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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
06-12-2019, 09:56 AM
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Mea culpa!
My apology! I was afraid I was missing it somehow...
I spent quite some time staring at that page yesterday, and also looked around, clicked on "Special"... and still couldn't see it until you've highlighted it in the screenshot above.
Thank you for pointing it out!
The irony is that I actually had looked at Adorama and Amazon prices before making the OP, looking if they had matching deals. I guess it is the fact that Adorama doesn't include anything additional in the item title that yields a lower noticeability...
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
06-11-2019, 07:35 PM
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Unless I am missing something, that item does not have the battery grip. :confused: I suspect you've missed that part ($200 value). Just the body at that price has been available for several months.
Christmas and Black-Friday-Cyber-Monday are special periods of time when B&H and Adorama significantly reduce prices on many Pentax products (cameras and lenses) for a short period of time. I doubt Father's day is that type of a holiday... ;)
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
06-10-2019, 04:56 PM
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Pentax K-1 Mark II with Pentax D-BG6 Battery Grip is sold at B&H at $1 above the price of a body alone: $1797:
Pentax K-1 Mark II DSLR Camera Body with Battery Grip Kit B&H
I believe the body alone has been running at $1796 for several months now. So, you get the $200 grip for just $1.
PS. I wonder if it is a sign for an upcoming price reduction for the body.
I don't see a reason why: It seems to me that it would be too soon for a new body to come out at this point, especially since there were no rumors, whatsoever.
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
12-15-2016, 09:14 AM
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Henry,
I just placed an order, and was pleasantly surprised that now it is an "opt-in" rather than an "opt-out" option. And it appears after the order is placed, so one doesn't have to watch for it to sneak in, as it was before.
I think B&H made a good decision/change that returns my confidence about B&H to the previous level.
I can tell you that the previous practice, when I discovered it, made me rather reluctant to make purchases from B&H, and it was a combination of availability and pricing that affected my decision for my today's purchase. The change in question made it easier for me, and I am looking forward to future purchases from B&H.
Thank you!
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
09-09-2016, 06:43 AM
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I appreciate that pointer, at least, I know now where that re-subscription sneaks in.
I still think it is wrong.
Besides the fact that opt-out is never a good model for any mailing lists, the account profile already has "Update Email Subscription". So, why do I need to reconfirm my choice every time while placing the order?
To me, that's a lack of respect to your customers. How many "No" should be said to mean "NO!"?!
And what about phone orders? Do I need to remember to say "no" each time? And to what else that I haven't discovered yet should I say "no"?
How about "Yes means yes"?! (in the meaning similar to California's SB 967)
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
09-07-2016, 06:29 PM
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Henry,
I appreciate your quick response and readiness to take care of my specific email address. {*}
(Sorry, some circumstances prevented me from a quick followup.)
However, my question is "why this sneaky subscription happens?".
And since it has happened to me twice, it is rather unlikely it was just a glitch. Hence, the bonus question: Do you think B&H is doing "the right thing" in that?
PS. {*} I've found that if a business "manually blocks" my e-mail address, then often, useful e-mail-related functions such as order confirmation, etc. also stop working. So, I became rather reluctant going that route unless that's the "last resort",. And I'd rather see businesses that I deal with doing the right thing.
I had unsubscribed again prior to posting my message, back in July. Since B&H is on my vendor's list for photo and computer gear (for home and work), I am truly hoping I will not be re-subscribed next time I place an order. Can you support my hope?
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
07-27-2016, 02:54 PM
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I have been using B&H for close to 20 years, first by placing orders over the phone, then online. (I remember Henry answering questions in Usenet groups.) As a matter of fact, my first Pentax SLR, ZX-5n, was most likely purchased from B&H.
(I don't remember for sure, as I was choosing between B&H, Adorama, and Camera World of Oregon, while that was independent].)
With ALL stores and websites, I am very diligent not to opt-in to any e-mail lists, with only a handful of exceptions. (And I've been dealing with lots of places, not only for private purchases, but also for work-related ones.)
