My first bad experience with B&H: I've used B&H over the years with good results. But last Christmas I received a Kirk L bracket for my 60D with battery grip. I removed it from the...

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I've used B&H over the years with good results. But last Christmas I received a Kirk L bracket for my 60D with battery grip. I removed it from the packaging but never had it on the camera. It is brand spanking new. But, a week ago I traded the 60D for a 6D. Today I called B&H to ask about returning it and trading for a similar item for the 6D. I was told that, without the original Kirk packaging, which I had discarded, they would not accept any returns, even tho I had the receipts and shipping docs. I normally keep all packaging for new products but for some reason didn't for this item. I don't know how you all feel about that but I think they should have been willing to do a trade even if they had to charge a reasonable restocking fee.

It will probably fit the 6D but will be a little off center in the portrait position. One of my brothers is a machinist and may be able to modify it. Could even try to sell it on UHH, don't know yet.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

jackm1943 wrote:

I've used B&H over the years with good results... (show quote)

IMO, this would not qualify as a "bad experience"....

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Without the original packaging B&H will have to sell your return as used and personally I think you're asking them to pay for your mistake. You threw the packaging away and it was you who made the choice to trade for a new camera and now you want B&H to take responsibility for your actions. Sorry but I have to side with B&H on this one.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

IMO, this would not qualify as a "bad experience"....

I totally agree. B&H didn't have anything to do with the OP changing his/her gear. Especially since the original packaging was gone. Cheers.

Aldebaran Loc: Florida

I have to agree also. They are not responsible for the changing of camera no matter how close to the buy it was. The best alternative is to sell it as LN.

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

Pepper wrote:

Without the original packaging B&H will have to sell your return as used and personally I think you're asking them to pay for your mistake. You threw the packaging away and it was you who made the choice to trade for a new camera and now you want B&H to take responsibility for your actions. Sorry but I have to side with B&H on this one.

Correct. :thumbup:

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

You should have kept all the packaging, that return policy is pretty much a business standard. Definitely NOT a "bad" experience, just poor choices on your part.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

jackm1943 wrote:

I've used B&H over the years with good results... (show quote)

How could they sell it now? By putting it in a ziplock baggie and taping a homemade label on it?

Their policy clearly states that if you want to exchange or refund you have to have the original packaging....

It's not brain surgery...

I guess I'm confused as to how they did anything wrong...

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

rpavich wrote:

How could they sell it now? By putting it in a ziplock baggie and taping a homemade label on it?

Their policy clearly states that if you want to exchange or refund you have to have the original packaging....

It's not brain surgery...

I guess I'm confused as to how they did anything wrong...

OK, OK, I give. I'm sure you are all correct. I normally keep packaging but it got tossed out in the Christmas wrapping mess before I realized it was gone. I did have all the packaging for the 60D, grip, and 3 lenses when I traded.

BTY, I'm loving the 6D and new lens more and more every day, will post some images soon but don't know if the increased sharpness will be evident on screen.

Jack

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

jackm1943 wrote:

OK, OK, I give. I'm sure you are all correct. I normally keep packaging but it got tossed out in the Christmas wrapping mess before I realized it was gone. I did have all the packaging for the 60D, grip, and 3 lenses when I traded.

BTY, I'm loving the 6D and new lens more and more every day, will post some images soon but don't know if the increased sharpness will be evident on screen.

Jack

Well... I'll side with you (to some degree). I think if you are are good customer, more effort on B&H's part is not too much to ask. Yes, they can't sell it as new, and yes, it was your mistake, but how awesome would it be if they worked with you to make you happy? A customer for life is sometimes worth more than the loss of one item for them.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

IMO, this would not qualify as a "bad experience"....

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

mdorn wrote:

Well... I'll side with you (to some degree). I think if you are are good customer, more effort on B&H's part is not too much to ask. Yes, they can't sell it as new, and yes, it was your mistake, but how awesome would it be if they worked with you to make you happy? A customer for life is sometimes worth more than the loss of one item for them.

Thanks Mark. I don't know what qualifies as a "good" customer, but I've given them a several orders over the years. They've always been my first go-to. The clerk didn't ask my name or account number, just told me they couldn't accept it without original packaging and that was it. He did say "sorry". A learning experience I guess.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

This just sounds like sour grapes because you didn't get your way or what you wanted, I just bought this new car but took the tires off of it , can I return it ?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'll probably take a loss on it, but try posting it here in the for-sale section or contract KEH to see if they'll make an offer. I'd take either of these 2nd best ideas over a make-shift modification to sit on my new 6D.

amehta Loc: Boston

jackm1943 wrote:

OK, OK, I give. I'm sure you are all correct. I normally keep packaging but it got tossed out in the Christmas wrapping mess before I realized it was gone. I did have all the packaging for the 60D, grip, and 3 lenses when I traded.

BTY, I'm loving the 6D and new lens more and more every day, will post some images soon but don't know if the increased sharpness will be evident on screen.

Jack

It's a moderately expensive lesson, hopefully a few of us will remember this and hold on to the packaging for a month or two. And hopefully it helped you to vent about this.

I am a little surprised they weren't willing to work something out, where you got about 80-85% credit towards the 6D plate. I guess if the used price for the plate is much lower than the new price, then their response makes sense.

I think people are reacting to the "bad experience" title to the post. If the title had been something like, "what can I do", people may have recognized that you were willing to pay for some or all of your mistake in the form of a restocking fee. But at least this time people jumped down the throat of a long time member, so you won't leave.