Is B&H Photovideo Genuine?? « Videomaker Community Forums

nobody
Member

I recently ordered (i.e. on 2nd Oct 2003)a Canon GL2E (PAL version), batteries and 3 filters from B&H and I payed it using my VISA card. The payment went through (amounting to US$2570 - shipping included).To date , I still haven't received my merchandise and the funny thing is they will not process my order unless I fax the copy of both sides of my VISA CARD. I did that on the 8th of October but I concealed the numbers on the C/Card but revealing the other infos on it, but they still won't process my order. This is the first time an online shop has asked for copies of both sides of my credit card...if that is the case, then what's the use of having a secure site????. Please help me out on this. VISA CARD INTERNATIONAL has adviced me against doing what they want coz it's just like giving your CC to a stranger.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I have ordered several items through B & H. I have not has any problems.

One explanation might be this, the powers that be at B & H observed the holiday YamKipur(ck spelling). I noticed they shut down around the date, I think, you mentioned.

Another thing, are you sure you are dealing with B & H? I, too, would have reservations about giving them my credit card number a second time. I'll bet the credit card company is not willing to help, other than to give you advise.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Changed like Saul,

Chris Folsom
http://www.pbsermons.org
Folsom Audio & Video Productions

Posted 8 years ago #
mrvideo
Member

It isn't all that unusual for on-line retailers to make this request of international customers, due to an apparently high rate of credit card fraud in purchases outside of North America. I'm certainly not qualified to advise you on what to do but I have seen many posts in a variety of forums from customers around the world who've been happy with their B&H transactions - and I buy there regularly, but from Canada where this requirement is waived.

David Hurdon

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I can vouch for B and H. I have bought equipment from them for years. I recently ordered a pair of monitor headphones from there via online. I received an email that the item I ordered was out of stock and that they would notify me when it was back in stock. (Note to everyone: Keep all email confirmations that you get from any mail order comapny you're dealing with). After two weeks when I still hadn't received the headphones, I emailed their customer service department and asked them what the status was. They told me that I would have them in two weeks. Sure enough, I got the headphones in two weeks. So, for what it's worth, I'd use them again.
-Rick Popko
Pinnacle Systems

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I'll vouch for them also. Never had any problems and they're one of the few online retailers that will answer questions although don't expect an immediate answer. As mentioned above, they do close shop for Jewish holidays - look at their schedule.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I have friends who order from them without problem. But the cc thing does sound weird. Beware of any email you get asking for information to be emailed back, or if they want you to click on a link and send it online. I haven't heard about fraud through fax, but I'm sure it's out there. After the Holiday, try getting ahold of them, on the phone if you can, and ask if they asked for your information. If that sounds un-like to whoever you try talk to, you should call up the CC company again. That's what I would do anyway.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I have used B&H many times and have never had any problems. My question to you is have you contacted them by phone? Also they should have given you an order number to track your order. Another thing to remember is the way they sent the shipment to you overseas. If they used FedEX, UPS, or similar type of service it should get to you in 7-10 days usually. If it went through the US postal service it may take 4 to 6 weeks to get to you overseas depending on the service level.

I would again suggest calling them to track down your order and find out how your order was shipped. Also get a tracking number if there was one and which shipping service was used. Hopefully these suggestions will help you.

Good luck,
Jaime

Posted 8 years ago #
tjborek
Member

I ordered a Panasonic AG-DVC80 from their web site on Sunday, paid for UPS 3-5 day ground shipping. I received a verification call and called them back; I had to leave my name, order number, and phone number on an answering machine. No one ever tried to sell me additional products, which I really appreciate. My package shipped on Tuesday night and I received it Thursday around 1:00 p.m. They're currently giving away $100 gift cards with the DVC80 to make a good deal a GREAT deal. I called on Tuesday to find out why my order hadn't shipped within 48 hours, and the gentleman I spoke to (Sruli) told me the order had in fact been packed and was shipping that afternoon; I received a UPS tracking number via e-mail two hours later.

As for the camcorder, it is not a gray-market unit and has serial number intact. It was factory dealed with all accessories, registration card, user manual, and separate USA and Canada manufacturers warrantees.

Because the order took two days to ship, I wouldn't buy from them without placing the order by phone if I needed my merchandise overnight.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I've had good luck with B & H. I've always sent a check by mail, & phoned first to confirm pricing & availibility. They also have live phone support on Sundays--which is a rare plus.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

This is a measure for credit card theft.

