What do you guys recommend as a backup on friday/saturday when neither is open? Are there any stores that compare?

Adorama is certainly open on Fridays!
The rental department:
Friday 8:00 am to 2:30 pm (Weekend Rentals are due back by Monday 9:30 am)

The store:
Friday 9:00 am to 3:00pm

Good thread.

I had an issue with Adorama quite a few years back when I was still lusting for the best consumer camera I could afford. -- I've been using B&H ever since for most everything (We don't have any local shops worth a darn here)

I had my first blood pressure minute with B&H last week. I needed another Schoeps CMC641 mic and figured I should go ahead and buy a matched set. B&H didn't have any matched sets listed so I made contact to see if they might be willing to sell them, and maybe quote me price. After not being able to get an answer after a few days, my wife encouraged me to go ahead and just buy the single unit figuring it would be matched close enough for our current project. -- I'm glad I took her advice, later that day the unit price jumped up by $200. I couldn't help but feel like I asked a question that maybe I shouldn't have. I know business is business but Oh-Boy would I have been mad if I got price bumped while waiting for an answer.

I don't begrudge B&H and I'm very happy with their products and service. I suppose it's time I get over my incident with Adorama oh so long ago as well.

We're just a small shop and we're still building our resources. I've been up tonight trying to figure out more lighting for our chroma key set up. I'll head over and have look at Adorama.

I had an issue with Adorama quite a few years back when I was still lusting for the best consumer camera I could afford........I suppose it's time I get over my incident with Adorama oh so long ago as well

In truth, your loss of faith in us was probably with just cause.
As recently as 2005 our feedback at resellerratings.com was a miserable 3.75/10....now we're up to 9.55/10!

Still a little way to go to that perfect 10, but headed in the right direction.....

In truth, your loss of faith was ..... I can't even remember what is was anymore, I think this was around 2000-02. I'm sure I had my part in it, I used to get upset a lot easier than do these days.

I ordered an item today on line from Adorama, which showed in stock, and went out for a while fat, dumb and happy. When I got back I had an email informing me that it was on backorder. Why isn’t the web site real time like B&H? Needless to say I ordered from B&H but I lost a day in shipping because now I could not get my order in early enough to ship the same day.

.........Why isn’t the web site real time like B&H? ....

My apologies for your disappointment, and I can explain:

One reason is that we don't only sell goods via our own website, but through a number pf partners such as Amazon and buy.com. Another is because we don't charge until an order actually ships. These two issues give rise to complexities which up 'til now we haven't been able to fix.

However, this is set to change once the new website is up and running:

http://theframptonfiles.blogspot.com/2011/02/electronics-retail-and-mail-order.html

Alexander Interactive Building One of the Largest Magento Platform Websites for Leading Online Photo Supply Retailer, Adorama (http://mediadesigner.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=1342916)

My apologies for your disappointment, and I can explain:

One reason is that we don't only sell goods via our own website, but through a number pf partners such as Amazon and buy.com. Another is because we don't charge until an order actually ships. These two issues give rise to complexities which up 'til now we haven't been able to fix.

However, this is set to change once the new website is up and running:

http://theframptonfiles.blogspot.com/2011/02/electronics-retail-and-mail-order.html

Alexander Interactive Building One of the Largest Magento Platform Websites for Leading Online Photo Supply Retailer, Adorama (http://mediadesigner.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=1342916)

If I call my order in will the sales person be able to tell me if it is in stock?

If I call my order in will the sales person be able to tell me if it is in stock?

Certainly he will; just make certain you request confirmation that the item is in stock and ready to ship.

Perhaps a little off-topic, but since Helen from Adorama is so helpful with responses...
I posted a review of a product I bought online from Adorama, and I got the verification email from powerreview.com, but my review is not posted. Is this because it was a negative review or does it take more than a day to see the post? The review was on the Bescor LED-150. Thanks.

We DO post the negative reviews - I know that for sure because they end up on my desk!! However, I'm not actually sure how long they take to appear.

