B&H or Adorama

[Loswr]

After looking at my orders, I see why - I have paid for upgraded shipping with B&H several times, and used your free shipping most of the time.

Some time back, B&H was definitely faster with the free shipping option - they continued using UPS ground for free shipments after Adorama switched to hybrid shipping (lower cost to them, but 5+ days to reach me, vs. next day via UPS ground from NJ to Boston). Now that B&H also frequently uses hybrid shipping for the free option, there's no real difference in speed.

 

[henryp]

Chances are, things will be fine with both companies...IF things go well.
If something goes wrong, I personally would rather deal with B&H customer service.

...B&H has received my business almost exclusively for the last 5 years. Customer service is top notch.

Thank you. Ideally nothing should go wrong, of course.

 

[jdramirez]

I buy from both, but prefer to buy locally. I'd suggest you consider establishing a relationship with a local dealer. In the long run, a few dollars more will be offset by having someone who gives you personal service.

I don't like my local store. They have oem gear, but the other gear is cheap Chinese knock off stuff that you can buy off ebay for a penny... I'm not sure I will miss then if they went out of business...

 

[henryp]

(Although, I have noticed an increasing incidence of them not wanting to post some items outside of the USA, including some Canon items. Hopefully not a long term trend.).

Speaking only for B&H, the only time we won't ship an item to a location outside the USA is when the authorized distributor (Canon USA for instance) or the US government prohibits us from doing so. Lately we're seeing more geographic restrictions from authorized US distributors.

 

[Helen Oster]

.....I will say that we consumers are very fortunate to have to excellent companies to purchase from and I'll amend my statement to say that you can't go wrong with either merchant and I would recommend Adorama over B&H simply because Helen takes the time to visit CR and respond to our posts

......Now, after reading Helen's posts and learning about the lengths she goes to for customer satisfaction, I realize this company has an extraordinary asset. I'm sure they will be seeing a good bit more of my business.

I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to reach out to you all - hopefully you now know there is a real person behind the signature, who will always be there to offer advice or support with any order from Adorama.

 

[unfocused]

I am actually in the process of buying a new 1066X CF card and decided to check Adorama out as I rarely go to their site, and they do not even have the one I want....

I'd be interested to know which one it is, so I can alert our Purchasing Manager. Thank you: [email protected]

While on the topic. I am curious why Adorama doesn't seen to carry Transcend CF cards and very few SD cards.

 

[Helen Oster]

While on the topic. I am curious why Adorama doesn't seen to carry Transcend CF cards and very few SD cards.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Computers&cat2=Memory%20%26%20Data%20Storage&feature1=Transcend

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=CF+Compact+Flash+cards

 

[ablearcher]

I'm in Canada, so for me its 90% B&H and 10% Adorama just because of the shipment options. Adorama's shipment to Canada is more expensive, last time I checked. Buying smaller (less expensive) items there does not make any $$ sense. B&H has Purolator which is very economical, so the bulk of my orders (and some other photogs I know) goes to B&H.

I never had any problems with service at both vendors. I do like B&H website layout a bit more.

 

[Helen Oster]

I'm in Canada, so for me its 90% B&H and 10% Adorama just because of the shipment options. Adorama's shipment to Canada is more expensive, last time I checked. Buying smaller (less expensive) items there does not make any $$ sense.

No, we don't offer Purolator - the Adorama low cost shipping option to Canada is from http://www.bilsi.com/

What is included in the final Adorama price? ALL taxes, duties, and brokerage fees are included in the final number when you select "Canada Shipping".

• Tax: Your local sales tax (GST + PST, or HST depending on province). If you are not in an HST province, only GST is charged (no PST). No taxes are due at delivery.

• Duty: Most camera equipment is duty free. If what you are buying is not, duties are included as well.

• Brokerage Fees: There are NO extra brokerage fees. Everything is already included in the shipping fee!
Go check out Adorama Camera for yourself, today http://www.adorama.com/ and find out how the new Tax & Duty-Included Ground shipping is going to keep dollars in YOUR pocket!



To estimate Arrival Time: on average it will be, overnight to Toronto add one day to most of Ontario and Quebec, two days for the for the Maritimes and Manitoba three days for Saskatchewan and Alberta and four days to BC.

