Finally got to visit the B&H Superstore in NYC

[zetachi]

Just took my 1st visit there on Sunday. All I can say is

The good. anything and everything you wanted to try in electronics/video/cameras is there for the hands on.

The Bad. Man was it crowded. Might have been that they were closed for @ 2 weeks for the Jewish Holidays. Glad I didn't try to buy anything cause the lines were outrageous.

Staff was very good and quite helpful.

And looking out for customers best interests. Case in point I brought my camera equipment with me but they make you check big bags at the front desk. So I was carrying my Oly E510 with the 70-300 attached and had my 14-54 in my hand. I put down the lens when I was looking at tripods when I looked back where I left it it was gone. Needless to say I was freaking out. Turns out one of the managers saw it there and picked it up to make sure no one walked off with it.
whew That was an experience I'd not want to repeat. Loosing a $400 lens.

 

[lsman]

Great store.

But imagine how much more time you will spend when you see 2 full blocks of camera stores.
This was one shot I took during summer time in Taipei. My hotel was right next to that block...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4969811780_7d0ed228c6_z.jpg

 

[thirdeye]

Yeah I was there last year around this time. I made the mistake of going after 5 and it was insanely busy. I was so overwhelmed, I just left and went back the next afternoon. I wasn't prepared for how crazy and how much stuff was in what appeared to a pretty small place.

 

[henryp]

Just took my 1st visit there on Sunday. All I can say is

The good. anything and everything you wanted to try in electronics/video/cameras is there for the hands on.

The Bad. Man was it crowded. Might have been that they were closed for @ 2 weeks for the Jewish Holidays. Glad I didn't try to buy anything cause the lines were outrageous.

We're glad you visited and very glad you enjoyed the experience. In fact Sun Oct 3rd was our first day back after a week+ hiatus and the crowd was Christmas Eve-esque.

Staff was very good and quite helpful.
And looking out for customers best interests. Case in point I brought my camera equipment with me but they make you check big bags at the front desk.

More specifically bag check is encouraged but not mandatory. If you elect not to do so we reserve the right to check your bag before you leave.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

 

[ed21x]

B&H is definitely good stuff, as is Adorama. Between those two, and J and R (another amazing place in NYC that covers an entire city block near WTC/Century21), you can pretty much find a special on any camera you are looking for

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I've been buying from B&H for years. I dunno who these google people are, but I only have nice things to say about B&H.

Now, now, I've done business with them in person and by mail order and my experiences have been all over the place.

Ordered a drop-ship item with 5-7 day delivery from vendor. Two weeks go by and nothing. Call B&H and they claim need to call vendor, taking 24-48 hours. Two days later I call and B&H has no record I called. They call vendor and vendor claims no order sent to them.

Two days later I go out of town for long weekend, come back and its sitting on front door stoop. Two days later B&H calls with words vendor claiming double-shipment. Had not received second shipment, but this is contrary to what B&H claims vendor said previously (had not received original order).

A couple of days later UPS shows up with shipping decals for items to be returned to vendor. Ok, I send him away empty-handed. I got the one shipment I paid for and vendor ain't getting it back. Spoke to B&H and said I do not know what is going on, but that was the last Drop-Ship item I was ever going to buy through them.

So, did the vendor really claim to not received the first order? If so then why would they claim double-shipment? And why would B&H call me when they were told only one order had been sent to the vendor?

All I know is if someone else got this second shipment--if it existed--they better have the same make and model projector I have as this isn't a universal mount, but one made for this projector.

 

[henryp]

@BarkingGhostar -

We are very concerned about your experience and your opinion of us.

I am sorry for what seems to have been a comedy of errors. Unfortunately I cannot ID you or this transaction from the meager information available here. I'd be happy to look into this and explain or apologize as circumstances dictate but to do so I need to know a little more. Feel free to use the email address in my sig.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

 

[Deleted member 4644]

A few thoughts:

I have ordered several parts from both B&H and Adorama. Both stores shipped fast as hell and were very easy to communicate with. I once ordered something on Amazon via B&H and had to cancel, and they handled that without error as well.

I ordered a super popular lens from Adorama once, and didn't get it for almost two months (Tokina 11-16mm DX). I don't think it was their fault (sold out everywhere), and they did tell me where in the line I was.

I just googled some on Henry Posner's posts around the net, and I think he is sorta funny for a communications guy -- very New York -- sorta gruff. But I like that he seems like a straight shooter.

 

[akugami]

Apparently B&H has an iPhone app now. Just a heads up.

 

[PricklyPete]

I've been shopping at B&H for the last 15 years....love that place. I haven't been in the store in probably 10 years though...will definitely be on my list next time I'm in NYC.

 

[billyb0b]

their online shopping sux. i ordered a zotac mini barebones systems on 10/12 and they have yet to ship it

 

[henryp]

their online shopping sux. i ordered a zotac mini barebones systems on 10/12 and they have yet to ship it

I am sorry for your dissatisfaction. I cannot find anything resembling a zotac mini barebones systems in our database or our site and I cannot ID you or this transaction from the email address in your forum profile. Please email me so I can assist you with this.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

 

[GTaudiophile]

LOL.

Henry: Don't you monitor the forums over at DPreview as well?

The fact that you do is a testament to the level of concern B&H has for its customer service...or the perception of its customer service.

As for me, I have spent well over $12K at B&H over the past 6 years or so, pretty much all on Canon cameras and lenses, etc. I have conducted all of these orders through their website. I have also had to contact their CS department in regards to exchanges/refunds. I have never had a bad experience with B&H and will continue to shop with them.

 

[henryp]

LOL.
Henry: Don't you monitor the forums over at DPreview as well?

As a matter of fact, I do. I have 100+ forums in my bookmarks folder. Some I visit daily, some weekly, some when a Google or BoardReader alert beckons, and so on.

The fact that you do is a testament to the level of concern B&H has for its customer service...or the perception of its customer service...I have never had a bad experience with B&H and will continue to shop with them.

Thank you. Very much appreciated.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video