If you'd like to drop me an email detailing the problems you found with the light, then I can look at right away, rather than waiting 'til it comes up: Helen@adorama.com

I had my second short break in NYC last week. I had been to B & H on a previous visit, so knew what to expect, - but had to visit again! I also looked at Adorama but they seemed to be more stills focussed (apology for pun) with less video coverage. Same style of (knowledgeable) help although the queue system (calling numbers) seemed to have quite a backlog even though it was before 10:00 and not on a Friday.
B & H were helpful in the areas I wanted, and also had an interesting conversation with a salesman on the Canon stand re aliasing issues with SLRs when used for filmmaking vs broadcast. The only downside was the time it took to get served at the closeout sales area. One person part-time took over 20 minutes to get to me even though I was only replacing an old basic monopod that broke whilst in NYC.
Overall, the experience of both stores was good, and I live in hope that such an enterprise could be set up in Europe, (preferably) London. A vain hope as it's the duplication of stock that would be prohibitive unless the product range was developed slowly. The nearest we get to it is the annual shows, 'Focus On Imaging' that mainly concentrates on stills and BVE which is moving more and more towards high-end pro and broadcast video. International mail-order is not much of an option as shipping costs wipe out any cost savings on low-cost items, more expensive kit attracts import charges and there are often warranty issues.
These NYC outlets will always appear on my list of tourist attractions.

Steve

Perhaps a little off-topic, but since Helen from Adorama is so helpful with responses...
I posted a review of a product I bought online from Adorama, and I got the verification email from powerreview.com, but my review is not posted. Is this because it was a negative review or does it take more than a day to see the post? The review was on the Bescor LED-150. Thanks.

I can confirm that your review is now up on the website.

Another great example of Adorama customer service. I was looking at used lens on website potentially for my Sony F3 but didn't want to order until I actually saw lens. Went into store but lens was sold between the time I checked on the site early AM and I reached store. Sales rep gave me his card and told me that any time I wanted to check out a used item, simply call, text or email him and he would put it aside until I could get into the store. But no loss for Adorama-- my friend who schlepping along with me dropped a few hundred on impulse!

Ned Soltz

I am a highly satisfied customer of B&H. I have been buying a lot of expensive stuff from them since the last five years. In a recent incident, how ever small it might be, I was pretty satisfied. I have described the situation here: Reliable Equipment Purchasing | Diary - Tales from India's Wilds (http://www.indiawilds.com/diary/equipment-buying/)
They have shown a nice gesture and I am sure I will always be buying from them.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

I am a highly satisfied customer of B&H. I have been buying a lot of expensive stuff from them since the last five years. In a recent incident, how ever small it might be, I was pretty satisfied.

Thank you. This is very gratifying.

I'm ordering from Helen because she's cuter than Henry...
...Just kidding of course. I've had experience with both. Not a $1,000,000 customer but a lot of indy items. They are both extremely reliable, both are sponsors, both have excellent customer service, so it's whoever has the best deal and whoever has what I need in stock.
And I must say that I am not an Orthodox Jew, but have much respect for both companies for staying true to thier beliefs. I hope one day that I could have the strength to do that with my company.

I'm ordering from Helen because she's cuter than Henry...
...Just kidding of course. I've had experience with both. Not a $1,000,000 customer but a lot of indy items. They are both extremely reliable, both are sponsors, both have excellent customer service, so it's whoever has the best deal and whoever has what I need in stock.
And I must say that I am not an Orthodox Jew, but have much respect for both companies for staying true to thier beliefs. I hope one day that I could have the strength to do that with my company.

Thanks!

BTW PLEASE note Adorama upcoming Holiday schedule http://cot.ag/nfsgly; please plan accordingly. We appreciate your understanding & business

Hi all. Just wanted to post a Thank You to the staff at B&H. I ordered the Azden WMS-Pro system from B&H on Tuesday. It got here today (Thursday)! Even when I factored in the exchange rate, shipping and taxes/duties, buying the system from B&H saved me about $200 vs buying locally! Thank you, B&H!

