I hate B&H

I heart B & H.

Sorry you are having problems. I've probably ordered over $7,000 worth of equipment over the last year and never had a problem. They called me once after I placed a large order to verify that somebody wasn't using my credit card. They called two days after my order was placed and I missed the call. So after some phone tag, the order was sent. Although it was delayed by all of this... man, I'm glad they called to double check that some scumbag wasn't using my card (which has happened by the way... and that company didn't call to verify).

Anyway, hate is a pretty strong word. Best of luck.
 
If it was the simple matter of me screwing up the time of the order then I wouldn't be complaining. I would just call them and arrange for another shipment. Time is a factor but it's not completely crucial; if necessary I will make do. BUT the problem I have is this:

1. I can't cancel the order. They won't take my call unless it's from an authorized number. My emails to them have not been answered.
2. There is no way I can call them from that number because I'm not at home. By the time I'm able to come home that number will be disconnected anyway.
3. Yes, I know that they're busy with all the high profile customers who purchased tens of thousands of dollar at a time. That's part of my grievance because I really get the feeling when I talk to these peope that I'm just a small game to them and that my concerns aren't being addressed.

I feel like I'm stuck in a loop here. This has never happened before and I never expect that it would happen with B&H. I've been trying to get this tripod for over a month now and finally when I scrape together the money this happen.
 
TimurCivan said:
dude it was Yom Kippur last week, thatmeans B&H is closed for liek 13 days straight. Sorry.
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yom kippur was 2 weeks ago :) when I ordered my stuff. Last week was columbus day or something, I don't know.

anyways, if you are not going to be able to call and verify your adress and what not, then it sounds like your order will be cancelled without you ever doing anything. If you check their site, they probably have a time that info has to be verified by before an order is voided. So, let that happen. And try again next time :)

Jason

what tripod is it you are trying to get by the way?
 
Yeah, but that might take up to a week and I really can't wait that long. Hopefully I can get it sort out in a day or two.

Jason, I'm buying the Bogen 516 head with the 3046 leg. I know it's not exactly the best leg available for the head but it's got a decent maximum height and that's really all I can afford right now. :(
 
The holiday was to observe Sukkot / Shmini Atzeret (spelling optional).

jade8472: the amount of the order matters nought: I have a current order with B&H for a total of $12.50. I expect - and will most likely get - good service as usual.

I do hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction.
 
Thanks, unfortunately EVS is located in California and I'll get charge a hefty tax on top of the shipping order. I tried ordering from the Broadcast Store before this but the total came out to about $1000! That's a bit too much for me.
 
Call your home phone and have them call B&H three-way. Three-way is built into every landline automatically these days.

Problem solved.
 
Yeah, i order the vast majority of my gear from B&h and I've really never had a prolem. If I wasnt in Cali I would use EVS, but sales tax is a *****. I order a lot of my audio gear from TAI audio in FL. they'll almost always beat b&h's price and thier service is amazing.
 
You can minimize the sales tax in California on production equipment (i.e., get it down to 3%, which, depending on your purchase amounts, might be less than cross-country shipping charges). Ask EVS for the 3% producer's tax form.
 
jade8472 said:
I read their shipping policy. All orders placed before 11 PM on Thursday will ship on Friday. I placed the order at 9 P.M.
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I hate to quibble, but you're in California and we're in NYC. Your order is date/time stamped "Entered: 10-05-06 @ 11:58pm" You placed your order two minutes before midnight.

Ramjet1979 said:
yom kippur was 2 weeks ago :) when I ordered my stuff. Last week was columbus day or something, I don't know.
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Last week was the week+ holiday of Sukkos (or Sukkoth if your parents are from the other side of town). B&H closed Oct 6th mid-afternoon and reopened 9:00am (NYC time) Oct 16th. This schedule was prominently posted on our home page and throughout the oder process pages.

jade8472 said:
I ordered a tripod combo from B&H right before they closed for the holiday. The next day I got an email telling me that they can't process my order but didn't tell me why.
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Your order was held by our Verification Dept whose purpose is to deter credit card fraud and identity theft. Like airport security lines it's inconvenience but regrettably necessary. We do all we can to balance ease of ordering with safety and prudence. There was some issue with either your bill-to or ship-to data. I am reluctant to discuss particulars in an open forum for what I hope are obvious reasons.

As banks make more and more outlandish promises of security to current and prospective card holders they make more and more demands on retailers to ensure this security. Until some clever person figures out a way to abolish card fraud and identity theft, you'll see more of this. Stores which don't exercise safe, prudent, & effective security measures are simply gambling they won't become the unwitting vehicle by which some clever pirate abuses YOUR accounts. This is particularly true for card-absent transactions like web & phone/mail orders.

I know someone will say, "but we're protected." My wife was a victim of credit card fraud a few years ago. Didn't cost us a dime BUT it took one solid week of nothing else but phone calls, faxes, e-mails and so on to straighten out our finances. The Feds got involved because the pirates went on a 3-state shopping spree. The worst was the helpful youing woman (seen on department store security video) offering to awaken an existing but dormant credit account for the pirates based on the pirate showing my wife's driver's license. Trust me when I say that my size-4 white middle aged wife looked NOTHING like the person holding the DL. Account was reopened anyway and they bought some very nice jewelry. Just 'cause they say you're protected doesn't mean this is a stress-free event.

We'd want the card owner to call from the bill-to phone to help ensure we're actually speaking with the genuine card owner. Otherwise, Joe-the-Pirate could call from his sister's cell phone, say he's you and ask us to do anything.

In this instance, the order was cancelled, per your request, and a full refund is being issued to the original credit card. When your funds clear, you can reorder with a card that's easier to verify and I will bump your s&h from 3-day to 2-day rush on us.

On a personal note I think "hate" is more than a little harsh, all things considered. I understand your initial frustration and I am sorry you were vexed.
 
Reall? do I need a dba or to own an official business for that?

Barry_Green said:
You can minimize the sales tax in California on production equipment (i.e., get it down to 3%, which, depending on your purchase amounts, might be less than cross-country shipping charges). Ask EVS for the 3% producer's tax form.
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Now that's what I call customer service!

Thank you, Henry for explaining the value of the Verification Dept.

B&H Rules.
 
I agree with Larry, call them back and talk to another customer service representative, and/or ask for their supervisor. I'm pretty sure supervisors won't allow this to happen.
 
Henry agreed to canceled my order and set me up with new shipping at lower cost! I agree that my original posts were too harsh and I apologize. B&H really does take care of its customers!
 
Since we have actual eyes viewing this B&H thread, I though I'd weigh in.

I've purchased thousands of dollars worth of gear from B&H, including my DVX, tripod, cases, external drives, tapestock, etc. All my online purchases have gone effortless, and I will continue to make purchases that way.

But I wouldn't dream of setting foot in the actual store again, unless it was an absolute emergency. B&H has the worst customer service under any roof I've ever been. Sales reps deliberately avoiding eye contact so as not to have to talk to me. Rudeness is an understatement. Sorry, I was just trying to buy a mere on-board camera light. I know it's an inconvenience to an employee trying to make a real sale. Finally I found some guy who was willing to help me out, but it wasn't w/o looking and it took some time. PS-Not the first time I've endured a situation like this @ B&H, but it was the latest.

Memo to management: Work on your sale rep's attitudes, it will go a long way in the future. Yeah, I know it's Manhattan and it's a fast-paced environment, but gimme a break.

Long story short: Thank goodness for sites like DVX User, cuz the days of talking to a store employee about "what camera should I buy" are long gone.

PPS: I don't hate you, B&H, that is too strong a word.
 
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