All, I know that it may seem to be a unusual headline, but let me tell you my story.
I sent some camera's and gear to B&H to sell to them recently. About $2,000 worth, so not a small box. Some of the stuff did not come up on the online calculator, but I just created another excel sheet and listed the extras, put a note in to call me before they accepted the stuff, and off it went.
Well, people being what they are, the next thing is, I get a check in the mail. No accounting for what they gave me on anything. What about my note to call me?
So, I called them and asked for a list of prices. Come to find out, a camera, like new AW130, was not on the list. Seems they did not want it. So, I said, "return it as your website says you will." There is where the problem comes in. They have a section where stuff they do not want goes. And it is not easy to find something so small once it hits there. So, I said, "well then, send me a check for $135.00 as that is what another store will give me." The person on the other end negotiated a price of $110 with me, and I agreed, as they have taken returns, and done other things for me over the years that cost them, etc. that were not their fault, and I figure that it will all balance out in the end.
Here is where the trust and reputation of a good camera store comes in. A few days pass, and nothing happens, so I sent a message to Herschel Waldner who is on this site. I explained the situation to him. Got an email almost instantly and he said he would look into it. The next day, HE CALLED ME. When does that ever happen? We chatted for a while going over their commitment to excellence and what he wanted to do. What he said he would do for me is to be sure that I get not only the $110, but they would also throw in the extra $25 so I would get the full $135.
Nothing happens for 3 days, and then yesterday, two checks arrive in the mail. Yup, $135.
Now, you would think that this story is not worth telling over $135, and I would normally agree with you. But, what is the value of trust? When we deal with a company that is 1,000 miles away, trust that they will do what they say they will do, what is the value of them actually doing it.
Their people made a mistake in the original handling. But, they have 2,400 people working there, and let's face it, we all can make a mistake. But it is how they fix it that shows the true character of a company. And their handling of it was perfect in the end.
So, that is why it pays to deal with B&H and any other of the top very few reputable companies in the camera business.
All, I know that it may seem to be a unusual head... (
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