Question for the B&H and Adorama Reps:
Why for the life of me can't I find a Canon XF100, but there is an abundance of XA10's? The XA10's are out of stock and then stock is replenished, But not the XF100's. Explain please.

We last had a delivery on 19th September, but they all went straight out to customers with them on back-order.
As we don't charge your cc until your order actually ships, with hard-to-get items, many customers find that this is usually the best solution.

If you find one elsewhere before we've got yours out to you, you only need drop an email directly to me: Helen@adorama.com, or to our CS team, and your back-order can be cancelled right away.

Question for the B&H and Adorama Reps:
Why for the life of me can't I find a Canon XF100...

In a nutshell -- Canon USA simply cannot get enough to meet demand. I'm sure they'd like to and I know we would too. Offhand I don't know what's happening elsewhere in the world. but in the USA this is a very popular item. I don't know if demand exceeded expectations but considering the press release is dated Aug 31, 2010 <http://bhpho.to/qkcn3C> it'd be nice to think supply and demand will stabilize soon.

To reactivate this thread....

Adorama offers a considerable inventory of both new and used products on eBay. I just was able to purchase via buy-it-now both a Kessler 3" Cineslider kit as well as a KPod+Hercules head. Both were used and prices were considerably below that of new equipment. I was very satisfied with my "metziah" (Yiddish slang for a good deal) until I noted that both of the items were priced less on the Adorama web site. I've written to customer service about it, but just thought it worth posting. Be sure to check both the eBay as well as store prices prior to pushing the buy button.

I've not yet received the gear but I have no doubt that it will be in excellent condition as represented by Adorama.

Ned Soltz

Correct, items are indeed less expensive when purchased from the Adorama website; we have to cover a number of additional costs for items sold via Ebay, which is why the items will cost fractionally more.

Good to know. So buyers should make certain to check Adorama's site before bidding on eBay items.

Differential on the Cineslider was a little over 5%. K-pod may or may not have been the same item since it was 20% less than what I paid. Most likely it was the item without the Hercules head. in which case, the differential between eBay and store price of that item would have been 10%.

I have been a loyal B and H customer from Canada. But with the new fees that B&H is charging it seems like they are gouging their Canadian customers. I will be looking for alternatives like Adorama in the future.

@Greg... take a look at all the DVinfo sponsors for outfits that have been vetted.

I have been a loyal B and H customer from Canada. But with the new fees that B&H is charging it seems like they are gouging their Canadian customers.

I am sorry you have developed this misapprehension. In fact since we began using Purolator shipping and calculating cross-border fees for you, the cost to ship most goods from us to Canada has fallen. I'd be happy to explore this further. Use henryp[at]bhphoto.com. Thank you.

I am a huge fan of both B&H and Adorama. Most differences between them are minor - so I end up shopping on price and availability.

There are a couple of minor differences, though. In the past couple of years, B&H has stopped offering discounts through Ebates, Mr Rebates or Big Crumbs, while Adorama continues to do so (up to 2.8% at BigCrumbs (http://www.bigcrumbs.com)). This has made a price difference for me in several cases where B&H had the lower listed price, but the discount gave Adorama the edge.

And for the small minority of us who are bloggers, there is another difference - Adorama will partner with you if you have a free blog on Wordpress, Google Blogger, etc. Sadly, B&H will not (they require partners to have their own domain names). Asking their partners to have some 'skin in the game' does make business sense, and almost certainly reduces the risk to B&H's reputation, but for those of us who are reputable, and whose revenue models don't support paying for a domain name, it's a little frustrating.

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution (http://battleforthewest.blogspot.com)

@ Greg

Which new fees are you talking about? I placed an order a few days and didn't see anything different. The option to pay customs at the time of purchase is great and the Purolator delivery seemed good the one time I've used it so far. In the past, the only inexpensive delivery option was the post office and that always took longer than the indicated time.