We calculate Duty VAT, Taxes, etc. in accordance with the laws and import regulations of the destination country. These fees are usually based on destination, item type, and country of origin, manufacture or assembly.

When you choose to have Adorama handle this payment for you the order total is guaranteed by Adorama 100%. There will be no additional charges or fees due upon delivery.

According to photoprice.ca :

http://www.photoprice.ca/article/adorama-cheap-ground-shipping-tax-duty

a quick check shows that shipping costs are, on average, 50% less! Most items ship for less than $20, which is competitive with Canadian retail store shipping.

Don't forget that many photographic items are covered by US/Canada or Worldwide Manufacturer Warranties, so many items you purchase from the US often come with warranty coverage in Canada.

This is the photoprice.ca article on warranties for Canadian consumers:

http://www.photoprice.ca/article/warranty-us-canada-grey-market

If you are new to buying from the US, you can also read the photoprice.ca article about Tax, Duty, and Brokerage Fees when buying from the US.

http://www.photoprice.ca/article/tax-duty-brokerage-demystified


If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me directly: [email protected].

[Thank you to photoprice.ca for their help in saying it all so concisely and clearly!]

 

[ablearcher]

No, we don't offer Purolator - the Adorama low cost shipping option to Canada is from http://www.bilsi.com/

Thank you Helen, i appreciate this. However, when i try to do my checkout, i do not see this low cost shipping option. Maybe I am missing something. Not long ago I was shopping for a smaller softbox for a speedlight and was looking at Glow HexaPop 24" priced at $140. The lowest shipment (UPS Worldwide Express) would've cost me almost $50. I checked my cart now and I still do not see any less expensive options for shipment. Also, with UPS option I still do not see if the tax is already included in it (I think I went all the way through checkout but did not finalize it). When i shopped for a similar item (a bit more pricey) at B&H, their Purolator option costs me close to $30 which includes delivery, tax, customs, etc, etc.

Like I said, maybe i am missing extra shipment options, so any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Helen Oster]

No, we don't offer Purolator - the Adorama low cost shipping option to Canada is from http://www.bilsi.com/

Thank you Helen, i appreciate this. However, when i try to do my checkout, i do not see this low cost shipping option. Maybe I am missing something. Not long ago I was shopping for a smaller softbox for a speedlight and was looking at Glow HexaPop 24" priced at $140. The lowest shipment (UPS Worldwide Express) would've cost me almost $50. I checked my cart now and I still do not see any less expensive options for shipment. Also, with UPS option I still do not see if the tax is already included in it (I think I went all the way through checkout but did not finalize it). When i shopped for a similar item (a bit more pricey) at B&H, their Purolator option costs me close to $30 which includes delivery, tax, customs, etc, etc.

Like I said, maybe i am missing extra shipment options, so any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you.

Might be easier to do this by email: [email protected]

 

[unfocused]

While on the topic. I am curious why Adorama doesn't seen to carry Transcend CF cards and very few SD cards.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Computers&cat2=Memory%20%26%20Data%20Storage&feature1=Transcend

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=CF+Compact+Flash+cards

Yeah, that's what I mean. No Transcend CF cards on that link (that I can find) and just three SD cards.

But, for example, none of these:

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/03750/Transcend-16GB-400X-CompactFlash-price.html

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/04668/Transcend-32GB-1000x-CompactFlash-price.html

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/03751/Transcend-32GB-400x-CompactFlash-price.html

or even these:

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/03989/Transcend-32GB-SDHC-600x-Class-10-UHS-I-price.html

You know that I'm about as loyal an Adorama customer as you can find. But I'm also cheap. So I have to go to your competitors to get the lowest cost brand name cards.

 

[jdramirez]

.....Adorama does a fine job but they sent me a cheap lens and the box was damaged.... and probably not by the post. So... small problem that was quickly fixed... but still.

I hope you notified us?

Yes; in partnership with http://www.bilsi.com/
[/quote]

I did... I got a return merchandise authorization sent it back and a little over a week later I got a new one with a good looking box. Like I said... the matter was quickly fixed.

