# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/101 "2010-09-23T17:31:23Z")
> [@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. Hahahah. I laugh. I can understand if you personally like Chick-Fil-A. I mean, people like haggis, so go figure. But to say that it is a fact that Chick-Fil-A’s chicken is good, well, I think that calls for a comparative demonstration. I’m no chicken connoisseur, but I have had Chick-Fil-A a few times and it wasn’t all that great. I’d rate it on par with Popeye’s or KFC, which I also have no love for, but that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/102 "2010-09-24T01:02:48Z")
[QUOTE=henryp] 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. [/QUOTE] I thought your name looked familiar. I used to be on the CIS Photoforum as well, many, many years ago when the earth’s crust was still cooling and user IDs were long strings of numbers with commas. And add me to the apparently short list of people here that have had multiple happy experiences with B&H even when buying something as cheap and mundane as a tripod head or one bulk spool of T-Max. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/103 "2010-09-24T06:56:57Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > . > > 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? I’ve bought a used memory card…I’m not kidding…before from B&H and was treated just as good as when buying a lenses or anything else. I’ve never had a complaint. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/104 "2010-09-24T16:10:50Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > It’s no wonder nobody has EVER recommended your store to me before That’s odd–B&H has always been regarded very highly in professional photography circles. I almost exclusively buy my equipment from them (although mail order.) Their prices are among the best, their reputation is stellar, their shipping is prompt. What more can I ask for? The store experience is, well, an _experience_, but I’ve had nothing but great service there. Whenever I visit New York, it’s one of my first stops. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/105 "2010-09-24T20:22:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > > [@fusoya](#): > > > > It’s no wonder nobody has EVER recommended your store to me before > > That’s odd–B&H has always been regarded very highly in professional photography circles. I almost exclusively buy my equipment from them (although mail order.) Their prices are among the best, their reputation is stellar, their shipping is prompt. What more can I ask for? The store experience is, well, an _experience_, but I’ve had nothing but great service there. Whenever I visit New York, it’s one of my first stops. If I ever make it out there, I will stop by there as well. Out here behind enemy lines in Texas, we have precious few good camera stores. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/106 "2010-09-24T22:48:10Z")
> [@mack](#): > > If they do run into trouble it’s not going be for lack of sales but because of their [labor practices.](http://beta.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2010/aug/31/bh-photo-employees-say-not-everything-picture-perfect/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wnyc%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Frss+%28Local+News+from+WNYC+Radio%29) > > > [@](#): > > > > The store was sued in 2007 by Hispanic employees who work in the warehouse and were paid less than their Jewish co-workers. The company settled without admitting any wrongdoing, paid out $4.3 million and agreed to regular monitoring by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Currently, seven women are accusing the company of paying female staffers less than their male counterparts – and reserving the coveted sales positions almost exclusively for men. This is without a doubt true. I am in the offices / phone sales centers on 9th Ave as well as the store quite frequently. The women are ghetto’d in a few aisles of desks. It is a fascinating way to treat one’s co-workers. Or it would be if it was 1936. Since it’s not, it’s just raw in your face sexist bullshit. And it’s not going to change. Here’s a truthful tidbit for you: B&H Photo did in excess of $ 1 Billion in web sales in 2009. :eek: Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/107 "2010-09-25T05:35:14Z")
I’ve bought many small items there (under $20) and never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/108 "2010-09-25T07:01:09Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > WHOLELY I think it’s the OP who can’t spell. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/109 "2010-09-26T02:22:51Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > > [@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. Confession time - my first “real” job (paying taxes, getting W2s, etc) was for Consumers Distributing. Worked there for about 3 years. It, along with our bigger competitor Service Merchandise, was not a membership club. It was, however, a poorly run business. When nearly every 20 year old working there could see how poor their execution was, it boggles why the senior execs couldn’t realize it and adapt. Neither CD nor SM really had any chance for survival. ---