Thanks Henry for using Purolator. Not only is the delivery much faster & less, but none of the price gouging brokerage fees of UPS & Fedex. When purchasing from the U.S. I only consider B&H due to this very considerate policy. I can't thank B&H enough for taking the pain out of buying from a U.S. company.

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you B&H.

Dave Hardy
Vancouver B.C.

As a Canadian customer we need to evaluate the TOTAL shipping charges to see if they truly are the most cost effective choice. I will in the future take more time deciding which company gets my order based on the transparency of the fees charged by that company.

I am sorry you have developed this misapprehension. In fact since we began using Purolator shipping and calculating cross-border fees for you, the cost to ship most goods from us to Canada has fallen. I'd be happy to explore this further. Use henryp[at]bhphoto.com. Thank you.

Henry, I'll support this 100%. B&H has made a very good decision (for us Canucks!) to do this. Though it -sometimes- seems like you're tacking on extra fees when an order gets added up, it's important to know that they aren't your fees and that UPS and FedEx would also be charging those fees and more.

I'll also add that I support B&H over Adorama for the reason that the Adorama Ebay store still has issues shipping to Canada and often don't answer emails.

(ps, did you fill that crate of Pelican cases I just ordered with $100's like you promised? ;)

...... I support B&H over Adorama for the reason that the Adorama Ebay store still has issues shipping to Canada and often don't answer emails.



We would love to be able to ship Ebay items to Canada; the reason we aren't at this time on our eBay store is not because of Customs & Duties nor is it a Purolator issue. It is simply due to eBay's Shipping Calculator which is not working 100% as they have errors. Some Canadian zip codes don't charge correctly while random items with FREE SHIPPING in the U.S. carry over to Canada. So, this is somewhere between EBay and Channel Advisor. Over the past year and a half our Ebay manager has been trying to work it out... eBay / Channel each played the Blame game with no results. This is one of the major reasons we are getting rid of Channel Advisor.
This new eBay integration implementation should be completed by the month's end. After all the bugs are worked out we will be shipping again to Canada and we'll add the EU and Australia too to start with. Ultimately, we would like to ship to all the countries Adorama.com does.

However, your complaint about Ebay staff not responding to emails is certainly a matter of concern. I would be grateful if you could email me directly with more information about this and I will give it my immediate attention: Helen@adorama.com I know that one member of the Ebay team has been in and out with Medical issues over the past 90 days, however his working from home has been monitored and all the customer service emails should have been responded to.

There are those Product Related emails that he knows nothing about and forwards to sales@adorama.com to complete and they should be done in a timely fashion; we are checking to confirm.

I am sorry you have developed this misapprehension. In fact since we began using Purolator shipping and calculating cross-border fees for you, the cost to ship most goods from us to Canada has fallen. I'd be happy to explore this further. Use henryp[at]bhphoto.com. Thank you.

Just noticed this post:
Not quite sure what has gone wrong here but as you can see from my post on 14 May 2011, I'm not from Canada, and I have no problems with the prices and carriage charged by B&H.
I have (last week) received a catalogue from B&H which is a handy reference for what's available on the market outside the UK. I would use it to purchase certain items that were not available in the UK.

Doesn't matter to me.

Whichever retailer can get me a Nikon D800, I'll buy it on the spot.

Still can't find this camera.

I agree, anyone who can get me the D800


I've been on the waiting list since April 2nd

I have 100% confidence in both B&H and Adorama. B&H tends to get most of my orders because of the world class web site, makes it easy to shop and compare.

When Nikon recently announced the D4 and D800, I placed pre orders within an hour of going live, D4 on Adorama, and D800 at B&H.

...But my local Best Buy had a clever guy in the Camera Department, who took unofficial wait list info and monitored Best Buys internal product imports. As cameras came through customs, I got a heads up to show up in the store and order a camera, with guaranteed delivery within a week. Turns out I got 2 D4's and a D800 from Best Buy before B&H or Adaroma were shipping to non-NPS folks.