B&H Photo Video

posted by Scott Beale on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007

For years I’ve been buying my camera equipment online through B&H Photo Video, by far one of the best, independent photo and video camera stores in the US. During my recent trip to New York, I stopped B&H’s retail store on a crowed Sunday morning.

It’s a really amazing place and their variety of cameras and camera equipment was staggering. The shopping experience was quite unique as well. When you buy things, they are added to a running tab, then you go to one line to pay for everything and then a second line to pickup your purchase, which is sometimes delivered via conveyor belt from the warehouse. It’s a wonderful mix of chaos and efficiency.

If you are into photography, video or audio equipment, your should make it a point to stop by the next time you are in New York.

photo credit: Scott Beale

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this blog post was written by Scott Beale on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007

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Doug Stewart 02/13/2007 07:16 PM 1 point
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Truly the best equipment provider online. I've thankfully never had to deal with any other company, and the one (and only) time they ever got my order incorrect, they had it fixed and in my hand the very next day.

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http://imakephotos.com/

rafael 02/13/2007 08:29 PM 1 point
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If you really want to see something cool if your still there go to midtown and see Duegel.. The printing company that does the most incredible printing of those huge banners you see from all the fashion industry and other iconic photographers. Really amazign thing to see.

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http://www.rmstudio.com

Kent Bye 02/14/2007 06:13 PM 1 point
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B&H is a great place, and a lifesaver during my documentary shoot when I had to get a lapel microphone.

As an interesting side note, the store is operated by hasidic jews, which was a bit surprising the first time I went to the store. I don't know why exactly -- I guess it was an interesting contrast between Orthodox culture and cutting edge technology.

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http://www.echochamberproject.com

sonya rich 02/14/2007 11:20 PM 1 point
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wow, apparently you have never dealt with BH as a vendor. Most companies who have the displeasure have the same comment: incompetant. They consistantly screw up orders and we constantly field calls from their angry customers. The customer/vendor tagline that i always hear is: 'never again'.

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Henry Posner 02/16/2007 12:01 PM 1 point
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Thanks to everyone who had kind words about their experiences with B&H. We really appreciate your posts and we're gratified at your satisfaction. An aside to "sonya rich:" While I am sorry for your dissatisfaction I am pleased to be able to report your opinion is very much in the minority. Our excellent relationship with our vendors is one reason we're able to provide the services, support, product range and competitive prices for which we're renown.

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http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Ed 02/27/2007 07:16 PM 1 point
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Thanks for the recommendation. The new DSLR I ordered from B&H is scheduled to be here tomorrow! :)

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http://ed.hunsinger.orgunsinger.org

John LaPorte 03/01/2007 09:08 PM 1 point
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I have dealt with B & H for several years. Why go anywhere else... They know their stuff, prices are good and they ship fast. I have never had a problem.

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Jeff Nolan 03/02/2007 12:53 AM 1 point
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I had the same impression the first time I stopped by B&H. Actually, it was more of a "holy crap" moment when I took in how large it is, the inventory mgmt system, and how many people are crammed into the place. Really impressive.

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http://www.jeffnolan.com

Gatsby 03/07/2007 05:03 PM 1 point
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I have bought camera gear from B&H for more than 20 years, and often recommend them to those amateurs not in the know. I have worked at several newspapers, from Florida to Alaska, and all the photographers I talked to bought their gear through B&H. It has been around a while. I believe it was called Haber & Fink in the 60s before becoming B&H.

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David Halliburton 03/07/2007 08:59 PM 1 point
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I have shopped at B&B for nearly 15 years, as often as two or three times a month. Only a couple minor problems which were imediately corrected to my satisfaction. I made the mistake of trying another mail order business once and got ripped off, never again. Frendly sales people, fast service and good prices. No reason to shop elsewhere.

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http://www.davethephotoman.com

Norm Collins 07/23/2007 03:59 PM 1 point
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Put me down as a "Never Again." I have ordered many times with no problem. However, it appears someone at B&H forgot to pack a light I had ordered along with replacement lamps.

I am now told what their records indicate...meaning I must have lost it somehow. They say they will not send the light. They have my $110.00, and I have no light. There's a great customer retention plan.

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Henry Posner 07/26/2007 01:01 PM 1 point
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I am sorry we have an unresolved issue with Norm Collins. He told us he received a different item than the one ordered, suggesting an error originating in our warehouse. The problem is that we weigh each package to the hundredth of a pound. The item in question has a shipping weight of more than 2.5 lbs while the item he says he received in error weighs 0.69 lb. Quite a discrepancy. When we received his complaint we compared our package weight to UPS's records and they match. This means the package was complete when shipped. We asked him to reinspect the package he received from us to see if it'd been opened en route or if perhaps the item he sought was still packed away amidts the packaging, but he'd already discarded it.

It's always our aim to resolve customer complaints amicably, but in this case, the package weight suggests the parcel left here complete.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video, Inc.

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http://www.bhphotovideo.com

David Rothstein 11/16/2007 06:21 PM 1 point
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Just a note about UPS: Once I found, in a sealed UPS box, another, unrelated, sealed package to a different addressee.

While it is possible B&H goofed, I'd sooner say UPS goofed than B&H.

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Dan Pieniak 12/30/2007 11:37 AM 1 point
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HEY, a great place to buy photo stuff, along with a fantastic selection. Although most times I will give my money to Beach Camera, better prices and NO SHIPPING CHARGES. BUT.....why does B&H still send out those monster sized catalogs. Most times when I want something, I just look on their website. They could save tons of money by stopping those mailings, and maybe give free basic shipping on orders - Dahh

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Norm Collins 01/03/2008 10:55 PM 1 point
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Follow-up on missing item...

I want to give credit where it's due. While I was all but told that I was a liar and a thief (it was strongly implied) by the first customer service representative...whom I shall not name, I was contacted by Moshe who repeatedly apologized to me, as B&H discovered I was correct. He says the error was theirs. He sent a refund check.

This man was very nice and made things right. I appreciate that. I hope the first guy has learned more about what "customer service" means. Thanks to Moshe for representing the company so well.

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Pete Grady 03/04/2008 12:03 AM 1 point
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I'm not sure what Sonya is talking about. I've dealt with B&H Photo for years and spent many thousands of dollars and returned items and on and on. I've never had the slightest problem. I would not shop anywhere else.

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Henry Posner 03/05/2008 10:34 AM 1 point
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"Iâ€™m not sure what Sonya is talking about. "

Neither are we. When we first stumbled on her comments I checked with every buyer we have and no one recognizes her name. If she is or was a manufacturer's rep, she's a mystery to us.

--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

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http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Kommini Krishna Mohan 03/13/2008 01:07 AM 1 point
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I have never dealt with B&H before, but have heard good things said about them. I am in India now, but plan to visit NYC in May '08. I will visit their stores to buy a lens. Hope I meet either Mr.Henry Posner or Mr.Moshe... :)

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Premson 09/10/2008 10:22 PM 1 point
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Not related to cam, but I recently bought a couple of headphones sitting in India from B&H and shipped it to a friend's @ NJ, who later got me the stuff when he visited India. The service and shipping was pretty fast, the stuffs were well packaged too. But today I stumbled upon the shipping rules and realised they actually ship to India too :-)

[Go to shipping section of any product, and calculate your shipping amount for India]

And Guess what, they happen to have a office in Pune - Check this link too - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home...

Premson.
premson_pr at yahoo dot com

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B&H Photo Video

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