**Author:** ![HelenOster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c57346/32.png) [@HelenOster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenOster)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2010, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/110 "2010-09-26T10:26:59Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > 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 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… At this point I can only apologize for the inconvenience that was caused; from the description of your experience I’m not surprised you feel the way you do, and if I was treated in that way by a vendor’s representative, I would also be wary of shopping with them in the future. I would welcome the opportunity to investigate the matter further; I’m able to pull the tapes of the 'phone conversations in order to ID the reps you spoke with, and ensure that this is addressed internally as required. If you could spare the time to email me directly: [HelenO@adorama.com](mailto:HelenO@adorama.com), with your order number plus the date(s) & time(s) of your calls - and the number you called from - I will give this my immediate attention. Once again my apologies, and I do look forward to hearing from you. Helen Oster Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2010, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/111 "2010-09-26T10:28:35Z")
> [@HelenOster](#): > > > [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > > > 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 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… > > At this point I can only apologize for the inconvenience that was caused; from the description of your experience I’m not surprised you feel the way you do, and if I was treated in that way by a vendor’s representative, I would also be wary of shopping with them in the future. > > I would welcome the opportunity to investigate the matter further; I’m able to pull the tapes of the 'phone conversations in order to ID the reps you spoke with, and ensure that this is addressed internally as required. > > If you could spare the time to email me directly: [HelenO@adorama.com](mailto:HelenO@adorama.com), with your order number plus the date(s) & time(s) of your calls - and the number you called from - I will give this my immediate attention. > > Once again my apologies, and I do look forward to hearing from you. > > Helen Oster > Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador HELEN! Good to see you here. ---
**Author:** ![pikey\_pete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pikey\_pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pikey_pete)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2010, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/112 "2010-09-26T10:31:11Z")
Gotta catch Helen’s back on this one. I’ve never had a problem with Adorama, and the people I know who have, got satisfaction. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/113 "2010-09-27T06:13:45Z")
I feel compelled to add my 2-cents worth and speak up for B&H! I have purchased photo equipment from B&H for 35 years and they have always been straightforward with regards to orders. If the purchaser is not familiar with “gray market” versus “USA warranties” and other issues then it it is not necessarily the fault of the seller. I have contacted Adorama three times in past transactions and the salesperson (telephone sales) tried selling add-on equipment to the point of virtually telling me that without ordering the add-ins I would be making a big mistake. While I have an obvious bias it is based on a long history with the company. I will also admit that I have never purchased anything directly from the B&H store but their prices, delivery, warranty coverage, customer service, etc has always been great. ---
**Author:** ![HelenOster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c57346/32.png) [@HelenOster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenOster)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/114 "2010-09-27T17:36:33Z")
> [@Waterman](#): > > …I have contacted Adorama three times in past transactions and the salesperson (telephone sales) tried selling add-on equipment to the point of virtually telling me that without ordering the add-ins I would be making a big mistake… At this point I can only apologize; the behaviour you describe is completely out of line with Adorama policy and I would be grateful if you could email me directly with additional details in order that we can take internal action as appropriate: [HelenO@adorama.com](mailto:HelenO@adorama.com) ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/115 "2010-09-28T07:11:43Z")
> [@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. I’m not sure, but I don’t think the [Cathy family](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A) would appreciate being called Mormons. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/116 "2010-10-04T17:09:08Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > > [@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. True. You’ve got a point. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/117 "2010-10-04T17:22:58Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > > [@Bosstone](#): > > > > 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. > > True. You’ve got a point. The difference is shutting down on a particular work day affects all patrons equally. The reason for closing is irrelevant to the consumer. No individual group (such as gays) is being singled out. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-megastore-what-the-fuck-kind-of-way-to-run-a-store-is-this/554013/118 "2010-10-05T06:17:00Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > [@Contrapuntal](#): > > > > What should that have told you? > > That they don’t know how to spell. I think it’s that “That kippur over there is making us close!” [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=5)