And I've already stopped buying anything from a few companies that kept spamming me.
B&H keeps re-subscribing me to their unsolicited commercial e-mails - UCE (aka SPAM).
Just a short history:
After placing an order on 07/19/2012 (it was placed on the phone, because there was a weird price change while I was placing the order online), I started receiving UCE from B&H.
After unsubscribing, I have e-mail confirmation:
Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:11:52 -0400 (EDT) - "... This message is to confirm that you have been unsubscribed from the B&H
Newsletter mailing list. .."
Past many orders in-between, fast-forward to December 2015.
I placed an order on December 9, 2015 (online)
Next day, I received a price-drop alert for an item in my wishlist (I didn't request that alert), and then 2 more messages still in December, and one message in January.
Between March and June, I received the total of 3 messages, and then, I've been bombarded in July: Between July 13 and today (July 27), I received 7 messages.
When I went to unsubscribe (via my B&H online account preferences), - I found that I was subscribed to almost all categories of e-mails - close to two dozens (except for 2 or 3 categories). Not that it matters, but there were categories to which I would never consciously be interested in.
When I unsubscribed from all of them, I got the confirmation screen that informed me that I had been subscribed on December 9, 2015.
So, either B&H just automatically subscribed me following my December 9, 2015 order, despite my prior preferences, or there was an option to subscribe sneaked in somewhere in the process of placing the order.. Both are bad.
So, I would like to hear from Henry or Chuck why this happens, and why B&H keeps spamming its customers.
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
07-23-2015, 01:30 PM
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Dear Chuck,
Thank you for your quick and detailed response!
I would liket to clarify a few details:
1. Shortly after I posted the message to the forum here, I received the second (followup) e-mail response from Phil (B&H websupport), who (1) informed that he forwarded my suggestions about per-question subscription/unsubscription to your IT team and TurnTo, and (2) provided the same reference to the privacy policy (as you did). So, his second response was very reasonable, and I may have not posted my comments here if I had received that response in the first place.
2. "The messages come from a third-party company (your contractor turnto.com), while claiming being from B&H Photo".
- this is about e-mail notifications that (as you acknowledged) arrive from @turnto.com address but have "B&H Photo" written in the "From" field, next to that @turnto.com address. I.e. it looks like this:
From: B&H Photo
3. It is the fact how these notifications were sent from TurnTo that started me worrying about the privacy issue.
In my experience, if the company in its communication (phone, e-mail, snail mail) does not distinguish clearly between "From [Client Company]" and "On behalf of [Client Company]"[*], such misrepresentation is a huge red flag: Either the company does not understand proper business practices or it is a scam attempt. In either case, I wouldn't trust such a company that they wouldn't misuse or mishandle my e-mail address.
[*] And if the e-mail message was from, say, "B&H Photo " that would be legitimate "From B&H".
4. Now, about "Our Websites Q+A is hosted by a company called TurnTo who is a leader in this industry".
I don't know that sector, so, your statement might be true.
But I see that they do not use their own e-mail distribution system. Rather, they are using e-mail distribution service provided by SailThru (sailthru.com), which is a marketing company, seemingly separate from TurnTo. SailThru is one of the "Big Data" companies. And I am sure you know what type of data such companies can be interested in. They now have my e-mail address, and possibly name in their mail-distribution database.
Even if B&H IT team is aware of this fact (I hope and assume they are), - is B&H aware about information (e-mail address) retaining policy by SailThru company and what is written about that in the contract between TurnTo and SailThru. "The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal."
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
07-22-2015, 02:06 PM
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Dear Chuck and Henry,
I've been using B&H and B&H website for many years. And I've always found your website being very informative, mostly ergonomic and convenient, so, frequently, I use it as a reference for a particular product.
But just yesterday, I encountered the feature that does not work well (despite the good intentions): Q&A.
