I ordered two Nikon lenses, including a "Nikon USA" 135 mm f/2,8. I first received a confirmation that my order was ready for shipping, then I was informed that the 135 mm was not available, yet I finally received the two lenses, which arrived quickly BTW.  
 
Unfortunately, the 135 mm lens was found to be defectuous "out of the box" : a small piece of metal with the shape of a triangle of about 1 by 1,5 mm being "prisonner" well inside the various glass elements of the lens, and definitely staying immobile at the same spot. Obviously a manufacturing defect of the lens which did look brand new, and one which probably for some reason fooled the production line control at Nikon factory. Very surprising and unusual, but that sort of things can happen.  
 
After some difficulties (no reply to my emails in particular), I was given a return N° and a promise that the return shipping cost would be reimbursed. That finally looked like good after sales service.  
 
Yet, things were difficult since I had the lenses shipped to my place in France, and I had naturally already paid the local custom and VAT, invoiced by UPS at 125,61 Euros for the 135 mm. Also, this 135 mm is among the 35 mm products which Nikon announced a month ago they definitely stop manufacturing.  
 
I shipped back the lens, which was not too easy, and with the tracking N° I could know when it was back in BH Photo Video hands. This was good, because BH Photo Video ignoring my various emails again, it was difficult to hear from them that they had the lens back, and I never had any confirmation or appreciation about the defect.  
 
Now, my big worry is that this lens is no more manufactured, and now appears as "back ordered" or "out of stock" with every resseler, including BH Photo Video. And, in spite of my various emails and phone calls, they are unable to answer the KEY QUESTION : "Please, beyond what you can read on your computer, what are the REAL chances that this lens will actually be back in stock". I am desperatly trying to pass this message, but they obviously don't understand it or merely ignore it.  
 
Now, if eventually they don't get the lens, they will refund me for sure, but I will have paid 125,61 Euros for nothing and not counting the original shipping cost, and it will be by then definitely too late to buy the lens from a different source.  
 
What I find very difficult with BH Photo Video is the carelessness of their "Customers Service". I have quite a few emails which never had replies, promises from their sales men given by phone which are not held. So, I decided to contact directly by fax the "Customers Service" Manager, a certain Mr. Mike Engel as I was told (with a copy being sent to a well known photography magazine), hoping I would finally get some attention from the service.  
 
Unfortunately I was not. Yet, the positive thing was that I was informed by an anonymous person from the Customers Service that the refund of my shipping cost had finally been done. This is definitely good news, although I am not sure this would have been done if there had not been the copy to the magazine. But, BH Photo Video seems to definitely ignore the obvious problem of the lens availability, and its serious consequences for me if they cannot send a replacement one.  
 
I believe they could probably still get a replacemnt 135 mm from Nikon USA, even if the stock situation of this product may be tight now : I suppose that Nikon USA could probably prove to be helpful to them in this regard, in view of the very unusual problem found with the lens. But, BH Photo Video biggest effort in this respect seems to be just looking at their computer's screen, which says imperturbably "back ordered".  
 
A month has already passed, and in spite of all my efforts, it seems more and more likely that, as a result of their inefficiency, I will loose 125,61 Euros, and at the same time any hope of getting that so much sought after 135 mm lens.  
 
A most frustrating and time consuming experience so far...  
 
UPDATE :  
I regreat Mr Posner somewhat aggresive/mocking tone. His "now-antiquated manual focus AIS lens" terms seem irrelevant.  
 
"He will NOT be out any money" : he forgets I WOULD LOOSE 125,61 EUROS if the lens is refunded instead of replaced.  
 
BTW the lens covered by Nikon USA guarantee is supposed to be repaired/replaced if faulty.  
 
"B&H has at every inquiry responded to cooljd's e-mails" : sorry, this was definitely not so !  
 
Had a first excellent experience with BH PhotoVideo (smooth & VERY fast) but you are OK it seems IF you don't meet a problem. Maybe good service basically but Customers Service lags behind.  
 
Hopped for a more objective/constructive reply. Mr Posner answer seems to do little more than confirming my observation that BH Photo Video do not listen to customers.  
 
Will check myself if Nikon USA can provide the lens to BH PhotoVideo, specially in view of the unusual defect found. Too difficult for them ? But "I" have little choice.  
 
If Mr Posner could help in providing a phone N° for Nikon USA, I would sincerely be very grateful (honest) to him.

This review was modified by its author, cooljd, on 3/7/06 2:08 PM.

