Crazy B&H Salesman at DVinfo.net

Brad Hawkins · July 24th, 2003, 08:52 AM

This is really not that big of a deal, but I just wanted to pass along the message so no one gets an extra $100 tacked onto their order.

I bought my HD10u today, and when I called to place the order at B&H the salesman warned me that the camera does not include a battery. I thought that there was no way that this could be true, but he assured me that he checked both his website and the JVC site and that the battery was sold seperate. Frantically I checked the JVC site and noticed that the only mention of a battery was on the accessory page and that it had a $100 price tag, so I began to believe the salesman.

Well, to make a long story short, there was a temporary problem with my credit card which delayed the order, and allowed me the time to further investigate. I downloaded the manual and found the page of included accessories and there it was, battery, charger, everything that should come with a new camera. So when I called back to place the order I was able to remove the extra battery.

Again, this is really not that big a deal. I could probably have used the extra battery. Who knows I might end up having to order one in the future, and it is only $100 not $1000, but the bottom line is I just don't like the idea of being misled by the salesman.

Chaim Bianco · July 24th, 2003, 09:36 AM

brad,

some b&h salesmen can be rather curt (aka: "urban". ha), but they are a reputable outfit. their prices are good and they ship promptly.

i'm pretty sure their website lists all the accessories that come in a given camera package, so i would definitely recommend that anyone planning to buy from them check out the site before calling. their site is well organized, search-friendly, uncluttered and the info loads fast enough.

but in any case, the problem of getting accurate info that you initially faced isnt all that rare when it comes to dealing with salespeople. i have found that calling back a two or three times and re-asking the same question until you get someone who is patient and/or lucid is helpful. your first call may have been a trainee.

my 2 cents.

Sasha Froyland · July 24th, 2003, 09:39 AM

Got mine yeasterday from B&H and it indeed included a battery.

Josh Bass · July 24th, 2003, 12:58 PM

I prefer the word "surly"

Ken Freed JVC · July 24th, 2003, 07:44 PM

Could be just a mistake. I haven't been over there for product training yet and it is interesting that I just did have an assessory discussion with them.

I'll mention this thread to them. I know their reputation is important to them. Maybe they thought as a pro piece it doesn't include a battery but as you know, the handhelds always have a battery.

It is a good idea to have 2 or three batteries. They run down faster than they charge back up.

Heath McKnight · July 24th, 2003, 08:55 PM

B&H has told me a camera light can hook up into my camera. Nope, needed a light battery.

They said I didn't need a nut for my boom. Nope, needed it.

And more...

I don't like B&H, they're a box house and I've bought very little to nothing from them in a long time.

Although I will say this, my seller didn't think the HD10 came with an A-C adaptor, and was going to order one for $140. When I picked up the camera, there it was!

heath

David Mintzer · July 25th, 2003, 11:06 PM

I have to agree with some of the comments vis a vis B&H's sales staff. I have found it to be hit or miss when ordering on the phone or going into the store. Having said that, there 30 day return policy is what keeps me going back for more.

Sasha Froyland · July 26th, 2003, 08:12 AM

FYI:
7 days for Video, Audio, and Digital Equipment.
14 days for photo equipment.

Mark Monciardini · July 26th, 2003, 08:33 AM

Digital Mega Store has good prices and they ship the product ontime.

but...

The guy argued with me when I bought my Panasonic DVX100. He said you can only charge the battery on the camera, there for I would need another charger. I knew EVERYTHING about this camcorder. And I knew it came with a charger. He said "this one doesn't come with one". I knew it was a sales thing right off the batt.

Anyway, the camcorder DID come with a charger - Duh!

If this happens to you, call the prick back after you get your equipment and say "I got my camcorder today thank you. Just wanted to let you know it DID come with a charger". Then hang up. This is if you want to get it back or just to have some fun. But I don't think they care either way.

Joe Russ · July 26th, 2003, 10:38 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Monciardini : Then hang up. This is if you want to get it back or just to have some fun. -->>>

good to see we are all mature people and not sinking to the level of the scum on the other end of the line................

Henry Posner · July 29th, 2003, 07:28 AM

I am sorry our salesman was misinformed. The information we provide to him (and post on our web site) is either what the manufacturer supplies to us or what we learn from inspection. In this case, it was the former. We certainly regret the error.

