Anyone ever had a problem with their return policy? I have not but a friend who is about to purchase some gear and is concerned.I told him they are great!
Never a problem here either. Living in NJ I have returned things via mail with an RGA# as well as in person. Both times were within the 14 day return period.
B&H does let you return things, but their policy is only 14 days and you have to pay return shipping.
If you know ahead of time you're purchasing something that may need returning, Amazon has a much better policy. Amazon has a 30-day return policy and will cover your return shipping.
Usually Amazon is a few dollars cheaper than B&H too. I try to get all my gear from Amazon unless they don't carry what I'm looking for.
BH just charged my credit card $14.50 for what I'm assuming is a return of my lens to them (even though it showed up with a blemish). I'm kinda amazed at this, and intend on calling them to find out why they'd sneak something like this in there. I'll let you know what happens.
The return policy for digital equipment is only 7 days. Just purchased my 1DMIII from them and planned on returning it within 7 days if not satisfied. Turns out I'm very satisfied.
BH just charged my credit card $14.50 for what I'm assuming is a return of my lens to them (even though it showed up with a blemish). I'm kinda amazed at this, and intend on calling them to find out why they'd sneak something like this in there. I'll let you know what happens.
Maybe it's for the shipping? I've returned a few items and they only refund the cost of the item, not the initial and return shipping. Seems fair as I changed my mind after the fact. If it's a defective product you need to talk to customer service and have shipping credited.
Brilliant return/exchange policy. Bought a lense overnight, it back focused badly so returned it promptly and as soon as they received it they OVERNIGHTED me a replacement at their cost! They said that they shipped things the same speed that they shipped them originally. Crazy. $68 for overnight and they ate it to get me a replacement lense. Brilliant.
Only caveat I would give is that it goes both ways....It seems that many products returned b/c a customer "didn't like it" goes back out to another customer who probably will be perfectly happy with it.
This is more of an L-glass issue than anything else.
I've returned defective items and B&H sent UPS labels for free return shipping - and sent replacements free at the same shipping rate that I used to purchase the original item.
For example, I once had gotten two defective 85L's that I had originally bought at overnight air delivery terms. B&H sent the return label for ground shipment back but sent the replacements lenses at the overnight air speed/rates. The 3rd 85L worked correctly. Sorting this out took no more than a week.
Buying stuff at Amazon is like rolling the dice - maybe it comes quickly, maybe not for a month, maybe you get a decent vendor, maybe not so hot... Not for me when I am laying out $1,500 for a lens, etc.
B&H's good prices and great service over many years have earned my loyalty many times over.
Stunnaz wrote:
B&H does let you return things, but their policy is only 14 days and you have to pay return shipping.
If you know ahead of time you're purchasing something that may need returning, Amazon has a much better policy. Amazon has a 30-day return policy and will cover your return shipping.
Usually Amazon is a few dollars cheaper than B&H too. I try to get all my gear from Amazon unless they don't carry what I'm looking for.
I had one used camera I purchased from them I needed to return. Camera was throwing error codes. No problem with return at all. I usually end up purchasing most of my camera gear from B&H, Adorama, or Buydig.
Stunnaz wrote:
If you know ahead of time you're purchasing something that may need returning, Amazon has a much better policy. Amazon has a 30-day return policy and will cover your return shipping.
I almost went with Amazon instead of B&H for a 1DMk3. I didn't go with Amazon because they have a lot of padding built into their refund policy. You may want to check that out.
Phil Bonner wrote:
I've returned defective items and B&H sent UPS labels for free return shipping - and sent replacements free at the same shipping rate that I used to purchase the original item.
For example, I once had gotten two defective 85L's that I had originally bought at overnight air delivery terms. B&H sent the return label for ground shipment back but sent the replacements lenses at the overnight air speed/rates. The 3rd 85L worked correctly. Sorting this out took no more than a week.
Buying stuff at Amazon is like rolling the dice - maybe it comes quickly, maybe not for a month, maybe you get a decent vendor, maybe not so hot... Not for me when I am laying out $1,500 for a lens, etc.
B&H's good prices and great service over many years have earned my loyalty many times over. ...Show more →
I purchased a defective 10-22 from B&H a few months ago and asked for a replacement. I did not receive any UPS labels for free return shipping. Perhaps it's only if you paid for air delivery? Or perhaps you got lucky, as they mention nothing about free shipping in their return policies either.
I think you may be confused by the different vendors that sell on Amazon.com. Those are not Amazon.com products and you do not get free shipping nor 30-Day return policy. Vendors like Adorama sell things on Amazon.com, but their policies/shipping rates are independent from Amazon.com. If you purchase directly from Amazon.com, it will say "Ships and Sold by Amazon.com" right below the price and you get free shipping + 30 day return policy.
I've purchased numerous items from B&H as well and they do have polite customer service. However, if you compare return policies, Amazon's is definitely better. There's no need to call in either, you just go to your account, hit the return item button, and you can print the shipping label immediately.
OSev wrote:
I almost went with Amazon instead of B&H for a 1DMk3. I didn't go with Amazon because they have a lot of padding built into their refund policy. You may want to check that out.
Well, I've returned a 17-40L to Amazon.com and exchanged a 10-22 from B&H. 17-40L cost me nothing and 10-22 cost me return shipping. Considering that Amazon's return period is twice that of B&H it's hard to argue that B&H has a better return policy.
