# B&H photo website shuts down on sabbath (Fri night to Sat night) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 22, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350 "2020-02-22T15:40:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/1 "2020-02-22T15:40:11Z")
During that shutdown you can add items to your cart but cannot checkout. The owners are Hasidic jews > **[B&H Photo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%26H_Photo)** > > B&H Photo Video (also known as B&H Photo and B&H and B&H Foto & Electronics Corporation) is an American photo and video equipment retailer founded in 1973, based in Manhattan, New York City. B&H conducts business primarily through online e-commerce consumer sales and business to business sales, as they only have one retail location. > B&H Photo Video targets professional photographers and videographers. It operates a warehouse located in Florence, New Jersey. > The owner of the company, Herman Sc... Anyone else know of a US based website that shuts down on Sat or Sun? Many stores are closed on Sunday such as Chic Fil A. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/2 "2020-02-22T15:43:01Z")
Stores run by Orthodox Jews shut down on the Sabbath, too. (Fri sunset to Sat sunset.) There are a lot of large retail places in NYC that close for the Jewish Sabbath. I don’t know of any other websites that do that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/3 "2020-02-22T15:51:15Z")
Adorama, a major competitor with B&H for photographic equipment, also based in NYC, does the same. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/4 "2020-02-22T15:51:34Z")
people thought when the Chic Fil A founder died they might open on Sundays but that has not happened yet. He died in 2014 so it looks like they are staying closed on Sundays ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/5 "2020-02-22T15:53:58Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Adorama, a major competitor with B&H for photographic equipment, also based in NYC, does the same. just went to their website and it is not shut down on a Saturday . ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/6 "2020-02-22T16:02:21Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > just went to their website and it is not shut down on a Saturday . Well, the B&H Photo site is not “shut down” either. They have decided that what works for them is that you can browse and add items to your cart, you just can’t go through the “checkout” process. In practise, I don’t think Adorama is any different. There are no human beings working, they won’t process or ship your order on the Sabbath, even if you can technically go through the checkout process online. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/7 "2020-02-22T19:39:41Z")
I’ve ordered stuff from B&H, and was mildly amused when I was told the order could not be processed on that particular day. I thought, Eh. In this instant gratification age, I can wait a day. In my mind, that meant I was dealing with an ethical business. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/8 "2020-02-22T21:48:17Z")
There are real reasons to not purchase from them, like racist and sexist labor practices. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/9 "2020-02-22T22:32:04Z")
There was some chain store in Columbus Ohio that used to shut down for the Sabbath, I can’t remember their name but I know their advertising always mentioned when they’d open again on Saturday during Christmas season when the days were very short ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/10 "2020-02-22T22:39:16Z")
A few years back I went to the IRS website to apply for an Employer ID number. There was an online form you could fill out and they’d send you the EIN in the mail. The form would only allow you to submit during certain hours. Like, M-F 7AM to 10PM Eastern or something. I don’t know if it’s still like that though. ---
**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/11 "2020-02-23T04:08:42Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > There are real reasons to not purchase from them, like racist and sexist labor practices. Cite? I’ve not heard this before, but I buy photography and audio gear from those guys occasionally. If this is a credible accusation, I’d like to know. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/12 "2020-02-23T05:07:35Z")
Here’s what you get if you try to log onto your own account at Social Security after hours: Available Hours Please try again during our regular service hours (Eastern Time): Day Service Hours Monday-Friday 5:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. Saturday 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Federal Holidays Same hours as the day the holiday occurs. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/13 "2020-02-24T03:59:57Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > I’ve ordered stuff from B&H, and was mildly amused when I was told the order could not be processed on that particular day. > > I thought, Eh. In this instant gratification age, I can wait a day. In my mind, that meant I was dealing with an ethical business. > ~VOW I simply shopped elsewhere. In this day an age of 24/7 internet shopping, I can always find what I need elsewhere if you decide to close your business. ---
