Pre-order On Canon 7DII

[Old Sarge]

This is probably the wrong place for this but I couldn't find a better sub-forum. My apologies but some folks might want this information.

I pre-ordered the Canon 7DII a few days ago with the understanding that it would not be charged against my PayPal Credit account until shipped. Checking my accounts, as I do from time to time, I found in had been charged already. A little research has shown me that if you pre-order from B&H using the "Bill Me Later" (previous name for PayPal Credit) it is immediately billed. I don't believe this is true using other forms of credit.

I choose the Bill Me Later option, even though I have the cash on hand, for the six months-no interest. Rather leave the cash in my account than theirs. I sent an email, using the B&H form, and just got a reply that since they were closed for Rosh Hashanah I should resubmit the problem on Sunday 9/28. I think it is admirable that they close for the religious holiday but one would think they could keep the email until they reopen.

 

[DominoDude]

You might want/need to read this I saw on PetaPixel yesterday --> http://petapixel.com/2014/09/23/psa-need-careful-placing-preorder-paypal/

 

[Old Sarge]

You might want/need to read this I saw on PetaPixel yesterday --> http://petapixel.com/2014/09/23/psa-need-careful-placing-preorder-paypal/

Thanks, DominoDude. I don't recall seeing this:

or agreeing to it. But at my age I can't even remember what I had for lunch.

 

[Sportsgal501]

B&H is pretty stirict when it comes to their religious holidays.
Did you check the yes button I understand that you would be charged as soon as your order is placed?

You should deal with Paypal and if this was done with your credit card, call your credit card company and have them cancel the order.
I don't see the rush to pre-order a camera you haven't even held at the store or at Photo Plus Expo in NYC next month.

 

[Old Sarge]

B&H is pretty strict when it comes to their religious holidays.

Something I admire them for.

Did you check the yes button I understand that you would be charged as soon as your order is placed?

I do not recall seeing that pop-up screen. Had I seen it I probably wouldn't have placed the order using PayPal Credit.

You should deal with Paypal and if this was done with your credit card, call your credit card company and have them cancel the order.

It was done through PayPal Credit (previously known as Bill Me Later), not another card. If I had used another card I don't believe the charge would have appeared until shipping (sometime in November).

I don't see the rush to pre-order a camera you haven't even held at the store or at Photo Plus Expo in NYC next month.

I rarely order things before they are in stock but I had good luck when I pre-ordered the 7D five years ago. And though I would love to attend the Photo Plus Expo next month, I have only been to NYC once in my life so odds are I won't be there in October (wife and I are planning a trip in October but it will probably be to Rocky Mountain National Park). There are always some early adopters in technology, this time I chose to be one. I doubt fifteen minutes in a store would have changed my mind in either direction. And I don't like fondling things in a brick and mortar store when I intend to purchase on-line. I am sure that B&H's excellent customer service will be able to work things out once they return.

 

[DominoDude]

... But at my age I can't even remember what I had for lunch.

I hope it all turns out ok for you!
Yeah, I know what you mean; after 50 it's all downhill. Trying to maintain a sharp intellect, and crisp memory is getting ultimately tougher. We do things on routine with a brain on autopilot, and it forgets to tell the other parts of us what it did.

 

[MARKOE PHOTOE]

Sarge,

Surely hope this works it way out for you as I've been down the same road when I ordered the 5D3 from BH with Paypal only to find out my standard provider, Amazon, had them in stock and could ship next day for $3.99 in lieu of $68 from BH. Trying to cancel the PP debit was not a quick walk through the park but it worked its way out. BH and Amazon are the best you'll ever deal with.

I have seen other vendors advertise items 'in stock' only to find out when the purchase is made, 'temporarily out of stock' is emailed to me. This happened with an order from Adorama that is still on backorder after 3 weeks.

Best of luck!

