B+H Photo

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Places To Buy:B+H Photo

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Name:B+H Photo
Web Site:http://www02.bhphotovideo.com
Address:420 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10001, USA
Phone:
Orders:800-606-6969
Inquiries:800-947-7008
Fax:
Other:
Types of Stuff:
checked Telescopeschecked Eyepieceschecked Binoculars
checked Tripods/Mountschecked Accessoriesun-checked Books
un-checked ATM Materials
Methods of Purchase:
checked Storechecked Phonechecked Web(checked Secure)
Methods of Payment:
checked Visachecked MasterCardchecked Discover
checked American Expresschecked Checkun-checked Money Order
un-checked CODun-checked Financing 
Description:B+H is hands-down the best mail-order photo store in the US.
Vote Highlights Vote
B+H Photo
I have been looking for a Coronado PST solar telescope for the last two weeks, and I placed an order with Orion that is scheduled to ship on August 8th. A friend of mine was also looking for one, especially after seeing what the PST can do with the SM40 attached to it.
I have been checking B&H Photo's web site for the last week after hearing that some people have been getting them from there. Last night the site finally listed the PST as being "In Stock". This held true this morning as well, so I called B&H to see if they were in fact in stock. I was told that there were two in stock, and I told them to hold them for me. They gave me an order number and I called my friend. We took the 80 mile drive down to Manhattan, found a parking space and went in to B&H Photo. We went to the counter of the binoculars and telescopes department and gave the order number. The manager said that there none in stock. We were there for fifteen minutes while he fiddled with the computer more and we also found out that they had only reserved one instead of two...but there were no PST's anywhere in the store, so our order could not be filled. No one ever went in the back to check visually that they weren't there. The guy who is their "buyer" was out today (coming back in on Sunday). We were asked to leave our phone numbers and that they would call us back and that they would ship them out to us for free ($11 shipping usually) when they got them in. Completely aggravated, we left B&H and came back home. Apparently someone had called my home machine half an hour after we left to tell us that they had made a mistake and not to come in. 160 miles, tolls and gas later, we are still without PSTs. I am done with B&H Photo as a source for my gear. I will wait for Orion to ship theirs. Now hopefully, they will get their shipment of PST's on time! :)

Overall Rating: 4
Price:9 Service:1
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=370621

B+H Photo
These people had the audacity to charge my credit card two months ago and the part is just completing back-order. I will never order from them again. A totally unsatisfactory service in this day-and-age.

Overall Rating: 1
Price:6 Service:2
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=64515

B+H Photo
I've ordered thousands of dollars in 35mm and medium format camera lenses, film and accessories from B&H. I have always been satisfied with them. Once I had a problem with a Sunpak 622 flash zoom head, and they fixed that no questions asked. Hassle free service.

It is true they charge your card right away, though I've never ordered anything on back order so I can't verify the other votes here. Buying on the web site will have your card charged right away too, before item is shipped. But I trust B&H enough to not mind them doing that. I've cancelled an order before - it was bought using a check card. They quickly and without hassle cancelled the order though the credit to my bank account took 7 days, but I didn't mind that too much either. I had some bad experiences at Adorama, so these seem minor quibbles.

I'd give them a 10, but that is perfect I don't think anyone is perfect.

Overall Rating: 9
Price:9 Service:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=289503

B+H Photo
As a Black and White photographer,i have ordered many darkroom supplies from B&H. Over the years I've orderd paper,chemicals and film and their service has always been very good.Everything has always arrived on the very day that they said it would.I do find that when you do order that you should know exactly what you want as the phone people don't seem to be the most knowledgeable in the world. I resently ordered a large Celestron telescope from B&H and I did not hesitate at all to trust them with this order.And again like all of my past dealings with them it arrived in perfect condition and on the very day they said it would, and at a very good price.But again the phone operater did not know the difference between a telescope and a Nikon zoom lens but that was O.K because I did.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46033

B+H Photo
I have ordered thousands of dollars worth of photography equipment and film from them over the past 15 years. I have no complaints. Their service and helpfullnes was first rate. Typically, items would arrive in good order in a week or less. I will continue to do business with them cheerfully.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46029

B+H Photo
I've purchased over $10,000 in photo equipment and film from B&H over many years but never astronomy gear. They have always been helpful and would trust any purchase. I had one return for defect and they easily made the exchange. This is a great organization for mail order.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46023

B+H Photo
Reasonable prices. Fairly helpful on the phone. Excellent shipping.
Return policy is good.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46021

B+H Photo
OK, they don't carry a wide variety of astro stuff (Celestron, Meade,...), but if you're looking for ANY photo gear at the very best price with fantastic service, this is the place.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46020

B+H Photo
I have been on the phone for 45 minutes trying to order 50 rolls of film. I
kept being put on hold . . . when trying to fix a mistake on their part, I was
on the phone for over an hour and a half. The shipping is also a problem.
I was quoted $65 to overnight some film, and was charged $103. Another
time I ordered overnight and it didn't arrive on time and I still lhad to pay
over $100 . ..

I'm happy with the products, but certainly not with the service . . .

Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46030

B+H Photo
Paid extra for US Manufactures Warranty, but was shipped Gray Market items. When I contacted them (Henry)they claimed that there was no difference and that the manufacturer would honor it...(total BS). When I disputed that statement I was told they would check into it and get back to me. I never heard from them again. The only other time I ordered from them (on-line) I received an e-mail 9 days later informing me that what I ordered was not in stock. When I called them they claimed they had no record of the order. These guys are 0 for 2 in my book. I had heard so many glowing reports about B&H that I was really shocked.

Overall Rating: 1
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=46028

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