killed one of it's gay kids. I use to hitch hike this country in the 70s. I avoided Wyoming like the plague because in the 70's they use to kill a hitch hiker every year in Wyoming. You got a lot of nerve to talk of New Yorkers. |
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Mark Peters, Photographer
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Highland | IL | USA | Posted: 8:38 AM on 03.07.09 |
->> David -
The State of Wyoming didn't kill that young man - two individuals that happened to live there did. NYC has more than its fair share of hate crime. Does the name Jose O. Sucuzhanay ring a bell?
I don't think you want to compare crime statistics between Wyoming and NYC....you won't fare very well. NYC murders for 2007 496 for a rate of about 7.3 per 100,000. Wyoming Murders in 2007 total for the entire State 16. Thats a rate of 3 per 100,000 - less than 1/2 of NYC
You've got a lot of nerve throwing stones from your glass house. |
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Mitchell Clinton, Photographer
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Carlsbad | CA | USA | Posted: 12:42 PM on 03.07.09 |
->> Dann,
I feel your pain. Unfortunately it is just the way customer service for anything is these days. I could post extremely similar posts to yours but the offending parties could be anyone of the following, AT&T, Apple, Nikon, Time Warner or Sprint.
I have written many griping posts similar to your post knowing full well it is a lost cause. I always feel like putting a "PS. I am not a kook!" at the end.
B&H is a good company and I think ultimately you will have satisfaction. Much better chance than you would have AT&T let me tell ya'. |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 4:24 PM on 03.07.09 |
| ->> More people in a tighter space there will be more crime . Wyoming kills people more often for who they are, not for money .Also they have approved in recent years coal fire plants and are polluting themselves and any other states near them. Great place Wyoming. |
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Patrick Fallon, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | USA | Posted: 4:34 PM on 03.07.09 |
| ->> Dann has resolved the situation with B&H - they magically found one in stock and are sending it to him. Can we please let this thread die/mods lock it. There is no need to debate the state of Wyoming vs NYC and their qualities. |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 5:55 PM on 03.07.09 |
->> Patrick, with due respect, are you Dann's agent or something ? Why can't he speak for himself ?
First you rush to his defense because you think he's being flamed when people are only trying to provide him sound advice and now your telling us which threads we need to let die or had mods lock because you don't like the content ?
I think its you that needs to, in your words, "chill out!" |
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Dann Wunderlich, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 10:45 PM on 03.07.09 |
->> Sorry guys, I have been shooting like crazy lately and studying my tush off. Three 4 page papers in the past week, I'm ready to go crazy. Fallon one of my friends who was informing you when I didn't have the time to post on message boards.
Yes, I got the magic arm finally sent to me one when I called 5 times in 30 minutes. They found one in the "back room" after I got ahold of their direct number for the used department.
As far as this thread goes - there is nothing good about this thread anymore, talk of murder, death rates (etc etc) do not help me in anyway. Thank you to those who helped out, i definitely learned a lot about who to contact when need be.
I have it on Tuesday which is perfect because I am leaving for Oklahoma City on Wednesday for the Big 12 tournament.
Thanks all
-NN |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 11:25 PM on 03.14.09 |
| ->> Did u get it? |
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Dann Wunderlich, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 2:00 PM on 03.16.09 |
->> haha yes, I left at 1:30 for the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma city and it came at 2:30 - So thank you Patrick Fallon for allowing me to borrow one.
I have it now. All is well. thanks to everyone. |
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