photohog

Although the vast majority of UHH users (including myself) have had very positive experiences with B&H, I had some issues with my most recent purchase. I recently ordered the Nikon MB-D15 Battery Grip. Although I was expecting to receive Nikon's 1 year USA warranty, I received a Nikon warranty card that was printed in mostly Japanese but in English stated "This warranty is valid only in Japan." I emailed B&H customer service to report this and request the Nikon USA warranty card, but was told that the Japanese warranty card should be used for any repairs and even without the USA warranty card, I was definitely covered with the USA warranty. I checked with Nikon and was informed that the Japanese card would not be valid for warranty repairs and that a Nikon USA warranty card would be required. Therefore, the B&H representative provided me false information, which is very troubling. I contacted UHH member Hershel who put me in touch with another B&H representative and eventually worked out a solution for B&H to warrant the battery grip for 1 year (I also received a partial credit of my purchase price, which I was not expecting). I was also told that they could not guarantee if I ordered a replacement that it would come with a Nikon USA warranty card and I recommended that B&H disclose this in their web site, but as of today they have not done so. If I had believed what the initial B&H representative told me and later needed to make a warranty claim with Nikon, I would have been out of luck. I believe that B&H needs to do a better job at disclosing to customers up front what kind of warranty they will get when they order an item. They also need to better train their customer service representatives on Nikon warranty procedures so that false information is not provided to customers, like it was to me. Although this eventually got sorted out, B&H customers should not have to go through this kind of situation.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Welcome to the Hog. Too bad your first post had to be a rant. Never the less, you made it here :wink:

I'm sure you are aware that nothing and no one is perfect. B&H's track record speaks for it's self. And after all, you did get it resolved, with compensation. It is a vast website to stay on top of.......

Glad it worked out :thumbup:

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

I've dealt happily with B&H for over 20 years, going back to loading up on Kodachrome in their store, and most recently buying a studio strobe. I've always had good experiences and believe that yours was due to honest errors and their rare instance of bureaucratic fumbling. But they did square things away.

(Be thankful you haven't dealt with "Cambridge." They're such bandits they ought to wear bandannas and six guns.)

alfaman

Adding my two cents: Been dealing with B&H since my T90 days and have had nothing but positive experiences. Recently ordered an off camera flash bracket for a 580EX2. It looked kind of flimsy with plastic mounting hardware. Was not sure that a $500 flash would be secure on it. Called B&H and wanted to return it. Their sales person said the cost did not justify sending it back. He said to keep it or throw it away and credited me with the cost of the bracket. So he not only looked out for me but also B&H. Customer and business oriented.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Forgive me, Hogs, for I temporarily slipped over to the Dark Side recently. I could have ordered two items from B&H, as their daily e-mails led me to buy the Sony LA-EA3 lens adapter and the Sony 12 mm Wide Angle Conversion lens for their E-mt 16 mm pancake lens.

But then I checked Amazon.com and found their prices to be identical. Moreover, I had a low-cost item on my Amazon Wishlist that I'd have to pay shipping for unless I bought one of the Sony items with it, so I elected to buy both items from Amazon. So it looked liked I saved money on the absurdly disproportionate shipping cost for that low-cost item.

Then I tested the WA converter and decided for the weight and cost, it wasn't worth it despite its sale price. So I returned it, but unlike B&H, I had to pay for the shipping back to Amazon. Wouldn't you know it, but I then found, upon doing my trials with the LA-EA3 Adapter (which I posted I couple of weeks ago on the Hog,) I determined its use with the a6000 camera was essentially worthless. Since I don't know if I'll later purchase an a7 series camera, I felt compelled to return it, again paying for the return shipping.

Moral of the Story: B&H has some "hidden benefits."

chaman

An error was committed and he company noted it out and even gave you a credit. What is the rant about again? And you come here, for the very first time just to throw dirt to a company that in the end made right? All companies screw up, more do it more, some less. If I were B/H I would not mind loosing YOU as a customer, I can tell you that.

Jim Bob

All retailers suck from time to time. BH is no exception.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I don't think you are on a rant, I think you are sharing concerns. I had some issues with B&H on a computer and it took three shipments to get a keeper. Breaking down and setting up computer equipment and wiring inside a cabinet three times was an ordeal, yet I too was accused of being on a 'rant' when I shared the experience on UHH. At least you did get some compensation out of it...I did not. And the worst of it was that they tried to put the blame on the shipping company--which I could readily disprove with photographic evidence. But when I offered to share the photos they didn't want to get the facts in order to re-assess warehouse handling. I've have a lot of positive buying experiences with B&H in the past but I think there are some problems with current administration. While it's great that they 'make things right', not wanting to get down to the root of the problem will just allow problems to escalate and more folks to suffer the consequences.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Why can't the OP come here with his story. Just because it was resolved doesn't mean that he did not suffer after being told his grip was USA when it was not?!?!
I'm not gonna waste anybody's time with my B&H stories. But after I ate the third one, I still shop at B&H but much less than I used to. Maybe if Herschal had been around then, I'd still be there 100% but all "I" got was to pay $50 AND pick up the garbage!!
Before the OP was righted, he was STILL wronged, and that feeling doesn't go away just because he was righted!!! ;-)
SS

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Well put, SharpShooter.

chaman

Ive had my issues with Ebay, B/H, Adorama etc but after establishing a good line of communication I resolved them, I never went to a forum, register in it and started any rant against them. Never said he could not come here and do it. I just find the thing not fair, more when the issue was resolved and he even got a credit for his trouble. One thing to notice here...there are always two sides to a story and we have just heard one. Food for thought.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

So what is your vested interest that you feel compelled to make the OP feel SMALL just because he aired his complaint!!
You make it sound as though he should be on his knees thanking B&H for having wronged him just because they gave him more than he had originally purchased !
Maybe the OP is just a curmudgeon and maybe your just an over zealous yes man/woman that feels that as long as things have been worked out you have no need to tell others about your experience.
You have NO idea how many people the OP may have helped by telling his story in the manner it was told. Maybe a hundred people that have been wronged will see this and call Hershel and get an acceptable resolution to their plight after having already given up and accepting their good screwing!
Maybe their IS a silver lining here that you can't see through your heavily rose tinted glasses!!! Measure twice, cut once!! ;-)
SS

chaman

It seems you have some trouble with an opinion which is what I did. There is a lot maybes in your post. You have NO idea either what is the real truth behind this. The maybe game can be played both ways so my post before this one still stands. You seem very sure but still you are only hearing one side of the story. I prefer a healthy dose of skepticism specially over a random story in the internet. If you want to keep playing the maybe game be my guest. Im glad he resolved his issue, I would have resolved it some other way. That to me its the end of the argument, I see no need in keep discussing it.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Good to know there are others who try to view a person's words from more than one POV!

lev29 :!: 👍🏻✌🏼😎

anotherview Loc: California

May I please say in my years of buying from B&H and reading reviews online, your complaint is the first one of any substance I've run across. I offer that this one incident cannot properly define the customer service or presentation of B&H.

Expect others to chime in here.

B&H may've served virtually every experienced photographer on the planet. This company has a sterling reputation.