**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:** [February 24, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/14 "2020-02-24T04:30:17Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > There are real reasons to not purchase from them, like racist and sexist labor practices. Who was suggesting their choice to not process purchases on shabbos was a reason to not buy from them? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/15 "2020-02-24T11:36:09Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > I thought, Eh. In this instant gratification age, I can wait a day. In my mind, that meant I was dealing with an ethical business. You might try telling that to the [hundreds of people](https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/29/us/bh-photo-lawsuit/index.html) who have had to sue them over wage theft and discrimination. And they also cheat on their [taxes](https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2019/attorney-general-sues-bh-foto-electronics-defrauding-new-york-out-millions-sales). Their Manhattan store is still dope as hell, tho. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/16 "2020-02-24T14:05:54Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Well, the B&H Photo site is not “shut down” either. They have decided that what works for them is that you can browse and add items to your cart, you just can’t go through the “checkout” process. I don’t get it; why block the website functionality at all? Just put up a notice that if you’re ordering in a certain block of time (sunset Friday through sunset Saturday), your order won’t actually be processed until Saturday evening or Sunday. I’m not seeing the religious necessity of preventing someone from clicking “Order” and charging their card on say… Saturday morning, putting it in some kind of backlog queue, and then having someone pick items and pack them on Saturday night/Sunday. Nobody’s actually doing any work on Saturday at that point at B&H or Adorama, and it doesn’t make the customer have to come back later to actually finish their order. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/17 "2020-02-24T14:31:21Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I don’t get it; why block the website functionality at all? Just put up a notice that if you’re ordering in a certain block of time (sunset Friday through sunset Saturday), your order won’t actually be processed until Saturday evening or Sunday. > > I’m not seeing the religious necessity of preventing someone from clicking “Order” and charging their card on say… Saturday morning, putting it in some kind of backlog queue, and then having someone pick items and pack them on Saturday night/Sunday. > > Nobody’s actually doing any work on Saturday at that point at B&H or Adorama, and it doesn’t make the customer have to come back later to actually finish their order. That’s what’s happening if you place your order at 3am on a Wed, or 9pm on a Tues. They take your order & payment & put it in the shipping box & slap a mailing label on it the next day when they come it. After all it’s not going anywhere until UPS comes to pick it up the next day so whether they pack it at 3:30 am or 10:30 am it’s still not leaving the warehouse until 3-4pm. The difference between browsing & checking out is the exchange of money, which is considered work, which is forbidden on Sabbath. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/18 "2020-02-24T15:46:50Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > That’s what’s happening if you place your order at 3am on a Wed, or 9pm on a Tues. They take your order & payment & put it in the shipping box & slap a mailing label on it the next day when they come it. After all it’s not going anywhere until UPS comes to pick it up the next day so whether they pack it at 3:30 am or 10:30 am it’s still not leaving the warehouse until 3-4pm. > > The difference between browsing & checking out is the exchange of money, which is considered work, which is forbidden on Sabbath. Even if nobody’s actually doing it on Saturday, except the machine? I mean, there are all sorts of funky dodges in Judaism for using stuff on the Sabbath- weird stove/oven modes, fishing-line eruvin, and the like. I’m surprised there hasn’t been any rabbinical judgement about letting computers work over the weekend unattended, or merely hiring gentiles to run stuff then. Or if nothing else, let the customer check out, with a warning that the card won’t be charged until Saturday night. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/19 "2020-02-24T17:26:24Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > You might try telling that to the [hundreds of people](https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/29/us/bh-photo-lawsuit/index.html) who have had to sue them over wage theft and discrimination. And they also cheat on their [taxes](https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2019/attorney-general-sues-bh-foto-electronics-defrauding-new-york-out-millions-sales). > > Their Manhattan store is still dope as hell, tho. Yeah, their labor practices are garbage. Or are least _were_. Can’t really say if they’ve improved dramatically now by 2020. They’ve settled multiple [cases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%26H_Photo#Controversies), but the [hits just keep coming](https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/New-lawsuit-claims-B-and-H-discriminates-against-non-Jewish-employees-571983). They’ve mostly settled without admitting fault, but no one settles for multiple millions and takes the reputation hit just to save on legal costs. There has to be at least some fire accompanying the smoke. It truly sucks, because B&H is a genuinely great resource. But I’ve reluctantly backed away from them and started being a good boy by patronizing a local camera shop for my bigger purchases. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-h-photo-website-shuts-down-on-sabbath-fri-night-to-sat-night/848350/20 "2020-02-24T17:45:05Z")
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