KenProspero

I'm with the majority here -- have bought from them. Only issue I ever had was with a used tripod that came broken. They took it back and paid the return postage.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I've never ordered from B&H, but have ordered numerous things online from a variety of businesses. I can understand the high number of people supporting and backing B&H after using the store frequently. However, I have seen some, not a majority, of comments that have made assumptions that were not stated in the OP. He did not specify a date for his order yet many have stated the company is closed for Passover. The order may have been placed before the start of that holiday. Also, he stated his original invoice, which he printed off, was changed and the original was not available on the website. Why be so harsh and critical of the OP when no one has all the facts. The OP simply stated his side of the story and it is opinionated, for sure, but nobody else can attest to anything that is unspoken. To me it seems that many have jumped to conclusions, perhaps even the OP, but I cannot be absolutely sure of that.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

On page 1 I wrote that the OP was being irresponsible by posting this topic.

The reason is in the title: Buyer Beware.

His frustrations, misunderstanding, lack of communication - whatever it all turns out to be - should not be the basis for publicly denigrating a highly respected and successful business. This is the kind of conversation you should have with your buddy over beer, or your significant other over dinner. Then you call the company and speak to a supervisor. Or, on Monday when the store reopens, contact their rep who has an account on UHH: Hershel.

Contact info:
Hershel K. Waldner
B&H Photo, Video, Pro Audio
212-239-7500 ext. 2893
hwaldner@bhphoto.com

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-post-list?usernum=13152

.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

You know, everyone, I am reading Daniels original posting and I see two things: #1) looks like he ordered a 12TB Hard Drive but what they are sending him is a 24TB. Obviously a reason for the higher cost. And he obviously has a printed out order that says 12TB. #2) Looks like he already heard from them before the Jewish Holidays? They are claiming he produced another order and that response from B & H would have had to come before the Jewish Holiday started, would it not?? So unless I am missing something, the Holiday would have nothing to do with his issue??

So lets all step back, calm down, and wait to see how all this shakes out. I have a lot of confidence that Hershel, when he gets back, will get this all worked out and we will know all the details.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Their story seems to change every time I state my case. They claim that I placed a second order a few days later which I did not. Also the invoice I printed the day I ordered (I always print an invoice for my records) was $150 less than the false second invoice they claimed I placed a few days later.

The fact is I got a 12TB hard drive and a USB-3 cable as a Time Machine backup on my mac. Why would I need 24TB of storage and why would I go back a few days later and order the same thing for $150 more?

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Just for the record this has been going on since December of last year. Yes, I know they are closed for Passover and I'm waiting the next response through the BBB. I will withdraw my BBB complaint when and only when I get my money back. I have copies of my invoice and copies of the B&H email correspondence as well.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

And this is the same kind of responses I get from B&H. Run me in circles and hope I forget about it.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

On different days? Don't think so.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

If so why have I turned to the BBB and my Visa card services for help.

I've spent plenty of money over the years with them and would never had expected this. All I know is I'm out $500+.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your story would be much easier to understand if you'd instead dryly and factually express what actually happened rather than what you think should have happened.

You say you were charged twice for the same item. Did you receive two items? The same item twice? Something else?

If you received only one, you and B&H should have tracking numbers for both shipments, what do those records say?

Did you file a dispute with your credit card company?

Also helpful would some references to the dates. Dropping your vague complaint on April 1 would make it seem like a recent issue, not something from December of last year.

Did you contact directly Hershel Waldner at B&H?

Care to try again or will you just keep slinging mud in ways that make us question you more than anything about your story.

KenProspero

Daniel -- I don't know you, but I have no reason to believe that you'd be anything other than honest to us here. I take you at your word that you had a terrible experience with a vendor and are frustrated.

Please understand that many of us have dealt with the same vendor over many years and have had good experiences both in orders and returns, so we're somewhat surprised that you weren't treated the same way.

Given your situation, I think disputing the charge with your credit card provider is the most likely way you will get this resolved, if B+H doesn't do it -- I might have pointed out this possibility, but it seems that you are already aware of this option.

Best of luck in resolving your situation.

Bill_de Loc: US

Who did you speak with? If you haven't spoken to Henry Posner, and he couldn't resolve the issue, then and only then do you have a problem.

Phone contact Monday through Friday usually works best!

---

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

We live in a LITGATIVE society- more and more every day. Folks become easily frustrated, impatient, and downright nasty. Instead of solving issues and correct mistakes (oftentimes their own) they fly off the handle, jump the gun, and want to LITIGATE and become combative rather than solving issues in a diplomatic and logical manner.

So...they rave and rant, write letters or send Emails to consumer advocate newspaper columns or go on air with consumer talk show radio hosts, post bad reviews online, attempt to sully the good name of legitimate businesses, consult lawyers. and even launch lawsuits. All that angst and time wasted when simply contacting the management or customer relations department or person with their complaint, with all the information, and verifications in hand, and solve the issue in a logical and amicable manner. If an employee or telephone contact can not or will not offer satisfaction, a manager, customer relations specialists, or the owner usually will be able to help. Linda was kind enough to furnish the name of the individual at B&H who has always resolved any occasional issues that come up on this forum.

Another problem is that nowadays folks expect every business to be available on an almost 24/7 basis. I can remember a time when you could drop dead on the streets of Philadelphia on a Sunday and the undertaker would not remove your body 'till Monday- (the Blue Law)- the entire city shut down tight on Sundays. Up here in Canada, I, back in the day, had to drive to a different municipality to buy gas on Sunday as per the Lord's Day Act. Even in New York City, the big camera stores kept "bankers hours" except for one late night. Nowadays, folks expect to be able to buy a house or a car in the middle of the night! Even in a diverse multicultural and multiethnic society, folks don't respect each other's religious holidays or Holey-days to be more specific. Nobody can have a day off and need to be" at your service" at all times. People get lazy and don't bother to plan their purchases anymore- everything has to be instantaneous. A shipment takes an additional day or two and the alarm bells go off!

The BBB will only issue a bad rating if a company does not respond to complaints. If you talk to anyone at the BBB, they will tell you that even the best five-star kinda companies receive complaints. They can not dictate policy or tell a business what to do in any specific matter. It is more prudent to check with BBB BEFORE you deal with a business that is unknown to you- not after you are dissatisfied. In any event, they can tell you if there are lots of complaints and if the business in question responds to these complaints.

Crazyness!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Hershel usually responds to these posts personally and clears up the problem. I would imagine that he'll do so again after Passover. That is not to say that the O.P. might not have a valid problem.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Most valid problems associated with highly respected companies do not warrant screaming, "Buyer Beware" in a public forum.