None of our guys gets commission, nor do we run any kind of sales-driven contests which would encourage a sales asociate to pad an order. Their job is to insure that when you get your stuff you get everything you want and need.

Hope this helps.

Imran Zaidi · July 29th, 2003, 07:53 AM

The above post is why I personally love BHPhoto. Not having commission-based sales folks makes for a MUCH better environment for consumers.

Lou Bruno · July 31st, 2003, 06:26 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Ken Freed JVC : Could be just a mistake. I haven't been over there for product training yet and it is interesting that I just did have an assessory discussion with them.

I'll mention this thread to them. I know their reputation is important to them. Maybe they thought as a pro piece it doesn't include a battery but as you know, the handhelds always have a battery.

It is a good idea to have 2 or three batteries. They run down faster than they charge back up. -->>>

John Locke · July 31st, 2003, 07:05 PM

Thanks for your response, Henry.

I'm a long-time customer at B&H and I've never experienced a bad encounter with one of their salespeople. On the occasions when I've called to get more info about something, I've always felt that the information given is on the level...and the best thing of all is how I never felt I was being pushed into making quick decisions.

With the enormous quantity of items B&H offers, obviously a salesman might trip on his words from time to time. But I'd like to say to Brad that I've never seen evidence that this is a common occurrence at B&H.

And to Chaim...about the "urban" or "curt" phone manner...I don't even notice it now. I've lived in NYC and a few other large cities and you're right. It is a big city style of communication. That abruptness really isn't attributable to rudeness...most "big city folk" just don't communicate in the same "nice weather today how are the kids" fashion that you get in smaller places.

I'll continue shopping there.

Joe Russ · August 1st, 2003, 01:52 AM

yep, i bought the camera from them today with no problems, just the typical new york minute conversation skills....it really isn't rudeness, they just seem like they are on speed compared to the rest of the world.

July 24th, 2003, 08:52 AM	#1
Brad Hawkins Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 38	Crazy B&H Salesman This is really not that big of a deal, but I just wanted to pass along the message so no one gets an extra $100 tacked onto their order. I bought my HD10u today, and when I called to place the order at B&H the salesman warned me that the camera does not include a battery. I thought that there was no way that this could be true, but he assured me that he checked both his website and the JVC site and that the battery was sold seperate. Frantically I checked the JVC site and noticed that the only mention of a battery was on the accessory page and that it had a $100 price tag, so I began to believe the salesman. Well, to make a long story short, there was a temporary problem with my credit card which delayed the order, and allowed me the time to further investigate. I downloaded the manual and found the page of included accessories and there it was, battery, charger, everything that should come with a new camera. So when I called back to place the order I was able to remove the extra battery. Again, this is really not that big a deal. I could probably have used the extra battery. Who knows I might end up having to order one in the future, and it is only $100 not $1000, but the bottom line is I just don't like the idea of being misled by the salesman.

July 24th, 2003, 12:58 PM	#4
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I prefer the word "surly" __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

July 24th, 2003, 07:44 PM	#5
Ken Freed JVC JVC Regional Sales Engineer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wayne, NJ Posts: 49	Interesting Could be just a mistake. I haven't been over there for product training yet and it is interesting that I just did have an assessory discussion with them. I'll mention this thread to them. I know their reputation is important to them. Maybe they thought as a pro piece it doesn't include a battery but as you know, the handhelds always have a battery. It is a good idea to have 2 or three batteries. They run down faster than they charge back up. __________________ Ken Freed JVC Mid-Atlantic District Sales Manager (201) 637-7706 kfreed@jvc.com

July 24th, 2003, 08:55 PM	#6
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	B&H has told me a camera light can hook up into my camera. Nope, needed a light battery. They said I didn't need a nut for my boom. Nope, needed it. And more... I don't like B&H, they're a box house and I've bought very little to nothing from them in a long time. Although I will say this, my seller didn't think the HD10 came with an A-C adaptor, and was going to order one for $140. When I picked up the camera, there it was! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

