# B&H Megastore --- what the fuck kind of way to run a store is this?? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 16, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013 "2010-09-16T20:52:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/81 "2010-09-20T23:24:22Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > Since **henryp’s** join date is July, 2010 he seems to have predated this thread. Perhaps it is a lucky coincidence that we have a member who is part of the organization being pitted. I think that would be very cool. If Mr. Posner is checking this thread it would be great to hear of he joined for other reasons and just happened upon this thread. I’ve seen **henryp** around before, posting very useful advice in some camera threads. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/82 "2010-09-20T23:27:41Z")
I think closing Friday early and all day Saturday is fine. But then shouldn’t you open up Saturday night? Especially in the winter around xmas when the sun seems to set at around noon. Seriously, for at least a month before and after the solstice . . . umm, xmas . . . umm, solstice, you could reopen at around 5pm and have at least 4-5 hours of productive shopping time. Personally, I think y’all are just milking it and hoping you can get g\*d to take the rap. I’m kidding - but only about the last part. 🆒😃 ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/83 "2010-09-21T07:30:10Z")
In that case, it’s ‘just’ an example of what you go to B&H for. Experts who know what they’re doing and are actually interested in their field. Thanks for being around, henryp. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/84 "2010-09-21T08:23:14Z")
Coming at it from a complete outsider’s perspective, that system strikes me as super, super weird. It reminds me of a store we used to have up here called Consumer’s Distributing… they went out of business fifteen years ago. But then, this _is_ New York, where if you’re one in a million, there are ten of you. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/85 "2010-09-21T10:40:37Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Coming at it from a complete outsider’s perspective, that system strikes me as super, super weird. It reminds me of a store we used to have up here called Consumer’s Distributing… they went out of business fifteen years ago. > > But then, this _is_ New York, where if you’re one in a million, there are ten of you. Consumer’s Distributing (or Distributors IIRC) and Service Merchandise were very similar retail models, but not anything really like B&H at all. The main difference is that B&H has sales people that are very well-trained/educated in their field and they sell high-end equipment. I’m not saying their system isn’t a little odd compared to other retailers, but it’s not a good comparison with the other catalog stores like SM and CD. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/86 "2010-09-21T11:19:42Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What’s refreshing about it? I find it annoying, as a customer, to be deprived of the ability to buy something I want because of someone else’s religious beliefs. Do you also find it refreshing not to be able to buy beer on sundays? Come on, I know you’re not stupid enough not to see the difference. And for the record, I’ve bought (on line) from B&H for many years, without a problem. ---
**Author:** ![henryp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e68b1a/32.png) [@henryp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/henryp)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/87 "2010-09-21T15:21:20Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > > [@henryp](#): > > > > We certainly regret having disappointed you and regret this encounter stirred so much vehemence… \*. > > Since **henryp’s** join date is July, 2010 he seems to have predated this thread. Perhaps it is a lucky coincidence that we have a member who is part of the organization being pitted. I think that would be very cool. If Mr. Posner is checking this thread it would be great to hear of he joined for other reasons and just happened upon this thread. I am forced to confess i do not recall what first attracted my attention to this forum. I do know it was a Google alert that brought me to this particular thread. FWIW I have been online for B&H for 15 years or more. I date back to the era when CompuServe was where the internet cognoscenti hung out, when AOL was the new kid on the block and when Prodigy first offered Netscape Navigator to its members. Back then there were few forums and Usenet newsgroups were where conversations like this one played out. I know I joined dpreview during January 2000 and my first [photo.net](http://photo.net) post was dated Mar 1998. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/88 "2010-09-21T15:40:47Z")
> [@henryp](#): > > We do ask customers for name & phone number info, but it’s not required. It’s a convenience allowing us to match a current purchase to a customer’s purchase history to facilitate any future store-customer interaction. The sales associate in the computer section who I originally brought the package of discs to told me it WAS required to complete the sale. Rather than walk out (sorry, but I get enough circulars and random sales phone calls as it is), I gave a fake number and address. B&H may be a great place if I want to buy a $3000 camera, but they still won’t be getting any sub-$500 sales from me in the future. And it sounds to me like that doesn’t matter to them anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/89 "2010-09-21T17:00:36Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > B&H may be a great place if I want to buy a $3000 camera, but they still won’t be getting any sub-$500 sales from me in the future. And it sounds to me like that doesn’t matter to them anyway. They get all my business, online and very efficiently. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/90 "2010-09-21T17:05:15Z")
