atran wrote:
I think there should always be someone to speak up about the his/her own disappointment with service quality. Otherwise whatever stores will keep becoming like B&H and at the end what you you do if there is no good stores left to do your business with?
I think what is perplexing to many here (myself included) is not the desire to prove one's self right, but the lengths at which the OP is going to do so. If it were me, a couple of phone calls would be the extent of my valuable time or energy I'd be willing to invest in this issue - particularly given the wide selection of online retailers one can choose to purchase from. Heck, even non-photo retaliers like Newegg and Tiger Direct sell camera gear these days, all with ironclad refund policies just like B&H.
I personlly use a variety of retailers - Amazon, Adorama, B&H, etc - for my purchases. If one were to suddenly "act up" and cause me greif, I could easily do without them. In fact, it could be argued that "distributing" one's purchases among several retailers would avoid this type of situation all together.
OTOH, this is of course just my humble perspective. I'm sure Roland has his own reasons for for this course of action - and no one can speak for him.
matanuska wrote:
I think what is perplexing to many here (myself included) is not the desire to prove one's self right, but the lengths at which the OP is going to do so. If it were me, a couple of phone calls would be the extent of my valuable time or energy I'd be willing to invest in this issue - particularly given the wide selection of online retailers one can choose to purchase from. Heck, even non-photo retaliers like Newegg and Tiger Direct sell camera gear these days, all with ironclad refund policies just like B&H.
I personlly use a variety of retailers - Amazon, Adorama, B&H, etc - for my purchases. If one were to suddenly "act up" and cause me greif, I could easily do without them. In fact, it could be argued that "distributing" one's purchases among several retailers would avoid this type of situation all together.
OTOH, this is of course just my humble perspective. I'm sure Roland has his own reasons for for this course of action - and no one can speak for him....Show more →
I totally get what you mean and agree with it. Most people including me sometimes can not justify the time it take to get the issue resolved. I just think we should not discourage others who are willing to do the dirty work that will benefit many of us in the future. Error happens and if the customers never speak up about issues then the service will never get better and that would be bad for both us-the customers and the suppliers. Just my little perspective as a customer/business school student.
I think it's a matter of principle. Spend nearly $200,000 over a span of many, many years. Get on preorder lists for more equipment....then have your order surruptisiously cancelled late in the game. I think the reaction is reasonable.
I would never chase after somebody to take my money
There are several other reliable online suppliers that carry the same inventory as B&H
This would be a one strike and you're out deal for me
All good points. With everyone here including Fred himself making an effort to help me out I thought it would be at least dignified for me to stick it out until the end of the day and ask B&H: "What exactly they want from me?" This is something that would take little effort to settle. Companies deal with an resolve issues like this every day. B&H had a concern about a large order I placed for a 1DII and some lenses back in 2004 I recall because I hadn't ordered for a while. I said - what do you need? They said they needed two utility bills faxed to them showing my name and my address. I said no problem. That's how you resolve a problem. I can understand if B&H has concerns. Just tell me what I need to provide? If they are concerned I'm violating Canon or Nikon's reseller agreement than let's call Canon and Nikon and ask them if they are concerned that I'm violating some policy. I personally Canon and Nikon are thrilled to have me as a customer and I know for fact that B&H has a direct line with both where they can verify any and all of this.
At this point I have asked B&H what they want and they refuse to tell me. It's been a full day, I've put the ball in their court and they refuse to reply. As the above poster has suggested it is time for me to move on and find another reseller. The court is now closed.
I really appreciate all the suggestions for alternate vendors. Some have arrived in PM's and some on this thread. I think I have a robust list to start with. I will call, email or text B&H first thing in the morning just to state formally that all back orders are canceled (I don't want to end up with duplicates in error). And I will place orders with one of these new vendors.
At least I'm getting a D4 next week thanks to Jorge's support! I'm going to have plenty of fun with that. So shed no tears for me
And as for the Alt forum - everyone here has been level headed and mature just as I expected. I hope B&H can do the same and not try any sort of retribution for my remarks.
And Yakim, my friend, I don't think you want to be anywhere near my old Asics running shoes! Ack!
Try Rick Leiserowitz & Co. out of Iowa. They either match or beat B&H prices. Drawback is no website but they are very competitive. I have been buying from them for over 20 years and he is great. Ask for Rick 877.368.2080. 213 13th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Tell him Jeff from WY. sent you.
Smiert Spionam wrote:
I assume it's a mix of feeling like he's being called a liar, and wanting his place back in line.
I can certainly sympathize with that sentiment. Not to hijack this thread, but I once found myself in a similar situation.
I had ordered a fairly expensive piece of telescope gear from an online retailer. Long story short – apparently as I placed the order and paid with my credit card, the supplier had raised the price of this item (by a fairly significant percent), but the retailer had failed to update their website. Rather than just admitting a mistake, the retailer tried to come back to me and cancel the transaction and get me to pay more. I wrote a very polite email explaining that since the transaction had already been completed, we had entered into a contract and I expected the terms to be honored. To my surprise, I received a lengthy, caustic email from the owner accusing me of being everything under the sun including, "liar", “unethical”, a “thief”, and a “liberal”! (go figure). The situation was only resolved when the supplier stepped in and, seeing that an honest mistake had been made, decided to act the adult and (happily) honor the original purchase agreement – the customer was always right!
Anyway, the only reason I bring this up here is that just like this situation, I was completely offended and outraged. But rather than seeking revenge – even though I was in the right – I let it slide as the effort to get even wouldn’t be worth it (to me) as there are plenty of other telescope retailers willing to take my money and provide excellent customer service. And doing a little research online, I found this particular retailer had already established a lengthy reputation of insulting customers, and this was well known in the online community.
Business are like people. They have a reputation and establish their own destiny. Eventually, the Universe will find a way of dishing out the Karma they deserve.
matanuska wrote:
I can certainly sympathize with that sentiment. Not to hijack this thread, but I once found myself in a similar situation.
I had ordered a fairly expensive piece of telescope gear from an online retailer. Long story short – apparently as I placed the order and paid with my credit card, the supplier had raised the price of this item (by a fairly significant percent), but the retailer had failed to update their website. Rather than just admitting a mistake, the retailer tried to come back to me and cancel the transaction and get me to pay more. I wrote a very polite email explaining that since the transaction had already been completed, we had entered into a contract and I expected the terms to be honored. To my surprise, I received a lengthy, caustic email from the owner accusing me of being everything under the sun including, “unethical”, a “thief”, and a “liberal”! (go figure). The situation was only resolved when the supplier stepped in and, seeing that an honest mistake had been made, decided to act the adult and (happily) honor the original purchase agreement – the customer was always right!
Anyway, the only reason I bring this up here is that just like this situation, I was completely offended and outraged. But rather than seeking revenge – even though I was in the right – I let it slide as the effort to get even wouldn’t be worth it (to me) as there are plenty of other telescope retailers willing to take my money and provide excellent customer service. And doing a little research online, I found this particular retailer had already established a lengthy reputation of insulting customers, and this was well known in the online community.
Business are like people. They have a reputation and establish their own destiny. Eventually, the Universe will have a way of meeting out the Karma they deserve.
netexpress... i'm beginning to think there's something you aren't telling us or tell us why haven't you posted the pics of your gear?!?
also, i'm from des moines and can second what f/stop said as I know it as H.B. Leisorwitz and this place has been around for like 100 years... great guys.
And you'll find several pictures I've posted previously on FM with these same carpets. My wife's brother works for the NSA and brought them back from U.S. State Department visit from Ankara turkey as a Christmas gift to us.
I wish the sky wasn't so washed out in the SF Bay area.