July 26th, 2003, 08:33 AM	#9
Mark Monciardini Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 158	Digital Mega Store Digital Mega Store has good prices and they ship the product ontime. but... The guy argued with me when I bought my Panasonic DVX100. He said you can only charge the battery on the camera, there for I would need another charger. I knew EVERYTHING about this camcorder. And I knew it came with a charger. He said "this one doesn't come with one". I knew it was a sales thing right off the batt. Anyway, the camcorder DID come with a charger - Duh! If this happens to you, call the prick back after you get your equipment and say "I got my camcorder today thank you. Just wanted to let you know it DID come with a charger". Then hang up. This is if you want to get it back or just to have some fun. But I don't think they care either way. __________________ Best Regards, Mark T. Monciardini Riverlight Studios www.riverlightstudios.com DVX100/Final Cut Pro 4/Mac G5 Dual 1.8

July 24th, 2003, 09:36 AM	#2
Chaim Bianco Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Philadelphia , PA Posts: 39	brad, some b&h salesmen can be rather curt (aka: "urban". ha), but they are a reputable outfit. their prices are good and they ship promptly. i'm pretty sure their website lists all the accessories that come in a given camera package, so i would definitely recommend that anyone planning to buy from them check out the site before calling. their site is well organized, search-friendly, uncluttered and the info loads fast enough. but in any case, the problem of getting accurate info that you initially faced isnt all that rare when it comes to dealing with salespeople. i have found that calling back a two or three times and re-asking the same question until you get someone who is patient and/or lucid is helpful. your first call may have been a trainee. my 2 cents.

July 24th, 2003, 09:39 AM	#3
Sasha Froyland Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 67	Got mine yeasterday from B&H and it indeed included a battery.

July 25th, 2003, 11:06 PM	#7
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	I have to agree with some of the comments vis a vis B&H's sales staff. I have found it to be hit or miss when ordering on the phone or going into the store. Having said that, there 30 day return policy is what keeps me going back for more.

July 26th, 2003, 08:12 AM	#8
Sasha Froyland Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 67	FYI: 7 days for Video, Audio, and Digital Equipment. 14 days for photo equipment.

July 26th, 2003, 10:38 PM	#10
Joe Russ Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 99	Re: Digital Mega Store <<<-- Originally posted by Mark Monciardini : Then hang up. This is if you want to get it back or just to have some fun. -->>> good to see we are all mature people and not sinking to the level of the scum on the other end of the line................

July 29th, 2003, 07:28 AM	#11
Henry Posner sponsor: B&H Photo-Video Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 137	B&H Salesmen I am sorry our salesman was misinformed. The information we provide to him (and post on our web site) is either what the manufacturer supplies to us or what we learn from inspection. In this case, it was the former. We certainly regret the error. None of our guys gets commission, nor do we run any kind of sales-driven contests which would encourage a sales asociate to pad an order. Their job is to insure that when you get your stuff you get everything you want and need. Hope this helps. __________________ Henry Posner B&H Photo-Video

July 29th, 2003, 07:53 AM	#12
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	The above post is why I personally love BHPhoto. Not having commission-based sales folks makes for a MUCH better environment for consumers.

July 31st, 2003, 06:26 PM	#13
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	Re: Interesting <<<-- Originally posted by Ken Freed JVC : Could be just a mistake. I haven't been over there for product training yet and it is interesting that I just did have an assessory discussion with them. I'll mention this thread to them. I know their reputation is important to them. Maybe they thought as a pro piece it doesn't include a battery but as you know, the handhelds always have a battery. It is a good idea to have 2 or three batteries. They run down faster than they charge back up. -->>> __________________ Lou Bruno

July 31st, 2003, 07:05 PM	#14
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Thanks for your response, Henry. I'm a long-time customer at B&H and I've never experienced a bad encounter with one of their salespeople. On the occasions when I've called to get more info about something, I've always felt that the information given is on the level...and the best thing of all is how I never felt I was being pushed into making quick decisions. With the enormous quantity of items B&H offers, obviously a salesman might trip on his words from time to time. But I'd like to say to Brad that I've never seen evidence that this is a common occurrence at B&H. And to Chaim...about the "urban" or "curt" phone manner...I don't even notice it now. I've lived in NYC and a few other large cities and you're right. It is a big city style of communication. That abruptness really isn't attributable to rudeness...most "big city folk" just don't communicate in the same "nice weather today how are the kids" fashion that you get in smaller places. I'll continue shopping there. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

August 1st, 2003, 01:52 AM	#15
Joe Russ Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 99	yep, i bought the camera from them today with no problems, just the typical new york minute conversation skills....it really isn't rudeness, they just seem like they are on speed compared to the rest of the world.