I still think it’s annoying that they shut down the online ordering system for holidays. Why can’t they just record the transaction, with the disclaimer that they won’t be processed until the next business day? Of course it’s their own choice, but they’ve lost a lot of business from me for this. I still order from them occasionally, but more often I’d just go to another web site rather than wait for the B&H site to start taking orders again. I bought more from them back when we used the fax machine for most mail-order, and I could fax them an order form any time, any day. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/91 "2010-09-22T03:45:26Z")
I think they can’t record parts of your credit card number, if they’re not doing the transaction instantly. Credit card rules. No storing certain information. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/92 "2010-09-22T11:08:48Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > > [@fusoya](#): > > > > B&H may be a great place if I want to buy a $3000 camera, but they still won’t be getting any sub-$500 sales from me in the future. And it sounds to me like that doesn’t matter to them anyway. > > They get all my business, online and very efficiently. Same here, and they’re the first place I recommend to people looking to purchase photography equipment. ---
**Author:** ![henryp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e68b1a/32.png) [@henryp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/henryp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/93 "2010-09-22T14:51:09Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > The sales associate in the computer section who I originally brought the package of discs to told me it WAS required to complete the sale. Rather than walk out (sorry, but I get enough circulars and random sales phone calls as it is), I gave a fake number and address. He was mistaken. I am sorry. If I am able to identify your transaction I will know who here misinformed you and he or she and the sales manager can review this so we do not repeat this error. > [@](#): > > B&H may be a great place if I want to buy a $3000 camera, but they still won’t be getting any sub-$500 sales from me in the future. And it sounds to me like that doesn’t matter to them anyway. I may be biased but I think B&H is an equally great place to buy either a $3000 camera or any sub-$500 item you may want. YMMV. And, based on many things, not least of which are the gratifying comments from others and my participation in this thread I think it’s obvious it DOES matter to us. > [@scr4](#): > > I still think it’s annoying that they shut down the online ordering system for holidays. Why can’t they just record the transaction, with the disclaimer that they won’t be processed until the next business day? We’re moving in that direction but until then we’re obliged to block online orders during the Jewish Sabbath (Friday sundown through Saturday sundown) and for any other Jewish holiday with Sabbath-like observation requirements. > [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I think they can’t record parts of your credit card number… Quite right. The three or four digit non-embossed security code printed (usually) on the back, which is not part of the actual account number, may not be retained. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/94 "2010-09-22T18:22:26Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Coming at it from a complete outsider’s perspective, that system strikes me as super, super weird. It reminds me of a store we used to have up here called Consumer’s Distributing… they went out of business fifteen years ago. Consumer’s Distributing was my thought too, as I read the thread. I don’t know whether CD went under because of the inconvenience of buying things from them (and long ago, weren’t they a place you had to have a membership?), or whether they just couldn’t compete on price. But I’d guess that when even the Liquor Control Board of Ontario moved away from that retailing model, CD’s days were numbered. In Ontario, at least. I wonder if this kind of business retail model is common in the electronics (etc.) field. I recall needing some parts for project I was working on some years ago, and finding that the only electronics place in the Toronto area where I could get the particular items I needed had a retail desk whose weekday hours meant that I could only get there on Saturdays. And on Saturdays, they were only open between 10 a.m. and noon. And it was much as described here: order at counter A, pay at counter B, pick up at counter C. They could do it, I guess, because they were the _only_ place in town where certain parts were available; and in fairness, their counter staff was quite knowledgeable. But it was, at times, quite inconvenient. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/95 "2010-09-23T11:24:02Z")
> [@henryp](#): > > > [@fusoya](#): > > > > Today for the first (and LAST!) time, I went to [B&H](http://www.bhphotovideo.com) > > We certainly regret having disappointed you and regret this encounter stirred so much vehemence. B&H has maintained the same (possible unique) in-store shopping experience for decades, dating back to our 17th St store which was too small to have anything out on display in any quantities at all. We appreciate this may be unique and know it’s certainly not the same as shopping at Macy’s or The Gap, but it’s been effective for us and for the majority of our millions of customers. > > We do close every Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and were closed all day 9/17 in anticipation of Yom Kippur. We do take the purchase portion of our site offline during Sabbath and holidays with Sabbath-like observance requirements and make every possible effort to alert customers to this as far in advance as is practical. > > An aside to those who spoke favorably about us, particularly “Zebra,” “Musicat,” & “mhendo” – _ **thank you** _. > > We do ask customers for name & phone number info, but it’s not required. It’s a convenience allowing us to match a current purchase to a customer’s purchase history to facilitate any future store-customer interaction. Good to see ya here, Henry. I had to look twice to see if I was logged in to Fredmiranda instead of the dope. Love B&H. You guys always do great for me. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/96 "2010-09-23T11:31:28Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I think they can’t record parts of your credit card number, if they’re not doing the transaction instantly. Credit card rules. No storing certain information. I ran into the same problem with the coffee roasting business I had. My shopping cart system stored the cvv, and I ran the cards manually when i came into the store in the morning. but they credit card companies took offense at that, had to switch to a gateway system (more expensive per order). ---
**Author:** ![Shecky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@Shecky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shecky)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/97 "2010-09-23T12:03:35Z")
Bought 3 things from them. grey market every time. Didn’t care in the slightest. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/98 "2010-09-23T13:54:29Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > > What’s refreshing about it? I find it annoying, as a customer, to be deprived of the ability to buy something I want because of someone else’s religious beliefs. Do you also find it refreshing not to be able to buy beer on sundays? > > If my ability to buy beer on Sundays is curbed by government-mandated “blue” laws or other state-imposed restrictions, then i find it annoying. But this is different. > > If private business owners, for whatever cultural or personal reason (be it religious or secular), decide that they want to close their business in order to actually have a life and to do the things that are important to them, then i say good luck to them. > > In a world where so much is driven by money and by a consumer mentality of “I should be able to have whatever i want whenever i want it,” i actually do find the willingness to put personal principles and beliefs before money to be somewhat refreshing. Agreed. This is one of the reasons I love Chick-Fil-A, aside from the fact (not opinion, fact) that their food is _so good_. The entire chain is closed on Sundays, since the owners are Mormon, and I really admire a company that is willing to sacrifice profits for their principles, whether I agree with them or not. I’m inconvenienced, yes, but I can wait a day to eat a chicken sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/99 "2010-09-23T17:15:56Z")
The main issue I have with places like B&H, which I’ve been to twice, and Adorama, which I’ve never been to but purchased from over the phone, is that they’re rude to customers. I needed a tripod case of specific, non standard dimensions, but had difficulty finding an outlet that sold it. Adorama’s website showed the one I wanted. To be sure it was in stock, I called their consumer sales number and placed an order over the phone. The gentleman I spoke to was, let’s say, brusk, but hey, I was finally getting my case so I was happy. When I received it a number of days later, it was the wrong model, which I guess I could have lived with, but it was also the wrong size, so my tripod wouldn’t fit. I called Adorama to send the case back and order a replacement. First, I was called a liar when I told them the model I ordered and the model I received. The rep then verified the model number and found the discrepancy…but didn’t apologize for the mistake, or for disputing me. He then issued an RMA, but said I’d have to pay to ship the merchandise back. I asked to speak with his supervisor, but he said “I’m a supervisor.” :rolleyes: He ultimately let me speak with someone else who authorized the RMA and prepaid UPS pickup, but made it seem as though I was stealing from them. Needless to say I didn’t order a replacement case from them. The upshot to this story is I subsequently found the case I wanted on Amazon’s website, which I ordered. When I received it, it was the model and size I wanted, and it was shipped from, you guessed it, Adorama. As far as B&H is concerned, I will never shop there again. Yeah, they have almost everything, but I guess you have to be willing to spend big bucks before they will treat you like a human being. Don’t go there looking for a replacement camera battery, for example. Oh, they have them, but unless you also want to buy a DSLR you will be treated like scum and an absolute waste of their time. Hate them, and their stupid, archaic, Radio Shack rules. Do you really need my address for a $4.99 battery I’m paying cash for and can’t return? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/100 "2010-09-23T17:25:11Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Agreed. This is one of the reasons I love Chick-Fil-A, aside from the fact (not opinion, fact) that their food is _so good_. The entire chain is closed on Sundays, since the owners are Mormon, and I really admire a company that is willing to sacrifice profits for their principles, whether I agree with them or not. I’m inconvenienced, yes, but I can wait a day to eat a chicken sandwich. This is a dangerous line of reasoning if there’s nothing more to it. It applies as equally to businesses that won’t serve, let’s say gay people, as to businesses that close down for religious reasons. They’re standing on their principles, after all, even when denying a sale. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013.md?page=6)