Canada's B&H : Vistek?

SLavictoire

SLavictoire

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

I tried to find for some times an equivalent to B&H in Canada and I found this web site : https://www.vistek.ca/

I was wondering if any of you had some deals with them? They have a nice service online? They got great choice of gears? Are you satisfied?
What else can you tell me about them?

Thanks!
 
I've bought a few things in the last few years (DSLR, camera bags, tripods, batteries, etc...) in person. It's about 20 minutes from my house, so I've never had to order online.

It was a painless experience. Nothing (good or bad) stood out. Their reputation is fine as far as I'm concerned. I've never needed service for anything, so I can't comment on that end. I'm only a hobbyist, so my needs were not challenging to fulfill.
 
Henry's is also another large suplier here in Canada. Both have good service althogh I find some of the prices a bit inflated compared to the B&H especially when the dollar is pretty close and even with shipping can come in under the prices here.

I have had a few experiences with Vistek staff trying to tell me what I was asking for was wrong when it wasn't or that a product was the same when it wasn't (Kept trying to sell me an old Genus VarND as the new Eclipse which it clearly wasn't). For that reason I use their rental services and stear clear of the floor staff. My experience could have been just an inexperienced sales guy so I wouldn't judge the whole store based off my personal experinece.

I will add that I have had great experience returning some gear that failed and getting it replaced same day with new stock. That is the advantage of going local.
 
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they are good. they will refund you in a good reason. or if your reason is bad, they will refund you a gift card with same amount.

product quality ? same as B&H, but product stock is low, sometimes it takes them 1-2 month to order from supplier ( I ordered a Gitzo Tripod, took them 1 month to order from Italy)

dont do online orders, they suck at that. Phone Customer service is bad. but in store is good.
 
Vistek is no B&H...

If you want lousy customer service... Vistek is your place to go.

It's very hit or miss.. I've had great experiences there.. and also terrible ones... their prices aren't great...but they price match.. so there is that..
 
I'd stay with a store near you for everything and use B&H, Adorama, etc, for stuff they can't get. I love the shops in my town and they'll help me anyway they can when I'm stuck. Even if its something I haven't bought from them they help because they know I'm a good customer. Also most stores with match others like Vistek or Henry's on price. Having a shop in town with a rental department is the best. I'll get free rental to save my ass when everything goes wrong and they will let me send an assistant to pick it up with no paper work....... Its called a working relationship.

My 2 bits.
 
Just looked Sept-Îles, Québec, up on Google and its far from everything....... I'd still look for a shop in Quebec city.
 
SLavictoire said:
I tried to find for some times an equivalent to B&H in Canada
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The question is: why not order from B&H? Fast shipping, Purolator with tracking number, excellent customer service. I rely on ebay for cheap product that I can wait for up to three weeks in the mail. Other than that, B&H for the win.
RatLabProductions said:
Henry's is also another large suplier here in Canada.
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I've heard about it from a friend in Toronto. Don't know much about that store though. I'm still satisfied with B&H so far.
Loki said:
Vistek is no B&H...
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That's what I though. Henry's would be closer to B&H from this side of the border.
thekreative said:
Just looked Sept-Îles, Québec, up on Google and its far from everything...
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It is!
 
drapeama said:
The question is: why not order from B&H? Fast shipping, Purolator with tracking number, excellent customer service. I rely on ebay for cheap product that I can wait for up to three weeks in the mail. Other than that, B&H for the win.

I've heard about it from a friend in Toronto. Don't know much about that store though. I'm still satisfied with B&H so far.

That's what I though. Henry's would be closer to B&H from this side of the border.

It is!
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Why I don't use B&H, well, I used it once or twice and I was happy about it. It just this time, I wanted two particular items that they don't have autorisation to ship to Canada.

I'm seeking another supplier for those items : FP33 Shure, Porta Brace bags. Vistek have those on the online store.

I looked at Henry's and I'm disapointed. They don't have what I'm seeking online.

Also, i'm about to move with my girlfriend, so I won't call anything online for now. I don't wan't my stuff being mixed or lost.

But thanks for all the replies! Everyone has a different opinion and experience with Vistek. I'm might reconsider certain options.
 
I use Vistek regularly for rentals, and have purchased a few things from them. The staff are usually friendly, but there are a few who seem pissed to be working there and it shows in their service. Prices compared to B&H will always be overinflated, it's one of the perks of living in Canada! I typically shop at B&H and then check Vistek to see how much more it would cost me. Typically I stick with my B&H order and love the all-in-one duty price feature they offer on checkout.
 
As a fellow Canuck, I've wanted to like Vistek, but the prices are always so inflated compared to B&H that I don't bother.

I was hoping that by moving to Vancouver, I'd have access to lots of cheaper local stuff, but it's still a lot pricier anywhere in town than it is from B&H, who've always been good to me.
 
I bought most of my lighting equipment and video cameras from Vistek over the years, and if you are dealing with pro equipment there is sometimes room to move a little on prices.. if of course you ask. I never buy anything from Henry's.

I've also tried BHphotovideo a few times but you will get hit with duties, taxes and brokerage fees sometimes not making it worth it depending on what you are buying. Also when dealing over the border exchanges can be a nightmare as it was for me when I was charged $300 two times for an SDI monitor coming across; once on the first shipment and once on the replacement item shipment. I was even sent to a collections agency because I was told not to worry about the 2nd set of charges on 3 separate occassions when trying to clear up this mess since April... it took until October to resolve.

I also dealt with Abelcine a few times and they are pretty good too.

For big ticket items I would stay local, just shop around.
 
starcentral said:
I've also tried BHphotovideo a few times but you will get hit with duties, taxes and brokerage fees sometimes not making it worth it depending on what you are buying
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If you ship via Purolator Ground from the B&H Photo website, then all taxes, duties, and shipping are included in the final price. This greatly speeds up delivery, where I often receive my order in Toronto 2-3 days after placing it.
 
Yes the bh customs prepaid option does seem to be the least costly from all options, but people still need to be aware that depending on the size and weight of the parcel you would be looking at a minimum of 18% to 30% or even more on top of the prices you see listed on BH to cover customs and shipping. This does not even include exchange rates.

Here is my current shopping cart; this shipping a bit on the high side because some items in my cart are bulky:
bhripoff.jpg

But minus the bulky items even with the customs charges, shipping, and exchange rate it can still come out cheaper. Just need to do your homework.
 
starcentral said:
But minus the bulky items even with the customs charges, shipping, and exchange rate it can still come out cheaper. Just need to do your homework.
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An Avenger A2030D C-Stand bought from B&H and shipped to Toronto costs $240.

An Avenger A2030D C-Stand bought from Vistek in Toronto, and picked up in person costs $271.
 
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