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Forum: General Talk
07-24-2017, 06:56 PM
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I don't think it's time to close the thread. What I do think is that some posters here have been unnecessarily negative toward B&H's representative. In my view, B&H as a commercial enterprise have every right to make decisions about the location of their shops and warehouses. As their lease expires, and they have been unable to find anything else suitable to their needs, then surely they have no choice but to look further afield.
Now, with my moderator hat on:
Anyone being disrespectful to any other poster in this thread will find themselves banned from this thread.
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Forum: General Talk
07-24-2017, 06:31 PM
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Exactly. That's why land-intensive and transportation-intensive industries tend to leave or avoid urban locations unless they are serving just that city. Moreover, from the standpoint of wear and tear on urban infrastructure, the city (and its citizens) really don't want any trucks rumbling around either.
No B&H customer is willing to pay even a few extra pennies just to have their Japanese camera stored in Brooklyn for a few days or weeks between the time it came from Asia to the time it ships out to them. Unless a camera is going to an NYC customer there's every reason to avoid trucking that camera in and out of NYC.
---------- Post added 07-24-17 at 07:48 PM ----------
Amazon has 94 million sq ft of warehouses in the US alone. This NY fulfillment facility will be only 1% of their total. If anything the facility is seriously undersized for serving the NYC metro area (which has about 6% of the US population).
Amazon's current strategy is to minimize delivery times where ever possible without increasing costs. That's why it's adding lots of local fulfillment facilities to serve local demand.
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Forum: General Talk
07-24-2017, 02:13 PM
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New York City is OK for a city but it is undeniably expensive and congested which makes it poorly suited for a number of types of businesses.
As far as unions go, they certainly played a major beneficial role in the development of better working conditions but more recently, but in my personal experience, they seem to have become significant obstacles to progress and net destroyers of jobs and national competitiveness.
Overall, I'd say that both the workers and B&H are caught in the middle of shifting economic conditions both in real estate and retailing. Both sides must adapt or die and it seems to me that B&H is trying to do what it can.
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Forum: General Talk
07-24-2017, 10:15 AM
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I really don't understand the animosity shown towards B&H! Most posting ill feelings towards them, have no actual facts on the situation from both sides! For instance, the snide remark about Henry's "driver"; what in the world is there a reason to not only "surmise", but to actually post a slam like that! If you don't like B&H, fine, don't shop with them, but get the facts before posting things like that.
Business today is very difficult to maintain; I for one am grateful we have B&H and Adorama for great products & great service.
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Forum: General Talk
07-21-2017, 03:34 PM
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I guess I am totally unclear. Either these are good jobs or they are lousy jobs. If they are good jobs then it the workers will follow the company. If they are no good, then the workers will find better and wouldn't have stayed anyway.
Even with a union, odds are these aren't going to be really high paying jobs -- nothing like what a skilled tradesman would make, for example.
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Forum: General Talk
07-20-2017, 05:58 AM
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Misleading article.
They are moving their internet shipping warehouse to smarter location. Brooklyn is on an island with expensive bridge tolls and heavy traffic. That traffic hits twice, first when getting products from manufacturers and again when shipping back out to customers.
Brooklyn is great for shipments to 5 counties. Every other county is better served from NJ.
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Forum: General Talk
03-24-2017, 01:12 PM
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From B&H's side, it sounds like the reason for the move isn't to screw over workers, but because they couldn't find a big enough space at affordable enough prices in the NYC area. From the union side, is this not the real reason? Is there some alternative that does exist in the NYC area? I'd like to hear a somewhat more nuanced view than just "stop the move!"
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
01-20-2017, 09:36 AM
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A word of caution to all -- there are consequences and some states do enforce this law. Pennsylvania certainly does enforce this law, not so much against individuals, but against anyone with a business registered in the state. I know -- I am required and do file use tax and sales and use tax forms -- many years ago when I first moved to the state I was caught unawares and wound up having to go back and calculate back years use tax in addition to what I had to pay for the then current year -- this was back when I was doing a lot of 4x5 film work and also had an out-of-state lab for processing so it was quite costly. Now when I buy from Adorama or B&H or any other out-of-state business I mentally add the tax to the total price because I will be paying it through a use tax or sales/use tax filing in Pennsylvania anyway.
There are also the moral considerations -- those not paying the tax have an unfair business advantage over those who do.
Finally, if you vote for big government and big taxes you should be willing to pay the very taxes you voted for and have required many of your fellow citizens to pay. ..... just sayin' .....
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-05-2016, 09:35 AM
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I think the confusion on their part is that they know a 'delivery' is expected but they do not know what, exactly, is in the box. My first conversation with them indicated the delivery on Monday would have K-1's but from the delay in shipping I'm guessing the box had only lenses and no cameras. Just guessing of course but having been involved in the retail trade most of my life there is a never ending challenge to balance trying to make your customers happy while dealing with vendors that are less than forth coming with info. I remember far too many times I promised a customer something based on what a vendor told me or implied in a communication only to have egg on my face when I found the information I was given to be wrong.
Hang in there. Remember the 645z, if you cancel now you go to the back of the line again. And just because they said June doesn't mean the info Ricoh just gave them is any more accurate than when they told you it would be in on Friday.
Bottom line the situation is normal, totally confused. Nobody knows anything and if they do they aren't talking to the likes of us. :)
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
05-03-2016, 10:30 AM
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I posted and then deleted a cranky messag earlier. In B&H's defense, when I pre-ordered 04/16 my order suggested K-1 availability in "early May." It is still early May until the 10th or so. I really don't care when it comes - I'll just use my K-3 until the K-1 arrives.
