B&H or Adorama

[BL]

Since you're going to have to wait anyway…might I suggest that you consider the RRS L-bracket for the 1D X?

It is more expensive, yes, but the design is excellent. It is modular, so you can remove the upright portion of the L bracket for a smaller profile when you don't need to mount in portrait orientation (that also means you can buy the body plate, and add the upright portion for the L bracket later). The hex key to convert stores right in the plate itself. It's a common size (5/32", IIRC), and for me that little easily-accessible wrench has come in handy in a variety of situations.

Neuro, thanks for the suggestion, but I'm finding I rarely use a monopod let alone a tripod with this particular camera. I just need something simple for video I've been shooting more of

 

[Loswr]

Neuro, thanks for the suggestion, but I'm finding I rarely use a monopod let alone a tripod with this particular camera. I just need something simple for video I've been shooting more of

In that case, you might also consider the generic Wimberley P-5 camera plate.

 

[ahab1372]

Yeah, it's weird, i don't know what's happening then, as I can't see anywhere on the page telling me it's either backordered or out of stock

Here's what I see on my end as of this morning:

Same here, I don't see an out-of-stock notification

Edit: Neither on the desktop nor on the mobile site

 

[JustMeOregon]

Odd; when I go to that link I see, in red:

Please note: Although this item is temporarily out of stock, you can order it now and it will ship as soon as it arrives. Your card will only be charged once item is shipped.

Yeah, it's weird, i don't know what's happening then, as I can't see anywhere on the page telling me it's either backordered or out of stock

It shows up as out of stock on my phone when accessing the mobile site, with the notation in red as Helen states. But on my computers (I checked more than one, including with no possibliity of having the Adorama site cached), and I see the same thing you do - in stock and available for purchase.

Not the first time I've run afoul of a glitch on Adorama's website.

You can count me among those experiencing the Adorama-glitch...

Also, not sure if its related, but I hand another unexpected Adorama backorder last week (on a different item). It really is frustrating as hell, but I'm too old & life is too short for me to worry about why this is happening... The other "big-boy on the block" has always made it very clear what an item's inventory status is, even when listing search results.

 

[Old Sarge]

This is odd. I saw the message "Please note: Although this item is temporarily out of stock, you can order it now and it will ship as soon as it arrives. Your card will only be charged once item is shipped." Unlike what Ms. Oster wrote, on my computer it was black print instead of red (which would be a good idea since it would grab a person's attention). Wonder why it only appears in some cases.

 

[slclick]

A friend of mine was in a bind and needed some 13 x 19 Pictorico and since B&H is closed for Passover I went to the lab and gave her my pack. I'm not closed for passover.

Now, my only problem is having to wait for them to open and get my return which was postmarked within the return window while they are closed.

 

[unfocused]

Shows up in black on Internet Explorer. Doesn't show up in Firefox, Chrome, Opera or Safari.

 

[ooF Fighters]

My experience with Adorama...
A $7.49 S&H charge on a $9.00 item that fit in an envelope and would have shipped free from B&H.

Amazon
Your Account Amazon.com
Message From Customer Service
Hello,

I know and personally understand your situation in this case, and I sincerely apologize for all the trouble caused.

I see you placed this order with Adorama Camera, a seller on our website.

When you order from a seller, the seller processes and ships your order. Seller items also have their own separate shipping charges. Shipping rates, restrictions, and methods vary from merchant to merchant and aren't set by Amazon.com. The item will be prepared and will be shipped by the sellers directly from their location and not in Amazon.

From Adorama:

Hi John,

We apologize that you were charged an exorbitant shipping cost when purchasing in a third party marketplace. When an order is placed on Amazon or Buy.com, they calculate the shipping, not us. This can sometimes cause a slight difference between what we would have charged in shipping had the order been placed directly through us and what you were charged by them.

If this order had been placed directly with Adorama with the same shipping method, it would be for free shipping. As a one time courtesy, we will refund you in full. For future orders, you may want to place your order directly on the Adorama website or over the phone with a salesman to avoid this issue.


So there it is, each of them pointing the finger at the other. Just go to B&H.

 

[photo212]

Either company is fine. Both have excellent salespeople with the knowledge to get you what you want, and shipping to get you it when you need it. However, there are bad employees at each, too.