 

[BLFPhoto]

I am an equal opportunity purchaser between the two. I've had wonderful experiences with both. I have nothing negative in any of my many purchases, including more than 90% of the gear I've purchased in the last 10 years (some tens of thousands of dollars of gear).

I have purchased both new and old gear.

Honestly, the only choice I ever make between the two is whether one or the other has a deal on the specific thing I'm ordering at the moment.

I don't have a local store at all anymore, so all of my gear gets ordered. Between those two stores and Paul C. Buff, I can account for 99% of all my photographic purchases.

 

[JPAZ]

FWIW, seems to me that both of these shops match each other's prices quickly.

 

[expatinasia]

I am actually in the process of buying a new 1066X CF card and decided to check Adorama out as I rarely go to their site, and they do not even have the one I want....

I'd be interested to know which one it is, so I can alert our Purchasing Manager. Thank you: [email protected]

The Lexar 32GB 1066X CF Card and 64GB 1066X CF Card. Adorama only seems to sell them in packs of two and I only want the one 64GB 1066X card. Thanks.

http://www.adorama.com/ILXPCF10632.html : 32GB x 1
http://www.adorama.com/ILXPCF10664.html : 64GB x 1

Thanks. I was going to ask how you found them as I had followed the path from the home page, but then I notice that neither of these two products have an image next to them for some reason which is why I may have overlooked them earlier. You may want to get someone to put the image up, as when it is greyed out like that with "image coming soon" it looks like you do not have them - at least it did to me.

You are 100% correct - major fail by our admin!! I've already alerted our purchasing department to get onto this asap. Thank you - BTW Can I get your email address before you place / pay for your order?

Thanks, Helen. I am actually buying the extra CF card as I have noticed it does not increase the shipping cost, so added value for me. I am buying it through B&H with the Tascam DR-60D which I notice you do not currently stock as well.

Another thing for you to consider, is B&H has cheaper shipping rates - US$ 10.50 in the case of a 64GB 1066X Lexar CF Card. Strange as you both use UPS.

Cheers, and thanks for being visible on the forums, it will definitely make me think of Adorama for future purchases.

 

[jdramirez]

Thanks, Helen. I am actually buying the extra CF card as I have noticed it does not increase the shipping cost, so added value for me. I am buying it through B&H with the Tascam DR-60D which I notice you do not currently stock as well.

Another thing for you to consider, is B&H has cheaper shipping rates - US$ 10.50 in the case of a 64GB 1066X Lexar CF Card. Strange as you both use UPS.

Cheers, and thanks for being visible on the forums, it will definitely make me think of Adorama for future purchases.

I don't remember the last time I paid for shipping on gear... well... when I buy used... but from bandh, adorama, and amazon... I never pay shipping.

 

[expatinasia]

Thanks, Helen. I am actually buying the extra CF card as I have noticed it does not increase the shipping cost, so added value for me. I am buying it through B&H with the Tascam DR-60D which I notice you do not currently stock as well.

Another thing for you to consider, is B&H has cheaper shipping rates - US$ 10.50 in the case of a 64GB 1066X Lexar CF Card. Strange as you both use UPS.

Cheers, and thanks for being visible on the forums, it will definitely make me think of Adorama for future purchases.

I don't remember the last time I paid for shipping on gear... well... when I buy used... but from bandh, adorama, and amazon... I never pay shipping.

Yes, but that is because you are getting it sent somewhere they offer free shipping. I am shipping my stuff to the Far East - that is not free!

 

[jdramirez]

Thanks, Helen. I am actually buying the extra CF card as I have noticed it does not increase the shipping cost, so added value for me. I am buying it through B&H with the Tascam DR-60D which I notice you do not currently stock as well.

Another thing for you to consider, is B&H has cheaper shipping rates - US$ 10.50 in the case of a 64GB 1066X Lexar CF Card. Strange as you both use UPS.

Cheers, and thanks for being visible on the forums, it will definitely make me think of Adorama for future purchases.

I don't remember the last time I paid for shipping on gear... well... when I buy used... but from bandh, adorama, and amazon... I never pay shipping.

Yes, but that is because you are getting it sent somewhere they offer free shipping. I am shipping my stuff to the Far East - that is not free!

That will do it. I'm about 3 hours away... so that's a touch closer.

 

[slclick]

What about Calumet?