I received a catalog from B&H Photo on Friday, Feb. 10th 2006. In this catalog was a 56" HDTV listed for $1995.00 which I was interested in. I called B&H Photo where the price was confirmed by the sales agent and the order was placed. With shipping the amount came to $2269.75. My order confirmation arrived via email with the order CONFIRMATION NUMBER 161993810. The amount of $2269.75 was charged to my bank account. The transaction was complete.  
 
The next day, Tuesday Feb. 14th I received an email from B&H informing me that they had made a mistake and the price was $1000 more.  
 
I tried contacting B&H about this issue but was given the "run around" several times. I left a message on the voice mail for the sales manager. This message was never returned.  
 
This price of $1995 was quoted not only by their catalog and web site but also by the sales agent that took my order. I was quoted this price THREE TIMES.  

Buyer Beware  
 
I bought a Kenwood surround sound system from them, IT WAS USED AND DID NOT WORK, yet then tried to pawn it off as a new one, it even had an old DVD disc still in the player. Tried twice to call and get returned but they do not follow thru.

Purchase a tripod head on 9/22, receieved confirmation of shipping on the next day great. I'm in a 1 day delivery zone (not far from NY) so I was supposed to get it Tuesday. When it didn't arrived I checked the tracking information on UPS site, and they never received the package, just the "Billing Information Received". Contact UPS, they stated that B&H registered the tracking number but a package was never received.  
 
Later I contact B&H and was told, "this happens all the time", "you will get it sooner or later". Basically I was told it would be up to 8 business days before they consider it MIA and do something about it. I asked for a credit and I was told, "we need the product back". LOL, I never received it since it was never sent to me. In addition, the CS Rep's attitude was very poor which just made the situation worse.  
 
So I ended up buying local, paying more $$, and now have to wait for weeks to get my almost $500 back. UNACCEPTABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. I have never had a company treat a good paying customer like this.

The item I received - a Griffin APS computer speaker extension cable - was manifestly USED: it was filthy and absolutely covered with the kind of nasty greasy smegma often seen on the bottom of a computer mouse, ink stains, and other things probably best not imagined. When I contacted customer "service" I received a perfunctory apology, but no actual service. Their only option for me was to buy another one from them and trust I wouldn't get burned again, and send the nasty one back at my own cost. I am completely unsatisfied with this retailer and will NOT do business with them again, nor can I recommend them to others. You've been forewarned.

I ordered something for Christmas on the 12th and unfortunately we cannot use because the information that is online is incorrect about the camera case. We did not realize this until a few days later. And I did not realize that you had to return within 2 weeks of the purchase date. Well Christmas is the 25th and the return policy is only until the 2nd of January. Give me a Break! I just called as this was the only time I have had to call on this matter and was given much grief about returning it after the Return amount of time allotted has expired! And I have a 15% restocking fee. Because of the companys misinformation the customer has to pay. BOO, that is POOR Customer Satisfaction! I will say I will not order from here again.

I purchased the Nikon SB-600 Speedlite flash imported. Imported was represented to be new,not used, but without the USA manufacturer's warranty. The product I received had scratches on the LCD screen and finger smudges all over the on/off button and the flash button. This was definitely not a new, fresh out of the box flash; more like a used demo or just simply used.  
I talked with customer service, and it will cost me about $12 to return this item. Needless to say, I didn't receive what I thought was described as a "direct import item" on their website. I thought the only issue was the warranty with B&H instead of Nikon, not whether the product was new, demo, or used. I will use what they sent me, but I will not purchase from B&H in the future. It's a trust or confidence issue with whom your doing business, and I don't have it with B&H.

I am not satisfied at all from the customer service at b and h. I ordered a light kit, and a dolly, on january 4th 2006, and it gets shipped out of the store, on January 12th 2006. I payed for 3-5 day shipping, and it didnt even get shipped out in 3-5 days..it got shipped out in 8 days. When I called and asked them what the hold up was, all I got was "i dont know"...i'll go to evsonline next time.

This review was modified by its author, nickatlanta, on 1/16/06 11:40 AM.

This is a company that I have used repeatedly over the last 20+ years. But they have really dropped in quality. This order hasn't shipped- from in stock items, three days later. But In July and August I ordered paper (that took over a month- it wasn't back ordered) and two digital cameras. One arrived 2 weeks later, I called and a two weeks later the next camera arrived. They both cameras arrived a month later. We returned them- only needed and could pay for 2- not 4. I sent them an email hoping they could fix the problems- but at this point- it looks like they have developed some major problems.