We, ourselves, have faced this problem. We had a customer from overseas who wanted an NTSC GL2 from us. He wanted to pay by CC which was fine by us... But everytime we ran a credit card number, it would come up as lost or stolen.

After 17 CC's (he insisted...) we told him to leave us alone. We didn't need the risk. It was fairly obvious to us at that point that this wasn't someone that we wanted to do business with.

Getting a copy of the card faxed to someone is proof of the card actually exsisting, and being in your hands. If the merchant is trusted, there's no problem.

B&H is more interested in getting the 3 digit security code on the back of the card more than anything. This code isn't part of the CC number itself, so it won't appear explicitly when you purchase something online.

Some online retailers have written a script asking for that code to verify purchases. It's something that a stole credit card # won't have in it.

Posted 8 years ago #
fx_viper
Member

quote:

[...] - and I buy there regularly, but from Canada where this requirement is waived.

David Hurdon

Hi there David,

I'm about to buy a Sony DSC-H7 from B&H in New York, like you from Canada (Montreal) are there any taxes/additional costs to expect on this kind of buy? I read somewhere that for digital cameras there wasn't any tax (or maybe it's one particular tax)...

any help is much appreciated

Posted 4 years ago #
ARichards
Member

I've never heard anything other than praise regarding B&H from my DP friends. Last week I ordered that Canon A1 through an Amazon.com third party and received an e-mail last night that the order was cancelled with any reason being given. While B&H might not be the cheapest, I wish I'd gone with them in the first place. You really can't beat strong word of mouth, especially when it's also praising their customer service.

Posted 4 years ago #
brandon0409
Member

Just to make sure you have the correct store. As many of the readers of this forum could vouch, B&H is the only store to buy from. They are not just an online retailer, they have one of the largest real life store in the nation located in New york City.

They are the only place I will buy from. Great deals too. If you are having issues with the credit card thing, I definitely would not fax my card to the number you received in your email. I actually read somewhere about a scam that tracks orders being made with a trojan horse. When it sees you made an online purchase it spoofs their email address and sends you a letter with the fake contact info.

I would give B&H a call. I have included their customer service line below. It will give you the phone numbers.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=product.jsp&A=getpage&Q=HelpCenter/helpcenter.jsp

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Hope this helps.

Posted 4 years ago #
tonsofpcs
Member

B&H is genuine, as you have seen everyone here post. I've gotten many items from them and have visited the "superstore" a few times. It's nice on days that it isn't packed. As noted, they are run mainly by a Jewish population and are closed on Saturdays and religious holidays.

Posted 4 years ago #
maxzilla2008
Member

nobody Wrote:
I have ordered several items through B & H. I have not has any problems.

One explanation might be this, the powers that be at B & H observed the holiday YamKipur(ck spelling). I noticed they shut down around the date, I think, you mentioned.

Another thing, are you sure you are dealing with B & H? I, too, would have reservations about giving them my credit card number a second time. I'll bet the credit card company is not willing to help, other than to give you advise.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Changed like Saul,

Chris Folsom
http://www.pbsermons.org
Folsom Audio & Video Productions

Could be... but not now, I'm Jewish and it's not Yom Kippur. (again, check sp., we can't even spell it)

Posted 4 years ago #
mfederico
Member

I've used them for the first time and items arrived quick-no hasstle-Happy camper
They've been around for years. I'd shop there again.

Posted 4 years ago #
Kemper
Member

In case you have not heard enough, B&H Photo Video is on the level. When I first started pricing my equipment I became very excited with the pricing posted on E-Bay, internet search engines and even some of the ads in magazines (this one included). The more research I did the more it became obvious that B&H is the place to go. I have yet to visit the store but I have heard about it and I can't wait to see it. I have ordered converters, video cameras, and countless supplies and I have never had a problem. The one time that wasn't flawless involved a camera (Panisonic DVX 100B) I had ordered that ended up not being in stock. I was told it could take as long as six weeks to come in but this was the day after I made the purchase and it was by way of an email. This was beyond the date that the camera was needed so I called to get a refund and a camera suddenly appeared in inventory. It arrived two days later and we lived happily ever after. I have yet to see what the warranty process is like (I think they use a company called Mack) and hopefully I will never need to.

I have made purchases online and purchases over the phone with them and I was never asked to fax anything. Just as Maxzilla mentioned, make sure this is actually B&H.

Cole

Posted 4 years ago #