I made a promise to myself that I will never buy anything from B&H no matter
how desperate I am to get something or whether other stores don't carry what I
want to get. B&H simply became arrogant in their customer service as they
achieved "power". Let me explain; I have a Strida folding bike and one day I
went to B&H to purchase a Panasonic TM300. I folded the bike, which by the way
folds into a stroller-like shape, and was entering B&H, the "Welcome to B&H,
Mexican guy said you can't come in with a bike. I said I was here yesterday
with this bike folded and you guys simply put it in the customer bag check-in
(I was testing this camcorder then and now I was ready for the purchase). He
said no more, chain it outside. I said I have no chain. He called a security
guy that one denied the entry too, I asked to talk to the manager and another
security guy, not a manager, came out and denied the entry. I simply turned
away and rode off.
B&H lost a customer and ever since I've been telling everyone that this store
is no longer what it used to be. I was a loyal customer there since 1995.
If you are in NYC, make no mistake, go to a camera rental and play with what
you want to buy there, or rent it for a day, and then simply go online and make
a purchase anywhere else but B&H that has 5-star rating on pricegrabber.com.
Good luck!
--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Stan Hirson, Sarah Jones"
wrote:
>
> I've been doing business with B & H for over 20 years. A lot of
> business. And all that time, I've been an ardent B & H booster.
>
> I called them today and explained that I'm considering buying a Sony HVR
> Z5 and wanted to know when it would be available as they are not in
> stock. I also explained that I live 2 hours away and would like to make
> an appointment to come down and look at one. The salesman told me that
> I did not have to make an appointment, I could always come and look at a
> demonstrator. It is on a tripod. I asked if I could hold it and see how
> it balances, etc., because all my shooting is hand-held. He said no, it
> would have to stay on the tripod. No appointment or other arrangement
> could be made. I asked what he thought I should do and he made the
> suggestion that I should go to a rental house and rent one for a
> weekend.
>
> Now this is a $5,000 plus purchase and I feel that I should have the
> opportunity to hold one in my hands and look through the finder before I
> buy it.
>
> Right now, this is a deal-breaker. I am not going to buy a camera that
> I am not allowed to even hold.
>
> My question to the group: Any suggestions for a reliable dealer in the
> New York area with prices in the same range as B & H? Or Boston? I've
> been dealing up until now exclusively with B & H so I have no experience
> with alternates.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Stan Hirson
> http://LifeWithHorses.com
> http://PinePlainsViews.com
> http://ThinkingGlobalActingLocal.com
>