Right now, it works as follows:
You submit your question (if it hadn't been matched to those answered), and you magically start receiving notices about all the answers posted. One one hand, that's nice, - you get informed about answers.
So, what's the problem? There are several:
1. The messages come from a third-party company (your contractor turnto.com), while claiming being from B&H Photo.
That's the way dismissed in early 2000s!
Yes, it is a common practice for contractors to send e-mails on behalf of their clients, but a common practice is to use a third-level domain (e.g. turnto.bh.com) for that. Otherwise, those looks as spoofed messages. And a good practice about spoofed messages is not to use any links in them (e.g. unsubscribe).
2. Having posted a question and having started receiving notifications, - I have very limited control about those notification: I cannot unsubscribe from the particular question (thread). The only option is to unsubscribe from all notifications. But then, since there is no option to subscribe to the notifications when posting a question, - I would have no way of receiving notifications in the future.
A good practice used by many community forums and Q&A sections (e.g. Amazon, Adobe, ..) is that they allow one to subscribe to and unsubscribe from the notifications about responses for each individual thread separately, and at any time: during the original posting, and at any point later.
I submitted these suggestions (item 2) via your website feedback form, and quickly received a response from Phil that I should contact turntonetworks.com . But I am not their client ( I am your customer.) - they have no interest of listening to me. You are their clients, and they should listen to you.
So, with these two items, - I hope you pass these suggestions to the right person/people at B&H who deals with TurnTo(Networks).com
Now the last issue is a question for you:
3. I neither gave an authorization nor even got informed that my information from my B&H account (Name and e-mail, I assume) would be shared with a 3rd party. Now that they have that information in their database, - do you have any control over that? Or do you have a contract clause that prevents them from selling or using that information for their own marketing purposes?
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
01-06-2015, 07:06 AM
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-13-2014, 06:32 PM
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December 13, 8:25pm EST: the prices are 66.95 and 36.95, respectively. (And the 64 GB card is not in stock right now.)
Evidently, B&H rolled back their sale early.
The sale prices as posted by Adam were very close to what Amazon had on one of the Black-Friday/Cyber-Monday days for comparable Samsung cards, and I believe they had about the same prices for some of these SanDisk Extreme cards on a different day.
Also, a few other SD cards were on sale during those couple weeks at various stores.
I wonder if those sales are a sign that a new generation of SD* (SDHC/SDXC) cards is coming which would lower the prices for the present cards.
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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
12-13-2014, 06:23 PM
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Funny way to do a roll call!
Cheers!
;-)
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-10-2014, 11:00 PM
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I've been tempted to try their papers a few times, including the metallic one.
However, I've been disappointed by the sampler kit: They "cripple" those sampler kits:
Quote: "Sheets are labeled on the front lower right for easy identification. This leaves room for a full 8x10."
I don't have any use for 8"x10" at this moment, and cutting paper is not very practical in my current setup.
I like how atlex.com does the sampler kits: they label the sheets on the back, using a colored dot. This keeps the paper fully usable.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
11-20-2014, 10:23 PM
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Note, that it looks like there are two different models: one has "Plus" in it, and the other - doesn't.
The one you link to on B&H site is not "Plus".
"Plus" is listed on B&H as "discontinued":
Vanguard Auctus Plus 323AT 3-Section Aluminum AUCTUS PLUS 323AT
I am not sure what is the difference between the "Plus" and non-"Plus" version, but I suspect the difference might be in the center column.
For the "Plus", B&H lists "geared", "1 section", for the non-"Plus", - "Rapid", "2 sections".
Also, one might be reversible, the other one - not, but I don't know.
I cannot find the non-Plus version on Vanguard website.
I wonder if the non-Plus version has the center column 1) reversible and 2) if i
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
09-16-2014, 07:18 PM
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Most of what you wrote sounds very reasonable.
Now, change HK to NYC (for non-NYC residents and especially for non-US residents). Then most of your arguments would still apply and would be correct.
