New B&H PayBoo Card Gotcha

Run&Gun

Veteran
So, as some probably know, B&H’s PayBoo card is now being serviced by another bank and it was not an automatic handoff and you must open a new card account. Okay, not a big deal, it only takes a few minutes on-line on B&H’s site and it’s approved pretty much instantly and automatically paired to your B&H account for immediate use. However, they fail to tell you, or at least fail to make it obvious(may be hidden in the fine print of the agreement), that you can only use the card on-line ONE time, until you receive the physical card(!).

I made a small purchase this weekend from the Deal Zone, and as usual, no problems. A few clicks and done. But I needed to make another purchase, because they were only permitting you to buy two of the items in a single transaction. So I added the item to my cart again and went to buy it and the card was declined. What? I just bought something…. And it was only $148. Tried a few more times with no luck, so I thought maybe something was just goofy with the system and brushed it off. Then yesterday I tried to make a purchase of a few items, again, and not an extraordinarily large purchase, only about $600. No where near my credit limit. Declined again. So I started an on-line chat with a B&H rep and explained everything to him and then he proceeded to inform me that the way it is set-up, it can only be used on-line one time until you get the physical card, BUT I could call in on the phone and make the purchase and it would be charged to the PayBoo account.

Okay, I get that it’s probably just an account security measure, but it still seems pretty dumb, especially considering the card is automatically paired to your account on-line to make on-line purchases and on-line purchases are probably 99% of how it is used. And I asked the rep I talked to on the phone, when I made my purchase how long it usually takes to get the card and he said usually 10 days. C’mon, it’s 2022, who has the patients to wait that long to be able to make continuous purchases on-line or have to actually call someone to buy something? Raise your hand if at least half of your B&H purchases are after normal business hours, including the middle of the night.

First world problems, but still annoying.
 
Yeah, I got the new Payboo card but it arrived quickly. Didn't know about this "gotcha". Pretty stupid limitation. Kind of annoying that we had to re-apply anyway...
 
Did anyone else get a lower credit limit than with the previous card? I guess I will have to call to increase.
 
Maybe. The whole thing with the other card being discontinued was kind of weird. Not sure how well they're doing. Every time I go in there it's not very busy, even around the holidays. Tourism has really taken a hit in NYC and a big part of their walk-in business was from tourists...
 
It's not weird; it is business. Financial institutions compete for contracts as partnerships expire or change.

B&H is mentioned in various retail journals every year and how they have one of the most successful online shopping experiences in all industries.
Some recent thoughts for an upcoming event: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/blo...rce-experience

Their front-end development is at the highest level possible. Whoever is running that show is likely coming from some amazing workplaces.

As VR, AR and AI start to take over physical shopping experiences in the next 5 years, many chains will not have b&m stores anymore (or maybe just a few in major cities). I think B&H will always have a store, but foot traffic doesn't have the same indications it once had.

Think about all of the people in the world who shop there compared to just New Yorkers, or visitors.
 
Did anyone else get a lower credit limit than with the previous card? I guess I will have to call to increase.

I actually have a larger limit than the original one. I was surprised. I doubt I'l ever max it out. I don't think I ever maxed the old one.
 
That's because they see & know about your data/30 years of gear purchases (from everyone), R&G...lol, j/k.

"Two F55s...a few lenses worth more than some brand new cars...6 trucks of unnecessary lights...hmm, this guy's good."
 
Did anyone else get a lower credit limit than with the previous card? I guess I will have to call to increase.

Don't forget that you can (at least with the old card) change your method of payment within 30 days of purchase. So, you could max out payboo and pay the rest with a different credit card. Pay off your payboo balance and then change the method of payment from the other credit card to that one
 
My card came in the mail yesterday and I activated it, having to push back 3 times that I didn’t want the payment protection program. Funny last week I drove by what I think might be Synchony Bank headquarters.

Boy Norbro you buy a lot. Maybe it’s good thing they have restrictions.
 
I haven’t bought anything for 6 months. Usually I buy a lot when I do. I’m trying to reduce my gear.
 
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That's because they see & know about your data/30 years of gear purchases (from everyone), R&G...lol, j/k.

"Two F55s...a few lenses worth more than some brand new cars...6 trucks of unnecessary lights...hmm, this guy's good."

Lol. I can probably get all my lights in two trucks...
 
It's not weird; it is business. Financial institutions compete for contracts as partnerships expire or change.

B&H is mentioned in various retail journals every year and how they have one of the most successful online shopping experiences in all industries.
Some recent thoughts for an upcoming event: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/blo...rce-experience

Their front-end development is at the highest level possible. Whoever is running that show is likely coming from some amazing workplaces.

As VR, AR and AI start to take over physical shopping experiences in the next 5 years, many chains will not have b&m stores anymore (or maybe just a few in major cities). I think B&H will always have a store, but foot traffic doesn't have the same indications it once had.

Think about all of the people in the world who shop there compared to just New Yorkers, or visitors.

B&H's website has always been top-notch and is a wonderful tool to find out what's out there. But interestingly, I'm buying less & less from them as feel like customer service - especially in their used Dept has gone steadily downhill. I search / browse there often - but then search for alternatives to purchase.
 
Yeah, I like to shop all over the place.

I just mostly link B&H because I'm not getting started with linking small businesses because then it seems like I'm personally supporting them (and then I would feel like I would have to rotate support and link everyone).

So it's just easier to link the behemoth (and sometimes Adorama). People will shop where they want to regardless.
 
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