I happened to get probably (hopefully) the worst salesperson from B&H on my Canon 500mm f/4L order. First, a refusal to ship to my PMB (UPS Store) when shipping with UPS. I had dozens of previous B&H orders delivered to this same address without a problem, but suddenly this one salesperson decides he will not allow that lens to go to that address. Problem - my residence is unlikely to ever have someone there when the UPS driver arrives. No way of knowing what day it will actually be delivered well in advance. So scheduling a day to be there is impossible. Next this salesperson decides to unilaterally place an alert on my credit card. My truck is stuck on empty at the gas station where they are refusing my card. No where near the limit, and calling the bank on a Sunday is real fun. They have me answer 20 questions, and then tell me the alert was placed on my card by B&H. Ended up having the package arrive without anyone signing for it. Just sitting there. Could have just shipped it to my PMB in the first place and been safer without all the hassles and worries. I became an Adorama customer after that experience. Never found a reason to return to B&H. One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.

I've had two problems with Adorama, but always resolved through their customer service. Perhaps someday, I'll get major hassles from them as well, but my streak is about 8 years without a real problem.

 

[Old Sarge]

Shows up in black on Internet Explorer. Doesn't show up in Firefox, Chrome, Opera or Safari.

Now I am getting more puzzled. I only use Firefox and I see it. I have IE and Chrome installed so I'll have to use them to see what happens. Got my curiosity really going now.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

They are both very good retailers to do business with. Now with Canon enforcing its MAP, prices should be identical. The only thing that will distinguish between them will be the level of customer service and support they provide to their customer base.

 

[BL]

Well, since I don't shop on mobile, prices are identical in most cases, and it seems different browsers are telling different stories for in stock status, it's pretty clear where I should place my orders go forward to avoid out-of-stock/backorder issues.

Thanks all for checking your browsers and confirming I wasn't losing my mind!

 

[Helen Oster]

Either company is fine. Both have excellent salespeople with the knowledge to get you what you want, and shipping to get you it when you need it. However, there are bad employees at each, too.

Can I just note that the mobile site is on Beta testing stage.

Also, that if you experience what you suspect to be a glitch with either site, the quickest, most effective way to resolve this (or any other customer service, sales, stock or shipping issue - whether related to the cost, speed or packaging of your order) is to email me directly: [email protected]

 

[BL]

Helen,

I really, really appreciate your participation in this forum. It speaks volumes to how important customer service is for Adorama and that issues are not taken lightly.

I purchase things on a monthly and sometimes weekly basis, and having to contact a service rep to validate stock status for SKUs is not something I could realistically keep up with. That said, the inconsistencies experienced for stock status is a real missed opportunity and I hope it gets resolved soon.

 

[Helen Oster]

......the inconsistencies experienced for stock status is a real missed opportunity and I hope it gets resolved soon.

As soon as the office re-opens on Thursday I will raise these issues with the web team. It would be helpful if anyone who has experienced these inconsistencies can please email me with details of the operating systems and browsers being used.

 

[BL]

Windows 7 & 8. Both IE and Chrome do not display out-of-stock.

Item in question:

http://www.adorama.com/KIRPZ150.html

 

[rdalrt]

Would love to order from Adorama sometimes. But their shipping to Canada just isn't on par with B&H. I just tonight loaded up a cart at both Adorama and B&H. Many similar or identical items. Only difference is a refurbed SL1 in the cart at B&H.

Adorama total = $1079 + $244 shipping (UPS which I hate)
B&H total = $1544 + $228 shipping (Purolator)

Both including customs clearance.

Not sure why shipping from Adorama should be more on a smaller $$ order than B&H. My guess is because they are using UPS shipping to Canada which everybody knows is pretty much the biggest ripoff around.

So, B&H continues to get my monies.

 

[Helen Oster]

Would love to order from Adorama sometimes. But their shipping to Canada just isn't on par with B&H. I just tonight loaded up a cart at both Adorama and B&H. Many similar or identical items. Only difference is a refurbed SL1 in the cart at B&H.

Adorama total = $1079 + $244 shipping (UPS which I hate)
B&H total = $1544 + $228 shipping (Purolator)

Both including customs clearance.

Not sure why shipping from Adorama should be more on a smaller $$ order than B&H. My guess is because they are using UPS shipping to Canada which everybody knows is pretty much the biggest ripoff around.

So, B&H continues to get my monies.

I don't know why either - we actually use Bilsi for shipping to Canada (as opposed to Purolator), who collect from us then hand off to FedEx. It's the same duty-paid service so the cost should be the same.
I would be grateful if you could email me with your zip code plus the SKU # of the item so I can check why this has happened.
BTW we always do our best to at least price match , shipping as well as unit costs to equally reputable retailers, so I'd love to be able to get to the bottom of this asap. Thank you in advance: [email protected]