That's not the reason for people, say, from Europe, where the prices are higher, not buying photo equipment at NYC stores (including B., A., and other reputable stores). What's so special about HK (again, - for people who understand the risk and have done their homework)?
As for the "parallel import", - you didn't make any point, just mentioned the term. (And yes, I know what it means.)
B&H in particular sells plenty of grey market products.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/USGrey.jsp
Those do not have US warranty, and many people who know that , buy grey market products nevertheless. In some cases, for the amount of money saved, they could afford non-warranty repairs. In other cases, - the products were not otherwise available in the US (e.g. Pal/Secam video recorders/format converters).
You may have some philosophical problems with that (or you may not, - I am just guessing), but many people (including myself) - don't.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
09-16-2014, 02:05 PM
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I suspect that you are way off in your estimate of "0.03%".
I cannot speak for HK, but you can read what the typical fees for the credit card transactions in the US are, e.g. here:
Credit Card Processing Fees & Rates | Credit Card Processing Insider
Those fees are combined from many components, but also can be bundled for the merchants.
But, the samples given in that writeup, including this: "For example, 1.51% plus $0.10 is the current Visa interchange fee for a swiped consumer credit card." - suggest that a typical average (per transaction) total fee is somewhere between 1.5 and 3.5%.
As far as I remember, Discover Card transactions are even more expensive.
And if you are using the right credit card, some of those fees come back to you, the customer, as "cash back", "points", "frequent flyer miles" and other similar perks.
For this reason (and, of course, first of all convenience), I'd rather pay extra 5 cents per gallon (when it costs over $3/gal) at the gas pump with my credit card that gives me 2% "cash back" (or sometimes even up to 5%) on the gas purchases, instead of paying cash.
What do you mean? Unfair to whom?
Prices are different in different parts of the world.
There is no reason of not comparing them and benefiting from the lower prices if you have access to them.
Again, why not?
Yes, at B&H, Adorama, Amazon you pay for some service and security, and that's fine if you need that.
But if you are ready to knowingly take the risks (caveat emptor) while paying lower prices, by all means, do it, and "may the Force be with you!" ;)
... And while I haven't been to HK, and don't know if and when I'd be there, I appreciate the information posted by Malak. Thank you!
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-01-2013, 07:30 AM
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
10-31-2013, 03:13 PM
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Dear Henry (and/or Chuck),
Thank you for the response.
In addition to a long detailed feedback, there was a small question at the very end.
Your kind response to that would be appreciated.
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
10-28-2013, 01:18 PM
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Dear Chuck,
Last holiday season, I purchased more than $3K worth of photo equipment from B&H. Many of those items were eligible for the rewards program. But I lost the rewards completely, and in large part, the problem is in how the e-mails with the rewards were sent.
It turned out that the website sent me two e-mails (at a later point) that looked as spam or promotional e-mails: the subject was "B&H Rewards Gift Card" (both arrived minutes apart). I knew I had not purchased a gift card, nor I was interested in purchasing one. So, I disregarded those messages, as I do with the rest of e-junk.
[Note, that even the webpage describing the Rewards program does not say anything about the "Gift Card".
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/RewardsLanding.jsp : "Redeem: Rewards points will automatically convert to a promotional code "]
Unfortunately, the result is that I realized all of this only after those two "cards" have expired.
I suggest that the e-mails are labeled more clearly (more descriptive subject line).
(Typically, when a merchant sends a gift card on somebody's behalf, the subject is more clear. E.g. the message from Amazon says: "[Name] sent you an Amazon.com Gift Card!")
B&H already does a very good job with the order confirmation/status update e-mails, by using a very clear subject:
"B&H Photo Order Confirmation for Order ..."
"B&H Photo Order #xxxxxxxx Shipped"
Even "Notification request" for item availability notification is a better subject line than the one I discuss (although it would've been better if those were: "Notification request for [ITEM]")
You may consider using something like: "Your B&H Reward Code" or even "Your B&H Reward Code for Order # xxx..."