I chose to order this item from B&H because, although the listed price was higher than another site with which I have happily done business in the past, B&H claimed to offer the option of shipping via USPS Priority Mail. I ordered the item on Tuesday. The item was shipped on a Wednesday. Three days after the item was shipped (Priority mail takes 2-3 days), there was no item in the mail. The package didn't arrive until Tuesday (Monday was a holiday), and it was shipped via USPS First Class Mail--not Priority Mail. I sent an email to inquire why it was not sent as specified, and received a response saying they were forwarding my question "to the appropriate department for review and processing." After receiving no response for five days, I inquired again. The email response provided their hours of operation--no explanation was offered.  
 
While their item arrived as advertised and was sold at a competitive price, I would never recommend that a friend do business with B&H as they have showed no sense of customer service. I also would strongly advise against using this company by anyone who cares about the manner in which their order will be shipped or its timeliness, as they do not seem to pay attention to your specified shipping preference.

This review was modified by its author, Ryanp1973, on 2/5/06 2:12 AM.

I have had trouble finding a reputable camera dealer, believing that the term might be an oxymoron. My recent experience with B&H supports that conclusion.  
 
I contacted B&H about a new item and was told it was not in stock - and that it would not be in stock until the following week at the earliest – and that I should call back the following week on Monday or Tuesday. Imagine my surprise in getting an e-mail from a friend over the weekend stating that B&H was selling the item. I went to their site late in the evening and sure enough, it stated the item was in stock. Long story short - I had my card charged, received a confirmation, then received another e-mail a little while later stating the confirmation was a mistake, the system had incorrectly stated the item was in stock when in fact it was not. They did not provide any indication of when the item would be available.  
 
While I understand that mistakes happen, my main gripe is with the misleading communication from B&H. When one of their representatives stated the item would not be available until the following week, I took them at their word - which turned out to be a mistake on my part.  
 
My other issue with B&H is that in talking with others who had the same issue - those who called and got the right person were still able to get the item - while people like myself waited several days for a reply and have been provided with nothing other than "oops - cancel if you don't like it".  
 
I guess I've got to find another place to purchase future items as I do not recommend B&H given their inconsistent customer treatment and poor / misleading communication.

This review was modified by its author, ads-here, on 12/20/05 5:11 PM.

I was very unhappy due to the fact that my large purchase was a Xmas gift. This company never bothered to tell me that I would need to be home to sign for my package. Therefore I was not home, the package was delayed and my Xmas present for my wife was ruined. I even gave them explicit instructions with my order to leave the package at my doorstep if I was not home. Upon verification, they spoke to me and again never told me to be home or change the order so that I wouldn't need to sign. A thorough representitive would have seen my instructions and made sure my package arrived or at least straightened things out in time for Xmas....UPS told me that this is ONLY B&H's policy and not theirs...they would happily just leave our packages at our doorstep if we wanted....way to go B and H!

This review was modified by its author, randsom1, on 1/3/06 11:56 PM.

Worst Experience buying a Nikon. I have used Nikon's for years.  
Order not complete, had to call 8 times and got non- English rude no nothing clerks.  
Only way to get what I wanted was to order through B&H extra filters. I suggest you avoid this company!!!!!!!

This review was modified by its author, camberry, on 12/6/05 8:36 AM.

This item was "in stock" according to the site and still is listed as such on the website. It's now November 18th, a month later, and no item received. I sent an email on November 14th...no reply from them.  
 
I phoned and was transfered to various departments. The final verdict from them was, "everything is ok." I ask if it has been shipped...no response, I asked if it would be shipped soon and the response was, "I am showing everything is good." What ever that means....  
 
So no email, no apology for being late, and no info on when my order would be shipped or even it it ever would be. I'm not a happy camper with this company so far.  

I tried ordering from this store. They hassle their customers with very difficult process in ordering such as faxing the copy of the credit card. This I can accept as it is for protection. But now, I have to call them and confirm the shipping address? It is not the first time I am ordering from this store. I ordered from them numerous times. I think they are one of the worst in delivery.  
 
Store Replied  
We regret this customer's dissatisfaction. Our Verification system is designed to deter credit card fraud and identity theft and helps to protect our customers from these scourges. The system is efficient and unintrusive and the customer's compliance should be almost effortless and take but a moment.  
 
An aside -- it took this customer more time and effort to post this here than it would to reply to our Verification inquiry.  
 
That said, we do regret this customer's dissatisfaction.  
 
Henry Posner  
B&H Photo-Video, Inc.  
 
 
The system is efficient only when the customer feels that it is efficient. Since I don't think it is efficient, I think your system Totally SUCKS! Your comments on my review sounds like you are making fun of my remarks!  
 
GET THIS!  
You've lost one customer. And if you keep that kind of attitude, I won't be the last!

This review was modified by its author, wtcho0125, on 11/20/05 8:31 PM.