 

[Old Sarge]

I always hate it when someone posts a complaint, issue or rant and then never reports the solution or resolution of the problem. Not wanting to become that guy I thought I would do an after action report. After the holiday I sent another email to B&H which they replied to promptly. The reply involved calling customer service to discuss the issue. I called on Monday and B&H promptly solved the problem by simply putting the order on one of my other cards, which will not be charged until shipping. This morning I checked my PayPal Credit account and the charge has been eliminated leaving me with a zero balance. When the camera ships and is billed to my MC I will pay it off at the first billing.

I have always appreciated B&H customer service and they came through with flying colors.

 

[justsomedude]

I know people love B&H, but I've gotten burned by their closures too many times when ordering gear on a tight deadline (yes, this is my fault for not reading/researching further). I'm not trying to make any type of religious statement, that's not my point at all, but being able to contact some one 24/7 for order support has its benefits. Over the years the B&H closures combined with the fact that Amazon's nearest distribution center gets me product reliably in less than 48 hours, has made me an Amazon loyalist. But I know many here hate ordering from Amazon because Amazon isn't a "camera store."

FWIW - I preorded the 7D2 on Amazon and have NOT been charged yet.

Don't get me wrong, when I'm on the east coast, I love popping into B&H. Their NYC facility, with all the conveyors and box movers snaking around the store, is a site to see!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I never use PayPal to pre-order a camera, and no longer pre-order from Amazon. Credit cards are much better for pre-orders, since you are not charged until just before a item is shipped. Amazon seems to be slow in filling pre-orders, often leaving buyers waiting when everyone else has theirs. I stopped when they cancelled my pre-order for a new DSLR model that I had ordered the first day. They waited a month to do this, and said they had a error in the listing, but I could re-order and go to the rear of the waiting list. Adorama took care of me, and I've stayed with them since.

 

[justsomedude]

Amazon seems to be slow in filling pre-orders, often leaving buyers waiting when everyone else has theirs. I stopped when they cancelled my pre-order for a new DSLR model that I had ordered the first day. They waited a month to do this, and said they had a error in the listing, but I could re-order and go to the rear of the waiting list.

Honestly, I've never experienced this from Amazon, and actually have received numerous products (actually delivered to me) on the product release day. I do know each retailer is given an allotment of X bodies on launch day. With Amazon being the biggest and most well known, I can certainly see how those farther down the pre-order chain can get burned as their allotment is quickly depleted. And I know one bad experience can spoil one's opinion forever. Like I said, I'll never use BH again. Seems like we've all been burned at one place or another.

I guess if you ask around enough (especially on the internet), you'll find enough horror stories to tarnish every retailer out there.

PS: I certainly agree with you regarding the use of credit cards for preorders. The amount of protection provided by a major credit card (AmEx, Visa, MC, etc.), and the cardmember warranties (ie, refunds when retailers won't grant them), are well worth any yearly membership costs.

 

[Old Sarge]

I know people love B&H, but I've gotten burned by their closures too many times when ordering gear on a tight deadline (yes, this is my fault for not reading/researching further). I'm not trying to make any type of religious statement, that's not my point at all, but being able to contact some one 24/7 for order support has its benefits.

It definitely does has advantages.

Over the years the B&H closures combined with the fact that Amazon's nearest distribution center gets me product reliably in less than 48 hours, has made me an Amazon loyalist. But I know many here hate ordering from Amazon because Amazon isn't a "camera store."

Not a problem to me. I purchase a few things from Amazon and have never had any real problem with their service. In fact, some things arrive faster than I expect since I almost always use their "free" shipping. When I order a more expensive photographic item I will usually do B&H or Adorama (and I bought a couple of items from Canoga Camera before they closed). The main reason being that I receive good service, except for Holy Days, and I avoid sales tax. A considerable savings. (I know you are supposed to pay direct to the state but I have never even learned the procedure).

FWIW - I preorded the 7D2 on Amazon and have NOT been charged yet.

Don't get me wrong, when I'm on the east coast, I love popping into B&H. Their NYC facility, with all the conveyors and box movers snaking around the store, is a site to see!

I have only been to NYC one time and didn't go to B&H because it wouldn't have interested the people that were with me. If I ever get back there I will go there just to see it.