What concerned me was when my Order Status changed to "On Order." I asked what that means, but no one can tell me. It is just disconcerting in this day to think a major retailer just doesn't know, whatever the reason.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
05-02-2016, 03:53 PM
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I asked B&H... regarding the order I placed on 2/18
Thank you for contacting the Customer Service Department at B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio.
Please be advised that your backorder is estimated to arrive at our warehouse by May 4. As soon as we receive it in stock we will ship your order to you, and e-mail you with the tracking information.
I apologize for this delay and any inconvenience it has caused you.
Please let us know if you require any further assistance.
Thank you, we appreciate your business.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-03-2016, 09:50 AM
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Wow, do you have this backwards. POS systems tell you what you sold, and possibly what you have on order. They tell you NOTHING about what your vendor has in stock or is shipping you.
This is starting to look like a mess but blaming retailers is simply wrong. They have no more idea than we do what is going to arrive on their dock. The person I talked to at B&H was able to confirm that "according to the information in their computer they expected a delivery on May 2nd." No different than you looking at a tracking number from UPS. It shows a box in transit, not what is in the box.
They are trying their best to give good customer service by passing on what info they have, which if it turns out to be wrong makes them the bad guy, which is wrong. Point your finger at Ricoh or maybe even the trucking company, but not at the retailers.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-21-2016, 02:12 PM
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Humor can be risky, when people understand the full innuendo.
I can explain it to people that do not understand.
Foreskin, while taken off of most western males at birth, is part of a Jewish religious celebration, and those that would still have their foreskin, would fall into very specific camps.
So to say for people to have their foreskin, and be aware of the Jewish holy days from when B&H/Adorama is closing, and not ordering because of that, presents a bias against a business because of their beliefs.
Again, people retreat into "I was just kidding" when they are called out, so as to make it seem no harm no foul.
I'm not offended, just aware of a poor joke/innuendo that is not cool being that every so often we get the same kind of comments and jokes about B&H/Adorama's religious ownership.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-21-2016, 02:03 PM
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
01-02-2016, 12:58 PM
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B&H's prices are subject the manufacturer's pricing restrictions. For the older FA 645 lenses, which were only recently re-released via official US distribution channels, you'll probably be able to get much better prices on eBay or through second-hand sources like KEH or our Marketplace (though this will of course depend on the lens in question). With that said, remember that there is no US warranty for grey market purchases.
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Forum: General Photography
12-01-2014, 09:19 AM
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So, nostra, you joined the forum today just to complain about B&H CS.
Interesting. How was it that you determined that those paints were broken prior to leaving the B&H facility (making it their fault; well, shipping's fault. That still isn't a Customer Service issue) and not broken in transit?
Welcome to the forum.
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Forum: General Photography
12-01-2014, 09:26 AM
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I called them yesterday for the same exact reason and they were fantastic. I always anticipate a hassle with these types of things but they really made it painless!
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Forum: General Photography
11-29-2014, 09:28 PM
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I definitely agree! Their customer service is outstanding!! I admire a store that closes like B&H does! They put something ahead of the all mighty dollar.
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Forum: General Photography
11-28-2014, 04:53 PM
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Forum: General Photography
11-28-2014, 02:39 PM
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I have had nothing but excellent service with B&H, from exchanges, refunds or returns. Some people don't like that they observe all Jewish holidays and the store will be closed. I take that as another example of their integrity and remaining true to their values.
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Forum: General Photography
11-28-2014, 12:24 PM
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I have had excellent service from B&H and their customer service is outstanding. They close for the Sabbath and holidays so they are never available during those times. Otherwise I have always received speedy help. Often beyond what I expected.
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Forum: General Photography
11-28-2014, 09:42 AM
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31 October I purchased a K5IIs, D-BG4 Battery Grip and a SDXC card for $596. Yesterday I noticed the price had been reduced to $529. Sent B&H a email inquiring about a price match. In no time at all I they responded to the affirmative! Great CS.
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
09-12-2014, 07:54 AM
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This probably does not belong here. It is a thanks to B&H, especially S. Silverstein in the customer service department. I purchased an adapter for my SONY camera, which would permit me to use my Pentax lenses on the SONY body as well as the Pentax. When I received it from B&H, I tried several shots, but it just seemed awkward to use. I contacted B&H, which authorized its return, and I sent it back to them. Unfortunately, I had put my SONY camera cap on the adapter instead of its own. I was contacted by Mr. Silverstein and asked to send the original cap. I found it and returned it to him but matching the two packages was difficult. After a few days Mr. Silverstein matched the two and then sent my SONY cap back to me at no charge. Their service and interest was outstanding. B&H is my camera store.
Thanks,
Ed:)
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
04-24-2014, 04:37 PM
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I guess I don't understand this. B&H takes the lens back and pays shipping both ways. You are out nothing. How is B&H "making it wrong"?
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
04-24-2014, 04:15 PM
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You know really I don't want a pi**ing match either, however the fact remains that even according to your statement B&H did not intentionally mislead you. Then why the heck do you continue to (whine) go on about how you have been wronged (mope) and should receive a considerable discount on like item even though it is clear that the market for such item was considerably more than you were going to pay (entitlement thinking) Honestly I do understand your DISAPPOINTMENT about not getting a great deal. I still cannot understand your thinking of how B&H owes you something other than a refund. The old saying "no use crying over spilled milk" seems to apply here. I am sorry if I come across a little harsh, but my nature is to call it as I see it and sometimes that can be grating, just ask my wife :) I wish you well also and hope you can find something to fill your void.
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