"You received B&H Reward Code for Order# .."
I understand the policy that the promotional codes are not renewed, and that in principle, I probably could have seen those via my account page, but it is still a pity to loose considerable amount of money this way. (Can it be reinstated somehow as an exception?)
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
12-04-2012, 11:17 PM
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Dear B&H Representatives:
I would like to share with you my less-than-perfect experience with B&H.
Henry and Chuck, I see that you care for the good level of Customer Service at B&H and you have been very constructive about that. (And I have known Henry and his great work on the good and improved image of B&H since 1997 through his extensive presence in Usenet newsgroups and brief presence in more recent years on PDML.) So, I hope that my feedback provided below would be helpful for keeping it up.
I've been purchasing my photo (and computer accessories) gear from B&H for 15 years. Half of my and my immediate family's photo equipment was purchased from B&H. B&H is always on my shortlist of vendors, because the level of service is good and mostly consistent.
But once in a while, I experience things that remind me that I should not relax completely.
My saga:
1. Original purchase: I ordered a new DSLR and a lens in the early morning hours of the Black Friday, soon after Adam posted on PFs links to the sales for these items on B&H. The lens is one of those subject to the Pentax instant rebate with additional $100 if purchased together with a body. While making the purchase online, I didn't get that additional $100 discounted on the final total. I don't know if it was my mistake, a problem/glitch of the B&H website or whatever, the story is not about that. I was afraid that the camera and/or lens would be sold out in the morning when the sales people would be available to help, so I placed the order anyway.
2. Conversation with B&H CSR#1.
With the holidays, my own work, etc. I didn't get to call B&H until Monday morning (when the sale prices were still in effect, and my order had not shipped out yet). I spoke with a CSR who was very friendly and agreed that I should receive a credit of $100, and that it will be posted to my credit card. It was great, quick, and I saw on this forum that B&H was very accommodating with that sale going on. I was extremely happy about how smooth that purchase was despite the glitch. (And happy about the sale B&H had.)
3. Conversation with B&H CSR#2.
A week later, on Monday, I saw that the credit still has not posted to my credit card. I called B&H in the morning and spoke with Shea. He listened to my story, and then asked to hold. After coming back and apologizing for a long hold (close to 10 minutes), he told me that the previous CSR made a mistake, and that no credit should be issued. Then he told me the following: 1) The special "bundle" sale was not in effect when I was placing the order on Nov. 23.
I argued that it was not the case, and the Instant Rebate memo from Pentax had been in effect way before, and that other people have been buying with that additional discount in the morning of Nov. 23 (as evidenced through PFs). None of those arguments had any weight with him.
So, I told him that even on Nov. 26th, in the morning, while talking with the previous CSR, I could have canceled my order that has not been shipped yet, and re-ordered it with the "bundle" discount.
At that point, he told me: 2) On Nov. 26, when I called, the prices for the lens went back up, so that the price with the additional $100 discount would be higher than my original purchase price.
I told him that the special prices were in affect until the end of the day on Nov. 26. He first disagreed with that. It took me two iterations until he said that he'd check. Then, after additional hold, he came back and told me with the tone of a big achievement and some condescension (and no apologies for his prior insistence on the wrong facts): "I have a good news for your. The manager agreed, as a courtesy, to give you $100 credit..."
According to the phone timer, that conversation (with all the holds) was over half an hour.
So, I finally got my $100 back, but it left some unpleasant aftertaste. I appreciate that B&H is willing to work with the customers on price adjustments (even if it were my own mistake somewhere along the way of placing the order). But I don't appreciate my time being wasted on disproving incorrect facts made up by B&H CSRs. If you put me on hold for that long, learn all the details of the situation and don't BS me with incorrect facts. And if you made a mistake ("nobody's perfect"), be professional and acknowledge it.
With respect to B&H, I will come back as a customer, but I hope to avoid the negative part of the experience in the future. And that's why I took time to write it here.
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